BANJA LUKA TATTOO ARTIST INKS GLOBAL CELEBRITIES IN LOS ANGELES

Miroslav Pavlović, a talented tattoo artist from Banja Luka, has taken his skills from the banks of the Vrbas River to the heart of Los Angeles, where he now works at the prestigious Lakimii studio. There, he has become a go-to artist for some of the world’s most famous celebrities.

Among the stars who have entrusted their skin to Pavlović are NBA and NFL athletes like Dennis Schroder, Brandon Ingram, Delon Wright, Rashee Rice, and Antonio Brown – the former football legend turned rapper. His client list also includes Eddie Jackson, Hayden Hurst, Jalen Ramsey, and former NBA player and current coach Tyler Ulis.

In addition to athletes, Pavlović has tattooed Diego Fagundez of LA Galaxy and up-and-coming DJ and producer Jaden Boysen.

“They truly respect what I do. None of them act superior, and I’ve built not only professional but often friendly relationships with each of them. The trust they’ve placed in me means a lot,” Pavlović told Nezavisne novine.

Pavlović says the tattoo industry in the United States is thriving like nowhere else.

“Literally everything is possible here – every style has its audience, and new trends emerge constantly. One of the latest crazes is tattooing under full anesthesia. An anesthesiologist sedates the client, and then five artists work simultaneously. In a few hours, you wake up with a full back piece, sleeve, or leg tattoo that would otherwise take weeks or months to complete,” he explains.

He also had the opportunity to work with Russian tattoo legend Dmitriy Paramonov – someone he had admired for years – and recently took part in an exclusive workshop organized by Paramonov alongside Rinat Mingazdinov and Mark Drushchenko.

“All of us live and work in Los Angeles, and we wanted to do something meaningful for our local tattoo community. We combined our knowledge and experience and shared it with serious, committed artists. We limited participation to just 10 people to ensure a focused, hands-on experience. That also created a strong sense of unity and dedication, turning the day into more than just a technical seminar – it became a true exchange of ideas and creative energy,” said Pavlović.

He described the event as an incredible experience, allowing him to collaborate with talented colleagues and share a mutual passion for tattooing.

“I’m honestly grateful to have been part of it, and I look forward to more opportunities to grow and learn together,” he added.

Pavlović has also attended many major tattoo conventions, but his favorite remains Tattoo Expo 2023.

“It was especially meaningful because it brought together almost every artist from the region. It felt like a big family gathering, with familiar faces and friends everywhere,” he said, recalling the invitation from event organizer Zijad Muratović, known as Zix.

“I was invited to participate as a judge, and on top of that, I won first place in the ‘Movie Theme’ category. That made the event even more unforgettable,” Pavlović shared, adding that he is already looking forward to the next reunion.