Zezi, Senior Tattoo Artist
Founder of Finer Things Tattoo
Specializes in fine line and illustrative tattoos
Hi, I’m Zezi,
Art has been an essential part of me as long as I can remember. Before I could even speak, I was already doodling. My mom noticed my love for art early on and sent me to my first art class at just four years old. From there, my journey never stopped. I attended specialized art schools throughout my childhood and pursued my passion in art college.
Growing up in China, where art is considered “not a professional career,” I knew I had to take a leap. I flew across the Pacific Ocean to NYC by myself to pursue my Master’s degree at Pratt Institute.
Before becoming a fine line full-time tattoo artist, I spent six years as an art teacher in NYC public schools. In the early days of my tattoo career, I taught art on weekdays and tattooed in Times Square on weekends—working 13-hour shifts, leaving the studio at 1 a.m. to hop on the 7 train back to Queens, then waking up at 6 a.m. to teach—all while working seven days a week to support my dream. Those long and exhausting days helped me hone my skills in fine line tattooing quickly.
During a visit to Seattle in the summer of 2022, I fell in love. Who doesn’t love summer here? :) I decided to leave behind my 10 years as a New Yorker and make Seattle my home. The same year, I founded Finer Things Tattoo, a woman-owned tattoo studio specializing in fine line and custom designs. It’s one of the best decisions of my life! As of January 2025, I’ve had the honor of tattooing over 1,000 satisfied clients in Seattle. I’m beyond grateful for this journey, and the incredible people I’ve met. My favorites are botanical, minimal, illustrative, and microrealistic tattoos.
My tattoo journey continues. Looking forward to hearing your tattoo story!
Leila, Junior Tattoo Artist
Specializes in fine line, dark art, color, and cover up tattoos
Hello, I'm Leila, nice to meet you!
I love to do tattoos that resemble a "dark art" or goth aesthetic. I also enjoy taking on color, cover-ups, neck/hand tattoos, and everything in between!
From a very young age, I would answer questions about what I wanted to be when I grew up with "an Artist". After many years of drawing during class, I attended the University of Washington and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. I even graduated from the Honors Fine Arts program, within just two short years of my college education.
Tattooing has always been something that I wanted to do, but my younger self didn't have the confidence to pursue it. Finally, after making a new commitment to giving the industry a shot, I landed an apprenticeship with Zezi at Finer Things Tattoo. The practice of tattooing allows me to share my love of art in a much more direct and meaningful way, and this apprenticeship has confirmed that this is what I am meant to be doing. I am ecstatic for the opportunity to work with you!
Alyssa, Junior Tattoo Artist
Specializes in lettering, Gothic art, neo-traditional, color and cover up tattoos.
Hi! My name is Alyssa. Looking back at my life, I can see how much art has come to make me who I am today. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved the arts, and art class was the highlight of everyday life. I took advanced art classes most of my education, but the first time I realized I could be an artist for life was when I was 13. My school had a career fair where we had to choose a career; I chose to be a tattoo artist. The school staff told me it wasn’t a real career and that I couldn’t do my presentation on Tattoo Artists. From that moment forward, I knew I wanted to prove them wrong, not only for myself, but for every artist out there who thinks living your dream is unattainable.
At 18, I managed to get an apprenticeship with a little studio in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. I worked as hard as I could for those 2 years learning everything I could fit in my brain. In 2022, I visited Seattle for the first time and knew this was where my next step was. I started working towards the goal of moving there, practicing different styles and skills all to learn as much as I possibly could in the meantime. After about 2 years with that goal in mind, I saw Finer Things Tattoo had an opening available. Another 9 months of figuring out plans and logistics to move out here, and I was finally able to interview with Zezi. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time, knowing this shop is the best fineline shop in Seattle.
Tattooing has always been my goal in life, not just to be a mediocre tattoo artist, but to put as much work as possible into adapting and growing into becoming the best version of myself as an artist and a person. My favorite style of tattoo is definitely fineline gothic and baroque, as well as an illustrative fineline or a neotraditional with fineline details and elements. Since I started in a street shop, I’ve had experience with very diverse styles. I’ve also worked on a full range of body parts: I have experience tattooing scalps, necks, faces, hands, and many other more sensitive areas. Tattooing is such a personal experience and can be even spiritual for the client, and being able to relate to my clients at such a personal level is something that can’t be replicated by anything else. I’m so excited to meet so many new people and get to work with new clients!