Meeting Laura Frank aka Linseï, LISAA alumnus and tattoo artist
Laura Frank studied fashion at LISAA Nantes after an Introductory Course in Applied Arts (MANAA) at LISAA Strasbourg. Now a tattoo artist who goes by the name Linseï, she lives in Bali and is part of the "Sea Shepherd Artists". We met up with her to find out more.
WHAT ARE YOUR ABIDING MEMORIES OF YOUR TIME AT LISAA?
My Introductory Course in Applied Arts (MANAA) year at LISAA Strasbourg and my training at LISAA Nantes were very intense, but very rewarding, from an intellectual and personal point of view. What marked me the most, and what differentiated these courses from the others, is the teachers’ enthusiasm and their desire to see us grow and flourish.
I am very lucky to have crossed paths with such kind people.
Teachers want to see us grow and flourish
Laura Frank, aka Linseï
WHAT DID YOU GAIN FROM YOUR STUDIES?
Firstly, indelible knowledge in textiles and fashion through my BTS qualification in Textile Design and Fashion, but also a philosophical and human approach to life and the working methods that I still use today.
Today companies ask us to be “everything" and know how to do everything. LISAA brought me transversal knowledge that I can adapt to all types of products, companies and settings.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER SINCE LISAA.
For my diploma project, I chose to create a ready-to-wear collection inspired by fencing outfits. This project allowed me to create a runway show for the French Fencing Federation in 2014.
I then had several smaller jobs, including one at Karine Lecchi. We made collections, managed productions, materials, marketing, social media and customers... It was a fabulous experience!
BUT, IN THE END, YOU TOOK A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?
Yes. Life in Paris can be tough, and the little jobs I had weren’t enough for me to live off. So, on a whim, I left France for New Zealand, I started working and I developed a taste for drawing.
For a year and a half, I worked for a tattoo artist from the capital. I swapped my sewing needles for tattoo needles.
AND YOU ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT?
Indeed. After New Zealand, I moved to Thailand, where I got to know people involved in marine conservation. I continued to travel, doing tattoos along the way. I decided to combine my passion for tattooing with protecting the environment.
Now I live in Bali, raising awareness of environmental issues as one of the "Sea Shepherd Artists". This involves raising funds for Sea Shepherd, an organisation dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity. For each tattoo done, 20% is donated to them.
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL TATTOO ARTIST?
Tattooing involves dialogue, a bit of energy, stories, meeting people, and, in contrast with clothes, a tattoo is timeless. To be a tattoo artist, I think you have to be able, above all, to adapt. In every possible sense. Adapting to the wishes of the client while putting aside your own artist's ego, adapting to the person’s skin, adapting to the different places where we work and adapting to different cultures.
School is a playground where you have the opportunity to make mistakes, to be mentored and to learn.
Laura Frank, aka Linseï
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO LISAA STUDENTS?
School is a playground where you have the opportunity to make mistakes, to be mentored and to learn. You have to take the time to create, to be spontaneous, to ask questions. Be curious, believe in yourself, be patient and never to be discouraged – by yourself or those around you.
Click here to discover Linseï's work.
