Convention Connection: How YHER Created Kawaii Chicano, a Tattoo Style All Her Own
YHER started writing graffiti in Los Angeles when she was 13 or 14. Today, she’s a Tattoo Artist with a style she calls Kawaii Chicano. It’s a softer, cuter take on Chicano tattooing, inspired by her love of anime and Japan. She’s been tattooing for about six years, after a tattoo apprenticeship of roughly three years.
Chico Cortez caught up with her for Convention Connection at the 50th anniversary of the Houston Texas Tattoo Convention. She was surrounded by Tattoo Artists with 40 and 50 years in the craft. She was there to tattoo, learn, and honor tattooing’s history, with her own apprentice beside her.
Key Takeaways
Who: YHER is a Los Angeles Tattoo Artist from the Venice Beach area with nearly a decade in the craft, including her tattoo apprenticeship.
Her style: Kawaii Chicano blends the strength of Chicano tattooing with the soft, delicate feel of anime-inspired art.
Her name: YHER comes from her graffiti days, and she kept it to stay unique.
Her values: She believes Tattoo Artists need to understand where tattooing came from and respect its history.
Her reach: She travels to tattoo, including recent trips to Japan and Mexico.
What Is Kawaii Chicano?
Kawaii Chicano is the style YHER says she created. She describes it as a cute version of Chicano tattooing.
She explains that a lot of Chicano art is very strong. It can be feminine, but often in a sexy way. She wanted something more delicate and soft.
She’s a big anime lover and a fan of Japan, so she drew inspiration from that and blended the two styles together. “Kawaii” is a Japanese word often used to mean “cute.”
If you’re looking for something cute with a Chicano influence, YHER is the Tattoo Artist to see.
How Do Tattoo Conventions Spark New Styles?
Conventions expose Tattoo Artists to different regions, legends, and traditions in one place. For YHER, the Houston show was a chance to see a different tattoo culture up close.
She says Los Angeles is dominated by black and gray, including a lot of fine line and black and gray realism. In Texas, she saw a lot of Texas traditional. She enjoyed seeing how styles change from place to place while still keeping a traditional foundation.
She also got to work in the same aisle as legends like Corey Miller. She called the experience life-changing and said being there meant being part of tattoo history.
She came to the convention with her graffiti teacher, Rudy Che, who taught her a lot.
Chico notes that conventions were more unified 20 years ago and have become more commercialized today. YHER still sees them as a place to learn and pay respect to the craft.
Pro Tip: Go to conventions outside your region. Seeing how other cities tattoo can broaden your eye, even if you don’t change your style.
How Did YHER Build a Style All Her Own?
YHER built her style by bringing together the things that shaped her: graffiti, anime, and Chicano art.
Graffiti gave her a name
YHER grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in the Venice Beach area. She started writing graffiti at 13 or 14 and wanted a feminist name. YHER felt right. She says the meaning behind it questions why something is being done to “her.”
She kept her identity
Her real name is Melissa. When she started tattooing, she kept YHER instead. There were already plenty of Tattoo Artists named Melissa, and she wanted to stay unique. She had also already built an audience through her graffiti.
She trained the traditional way
YHER completed a tattoo apprenticeship of about three years before she started tattooing professionally. That foundation has carried her through about six years of tattooing since.
She blended what she loves
Her love of anime and Japan, combined with Chicano tattoo culture, became Kawaii Chicano. Instead of copying an existing style, she created one that reflects who she is.
Why Does a Signature Style Matter for Your Career?
A signature style helps clients find you and remember you.
YHER’s name and style are recognizable in a crowded field. When someone wants cute, anime-inspired Chicano work, they know who to look for. And she’s built enough demand to travel, tattooing across the U.S., in Mexico, and in Japan. She had just returned from two weeks in Japan when we met her.
A strong style also gives your social media a clear identity. To get your work seen, see our guide to platforms to help tattoo artists build their brand.
Tattooing is also a human craft. YHER’s style came from her own life and influences, something technology can’t replicate. Read more about why tattoo artists are still essential.
How Can You Develop Your Own Tattoo Style?
You develop your own style by building a strong foundation and then bringing in what you love.
Step 1: Commit to real training. YHER spent about three years in her tattoo apprenticeship before tattooing professionally.
Step 2: Learn the fundamentals. Line work, shading, and machine control come first. Safety does, too, including the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
Step 3: Look at your roots. YHER’s graffiti background gave her a name and an audience before she ever tattooed.
Step 4: Combine your influences. YHER blended anime and Chicano art. Think about the art and culture that shaped you.
Step 5: Study tattoo history. YHER says it’s important to understand where tattooing came from.
Step 6: Go to conventions. See different regional styles, watch legends work, and keep learning.
Step 7: Make it easy to book you. YHER prefers clients text her rather than send DMs, which can be hard to keep up with.
Where Can You Learn to Build Your Craft?
You can build your craft through Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship, a four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists in 18 to 24 months.
YHER believes in bringing new Tattoo Artists into the craft the right way. She brought her own apprentice, Janine Ray, to Houston so they could tattoo alongside some of the greatest Tattoo Artists and learn tattooing’s history together.
Here’s what you can expect from the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship:
Four structured phases: From foundations to supervised client work.
Hands-on training: You learn in person from experienced Mentors inside a working tattoo studio.
Beginner-friendly: No prior art background required.
Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios.
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios. Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years.
Good Humans Culture: You are not training alone. Ink Different is a supportive, family-like community where mentors want you to win.
What Is the Master Mentorship Program?
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla.
Each of them has built a recognizable style of their own. Learning from Tattoo Artists at that level can help you develop yours, the way YHER did with Kawaii Chicano.
Ready to Create a Style All Your Own?
YHER didn’t try to fit into an existing style. She trained the traditional way, kept her graffiti name, and blended her love of anime with Chicano tattooing. Now she’s traveling the world with a style that’s unmistakably hers.
Ink Different also offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, New York City, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
Ready to become a tattoo artist? Apply now to Ink Different's Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer. Not sure yet? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
To get tattooed by YHER, text her at 323-452-5145 or follow her on Instagram at @yherarte. She travels often, so reach out if she’s coming to your city. Follow Chico at @m4l_chico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kawaii Chicano?
It’s YHER’s style, a cute, softer take on Chicano tattooing inspired by her love of anime and Japan.
Where did the name YHER come from?
YHER started writing graffiti at 13 or 14 and wanted a feminist name. She kept it for tattooing to stay unique.
How long has YHER been tattooing?
About six years, after a tattoo apprenticeship of roughly three years.
How can I book a tattoo with YHER?
Text her at 323-452-5145 or follow her on Instagram at @yherarte.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer.
Is tattooing an AI-proof career?
Yes. Tattooing depends on hands-on skill, human connection, and personal styles built from lived experience, which AI can’t replicate.
