Inky Salamander: Breaking Barriers, One Tattoo at a Time

Mirrors adorned with strawberry-colored jewels, Hello Kitty plushies strewn over the couches, and a gun wrapped in hot pink – this “Girlfriend LA” tattoo studio defies convention at every turn. Among its prominent artists is Sally Qiu, widely known as “Sal.” Qiu, a queer female Chinese-American tattoo artist, breaks barriers in an industry traditionally dominated by white heterosexual men, paving the way for women tattooists of color

As a UCLA alumni with a background in Molecular Biology, Qiu’s inking journey began during the turbulent times of COVID. Although never pursuing artistry academically, the pandemic offered Qiu an opportunity to explore their childhood passion for drawing. “I grew up drawing my whole life,” Qiu said. They naturally gravitated towards tattoo artistry, with a fascination towards stick-and-pokes. Going by the handle “Inky Salamander,” Qiu’s social media showcases a collection of unique and intricately detailed manga-inspired designs and patterns, each one distinctly one-of-a-kind. Qiu’s inspirations come from a fusion of contemporary and cultural influences, paving the way through a male-dominated field with their unique approach.

While touring Qiu’s station, the walls are adorned with sketches featuring hyperrealistic, fine-lined designs ranging from florals and spikes to animals and people. Unlike conventional black and white studios, Qiu’s workspace consists of personalized touches of their aesthetic. Colorful pins secure each sketch, setting up a backdrop to Qiu’s creative sanctuary. They have even wrapped their tattoo gun in sparkly pink wrap, further revealing a brief look into the mind of the artist. 

However, Qiu hasn't always felt this sense of belonging. As a queer female artist navigating a traditionally male-dominated field, Qiu recalls a persistent feeling of being overlooked. 'Being a woman, first of all, and being really young too,' they say. 'They see it as illegitimate that we started off tattooing at home. It's still a very male-dominated field.' Despite these challenges, Qiu is committed to pursuing their passion and feels unwavering support at Girlfriend Studio, which they describe as one of the most rewarding aspects of their career. 'In addition to all of us being queer women, most of us are also Asian, so it's really nice to see an Asian woman queer-owned space and meet so many clients who fit our demographic," they share. It was Ash Ha, Qiu’s coworker and roommate, who played a pivotal role in introducing Qiu to Girlfriend LA. 'I think one thing that's really important for self-taught tattooists like us is that we give each other guidance and support because that kind of information isn't just readily accessible online. We kind of just have to learn it ourselves,' Ha reflects.

Within Qiu’s portfolio, an array of various styles and designs showcase the rich influences and ideas that fuel their creative inspirations. Qiu shares the impact of anime on their art style. “Even though I'm not Japanese, I think a lot of Asian Americans in particular grew up enjoying anime.” Interestingly, Qiu notes that their female designs often end up resembling their own appearance. “You know, like, Asian stereotypical Asian faces. It's partially like an aesthetic choice, I think, but also because it's like what I'm comfortable with. It's like what I grew up with.” Qiu’s designs range from tiny adorable manga drawings to large spikes, bones, and detailed sketches of organic shapes, showcasing their wide scope of inspirations. “I know that there are other tattoo artists of Asian Pacific Islander backgrounds and they do designs that are traditionally inspired by Asian art,” they note. “I don't really do that. It doesn't really come naturally to me.” 

Despite achieving early success in their tattooing career, Sally Qiu initially kept it hidden from their family. “My roommate at the time, when I was tattooing at home, kind of snitched on me,” Qiu revealed. “I was so scared. My parents just randomly asked me, so I heard you're tattooing in your apartment. And I was ready to just pack my bags and leave that night.” However, over time, Qiu's parents grew more accepting. . 'Initially, they were concerned about safety and the type of clients I was attracting,' Qiu explained.  “After I started making more money, they still encouraged me to go back to grad school or find a more professional job. Eventually, they came to terms with my career choice.” While Qiu mentioned the possibility of returning to school to ease their parents' worries, they now feel supported and free from criticism.

Boasting over 8,000 followers, Qiu’s success as a tattooist is rapidly increasing, attracting clients from all over the Los Angeles area, including clients with a large social media  presence. “There are people who I looked up to on social media for years, and I got to tattoo them. And I'm like, "Oh, my God meeting an idol.” Qiu gushed. "I feel like getting a tattoo is such a big moment for some people. It's a pivotal and meaningful process, and being part of that is really special." 

Isabelle Lim, junior at USC and one of Qiu’s longtime customers, shares her reason for choosing Qiu as her primary tattooist. “I do art myself. I'm really picky about who I choose to put art in my body.” Lim shared. “There's some really famous Instagram artists out there, but I do think that some of their art isn't as unique or super personalized, but I thought that Sally’s was just super intricate and well done.” In regards to the actual experience of getting tatted, Lim notes that Qiu made her feel comfortable and looked after. “It was nice to have that experience with somebody and not have the environment be so sterile.” she remarked. 

As Inky Salamander’s journey unfolds, they remain open to various paths. While considering the possibility of utilizing their degree in biology, Qiu emphasizes the importance of embracing diverse opportunities. “I think it's really important to realize that, even if you're studying something different, you shouldn't close yourself off to different jobs and interests you might have." Currently thriving in the tattoo industry, Sal looks forward to expanding their business and even plans on taking it to the next level in another city, such as Chicago or New York.