Alli Baker

You've likely already seen Alli on TV: appearing on Best Ink. An award-winning tattoo artist and a phenom in the tattoo industry, Alli Baker joins the Ink Couture Tattoos Austin crew as a resident artist. Widely known for her beautiful bright and bold custom pieces, floral, watercolor, black and grey and color realism. Stop in our Ink Couture Austin location, or message to secure your appointment with Alli today.

How long have you been tattooing?
I got my apprenticeship in 2004. I was 18 and a licensed tattoo artist. Eager and bright eyed with art as my goal in life. From the day I put a tattoo machine in my hand, I knew it was divine destiny and I needed to push my artistic freedom to a new level. In the 2000s when I began working it was a rough and vibrant group of eclectic people. The place I started was a small red shop off the highways in Missouri. A shop that was called Cowboys Lucky 7. This was the place I got my humble beginnings and met great people that still influence my art to this day.
What inspired you into the art of tattooing?
I wanted to become an artist as long as I can remember. The very first painting that I remember loving was back home in Kansas City Mo. A little neighborhood call “dog patch” to all my homies… I was young and drawing doodles all over my family’s house. Oops. It’s ok because they love me. The painting I use to look at as a little girl. Was a little blue house with victorian accented trim. And it was bright and two stories with a garden in the front yard. Cute small white fence. I looked at that painting and thought what a beautiful place. And I could paint something just as lovely if I put my mind to it. My creativity mind could come up with something beautiful and original. I then decided I was into drawing people and figurative drawings. I always counted my blessings that I had an amazing ability to become the artist I wanted to be with nothing and no one standing in my way. I can rise to a new level of artistry and I’m not taking about duck taped bananas. But art that has soul and make you feel the humanity in the world. Art is a subject that you look at and you only know a human can create the beauty of a soul on a tangible scale. I love Ai art. But everyone knows that art is from the soul and it’s not a program. Ai programs are amazing but…. Something feels real about holding a messy paint brush. I tried to absorb all artists and all levels of art and even snuck into fancy art schools pretending to be a college student at just 16-17 years old. I lived on my own as a young person and had my own place as a teenager. Back in Kansas City all the youth around the art school would put their art on the sidewalks and sold it to art collectors catching an early start at the new and upcoming artist in the world. I would draw figures on the back of paper trash bags and was surprised that I made good money. (At least for a teenager it was good money). All my friends told me I’d make a great tattoo artist. And walked through the doors of that tattoo shop. Set my goals for my future and everyone felt the fire of my passion.

Tell us about your preferred style of work.
I really enjoy art that has flow and freedom. The art that opens your mind. I find myself drawn to plants and nature and structures of architecture and the beautiful eyes of my loved friends & family. I enjoy art that brings happiness and fun colors with beauty. I do enjoy a classic piece as well. I find myself as a versatile artist. I love to make something I know someone will also love. A tattoo that brings positivity and can take the stress of the world and watch it melt into the peace within itself. Once I realized that art was just as important to everyone I had to share my gift with the world. I hope to be the best person I can be every day. I am a believer of you don’t have to be perfect but you can be better than yesterday. Tattooing is a way to feel the physical pain and the beauty of a persons mind on your temple for all of your eternity and that is my biggest reason why I love tattooing so much.

What other styles are you known for?The style of art that I’m known for is basically everything you ever wanted and more. Art that you can dream about. So let me guide you into the perfect style of art that you want. A tattoo that is clean and beautiful. Or a stunning tough guy tattoo that you will be able enjoy with everyone in your life. I hope you remember the fun times we share and the joy that I feel when I put that needle on your skin.
What inspires you as an artist?
I find the art that inspires me the most would most likely be real life. Because life can feel unreal. I’m inspired by animals and plants and earth’s beautiful creatures. It’s hard to contain my excitement for tattooing. I can talk all day about tattooing and the world of art and culture. I also find music a great way to feel the vibes of new art that comes into the universe. I enjoy artist from classical artists from history or mythology. Sometimes I just think a diamond and its complexity that is beautiful and the colors through the prism of the cut can look ultra vibrant and mysterious. Am excited about film and theatre. I love writing obviously. I enjoy using my mind to make people invoke the human they are wanting to be in life. And they all know tattoos are cool, fun, and a great way to meet people with similar interests such as a band logo to their grandmother's watercolors and of course my favorite style is my own creations from the deep parts of my brain. I like people to see happiness is achieved by the art you feel in your body. You can show it off to people as well! A reminder of times and places in life. So tattoos are very important to a person's self-discovery.

Why should someone pick you for their next tattoo/to be their artist?
A person who chooses me as their artist is a driven person with goals and plans for the future. My ideal client is successful, strong-minded person who always rises to a higher standard of being. Also, without a budget limitations. I’m an artist that takes a client with me through the whole process. Sometimes I can be unconventional and I enjoy free styling right on the skin. Sometimes I just tattoo with no sketch if it’s something I very excited about making a reality. Pretty much can make anything happen. Although tattooing does have its limitations with skin. Just know you can enjoy the process and method I believe will be the most amazing tattoo.