Chances are you’ve seen Em Scott’s work online, her tattoo lettering is a beautiful mix of fine lines with rich curves, most of which she freehands, depending on the location and her mood. Tattooing for 13 years, the LA native is inspired by the city she loves and calls home, you can see it in her gorgeous work. From smile now/cry later faces, roses, cherubs, and delicate butterflies - her black and grey aesthetic depicts her love and appreciation of the Chicano and Lowrider culture.

Em has been drawing since she could hold a pencil, “I have photos of me drawing lettering as young as 6 years old. I always have enjoyed drawing and making up my own letters and fonts.” She apprenticed under Kevin Hinton thirteen years ago in Venice beach. A few years later, she worked at Under The Gun Tattoo in LA, she worked there the longest in her tattoo career thus far. She had the opportunity to work at Ten Thousand Waves Tattoo for a few years, and has traveled all over Europe doing guest spots and tattoo conventions. Em currently works in a private studio in the city of angels.

She mostly works in ballpoint, but also enjoys using other mediums like charcoals, markers, and oil. Until the pandemic hit, tattooing took up most of her time. Em shares, “it has definitely been a crazy time for everyone. It was nice to take a little break for a moment, but that can only last so long. During this time, I was able to start designing more clothing and prints to sell. I created an online store, that is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Personally, I have to always be creating art. Whether they say we are closed or open, I always try and stay motivated to produce new stuff. It helps me throughout all of this weirdness going on in the world and it is a nice distraction from reality to be honest.” If you’re following her on Instagram or TikTok you know that is a fact, Em is always creating something. She just released some exclusive new merch including sweatpants, hoodies, and shirts. Next she’ll be making a lettering book (in the near future).

Along the way Em has managed to get tattooed by some of the industry’s best, her personal collection of work includes art by Good time Charlie, Chente Rios, Scott Sylvia, Orks, Saul, Andrew the Kid, Small Paul, Robert Atkinson, Filip Leu, Ben Grillo, Chuey Quintanar, Frank Ball Jr, Dr. Woo, Louie Gomez, Jason McCafee.

She goes on to share some of her best tattoo memories with us: “I got a GTC cross on my forearm from Charlie years ago. We smoked a couple joints after, and listened to some of his stories. I’m very grateful to have met him and to be able to call him my friend. One time, I traded a rose tattoo with Scott Sylvia. It was an honor to tattoo him. It was an amazing experience traveling to get tattooed by Filip in Switzerland. Such a beautiful place and very inspiring people to be around.”

Em’s advice to her fellow artists: “Stay humble, there's always someone better than you. Don’t stop trying to learn. No matter how old you get, you can always grow and get better if you try to.”

Follow her on Instagram @emscottla and shop her new clothing line on her site www.emscottla.com.