Pieces of Ink - LEGO Tattoos - BrickNerd.jpg

LEGO fans manifest their love of the hobby in many ways—some collect, others build. But Lucas “Legorio” Peña makes LEGO a permanent part of his life—literally.

I remember meeting Lucas for the first time when he was working at a LEGO event before the first LUG was founded here in Chile (circa 2010). One of the topics he talked about was his tattoo of cascading LEGO bricks, and I’ve been curious about it ever since.

The following interview was translated from Spanish to English, so please forgive the grammar or unique word choices. Now, let’s meet Lucas!

Sergio Rojas: Hi Lucas, thanks for chatting. Could you introduce yourself?

Lucas Peña: I‘m Lucas Peña, a LEGO builder since I was three years old. Now, I’m 33 with a lot more experience building cars, vehicles, and more. My LEGO collection has changed over the years too, now that I aim for collecting quality creations with detailed designs and intricate mechanisms if possible.

SR: When you talk about mechanisms, are you referring to Technic mechanisms?

LP: I used to, but in the last few years I’ve found the mechanisms in things like the Mini Cooper (10242) more enjoyable. They can’t steer, but I love their design. Currently, I personally find Technic to be boring. For example, I have the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (42056) but I don’t really like it. Yes, it is big and a scale model, but it has so many things going on that I can neither modify it nor do something fun with it.

I also have the older Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (8145) and was able to modify it since it comes as an empty car. I filled it almost completely with many mechanisms like a gearbox, a functional steering wheel, and suspension. That was fun, having an empty set that I could complete. The current sets do all that for you. They arrive complete and so full of pieces that I lost the fun.

SR: I was wondering if we could chat about your tattoos. When did you first start getting them?

LP: My passion for body art actually started with piercings—I used to have so many piercings but not anymore. Then in 2007, I was looking at pictures on the internet for inspiration for a tattoo. That’s when I had the idea for a cascade of LEGO bricks. But I’m not that good of an artist, so I took a few bricks with me and told the tattooist about the idea. He was excited and was able to execute the design with the same colors of the bricks I brought. From then on, I just got more and more ideas for LEGO tattoos. It’s been 13 years since that first tattoo.

SR: What was your second LEGO tattoo? And why do you get them?

LP: My second LEGO tattoo was the minifigure. I had this t-shirt with a LEGO tower on it, but it also had this minifigure design like the one that appears everywhere around LEGO stores. I liked it so I HAD to get it inked! Many of the tattoos I’ve gotten have been for that same reason. It is part of me. If I like something, I need a tattoo about it.

SR: Wait a second, what LEGO tower was on the t-shirt?

LP: In 2010, the World Tallest LEGO Tower was built in Chile and I went to watch. It was easy for me to enter because I used to work as a salesman in a store that sold LEGO. I even get to know some LEGO staff, a few Danish people, and I got along with them. I was even able to get on the crane. And a LEGO engineer gave me a keychain. It was an amazing experience, and by then I already had the bricks cascade tattoo so I showed it to the staff and they were amazed.

SR: Was your Technic logo tattoo next?

LP: I don’t remember the order—I have so many tattoos. I had a session with my tattooist yesterday and who knows, maybe I’ll get another one in two weeks. I can’t even count them because they start to blend. For example, if I get a tattoo close to another one, I might add some color or connect them in some way. So does that now count as one tattoo or two? (laughs)

SR: I notice that not all of your tattoos are LEGO. There are some gears and music imagery as well.

LP: That’s because I’ve been interested in mechanisms, engineering, and how machines work since I was a kid.

SR: What do you do for a job now?

LP: I'm a mechanical drafter. I design machines in 3D CAD software like conveyor belts, hoists, and furnaces. In my current job, I design ”down the hole hammers” for the mining industry which are those thick hammers used to bore holes. Actually, if I think about it, I’m an industrial automation engineer BECAUSE of LEGO toys.

SR: Can you talk about your “8880” tattoo? Why is that one special to you?

LP: Because 8880 is the best LEGO set in history, PERIOD. It’s the greatest engineering model of a car to be released by LEGO, and it marks the end of the purely “Technic Bricks Era.” The next set to come out, the Super Street Sensation (8448), started mixing these new smooth panels in contrast to classic Technic bricks with holes. Set 8880—the Super Car— is old school with suspension, drive, and four-wheel steering. It’s amazing to build this set and it has so many unique parts that make it very exclusive—a real gem.

SR: When did you get that set? Did you have to search for it?

LP: I bought it in 2008 but I had been looking for it for what felt like forever. I’ve dreamed about getting so many of the supercars. The last one I really wanted was actually the first one LEGO released, the Car Chassis (853). I got it two or three years ago. Come look... (goes to a closet and pulls out a plastic-wrapped box)... THIS is my Holy Grail—from the year 1977. That was the year when LEGO Technic was born. This was the first LEGO car, the biggest, the first supercar... and I own it with a pristine box!

SR: Did you get that set here in Chile or did you buy it abroad? Is it still sealed?

LP: Oh, nooo—the box is empty. I've already built it and unbuilt it so many times. I got it in Chile like most of the LEGO I buy. I’ve purchased a few things on BrickLink, but 99.9% of my collection came from the local market here in town.

SR: Do you have any plans for your next LEGO-themed tattoo?

LP: A LEGO scorpion. You will see it soon!

SR: Is that your favorite LEGO piece? If not, I’m curious which would it be?

LP: No, the 1x4 curved slopes are my favorite followed by the smaller 1x2 version. Well, I also love tiles of every size and every color.

SR: I thought you might have picked a gear.

LP: Nooo, I’m not the Technic fan that I used to be but I’ll always remember it. Moreover, around 10 years ago I started building steampunk-inspired cars that combine Technic with System. I’ve always enjoyed trying to mix different LEGO systems rather than using Technic alone. I try to get all the LEGO pieces I can and use them all! When I was younger, I thought to myself, “Now that I’m 13, I'm going to play with LEGO for grownups—only LEGO Technic and stuff!” I’m pretty sure that is when I lost all my original minifigures.

SR: So would you say that Technic isn’t your favorite theme right now? If not, which would it be?

LP: Right now, I like the Creator Expert style but I would never leave Technic behind. I haven’t been that interested in City, Modulars, Architecture or BrickHeadz, though I did purchase three Lady Liberty BrickHeadz (40367) for the sand green pieces to make a car! I also collect minifigures to use them as characters in the vehicles. I even like the Friends mini-dolls and put them everywhere. This garbage truck I created is full of color thanks to the Friends theme, there are so many unique colors. I think more people should build with them.

SR: Thank you so much for chatting with BrickNerd. Any parting words?

LP: Neither stop building nor believing nor living. Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you’re part of a team! Oh, and remember to follow me on Instagram @legoriocreations.

Do you have any LEGO-inspired tattoos? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.