interview with a tattoo artist Archives - Page 2 of 16

December 21, 2023December 21, 2023

“Understatement and neatness are what I’m all about,” interview with tattoo artist, Foret

Tattoo artist, Foret (@foret_tattoo on Insta) is based in Itaewon in Seoul, Korea, and has been tattooing for six years now. She works out of Nandostudio. On her own body, she has just one secret hidden tattoo, and she loves creating miniature works of art for collectors who love fine line tattoos. We sat down to have a chat with her…

How did you become a tattoo artist?

When I was in college, some friends had tattoos and I was fascinated with them. My interest just grew from there…

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

When I saw my friend’s old tattoo, I had a cheeky thought, ‘I’d do better than that’.
It was such a small curiosity, but it’s what made me start tattooing.

Did you have a background in art?

I studied art for around two years at art college.

Do you have any tattoos? Can you tell us about them…

I have a small heart-shaped tattoo on my collarbone, it sort of looks like a little dot. I got this tattoo before I learned how to tattoo. I wanted to know what it would feel like. But I also just wanted to have a small, cute tattoo – it’s like a secret tattoo that others don’t necessarily notice. I love that, like it’s something just for me.

What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?

It’s a tattoo of three small and cute people holding hands. I remember being so nervous that my hands were shaking.

How would you describe your style?

My own design, understatement and neatness are the things that represent me. When drawing, I pay attention to the each tiny part.

Would you call yourself a fine line tattooer?

I’m ashamed of the name, but I admit it.

What drew you to small, delicate tattoos?

There are many people who like small and delicate tattoos in Korea. It’s like that in any country. So I’m continuing to do a lot of small tattoos. Originally, I liked big tattoos too, but of course, I need to meet the needs of my customers. That’s what tattooing is all about.

What do you like to tattoo? Do you prefer colour or black and grey?

I like both. But if I get more tattoos on my own body, I think I’ll get them in colour. I like the vintage colour and how it looks when it becomes one with my skin after time.

What inspires you and do you have any artists you admire?

One of the tattoo artists I’m interested in these days is Cheon moon (@moon.cheon). There’s an authenticity to his work. I actually met someone with one of his tattoos and I was so jealous. You can see how much he cares about doing tattoos.

Do you have any guest spots planned?

Yes. Next year, I have guest spot plans in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore and Japan. I’m already happy and looking forward to meeting guests from each country.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

When I felt like I was ready to teach others the craft of tattooing. I was very proud of myself when I shared with them what I’ve learnt over the years. I want to continue to help many people – without forgetting the joy of such a magical job.

Give Foret a follow on Insta @foret_tattoo

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

December 9, 2023December 9, 2023

“I make very well-tailored custom suits and dresses and my customers wear them,” interview with tattoo artist Ogi

Tattoo artist of seven years, Ogi (@ogitattooer) currently works at Bk.ink studio in Seoul, Korea. We caught up with him to find out about his journey into the tattoo world and unique take on tattoo design…

How did you become a tattoo artist?

Korea doesn’t have any educational institutions related to tattoo education because tattooing used to be illegal. That’s why I reached out to tattooists on Facebook, I was interested to see if they could give me a tattoo masterclass. Among them was @bk_tattooer. I was able to learn tattoo from them and it was this opportunity that enabled me to become a tattooist.

What made you want to become a tattooer?

From a very young age, I loved drawing and it just came naturally to me. Due to the obligation of Korean men to join the military, I had to join when I was 20 years old. It was a time when tattoos were illegal and people with tattoos were not common. But, the military was a place where a variety of people came together and I was able to see many people with tattoos.

It was the first time I was able to see a tattoo up close. I found it really interesting that the canvas was not paper, but the human body. I was instantly fascinated by the uniqueness of the art, which was different from the art I’d seen before. At the same time, I thought, “Oh, I think I can do it better if I could do it.” From then on, I dreamed of becoming a tattoo artist.

Did you have a background in art?

I graduated from art school and majored in video design at a prestigious university. At that time, I also worked as a lecturer at an art academy for college entrance exams.

Do you have any tattoos – can you tell us about them?

I have a tattoo with a harmonious design of a statue shedding tears and a rose. It’s my first tattoo. It’s meaningful to me because it is my first tattoo, but the meaning behind this design also has a lot of meaning.

When I was in high school, I practiced drawing sculptures for 10 hours a day in order to get into the art college of my choice. This was very difficult for me. However, I endured this difficult time and was eventually able to go to the university of my choice. This tattoo expresses these things. The statue in the tattoo design represents the statue that I used to practice my drawing from. The image of the statue shedding tears represents the hard work I have done to prepare for college entrance exams and, finally, the rose represents me achieving my goal.

What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?

The first tattoo I did was for a friend of mine, a tattoo of the artwork ‘Cow’ by Korean artist Lee Jung-seob. I made the tattoo with the intention of transferring the work of a very famous Korean artist to my friend’s skin. Although I did not have a high level of skill in tattooing as I had only practiced tattooing on my leg before then, I am still satisfied with the result even now.

How would you describe your style?

For my tattoos, the most important thing is a design that flows along the muscle line of the area of the body that it’s being tattooed on. At the same time, geometric elements are used to create the beauty of blank space.

I wanted to differentiate my work from the existing traditional black and grey tattoos, with dense colouring on the skin – a style that I sometimes feel is too much for me. In this way, my customer’s unique skin colour can be brought out and harmonises well with the tattoo. It’s a style of black and grey tattooing with an understated richness and sexiness.

What do you like to tattoo?

I like tattoos of any theme. Rather than saying what motifs I like to work on, instead I like doing huge-sized tattoos that can be designed to suit each customer’s different muscle lines and body shape. To put it simply, I make very well-tailored custom suits and dresses and my customers wear them.

What inspires you. Do you have any artists you admire?

I respect a tattoo artist named Oscar Akermo. I think he is the first artist to express tattoos that are understated yet rich. They follow the flow of the human body, which I think is the most important thing when creating a design. I have been greatly inspired by him.

How can clients book in with you?

They can access my work through social media – Instagram and Facebook, and they can contact me through my email (ogitattooer@gmail.com).

Do you have any guest spots planned?

Currently I have guest spots scheduled in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf and Munich in Germany.

Is tattooing underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays in South Korea?

The number of people who have an open mind about tattoos is gradually increasing, and many people are getting tattoos. More and more current Korean celebrities are seen with tattoos, too. Originally in Korea, hair dye, body exposure, and especially tattoos were regulated even for celebrities. However, these things gradually began to change one by one as public perception changed, and the same goes for tattoos. So, I think tattoos will become more and more mainstream.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

The answer to this question comes to my mind immediately without me even having to think about it. The moment is when I see my clients happy after getting a tattoo from me. All of these moments are precious and the proudest ones for me.

Make sure you follow @ogitattooer for more amazing black and grey tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023

“Leaving a lifelong mark on someone’s body is intriguing, but it comes with a significant sense of responsibility,” interview with tattoo artist, Arar

Tattoo artist Chulwoo – AKA Arar (@tattooist_arar) – is based in Seoul, South Korea. He’s been tattooing since 2017, and has become known for his teeny tiny, super delicate tattoos with fine lines and a watercolour wash. Here the tattoo artist tells us his story about how he found tattooing in a country that hasn’t always been accepting of them…

Tell us about what made you fall in love with tattoos?

I loved illustration and aspired to work in that field. But, while browsing online one day, I stumbled upon some photos of tattoos created by a Korean tattoo artist – it was a profound revelation for me. The tattoos were incredibly small and intricately detailed, shattering my preconceived notions about tattoos.

Seeing that work made me realise the significant similarities between tattoos and illustrations. From that point on, I delved deeper into the world of tattoos, and it ultimately led me to decide to pursue a career in tattooing.

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos? Did you want them as a child?

No, I wasn’t interested in tattoos when I was young. At that time, tattoos were not yet commonplace among Koreans, so I had a bias, thinking they would only be large and somewhat intimidating. That was until I saw small and intricately detailed mini tattoos.

How long have you been tattooing for? How did you train to become a tattoo artist?

Next year marks the eighth year since I started tattooing. When I first began, I didn’t have a defined drawing style, so I spent a lot of time honing my skills. I believed that – even as a less experienced tattoo artist – if I could create uniquely creative designs that others couldn’t find elsewhere, clients would reach out after seeing my work.

Back then, I was in a situation where nothing was guaranteed, and it made me quite anxious, but drawing became a way to alleviate that anxiety. I spent roughly 10 to 12 hours drawing each day. I learned tattooing from a Korean tattoo artist. It was a three-month learning period, with one month dedicated to receiving feedback on my drawings and the remaining two months practicing on rubber sheets with a tattoo machine.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

My tattoo style revolves around drawing small and cute elements in my own way. I cover a wide range of themes, with a focus on subjects related to family, animated characters and pets. Using thin fine lines, I create clean outlines, and I enhance the drawings with light washes of pastel watercolours.

What’s been your favourite tattoo you’ve done?

I remember the first tattoo I ever did for a client. It was a tattoo featuring geometric elements, a rabbit and flowers. Because it was my first time tattooing someone else, it held special significance for me. Additionally, she’d chosen to book with me solely because she liked my design, despite my lack of experience in tattooing. So, it carries a great deal of meaning for me.

Do you tattoo lots of tourists who’ve travelled for your work?

Yes! A large number of foreigners are visiting, especially after the end of the pandemic, as travel restrictions have eased. Guests from a variety of countries are coming in now that travel restrictions due to Covid have relaxed.

How long is your wait list? How do customers book in?

It varies depending on the timing, but I generally reply promptly when I receive a message. I don’t keep a waiting list, so if you send a message through Instagram DM @tattooist_arar that works.

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?

Back when I started tattooing, it wasn’t popular in Korea. However, now it has become so widespread and mainstream that there are even TV programs dedicated to tattoos. With the increasing fame of Korean tattoos, I’ve come to realise the impact as people from around the world are coming to Korea to get tattoos.

What’s the best way for customers to come up with an idea for you? Do you offer flash or prefer custom work?

I mostly work on custom designs. I ask clients to provide reference images or rough sketches that I can use as a starting point. Requesting visual references is essential because written descriptions might lead to a significant difference in the design direction between what I envision and what they have in mind. Therefore, I insist on detailed explanations through images.

Do you ever do guest spots?

Yes. In 2023, I travelled to several countries for the first time. In January, I visited Singapore, followed by Hong Kong in March. After that, I spent two months in Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin and London. It was truly an amazing experience.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I want to travel to more diverse countries for guest tattooing, and I also aspire to create new styles of designs. I hope to continually draw pictures that people will like and designs that captivate my own interest.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

It brings me great joy to have people from abroad, who have been following me for years on Instagram, come to Korea and get tattoos from me.

What do you think about the tattoo world itself?

Tattooing is a highly captivating profession. Leaving a lifelong mark on someone’s body is intriguing, but it comes with a significant sense of responsibility.

With the growing number of talented and unique tattoo artists, I feel the need to work even harder to stand out in the field.

Make sure you follow @tattooist_arar for more miniature tattoos

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023

Painting on skin: Interview with tattoo artist Dareum

Precious things tattooed to capture a moment in time, tattoo artist Dareum (@dareumtattoo) creates beautiful drawings for the people that visit her. Here we found out more about her art, hopes for the future and how you can get your very own “drawing tattoo”…

Tell me about what made you fall in love with tattoos?

I fell in love with tattoos when I first got them. Having loved drawing since I was a child, I fell in love with the charm of being able to paint on skin, not paper for only one person.

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos? Did you want them as a child?

I didn’t know I would be a tattooist when I was young. It hasn’t been long since Korean tattoos became popular. I think tattoos and tattooers are still in the stage of changing that perception. Tattoos were strongly perceived to be negative, their images were frightening in Korea. Of course I thought so too when I was young.

How did you train to become a tattoo artist?

I first learned to tattoo in 2016. At the time, I majored in visual design at university, and I had the opportunity to learn tattooing, but I slowed down for a while because it was a time when I was thinking about my career path. Then in 2018, I started again properly. I learned the practice of expressing my paintings in tattoos and how to handle machines.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

“Drawing tattoo”, I want to say that! I transfer the drawings that I make on paper onto my client’s skin. I like to express the texture of the materials I’ve used. That’s why it’s better to call it “drawing tattoo”!

Do you tattoo lots of tourists who’ve travelled for your work?

Yes, Of course most of my guests are Koreans, but I’m so grateful to the customers who come to me while traveling.

How long is your wait list? How do customers book in?

My books are always open. I accept reservations for the next one to two months first.

How should customers contact you? Of course if someone is travelling over from the UK, how much notice would you need?

I communicate with all my customers through messenger or email. First, if you contact me with the date you want, I will send you a notice and a booking form. Please contact dareumtattoo@gmail.com, Instagram DM, or Kakao Talk.

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing more underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?

I think Korea is still in the middle stage. All Korean tattooists are striving to develop a tattoo culture. I hope that the day will come soon when we can legalise and work confidently.

What’s the best way for customers to come up with an idea for you? Do you offer flash or prefer custom work?

I prefer to work on flash designs. I’m so grateful to the customers who accept my personal drawings as tattoos. Of course, I’m so grateful to the customers who trust me with custom designs as well. Knowing and trusting my style can be a pleasure for both customers and myself.

What is the address of your studio?

The studio is located in Yongsan-gu, the centre of Seoul. It is adjacent to Myeongdong, Jongno, Itaewon, and Hannam-dong tourist attractions.

Do you ever do guest spots? If so, when / where?

In 2019 I went to Paris, then in 2022 I was in London and in 2023 I visited Tokyo. I haven’t been to many different places due to the pandemic, but now I want to try to visit lots of different places again!

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

The current plan is to develop more hand-drawings and to go to various countries. I want to do art books or exhibitions with my drawings someday too.

What do you think about the tattoo world itself?

Tattoos are an art that you can use to express oneself without explanation. It marks a time that has passed. Many of my clients got their tattoos to remember a time or leave precious things on their body.

Over time, you can take out your old diary, look at the tattoos as if you are immersed in memories, and look back on yourself at that moment in time.

Make sure you follow Dareum (@dareumtattoo) for more beautiful tattoos

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

September 17, 2023September 17, 2023

Interview with tattoo artist Hussein Mistrah

Tattoo artist Hussein Mistrah (@hussein.mistrah.tattoos) works in Detroit, Michigan after emigrating from Lebanon earlier this year. Having made a name for himself in a short space of time, we caught up with him to chat about his journey into the tattoo world and his goals for the future…

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

As early as second or third grade it became clear to my teachers and fellow students that I was destined to excel in art. I can recall when I was about 8 years old my district had a contest that required the children to draw inside of a Picon Cheese container (similar to Laughing Cow here in the United States) and I won.

I later found tattooing and went on to attend university in Lebanon and obtained a Fine Arts Degree. I enjoyed sculpting the most but became proficient in many other mediums as well. The transition to tattooing full time came easily as I was able to make a career of creating and sharing my art with others.

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos? Did you want them as a child?

Tattoos were not common in Lebanon when I was young. I can remember drawing on my friends with a pen when I was about 13 years old. Shortly after entering university I found myself in a tattoo shop by chance and immediately became determined to pursue the craft. I have always been more interested in tattooing others than having them myself.

How long have you been tattooing for? How did you train to become a tattoo artist?

I have been tattooing for 12 years and I’m primarily self taught. My college education set a solid foundation for my work and I was able to apply that knowledge to ink on skin. There weren’t many tattoo-specific resources available to me in Lebanon, but today I enjoy learning from other talented industry professionals when I attend conventions.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

I specialise in black and grey realism and aim to achieve a specific balance of light and dark in all of my work. My preference in terms of subject matter include figures of Greek mythology, historical sculpture and portraits. When tattooing portraits I prefer to incorporate female subjects. I feel the eye is consistently drawn to the beauty of a female face which adds spirit and soul to my artwork.

Do you prefer to work on flash or custom tattoos? How do you work with your clients on designs and ideas?

My work is exclusively custom and I spend the majority of my time on larger scale pieces. When a client approaches me I begin with the primary subject matter of their preference and expand upon it to create a cohesive and proprietary composition.

The day preceding an appointment I spend time organising my ideas and setting the groundwork which allows me to spend more time with my young daughter. I always give my clients freedom regarding placement and size, however I find it necessary to organise the major components of the canvas to best fit my style and technique for the most dramatic result.

How can clients book in with you? Do you have a waitlist?

In order to best accommodate myself and clients I have found that booking in short segments is most effective and flexible. I open my books every three months and use Instagram exclusively for scheduling. I don’t maintain a waitlist but interested clients can reapply in the next three month cycle.

Can you tell us about your seminars, what do these involve?

I’ve had the privilege to present five seminars in Lebanon and two in the United States to date. I will be hosting my third US seminar in November 2023. Teaching other industry professionals presents a unique opportunity to focus on my personal techniques in a way that gives black and grey tattooers a new perspective. I place emphasis on balance, contrast and saturation with smooth transition and shading.

Do you have a favourite convention or place you’ve tattooed in?

My favorite convention is Tattoo Planetarium in Paris, France which I have attended twice in 2019 and 2022 respectively. This convention gave me the opportunity to meet several of my idols face to face and the calibre of work is extraordinary.

Can you tell us about some of the awards you’ve won? Do you have a moment you’re most proud of?

When I emigrated to the United States I attempted to enter the Motor City Tattoo convention only three weeks after my arrival. They initially couldn’t accommodate me on such short notice but I was ultimately given a small booth and was awarded Best of Show for Black and Grey work on the final day. It was not only validating for me but my first step towards achieving the American Dream.

How does the tattoo scene differ in Lebanon and Michigan?

Tattooing in Lebanon is not prominent however it has grown as an industry since I began in 2011. Previously it was considered taboo but in recent years it has become more mainstream.

In the United States tattooing is obviously well established. I have found potential clients are willing to wait for appointments when they understand the quality of work they will receive.

What do you think about the tattoo world itself?

Looking back on the experiences and opportunities the tattoo world has given me I have to
admit that if I was given the opportunity to start over I would choose this career again and again.

Tattooing has given me the means to support myself and my family but is more than just a job and I truly enjoy being able to make a living through my hobby.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I aspire to be recognised as an elite artist and become an esteemed member of the professional community. I have been lucky enough to meet some incredibly talented artists and hope to be among them someday.

Make sure you follow Hussein Mistrah (@hussein.mistrah.tattoos) for more incredible tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.