Tattoo artist Meg Roberts (@meg.the.cyclopz_) creates blackwork and dotwork tattoos at The Drawing Room in Coventry. We chatted to Meg about her style, her love of cats and the reason she fell in love with tattooing…
How long have you been tattooing?
I’ve been tattooing for four years now. Two of which were my tattoo apprenticeship.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist?
I’ve wanted to become a tattoo artist since I was five years old. I always had a strong passion for art and was fascinated by people who were heavily tattooed – I thought they looked so much cooler than the average person… Also I only had one family member who had any tattoos and that was my grandad who was a massive influence in my younger life.
He sadly passed away when I was seven and since then I’ve wanted to make him proud doing something that I love.
Can you remember the first tattoo you ever did?
I’ll never forget the first tattoo because it’s on me! It’s a little trad-style flower on my ankle.
It’s definitely not the best but I’ll always keep it to remember where I came from – no matter where I go in my career.
How would you define your style? How has this changed since you started?
My style is very much a mixture of blackwork and dotwork. I like making things quite detailed and illustrative but I’m heavily influenced by traditional art work, too. My style doesn’t fall into the traditional category at all though – it’s cute but also has gothic hints, which is very fitting with my personality.
I originally thought I would be a traditional artist, but the traditional style has too many rules to follow and I like to be quite free and experimental.
What do you love to draw and tattoo?
My favourite thing to draw has got to be animals – epecially cats. I’m a massive cat lover but I love drawing literally any animal because they have such amazing features. I also enjoy drawing eyes and faces because every one is so unique – which creates great artwork.
What would you like to do more of?
One thing I definitely want to do more of is cathedral buildings. I did some recently and thoroughly enjoyed them. I think they’re very fitting with my gothic style, too – I can really bring out my creative side in those sorts of designs.
Have you seen any trends in the themes you’re tattooing?
I always get asked for completely different things all the time, which I love because it always keeps it interesting for me. But there are definitely popular trends in tattooing at the moment: angel numbers, cherubs, dragons and even tribal has made a massive comeback.
What was your first tattoo?
My first tattoo was a classic rose on my forearm. I had it done on my 18th birthday because I just couldn’t wait any longer. It’s probably not something I would get done now but I still love the tattoo because of the memories attached to it.
Do you have a favourite tattoo experience?
My favourite tattoo experience was probably getting my first one because of how long I’d waited and the build-up to it. I was so excited yet so nervous, but once it started and I realised it was nowhere near as painful as I thought I was completely fine and just wanted more. I ended up booking back in two weeks later.
Where can people find you and how can clients get in touch with you?
I’m based at The Drawing Room in Fargo Village in Coventry in the UK. It’s an absolute delight working there with some lovely talented artists who have helped me grow both as an artist and as a person. The best way to get in contact with me is through Instagram.
Any future plans you’d like to tell us about?
My future plans include doing some more guest spots around the country and maybe other countries when I’m brave enough. I’d also love to do a convention next year because I’ve never done one before and would love to see what it’s all about.
Bongjin Jeon (he/him) creates bold black work tattoos at Tenderfoot Studio at 199 Cook St #103, Brooklyn, New York 11206. We chat to the tattooer about his journey into the tattoo world, art style and proudest moments…
Tattoo artist Bongjin JeonFloral tattoo by Bongjin Jeon
How long have you been tattooing and how did you get started in the industry? I’ve been tattooing for around one and a half years. I’ve always been into tattooing since I was young.
During the pandemic, I approached my favourite tattoo artist and asked if he could be my tutor – he accepted and that was when everything started.
How has your experience of the tattoo industry been so far? Are there any moments or stories that stand out? It’s been great so far honestly. It’s been better than I expected and I’ve not regretted it.
A moment that shocked me the most was when the boss of this huge tattoo shop in our shop’s neighborhood wanted to get a tattoo from me even though I was in an early phase of tattooing. It was a big compliment for me – it convinced me that I’m doing the right thing in the right way!
What inspired you to become an artist? Do you have a background in art? Frankly, I wasn’t into ‘art’ when I was child. I was more of an athletic student. But at the same time, I was interested in something distinctly different in many areas like comics, music, doodles and of course tattoos.
Then I realised I liked fun, goofy and creative tattoos the most. After realising that, I went to art school and learnt how to draw, craftmanship and how to market myself – all of these have been the root of my career.
What’s your first memory of tattoos? My first memory, always cracks me up. I did the tattoo on an old friend after learning to tattoo from my tutor. It was lettering on the clavicle so I had to stand up leaning forward all the way during the whole session. Of course I had practiced on fake skin before that day but still, it was somewhat overwhelming and a lot. Fortunately my tutor was with us so everything was under control. It was a pretty chill and fun time; my friend and I still laugh about that day.
How would you describe your style? My tattooing style is called black work with bold outlines. It’s from solid black to zero for strong contrast. This strong contrast makes tattoos alive and also surreal at the same time. It feels like these tattoos are about to jump or move around and I love that.
What inspires your designs? I always find fun in the paradox and unusual, especially when two different things or styles are put together, like serious and dark drawing styles with silly subjects like a Pikachu.
What are your biggest artistic influences? One of the biggest is from the movies. I draw movie scenes and characters sometimes but also just get influenced by the mood of a movie whether that’s the emotions or sense of humour of it. I mainly take inspiration from comedy movies, like Step Brothers, 21 Jump Streets, The Office, The Hangover…
Another influence is nature. I’m obsessed with going to parks and I get ideas for flash tattoos by watching animals and plants there.
What do you like to tattoo and what would you like to do more of? My tattoo style itself with bold lines is fit for something strong, solid and that stands out. And I believe there’s a charm to these strong subjects being funny and silly with a small twist. So far, my works have been 50/50 serious themes and funny themes. I’d love to work on these silly goofy tattoos with bold lines more by collaborating with clients who have similar tastes with me.
How do you see your tattoos evolving in the future? I’m thinking about adding other line thicknesses, especially thinner lines for more abundant details depending on designs and sizes. I also may start putting some colours in depending on themes.
What was your first tattoo? To be honest, I don’t have any tattoos myself so far. I know some people in this industry will disagree and hate this, but I can take it. In my opinion, having zero tattoos and a bare body is also one kind of body design in the tattoo sense. Not having any can stand for having a cool one.
Where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo? I would say New York is a pretty decent city for a tattoo trip. New York is one of the cities that has the most old and also new tattoo artists and shops in the world in smaller areas compared to other big cities. This means each tattoo artist has gotta be competitive. In terms of the city itself, I think New York gets underestimated like people saying New York is overrated.
Another city I’d love to travel to is Madrid. I want to experience working in another atmosphere with New York like weather, people and buildings.
What’s the tattoo scene like where you are? I’m working in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I’d say Bushwick is pretty vibey and has a good atmosphere with fancy bars and restaurants but also calm to walk around at the same time. That’s my favourite part.
Most shops in Brooklyn are new and young so you can find new styles of tattoos easily in this town. Tattoo artists are also young and usually chill. Come through, we won’t bite!
What do you do when you’re not tattooing/drawing? Besides tattooing, I play soccer and tennis for my back and wrist pain from tattooing. Or I love to go to big and small parks in my neighbourhood and lie down. I always say the best part of New York is parks.
What moment in your career are you most proud of? When clients come back and get a tattoo from me again. It always feels like a big credit and I’m so happy about it. And also lots of my tattoo flash designs are designed as patch works. So if a client gets another tattoo or even more from me, it would look better together. This makes me proud and increases my happiness.
Make sure to follow Bongjin Jeon (@telephonepole2) on Insta for more bold tattoos.
Tattooist and artist CAIN creates tattoos at Sick Rose Tattoo Parlour in Shanghai, China about his journey into the tattoo industry, his unique style and how he’s pushing the boundaries of tattooing…
How long have you been tattooing and how did you get started in the industry? In 2014, I embarked on a journey that would shape my artistic career. It was the year that I first learned the art of tattooing in Xinjiang. However, it took a couple of years of experimenting and exploration before my unique style began to take shape in 2016.
At that time, I was working at a contemporary art company. Although I enjoyed the work, I felt constrained in my ability to express myself fully. So, I made the bold decision to resign and embark on a new path – one where I could fully embrace my passion for tattooing and express contemporary art in my own way.
It was a challenging journey, but I was determined to develop a style that would embody the contemporary art aesthetic that I had been striving for. I spent countless hours experimenting with different styles, techniques, and approaches, seeking to perfect the balance of artistry and technical skill that would become the hallmark of my work.
Over time, my style slowly emerged – characterised by intricate designs, bold lines, and a striking use of colour. It was a style that I felt truly reflected my artistic vision and embodied the contemporary art principles that I hold dear.
Since then, I have been committed to refining my craft and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of tattooing. Each new piece is an opportunity to create something beautiful and meaningful, a testament to the power of art to inspire and transform.
What inspired you to become an artist? Do you have a background in art? My upbringing and experiences have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. Born in Xinjiang, the same region where my ancestors and parents also came from, I was raised in a place with a rich cultural heritage and a complex history that has had a profound impact on my outlook on life. I did not receive any formal art training, but I loved art when I was young.
At the age of 17, I left home and went to Shanghai, where I had to learn to rely on myself without any help from my family. This experience taught me many things and made me more independent, which has been invaluable to me as I continue to pursue my artistic journey.
As a deeply thoughtful and introspective person, I have always had a lot to express, and being able to do so through my art has been a great source of joy and fulfillment for me.
My work reflects my personal experiences and thoughts in a deeply personal way, and I see art as not just a means of self-expression, but also a way of exploring the human experience and connecting with the world around me. In this way, my upbringing, experiences, and artistic expression are all interconnected, forming a tapestry of who I am as an artist and as a person.
How would you describe your style? The most well-known aspect of my work is undoubtedly my personal tattooing style, which I call “Postgulag”. Inspired by the Gulag labour camps of the Soviet era, this style incorporates modern painting and tattooing techniques to express resistance against thought control. The overall image is characterised by pure black, without any excessive ornamentation.
I began to focus on the Gulag style of tattooing because I felt angry, desperate, and frustrated about the many social phenomena and injustices. I had a lot to express, and after experimenting with different techniques, I created the Postgulag style that I have been committed to ever since.
In essence, Postgulag is a subversion of the classic “Gulag” tattoo style, infused with my own understanding of resistance, and creating a powerful and ironic aesthetic system using only black ink.
What draws me most to tattooing is its unique expression and the “canvas” that it provides, which encompasses not only painting but so much more.
What inspires your designs? My work is deeply rooted in my personal experiences, and the memories I have accumulated over time often inspire me to think more deeply and reflect on the world around me. This process of reflection and introspection is what motivates me to create and express myself through my art.
Does your heritage influence your art? Although my cultural background has undoubtedly influenced my work, I am very deliberate and selective about how I incorporate it into my art. I strive to discard elements that are outdated or unhelpful and keep only what is good and beneficial to me, my art, and my message.
As an artist, it is essential to remain mindful of the cultural traditions that shape us, but it is equally important to find ways to evolve and adapt these traditions in a way that is meaningful and relevant to our individual artistic visions. For me, this means drawing on my cultural heritage while still staying true to my own creative impulses and ideas.
Can you tell us about the process behind your tattoos? When clients make an appointment, they have the option of choosing from a selection of pre-drawn designs that I have created. This approach is a popular choice for those who want a quick and easy way to choose a design without the need for a consultation.
However, for clients who have a more specific idea in mind, I offer a consultation to discuss their preferences and understand what they are looking for in a tattoo design. This personalised approach allows me to incorporate the client’s ideas and preferences into a custom design that is unique to them.
During the consultation, I work closely with the client to ensure that their design is something they will be proud of and enjoy for years to come. This process can take more time, but it is well worth the investment to create a design that truly reflects the client’s personality and vision.
Ultimately, the decision to choose from pre-drawn designs or to have a custom design created is up to the client, and I am always happy to work with them to create a tattoo that they will love.
What do you like to tattoo and what would you like to do more of? I personally find the process of tattooing to be an incredibly powerful experience. Injecting ink into the skin is not only a form of visual art but also a sensory and emotional one. Although it can be painful, the act of tattooing creates a bond between the artist and the person receiving the tattoo.
This bond goes beyond just the physical sensation and taps into the deeper, more spiritual aspects of human experience.
For me, the ritualistic nature of tattooing is what sets it apart from other forms of art. It’s like etching an idea or artwork directly into the soul of the person receiving it, leaving a permanent mark that has a deeper significance. The idea that a tattoo is not just an image or design but a connection between people is what draws me to this art form.
However, as much as I love the personal aspect of tattooing, I also feel a strong desire to share my artistic vision with a broader audience. I believe that my ideas and impressions have the potential to resonate with others, and I want to continue pushing the boundaries of my art to connect with a wider audience.
That’s why I am committed to creating more art and exhibitions in the future. I want to showcase my skills as a tattoo artist but also express my thoughts and emotions in a way that can connect with people on a deeper level. I believe that tattooing is a way to create a connection between people, to share ideas and emotions in a way that transcends language and cultural barriers.
How do you see your art evolving in the future? For me, tattooing, art pieces, and exhibitions are all just different ways to express my complete aesthetic system. I have a strong desire to communicate a coherent set of ideas and emotions that reflect my personal vision of beauty.
Although tattooing is the foundation of my entire aesthetic system, I don’t limit myself to this one form of expression. I see tattooing as just one of many ways to express my artistic ideas and to connect with people.
My work is all about communication, about sharing my experiences with others and creating something that resonates with people.
I believe that art is not just about creating something that is aesthetically pleasing, but it’s about channeling my thoughts and emotions into something that has meaning and can speak to the human condition.
By focusing on conveying what I want to express, I trust that the rest will fall into place with the guidance of a higher power. For me, the creative process is about creating something that transcends the boundaries of language, culture, and time, and speaks to something universally understood.
What was your first tattoo and do you still like it? My first tattoo was on my chest, an image of a person hanging upside down on a cross. Coming from a Christian household, my mother was furious when she found out. She thought I had gotten a tattoo of Jesus. But after I explained the meaning behind the tattoo, she understood.
The person hanging upside down is a representation of myself. I know I am not worthy of being compared to Jesus who was nailed to the cross. But like Saint Peter, I know the path that I need to follow, and it is a path that I am committed to following.
Tattooing is a deeply personal experience, and for me, this first tattoo was a way of expressing my own beliefs and convictions. It’s a reminder of the path I have chosen and the journey that lies ahead.
Every time I look at my first tattoo, I am reminded of the journey that I have been on and the challenges that lie ahead. It’s a symbol of my own personal beliefs, and it reminds me of the importance of staying true to myself and my convictions.
Through my tattoos, I hope to continue expressing my thoughts and beliefs in a way that is both personal and meaningful. For me, each tattoo is a statement of who I am and what I stand for.
Where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo? At the moment, I don’t have a favourite place because there are still so many places I haven’t been to yet. My dream is to travel to every corner of the world and bring my artwork to people everywhere.
I believe that art has the power to connect people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I want to use my work to bridge those divides. There’s something special about being able to share my ideas and emotions with people from all over the world, and I want to experience that feeling for myself.
As an artist, I am always looking for new inspiration and ideas, and traveling is a great way to find them. Every new place I go to offers something different and unique, and I love incorporating those experiences into my work.
I hope that by sharing my work with people around the world, I can help to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures and perspectives. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than being able to connect with people through my art and to share a moment of understanding and connection.
So, do you have any travels or guest spots planned? I am planning to begin my world travel project in 2023, and I am hoping to make the United States my home base for this endeavour.
The United States is a country that has always fascinated me. It’s a place with a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. As an artist, I am drawn to the diversity and creativity that can be found in American cities, from the bustling streets of New York to the laid-back vibes of Los Angeles.
I am excited about the prospect of using the United States as a starting point for my travels. It’s a country that offers so much in terms of inspiration and artistic opportunity, and I am eager to explore everything it has to offer.
Of course, there is still much planning and preparation that needs to be done before I can embark on this journey. But I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and I am confident that this experience will help me to grow both as an artist and as a person.
I believe that traveling the world is one of the best ways to gain a new perspective and to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I am looking forward to this adventure, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
What’s the tattoo scene like where you are? I, along with a few like-minded friends, have pooled our resources to create a shared workspace called Sick Rose (@sickrosetattooparlour). My friends specialise in the American traditional (Old School) style of tattooing.
It’s been a great experience to work together with people who share my passion for tattooing and art. We are all dedicated to creating high-quality work and pushing each other to new heights of creativity.
In our studio, we share ideas and techniques, offer feedback on each other’s work, and collaborate on projects whenever possible. It’s a supportive and inspiring environment, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for Sick Rose and for our individual careers as tattoo artists. I know that by working together and supporting each other, we can achieve great things and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in tattoo art.
What do you do when you’re not tattooing/drawing? In my quiet moments, I like to listen to music and read books. Good music helps me to relax, while books allow me to learn new things and generate new ideas. Among the writers who have had the deepest impact on me are Byron and Hesse. When the weather is good, I enjoy going to the boxing gym or taking a walk in nature.
What moment in your career are you most proud of? There may not be any one moment when I am most proud, as achieving success is a gradual process and each period may hold different surprises. In the past, when I released a piece of work and received recognition from many talented artists who shared and praised it or when I was interviewed by domestic or foreign media outlets, I would feel a sense of pride.
However, now I am perhaps more focused on creating work that resonates with me and directly connects with the emotions of my clients, or reflects the feelings of those who are carrying it.
Make sure to follow @no.cain for more awesome blackwork tattoos, travel plans and art.
Nicola Asura creates surreal blackwork tattoos at Lightbearer Tattoo in Graz, Austria. We chat to the artist to find out more about the process behind his large scale pieces, what inspires his work and future plans…
How long have you been a tattoo artist and how did you get into the industry? I’ve been tattooing for around five years now. I made my first contact with tattooing culture when I got into the post/hardcore music scene 10 years ago. Seeing all those band members covered in ink sparked my interest in tattooing as an art form.
Do you have a background in art? Coming from a very creative family, both my parents were architects, I grew up with a pen in my hand. I always enjoyed doodling on everything I could find, although I would say that there is a big difference in doodling and really mindfully learning how to actually draw.
A year into tattooing (four years ago) I made the decision to see art and drawing as a full time job. I made the move to become the artist I imagined myself to be.
Instead of just doodling mindlessly I made a plan to get better at drawing which included:
Choosing a specific topic (birds at that time)
Limiting myself to only draw that topic.
Learning everything about the topic through books, videos and studying how they move, their anatomy etc.
Drawing and sketching mindfully 6-8 hours every day, at least five days a week
Very quickly I started to see progress. Soon I wasn’t only getting better at drawing birds, but also other things, because I grasped the concept of learning how to get better at drawing. For me, this system worked.
Why did you want to become a tattooist? Before I got into tattoos my dream was to become a concept artist for Blizzard (Video Game Company) and draw orcs and other creatures for a living.
When I got into tattooing I realised that there were artists that came up with their own creature designs to decorate the body and naturally I was more drawn to that, than the video game direction.
How would you describe your style of work? Surreal creature elements cast on skin in a bioorganic way so it complements and works well with individual body shapes. Or just blackwork, for the more broader term.
How has your work evolved since you started tattooing? My style, if I can call it that, currently evolves at a very rapid pace. Back when I started out my tattoos were more stiff, stickeresque and bold.
Nowadays the priority of all my design processes is aligning the concept on skin with the body shape to create a certain flow. My work is definitely more fluid and open than a few years ago.
Can you tell us about the process behind your large scale pieces? Every client of mine, when I am not on a guestspot, has to come in for a consultation before we meet for the first tattoo session.
During that consultation the client will tell me their idea, placement and size. Then I know if I am up for the motif and idea, I can tell them how I envision the idea in my head and how that will or won’t work with their idea of placement and size. It’s a very important dialogue that has to be had in person. That way my client and myself, can speak our minds and figure out a baseline for our future project.
After making sure we are on the same page regarding the concept I’ll take pictures of the body part. Either I print out the picture, or trace it with paper from my iPad. I always start out drawing traditionally with graphite and tracing paper which I can have multiple layers of.
Once I have a concept on paper that I feel completely satisfied with I then take a picture and import it into the procreate app. This allows me to very quickly experiment with changing shapes and sizes of certain parts in the drawing.
As I, most of the time, work freehand (no stencil, drawing on skin), I don’t need to make a stencil so having this concept visualised is already more than enough for me to work with. On the day of the tattoo I’ll show my client the rough concept which I then draw on skin, layering it with multiple coloured pens.
This allows me to really work with body lines and shapes making sure I can make the most out of every project with my knowledge at that moment in time.
What’s your favourite subject to tattoo and what would you like to do more of? The themes that I always love to dive into are fantasy, creature design, surrealism and flora / fauna.
Usually I just take something from each theme and mush it into one design concept, it always depends on my client’s idea!
What’s the tattoo scene like where you are? Currently I am located in my hometown Graz, in Austria. There are few contemporary tattoo studios, it is definitely more on the quiet side concerning tattoos compared to other cities.
Do you have any guest spots or travel planned? For now I am quite cosy in my resident studio, maybe some trips to Berlin this year!
Can you tell us about your own tattoo collection? Are you a collector and do you have any future tattoo plans? I did collect a lot of tattoos from artists I admire. Anrijs Straume (UK), Stefan Halbwachs (AT) and Gara (KR) for example. Gerhard Wiesbeck (DE) and I started my bodysuit to cover/blastover lots of older tattoos, so that is still ongoing and takes a lot of time.
What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far? The proudest and best moments are always meeting other likeminded passionate (possibly even obsessed) tattoo artists and delving into tattoo techniques, machines and ways we can shape the body together.
These talks are precious to me as I love to get lost in those topics and have long conversations where our eyes light up as we’re sharing knowledge and learning more from and about each other.
What do you do when you’re not tattooing? Drawing and preparing for tattoos. Also being out in nature with my dog Aslan, bouldering (indoors/outdoors) and playing video games.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully doing bodysuits. I’d love to work on full body concepts, creating surreal creature landscapes on skin that you can see and make out from further away.
Follow @nicolaasura for more fantasty tattoos and large scale pieces.
Bazhen Nikitin, creates medieval inspired etching tattoos in Ufa city in Russia. We chat to the tattooist about his style, journey into the tattoo world and flash designs…
How long have you been tattooing and how did you get started in the industry? I have been tattooing for eight years. When I was 18, I got my first tattoo and I instantly fell in love with it.
After that I chose to pursue a career in tattooing and I began to study how to tattoo. Around a year later after lots of learning and practice I completed my first tattoo. I haven’t stopped tattooing since then.
What inspired you to become an artist? Do you have a background in art? I have always enjoyed drawing, and I began consistently drawing when I was 13 years old. I used to like drawing anything and everything, and could spend hours doing it. After completing high school, I enrolled at a design university, where I studied for about two years.
At the same time I was really enjoying my job as a tattoo artist, it exceeded my expectations. Tattooing was already providing me with a substantial income, so I dropped out of college to focus on my profession.
What inspires your designs? I am very obsessed with old medieval engravings and etchings. Many of them look a bit odd, even so I find them to be rather beautiful.
What do you like to tattoo and what would you like to do more of? I enjoy creating unique-looking creatures of my own design. I have developed my own style of tattooing. There is nothing else I would like to do more of, as I am already exclusively working on my own projects.
I want to feel unrestrained when I am developing new designs, so I don’t do custom designs because they consume my creativity. All of my customers just choose from designs inspired by my own creativity.
Can you tell us about the process behind your tattoos? Everything is based primarily on the design. Discussing details with the client is, in my opinion, the most critical step in designing and applying body art. Then, it is essential to set up the station so that both I and my client are comfortable during the potentially lengthy session. I have my own way of arranging my station so that everything is easily accessible. After the tattoo is completed, I clean it, take pictures and apply aftercare.
How do you see your tattoos evolving in the future? Artists with distinctive styles will be in high demand and personal branding will undoubtedly be a major trend in the world of tattooing. People will seek out tattoo artists whose style is distinguishable and recognisable.
I have already accomplished a great deal in this industry due to my unique style and my large customer base, so, I feel confident in my future as a tattoo artist.
What was your first tattoo and do you still like it? How has your tattoo collection grown since then? My very first tattoo was a flash design created by a local artist. I can’t say I enjoy looking at it, but I have no regrets regarding the tattoos I have.
Now that I know many outstanding tattoo artists from all over the world, I get tattooed by them. The majority of my body is already covered in tattoos, but I don’t think I’ll stop until I’m completely covered.
Where has been your favourite place to travel and tattoo? I frequently visit Saint Petersburg. It is a truly special city populated by a large number of open-minded individuals who make it a joy to collaborate with on a daily basis.
Do you have any travels or guest spots planned? In the past five years, I have spent a significant amount of time traveling to various locations and tattooing. I appreciate working with individuals from other countries, but at this stage in my life, I want to settle down for a while and have greater stability.
Therefore, I currently have no guest spots planned. In the future, I may continue traveling and working as a guesting tattoo artist because I do enjoy it.
What’s the tattoo scene like where you are? When I first began tattooing eight years ago, it was significantly worse than it is now. In my hometown at the time, there were only three well-known tattoo artists, so the options were limited. Starting out as a tattoo artist was filled with many challenges. Nevertheless, I did not give up.
I’ve traveled to various places and countries, and I communicate and exchange tattooing techniques with numerous renowned tattoo artists. I became more powerful and excellent as a result of mastering a variety of tattoo techniques and incorporating great tattoo elements into my design.
Now that I have extensive tattooing experience, I am a well-known and recognised tattoo artist in my country. I’ve also seen that each year, a growing number of new tattoo artists choose this profession. I am delighted by the expansion of the tattoo industry and I am willing to impart my expertise of tattoos to future generations. I’ve taught numerous apprentices in the tattoo industry, it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow and improve the tattoo industry.
What do you do when you’re not tattooing/drawing? I spend most of my time drawing and tattooing, but in my free time I enjoy walking through nearby parks. This refreshes and inspires me.
What moment in your career are you most proud of? I am proud of how I’ve developed my own distinct style. I believe that an exceptional tattoo artist is able to maintain his or her unique style. I’m delighted that so many people appreciate my style and seek me out for tattoos. I am also very pleased to be tattooing only the patterns and designs that I am willing to create.
I was invited to take part in ArtStation II International 2021 as one of the tattoo masters in 2021. It was and is a worldwide interactive exhibition in which many renowned tattoo artists and professionals from countries such as Russia, the United States, and Europe, among others, participated. To reach this stage in my career has required great dedication and effort.
Follow Bazhen Nikitin for more etched creatures and tattoos.
