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German Girl Is Tattoo Artist At Just Nine Years Old

German Girl Is Tattoo Artist At Just Nine Years Old

Maya Lu has actually been inking since she the age of two

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A nine-year-old girl from Germany can surely stake a claim to be the world's youngest tattoo artist after picking up a needle at just two years old.

Yep, when Maya Lu, who tattoos at Psyland 25 studio in Tengen - check out their YouTube channel here - was barely old enough to stand when she started inking scribbles onto her father's feet.

Now, many years later, she's still going and has improved significantly. She can operate the gun completely on her own and has learned a whole host of design techniques as well.

Her dad, Lily Lu, who identifies as non-binary, is also heavily tattooed and has been in charge of the Psyland 25 tattoo studio and art space, which is where Maya learned her craft.

Jam Press

Lily explained: "Me and some friends always show her some little tricks and it was amazing to see her progression with the machine.

"She progressed like she's done on paper. Over the years you could see how she started painting motifs and then she started stencilling tattooing motifs.

"She later on started learning different techniques and using bigger and different needles.

"Also, she needed some help in the first years but now, at nine years old, she makes tattoos entirely on her own.

"It's so crazy to see her sitting there and actually going through the full process by herself and making these big pieces in such a short time.

"And, on top, the tattoos look very nice when they're healed."

Jam Press

Despite Maya having developed these skills to such a high level at an early age, her parents don't want her to feel pressured to pursue it as a career.

Lily continued: "It's senseless to compare it with the average skills of a professional tattoo artist. But compared to how old she is, and how fast and clean she already tattoos, it is very impressive.

"Especially as she already tattooed many other tattoo artists and people who already have a lot of tattoo work.

"I'll be very proud to have a little piece from her.

"We will see what happens when she actually one day truly starts tattooing.

"But I actually don't care what she does later on as I am also not a tattoo artist anymore, and I never felt the need to push her in my footsteps."

Jam Press

They added: "I always tell her to do whatever she feels like and go for her dreams.

"I think tattooing isn't the worst skill for a backup to make a living, in case everything else breaks away.

"It always depends on her mood. When she feels like tattooing, she does it.

"When she doesn't, then she doesn't. There were times she made designs and I had to find people she could do the motifs on.

"My friends have asked her for a long time to get a tattoo and I even bribed her with candy and presents, but she never felt like and it took years before they finally got a piece.

"I mean she's a child and she does this for fun. So, you can't just come and get ink. Its luck and everything has to fit. But when she likes you, your chances are big."

Jam Press

As for Maya, she just loves tattooing monkeys and operating the big needle. The nine-year-old said: "I love monkeys and to work with the big needle. My favourite piece so far was the monkey I did on my friend Angelo. It was the one in the short movie [on YouTube].

"I want say thank you to everyone who has had a tattoo from me already and I hope I find people who want to get big monkeys done with the big needle."

Featured Image Credit: Jam Press

Topics: Europe, Interesting, Weird