LYZARD

Currently based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, artist Lyzard (Lucas Avila) is thriving in what is often called the most artist-friendly country in the world.

Specializing in the unique genre of hair tattooing, he has collaborated with numerous brands, including Foot Locker, NIKE, SALOMON, and AGYBO. We had the chance to interview him about his journey so far and his future plans.

Collaboration with AGYBO

First, a message to the readers of YEN MAGAZINE.

My name is Lucas Avila, and I work under the name LYZARD.

I was born in Bilbao, Spain, a city rich in nature. From a young age, I loved creating things, and before I knew it, I was involved in sculpture, fashion, and graphic design.

Currently, I am based in Amsterdam, working as a hair tattoo artist.

What is hair tattooing?

Hair tattooing is the art of creating shapes and colors on buzz cuts.

Rather than explaining it with words, I’d love for you to see my work first!

What inspired you to start hair tattooing?

One day, I saw a man with a leopard-print head on Instagram, and it blew my mind.

It was so cool that I went to the store that same day to buy bleaching supplies.

I started by trying it on my own head, and to my surprise, it turned out incredibly well,even though it was my first time using hair bleach and hair dye.

From there, I began doing hair tattoos for friends and their friends, and before I knew it, I was in my current position.

Tell us about the city where you were born and raised.

I was born and raised in Bilbao, located in the Basque region of Spain.

The Basque region is one of the most culturally rich areas in Spain, especially known for its highly developed culinary culture. We also have the Basque language, one of the most unique and least known languages in the world, as well as our own mythology.

Until I was 17, I lived in a small village in the mountains of the Basque region. So, from a young age, I naturally grew up surrounded by animals, plants, and nature in general.

What was your childhood like?

I’m a triplet, and I also have an older sister, so even though I grew up in the countryside, I was surrounded by many people. I often spent time alone walking through the forest, feeding animals, growing plants, or drawing. I think this period helped me develop a rich imagination and creativity.

Later, I moved to Bilbao on my own to study industrial design engineering. After graduating, I started studying fashion. Bilbao is a city full of artists, with lots of activities, fascinating places, and shops. It’s a very inspiring city. The creativity of its people makes even the smallest details of the city captivating.

Why did you choose Amsterdam as your base of operations?

While traveling through Europe, I visited Amsterdam and could immediately imagine myself doing art here. I felt that I had to move here right away. A month later, I signed a lease and moved.

It was also a time when I felt a bit stagnant with my activities in Spain, so I was able to make the decision

What do you like about Amsterdam?

It’s a small city, but there are endless things to do, places to go, parties, and art events. People from all over the world come here to make money, express their creativity, or start businesses. That’s what makes this city so unique. I love that it’s a place where you meet a lot of people and can grow rapidly as a person.

How do you spend your days off?

Aside from my main work, I spend a lot of time working on art.

My favorite thing to do is hang out with friends, whether it’s going out for meals, partying, or skating.

When I’m alone, I enjoy drawing or cooking.

Collaboration with Foot Locker and NIKE

Future plans for your work

At the moment, I don’t have any specific plans, but I intend to keep living in this city until I’ve squeezed every last bit of potential out of it. I plan to continue my work in hair tattoos forever, and my goal is to be able to live as an artist. That way, I can dedicate all my time to art. My ultimate goal is to launch my own fashion brand!