By: Alva Ree

Ulyana Isupova, known in the tattoo industry as Yana Liner, moved to America in 2020 to build a career.

From a young age, Ulyana had a talent for art, and her parents pinned hopes on her to become an architect, confident that only such a profession could provide a decent income. However, fate brought her to the tattoo industry, opening up new horizons of possibilities and freedom of expression without restrictions and rules.

Uliana devoted herself to studying this creative art, and her rapid success left her no choice. She actively participated in significant tattoo conventions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where she made new connections and gained valuable experience from leading artists in the industry.

Having created her professional Instagram account, Ulyana adopted the pseudonym Yana Liner, reflecting her style and working technique. Liners are her preferred black graphic pens that she uses in her tattoos. Thus, her unique style was formed based on graphic realism and linework.

Photo Courtesy: Yana Liner

Beginning her journey in tattooing, Yana trained diligently on artificial skin, improved her drawing skills, and attended academic drawing courses to be attentive to detail and improve her talent.

Yana was hired to work in a tattoo parlor, and this period became the most challenging and essential for her in her development as a tattoo artist. She faced her fears while working with demanding clients, overcoming various obstacles such as fainting and seizures, doubts about her abilities, rising prices, and a feeling of lack of experience. During this period, she did not find stability; she was deprived of both internal and external support. However, there was no time to be afraid; she had to work hard and do something new daily. After a year of working in this salon, Ulyana was taken to a prestigious studio in the heart of Hollywood, which belonged to a group of Ukrainian tattooists.

Due to the inconsistency of her work, Yana began to promote her brand, explored the possibilities of promotion on Instagram, and collaborated with bloggers and artists to create her client base.

In search of stability and new challenges, she traveled to different cities and states, which became an integral part of her life. Today, it boasts a vast customer base and long waiting lists in cities such as San Francisco, Boston, and Los Angeles.

Currently, Yana lives in San Francisco and works in the most prestigious and modern tattoo studio in the city with her friends from Los Angeles, who were her first mentors. Their studio attracts the attention of the best tattoo artists from all over the world every month.

“We have assembled a strong team and consider ourselves one big family. The best tattooists from all over the world come to our guest spots. Now, I don’t need to travel to other artists for experience because all the power of the tattoo industry is gathered in one place where I work.”

Photo Courtesy: Yana Liner

Yana strives to be true to herself and do what aligns with her inner beliefs, which allows her to attract clients with her unique style and approach.

“For me, in this creative field, there is no word competition; there is the word choice. When the work looks like it’s all easy and simple, although there’s a lot of experience behind it, that’s a success.”

For Yana, a tattoo is not only a way to earn money but also an opportunity for personal growth. She has gained self-confidence and inner support that allows her to sell her creative ideas at a decent price. The tattooing process for her is a meditation that helps her escape from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the moment.

“For me, results come first, not money. I always invest a lot for my clients and can work for free for fun. I use the most expensive, latest equipment and quality materials, which is an important indicator of professionalism. I think it’s important to show clients that you care; everything should be aesthetically beautiful and safe, including the studio where you work.”

Today, Yana enjoys her work and accepts it for what it is. She strives to be an independent artist, choose her work schedule, and enjoy real-life client interactions. In the future, perhaps Yana will create her product to pass on her experience and knowledge to other tattoo artists. 

Thus, Yana Liner continues to delight the world with her unique talent and style in tattooing. Her journey in this industry is a story of growth, dedication, and the desire to be the best version of herself.

Published by: Khy Talara