Eight years ago, when we first introduced Mel Lockett, she was the new kid on the block—a small-town girl from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where dirt roads and lakefront water parks were her playground. It was a “Hallmark-esque” town, perfect for nurturing the kind of creativity that thrived before hand-held devices took over. Mel describes herself as artsy in her earliest years.
My mom always said that before I could even write, I was drawing.
Now, as we reconnect with her, we find a tattoo artist who has grown beyond her early days focused on realism and watercolor tattoos, shaping her own signature style of delicate flowers. But to truly understand how Mel’s craft has blossomed, we have to go back in time to when her love for art wasn’t just a hobby, but a passion that showed up everywhere, including her school assignments.
My teachers loved me because all of my book reports were covered in glitter and were very cutesy. I went above and beyond to make sure everything I did looked the best.
It didn’t take long for her high school art teacher to notice, and soon after, Mel’s work was lighting up hallways and teacher lounges alike.
She gave me a passion for art other than just an ability for me to sketch and doodle. Soon she had me painting murals on the wall for school projects or in the teacher break room. I would get notoriety from the school which was pretty cool to have people know that that was your artwork.
Recognizing Mel’s talent, her art teacher encouraged Mel to pursue art college, steering her away from her initial ambitions of marine biology or forensics. It was a pivotal moment.
I always wanted to do art, but I had to think responsibly about my future and being able to support myself.
In an effort to blend her passion with practicality, Mel decided to pursue a degree in computer animation in Florida—a choice inspired by her love for animated classics like Finding Nemo and Toy Story.
It was during these college years that Mel discovered tattooing.
For my 21st birthday, my sister wanted us to get tattoos. She got tattooed by the gentleman that ended up becoming my mentor. I got tattooed by somebody else, but unfortunately it was not that great, so I went back and asked the guy who did her tattoo to fix it. We became friends, and eventually he became my mentor.
After graduating college, Mel found herself at a crossroads. Animation was her passion, but she didn’t have the means to leave Florida and pursue it. With her portfolio in hand, she approached her mentor.
I told him, ‘I’m an artist. I’ve proven my discipline. I just finished college and could have quit, but I didn’t. I saw it through.’
Her timing was perfect; the shop was ready to bring in someone new for an apprenticeship.
But Mel knew she had to tread lightly.
I was uneasy about stepping into another male-dominated art industry. It’s tough, as a woman, to be taken seriously, especially when your art leans towards dainty, feminine designs.
The challenge was real, but it was also where she began to grow, both as an artist and as a person.
Figuring out if I could take someone’s idea and make it work as a tattoo was my favorite part. But, I realized that what looks good on paper doesn’t always translate well onto skin—they’re completely different canvases.
This skill was one she developed during her apprenticeship, drawing almost every piece her mentor tattooed.
If something didn’t work visually, he’d adjust it, but that was how I learned—by creating as many designs as I could, across all different styles.
Over time, Mel found her niche and developed an eye for what works best on skin, blending her artistic instincts with technical skill.
I used to put so much detail into my designs on paper, but my mentor would have to scale it back for longevity. Back when I started, three-round liners weren’t common; most artists used fives and sevens. You had to think about how a tattoo would look 5-10 years down the line—those thin, crisp lines wouldn’t stay that way.
Through this process, Mel discovered that transferring a vision from paper to skin required more than just technical skill; it demanded an understanding of how tattoos age and change over time. At times, this realization meant telling clients that their design wouldn’t work.
As an introvert, I’ve found it hard to set boundaries, and it's easy to feel taken advantage of. Naturally tattoo artists want to please their clients, but sometimes, what begins as a request feels like a demand. It’s frustrating when this pressure impacts the art, especially when you’re left feeling limited in your creativity.
Over time, Mel learned to find her voice and be true to her artistic ability.
Now, I focus on ensuring each client gets my best, without compromising who I am as an artist.
In tattooing, you don’t have the freedom of paper; colors must be precise, or they’ll dull. Learning and adapting has been both challenging and rewarding.
And, it’s those lessons Mel would pass on to anyone who she mentored.
I don’t know that I could teach someone to become a better artist. But, I could teach them to learn to adapt, to be patient, and to realize that technical skill is just as important as creativity.
As Mel learned more about the technical aspect of tattooing her art evolved. Finding the confidence to embrace the femininity she once felt would hold her back, has led to her signature style.
I’ve been all over the place. When I first started, I was really into black and gray realism tattoos. It’s still my foundation. Coming from an art background, I loved getting as real as possible with graphite pencil drawings, so I tried to translate that into my tattoos. I then started experimenting with Watercolor tattoos, but now my style has evolved, especially as more clients ask for floral designs.
Mel’s style has blossomed—quite literally—into intricate and expressive floral tattoos.
After 2019, and especially through COVID, there was this boom of delicate, botanical tattoos—dainty floral bouquets and fine-line work. I took that as a challenge. I wanted to merge the ‘bold must hold’ mentality from my apprenticeship with the detailed, intricate designs I love, ensuring they still looked good 5-10 years down the road.
There’s something about creating floral designs that flow seamlessly with the body. It’s about the balance—how the blossoms, leaves, and shading all come together to create something that feels alive.
Mel’s passion for floral tattoos has morphed into one of her most requested pieces reinforcing that true artistry isn’t just about skill; it’s about integrity. These days, Mel isn’t afraid to put honesty above everything else, even if it means stepping back.
I focus on making sure every client gets my best work.
If that means turning away someone whose vision I can’t fully deliver, then I do. It’s important for me to be honest about my capabilities and recommend another artist if needed. Not everyone’s willing to do that, but I hope it shows my authenticity.
