Whether or not your artistic preferences include art nouveau, surrealism, Japanese work or even squirrels in top hats, chances are Haley Raab can design something up your alley. A Wisconsin native, Raab has worked her way up in the tattoo industry since the age of nineteen, garnering herself an apprenticeship at Blue Lotus Tattoo & Body Piercing Lounge and working there for the past four years.
Tattoos are far from Raab’s only area of expertise. She has a strong background in more traditional mediums and has been featured in several local art shows, some of which she organized herself. In a recent interview with The Badger Herald, Raab discussed her entry into the tattoo realm, the changing perceptions regarding body modification and her upcoming art showcases.
“I was always interested in tattoos. After dropping out of school in Chicago, I moved to Madison where I started getting tattooed at the shop, talking to the artists and just being persistent,” she said. “At the time, I was only nineteen. Who really takes a teenager seriously, especially as a woman entering the industry? I just kind of built my way up from there.”
Raab certainly has worked her way up, unknowingly creating an instantly recognizable style along the way. Finding inspiration for her work just about everywhere, from State Street to her own clients, Raab incorporates whatever she finds amusing into her work. Naturally, Raab is also heavily influenced by fellow artists and coworkers.
“I would say that this cat, Spencer Hodgson (who can be found at 7th Street Tattoo, MN), has probably had the biggest influence on my career. I met him right when I was eighteen, and he influenced me to get a job here,” she said. “I sought advice from him. There are a lot of artists here who I work with and a lot of people who used to work here who I could credit too.”
Raab’s tattoos are all about quality and the effort placed into them from both ends — that of the artist and the client. When asked about the perception of Blue Lotus being more expensive than other shops, Raab disagreed.
“These people are essentially shopping for a bargain on a permanent body modification. I don’t really understand that,” she said. “You should be shopping for a style of artist with artwork that you want to look at for the rest of your life. If you come in and let us know what kind of budget you’re working with up front, we’re willing to work with you.”
Raab also discussed how changing perceptions about tattoos have made society a little more comfortable with the thought of getting inked.
“I think that with the younger generations and as we get older, you’re going to notice that people aren’t going to care as much,” she said. “You won’t have to worry about taking piercings out or constantly covering tattoos.”
Not relying on just tattoo art, Raab is currently working on putting together a skate deck art show this May at The Frequency. In regards to orchestrating an art show, Raab admitted, “It’s not very professional. We’re all just kind of friends. We call each other up, see what’s going on and if we feel like scheduling something. Then we rally up a bunch of people, talk around and just go from there.”
Lastly, thanking her mother for her support through all the years, Raab credits her with starting it all.
“I always tease people when they bring their daughters in, ‘Oh, look at you, bringing in your daughter to get her bellybutton pierced. I remember when my mother took me in. Bet she didn’t think I was going to end up working here.’ The look of terror that comes over them makes me laugh. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it’s just like, ‘Holy cow, my mom was cool.’ Props to her.”
Raab parted with words of advice for those interested in tattoos and the art scene:
“Check out the new website, all the other artists here and at other shops. Make sure to look at portfolios in person. Check out the skate deck show, support your local shops and all that jazz.”
Upcoming shows include: “Uncommon Nonsense” (Inferno, Apr. 14), “4 Dementians Art Show” (Annex, May 1),the Skate Deck Art Show/Punk Rock Extravaganza (as described by the Frequency) on May 20, and “Showcase Annual Art Show” (Inferno, May 27). If you want Raab to tattoo you, visit her at Blue Lotus Tattoo & Body Piercing Lounge on 461 W. Gilman Street.
