BIOGRAPHY

Leilani was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington where she found her love for art at a young age. Her father, Charles Richard Pedreira Jr. was a skilled muralist in the Tacoma/Seattle area and took part in many historical art pieces in which helped shaped the essence of the city for many years. Beside her upbringing in art at home, Leilani later studied fine art at pierce college for 2 years. Later on, she served her tattoo apprenticeship under tattooist Faufano Sagapolutele, owner of Heavy Black Studios and one of Waikiki's most established long term tattoo artists.

Today, Leilani studies hula in the process of uniki with her hula halau "Ke 'Ala 'O Kamailelauli'ili'i" under the direction of Kumu Hula Kamaile Hamada. Leilani fuses her upbringing and hula studies within her stories and creativity in order to create a tattoo special and fitting for each client. Much of her influence has much to do with her upbringing as an apprentice and hula dancer.

"I get much of my style from the ones before me. Fano, Akiu, Steve Maching, Alipate, Bong, Sam Taungakava, and even the Suluapes have all always had a great deal of influence in what I do. Trying to honor their footsteps in contemporary and traditional tattoos while fusing my own experiences, cultural upbringing and knowledge I've learned along the way. Its been a blessing and I'm still learning so much everyday."