Today we’d like to introduce you to Faisal Al-lami.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Faisal. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved from Turkey in 2016, started working at a local tattoo shop called Tattoo 13 in Farmington Hills, MI. Within a year, I build my clients, and learned new tattoo styles. I never went a day without having multiple appointments; the shop was making lot money as far as I knew things were good. I was offered an interview by a local magazine; and little did I know this interview was bad for me. The owners were not happy that I was offered the interview and not the shop, as soon as the article was published, I was treated badly; I started searching for a different shop to work at, as soon as I gave my two weeks notice the owners accused of things I did not do, were yelling, being disrespectful.
November 17, 2017 was the day that changed my personal life and career, I came to work the day after I spoke one on one with owner and accused me of stealing; I decided to cancel my appointments and leave prior to my two weeks, I did not feel safe; I had waited for the owner to come in so he does not accuse me of anything further. My client who is now my current girlfriend was there helping me pack, my brother pulled up a few minutes after, he had a bad feeling; not even 10 minutes into packing the owner and his brother attacked us, my girlfriend could not pull him away from me, so she got in between trying to block him from hitting me. She took the punches for me. While my brother was also attacked all three of us suffered bruises, marks and my brother had damage to his left eye – he could not see.
I took time off, to deal with police and lawyers; we found out from the police that magically the cameras were not on at the shop, so in our opinion, the owners Kevin and Johnny planned this attack and purposely turned the cameras off. I started tattooing at a new shop, within a week of being there the owners of Tattoo 13, called the new place and threatened them – I did not want to cause problems for the shop so I decided to leave, the shop asked me to stay but I was traumatized by the previous attack. Moving to Dallas, TX was an overnight decision that I had made, Robert Luckey, owner of Seventh Seal Gallery offered me a job, and helped me build clients; I am currently staying with friends that I have known since childhood from Turkey. I moved to TX doubting myself, not knowing if I will tattoo again but my brother Sam Al, my mother Samar and the women whose been by my side since the attack Loubna Mosallam believed in me, and helped me start over. They never doubted my success, within 6 months I built new clients, reached my Instagram followers to over 10K, I tattooed NBA player and I work with wonderful artists who support my success.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had and still am facing obstacles, being a tattoo artist is a competitive career. I moved to a completely new country never had gone to school to become a tattoo artist, I did not have to apprentice in Turkey – I got a tattoo machine because of an art contest I won and taught myself how to tattoo. I used my body and friends to learn. At the start, it was difficult getting people to trust me, and letting me tattoo them, but after doing a few tattoos in the U.S. & posting my work on social media, more and more people got tattooed by me.
Moving to Dallas after my attack was another obstacle, it was challenging for me. I drove 17 hours not knowing if I would continue tattooing, it came to the point where picking up a tattoo machine brought flash backs – I would rush the tattoo just to put the machine down. My girlfriend started noticing a change in me, I had told her what I was feeling and a week after she flew to Dallas to help me. I was better for a couple of weeks, but things had gotten worse – the nightmares and the flashback of the attack were a daily thing for me. On top of all that, I had obstacles here in Dallas, many of my female clients cancelled their appointments when they found out I have a girlfriend and turned down their advances. I told my girlfriend about everything that was going on, she then stepped in, and started working on marketing Tattoo Sal, and she expended by brand, and submitted my tattoos to multiple magazines. She attracted new demographics. She showed and reminded me who Faisal Al-Lami was. I am more confident with my work, and what I’m able to do. I now do more freehand, and use multiple styles to tattoo.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tattoo Sal / Seventh Seal tattoo and gallery – what should we know?
I currently work at Seventh Seal Gallery in Dallas located at 11571 Reeder Rd, Ste 110, Dallas, TX. I’m mostly known for my Black & Gray style; but I have multiple styles of tattooing from Traditional, Realism, Watercolor, Neo Traditional and much more. I take my work seriously, and listen to what the client wants; I do not just tattoo when they walk in – the client needs to schedule a consultation and we can talk about what they like & want. I would then come up with a drawing, email it to the client to make sure it is what they want. I can take any clients ideas and bring it to life. Some clients would request me to freestyle, and just tattoo any ideas we come up with.
People can follow me on Instagram @tattoo.Sal; Pinterest; Tweeter; and Facebook.
Lessons learned – If I was asked that question a few months ago, I would have had a list of things I would redo; but where I am now with my career and personal life – I would not change any events that have happened, they all led me to today, I have great people at my corner who never gave up on my dreams, even though I was ready to walk away from everything.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The people that I would give credit to is my mother and older brother Hosam Al-lami.
My girlfriend, Loubna Mosallam.
My best friends/two brothers Saif & Taif Cortany.
My best friend/mentor Robert Luckey.
My best friend/work colleague Doyle Chumacog.
My clients who have continue to support me.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11571 Reeder Rde Ste 110, Dallas, TX 75229
- Website: http://seventhsealgallery.com/
- Phone: 248-949-4470
- Email: tattoo.sal13@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tattoo.sal
- Facebook: Tattoo sal
- Twitter: Tattoo.sal
Image Credit:
Robert Luckey & Adam
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
