Whether it’s at the crack of dawn or the dead of night, you can find senior Liz Tinajero crouched over a small desk, perfecting her craft: acrylic nails. With a steady hand and careful attention to detail, Tinajero brings intricate designs to life as ordinary nails become her canvas.

Although her expertise is a recent development, Tinajero is no stranger to acrylic nails. Even before her interest piqued, Tinajero had been close to nail art and was first introduced to the craft in her early childhood.

“I became interested in acrylic nails through my mom. When she was a stay-at-home mom, she would always paint and design nails,” Tinajero said.

Growing up by her mother’s supplies and experience, she naturally gravitated towards this art form. Yet, it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that she decided to perfect her craft. With all the free time she had during quarantine, Tinajero was drawn to experiment with the complex practice of forming acrylic nails using her mother’s equipment.

“I started in eighth grade using my mom’s leftover supplies. I would be hunched over all day messing up acrylic applications. I almost gave up,” Tinajero said. “It has taken me a lot of time and practice to get where I am today.”

Tinajero documents her progress in nail work through pictures, snapping a photo after every set she completes. Her collection creates a visual timeline. Pictures with older dates feature much simpler sets, while more recent dates showcase delicately shaped nails with elaborate details. A quick scroll through this compilation reveals her artistry evolving into something extraordinary.

Tinajero’s nail services are distinctive, as she has fused her ascribed gift for drawing with her skill in acrylic nail artistry. Her lifelong experience in paper and pen drawings has served as a valuable asset, and allows her to approach nail illustrations with a confidence that many nail techs at salons lack.

Mesmerizing manicures aren’t the only part of her service that renders Tinajero’s business unparalleled by the average nail salon. While most commercial salons prioritize timeliness over quality and customer experience, Tinajero dedicates up to 10 hours meticulously crafting detailed designs and ensuring her customers a gentle, personable service.

Tinajero’s journey to mastery in acrylic nails isn’t just about developing a skill; it has become a guiding principle in her life.

“Doing nails taught me to try new things without being afraid to fail the first time,” Tinajero said.

Tinajero used each setback as an opportunity to hone her skills, which allowed her hobby to develop into a successful occupation. It is in a quiet part of her basement where masterpieces really are at your fingertips. Tinajero currently has a room designated for her nail work and a tall stack of supplies, additions that accompany her service’s influx of new customers.

Tinajero continues to explore new artistic practices and broaden her creative capabilities. Though her canvas may have gotten smaller, her talent as an artist continues to grow exponentially.