Discovering Miryam, a female tattoo artist, influencer, and artistic collaborator known for her colorful, mystical tattoo style and free-flowing personality.
Miryam Lumpini, Swedish born and raised, now living and working in Los Angeles, has built a huge following in the tattoo space and has tattooed a multitude of celebrities that include, Jhené Aiko, Keke Palmer, Khelani, Skrillex and Bryson Tiller just to name a few.
Miryam’s specialty is covering up other’s bad work or her client’s past memories, they’d like to forget. Her popularity has transcended worldwide and she has clients who travel across the globe to work with this creative. Let’s get to know her better through TattooLife.com’s questions.
Hello Miryam, how did your nickname “TheWitchDoctor” come about, who gave it to you, and how long has it been circulating along with your name?
Well, the nickname “TheWitchDoctor” came about when I was going through this whole change in my life. So, after I got my green card, I just started tattooing in LA. It was going amazing; everyone wanted to get tattooed, and I thought I needed to brand myself or something. I was sitting with a friend, and I was like, I need a nickname or something to go by to brand myself. Something that just describes who I am and something that my allies can call me, you know? My friend was like, «You’re more like a witch doctor to me»; and I was like, «Oh, my God!».
And that’s where it all started…
Yeah, that name just made sense; it tied in perfectly with my healing purpose/spirit, kind of like positive magic. It reminds me that a lot of my work has a magical essence to it. My nickname brings me back to my African roots in the Congo. “TheWitchDoctor”, in short, stands for me being a healer with art. And it’s been my nickname for 15 years!
You specialize in cover up tattoo artistry. Tell me the truth: How much more difficult is it to tattoo on a “canvas” already used by others than the full creativity that a clean body can put at the tattoo artist’s disposal?
To be honest, it totally depends on what’s underneath the cover and what the person wants to cover it with. It’s very difficult to do a cover-up, but as long as you know where the contrasts are, it doesn’t have to be harder than a blank canvas.
Looking at your beauty, your naturalness to stand in front of the camera and your many tattoos, how many people mistake you for a model compared to the fact that you remain a 100% professional tattoo artist?
I never saw myself as a model, but people have asked me to model for certain things in the past, and then I wondered, «Why are there not any tattooed models that are really respected?». You always hear categories, like “goth girl” or “alternative model”, and then you only get those types of gigs. I just want to change the industry norm. Why can’t we have a tattooed, high-fashion inspirational model?
In short, you realized that there was a missing space that needed to be filled.…
I would put it this way – if people mistake me for a model, I take that as a compliment, because I’ve definitely been working hard to even be seen as a model, as a tattooed woman. My focus was always the art, so I never used to see myself as a model or that I was beautiful.
I used to try to hide myself under all types of hair colors, makeup, and tattoos, but now I embrace the fact that I am different.
You can be a mother of three, have a job, or be a businesswoman, and no matter how you look or feel, you can still be seen as beautiful. The fact that an international blog like TattooLife.com is viewing me that way means, to me, that I have succeeded in something I thought was impossible as a teenager. So, thank you; that’s a great compliment!
How much emotion did you instill in the creation of that lovely portrait of Tupac Shakur that appears both on your Instagram page and as a work-in-progress version in the “Bio” section on your official website at www.miryamlumpini.com?
The caption of the Instagram photo that I posted it says very motivational phrases that Tupac once said. «Behind every sweet smile, there is a bitter sadness that no one can see or feel. If you can make it through the night, there’s a brighter day. Always do your best. Don’t let the pressure make you panic. No matter how hard it gets, stick your chest up, keep your head up, and handle it». The client I did that tattoo on is actually one of the first clients that I worked with in Los Angeles. We both have similar journeys: trying to come up, staying dedicated to ourselves and our journeys, and showing how far we’ve come.
To be even more specific: how important was Tupac’s message in your life of woman and tattoo artist?
It’s a great message that I believe should be celebrated. So that’s what took Tupac so far, and I think that’s why he’s so influential, because it’s that drive that can make people have hope.
I feel like every Tupac tattoo I’ve seen is always trying to make him look so gangster, but he was a poet.
He was just a regular guy with a message that he was trying to spread. We chose the perfect image of Tupac; it calmly stared into your soul, so the feeling stayed in your soul. I truly think this is what he was really trying to tell us. Not the gangster tattoo, just to do gangster tattoo. Let’s convey the message that he was actually trying to spread hope. I remember in Sweden when I was young, I always loved the energy that Tupac Shakur had in his music.
Tell me about your long apprenticeship (three years) with Black-and-Gray tattoo master Diego Hernandez? Do you think that without him you would not be where you are today?
Yes! Diego definitely, definitely, definitely took me under his wing.
The first season of ‘Tattoo Redo’ (series you participated in) aired on Netflix on July 28, 2021. Do you think a second season will ever come?
I don’t know if it will be picked up for another season, but it was an honor for me to be on the show, and as a professional in my field, it was such great exposure for me.
Among the many tattoos you sport, is there one in particular that when you look at it you say to yourself, «Hey, this is a really important piece and a lesson that I will have to keep in mind forever»?
All of my tattoos are important pieces, and I want to remember that. I usually don’t take on anything that I think would be horrible.
Even if the piece doesn’t turn out the exact way we want it, whatever it is, it is still a piece of art that we created and has its own beauty.
Some people love a big back piece, and some people love a small tattoo on their wrist. They’re all beautiful in their own different ways. I don’t think art should be compared; it should just be appreciated for what it is.
When are you coming to visit us in Europe bringing some of your art?
Now that my kids are old enough to travel, I’m definitely planning on traveling more. I’m hoping to go to Europe for Paris and Italy Fashion Week. I will be posting my European travel announcements on Instagram (@miryamlumpini); so follow me to stay updated!
Apart from your mother, would you like to name one woman (famous or not) who was most important for the high values she expressed?
My best friend would be that woman; her name is Aniela (IG: @fruduva). She’s a Polish artist, but she lives in Sweden, and she’s very good and talented in color tattoos. So, I learned a lot about how to use color, and I was inspired just by being around her.
And your last famous words are… ?
“In the name of love”. Period. You know, I really feel like love is the greatest thing.
