We first spoke to Leeds-based tattoo artist Tina Caruso (@tinacarusodot)in November last year (read our interview) and it was incredible to hear all about her mastectomy tattoo project. But Tina has been busy with a brand new project, so we decided to have another catch up to find out all about her beautiful tattooed corsets…
What inspired you to want to put tattoos on a corset?
I’ve always loved the way a corset frames the body and moves with it. It felt natural to combine that shape with tattoo art, so the piece becomes something you can actually wear — art that’s alive and in motion.
How did you come up with the designs? Are they like the tattoos you create on skin?
Not really — they’re quite different from my tattoo work on skin. With the first corset I made, I realised I needed to simplify the design so it would work on this type of fabric. So I started to play around with thick and thin lines to give contrast and impact while still keeping the flow along the body’s shape.
How many corsets have you made? Are they one of a kind?
So far, I’ve made one original design, it will be available in three sizes (S/M/L). It’s still a one-of-a-kind piece — each one is made individually, so no two will ever be exactly the same.
Are the corsets on display anywhere?
Not yet — I’m just about to launch my online shop, so they’ll be available there soon.
How do you go about tattooing the corsets? How different is it to skin?
It’s completely different to tattooing skin. Fabric doesn’t stretch, so the design has to be adapted and transferred differently. The ink also behaves differently, so it’s slower and more technical — but the end result is worth it.
Have you customised other objects with tattoos?
I’ve tried tattooing a few different materials, for practice, but corsets are my favourite, they look so elegant once finished. And I’m already looking at different forms of corsets and new projects to start with.
Thank you for chatting to us Tina, it was great to reconnect. Follow Tina on Instagram to find out when her online shop launches.
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Tattoo artist Kseniia Oliinyk(@storm_tattooart) believes that tattoos can be integral to healing both physical and emotional wounds. She used to be a nurse in Ukraine, and now she is tattooing in San Francisco in the USA where she covers scars and heals souls…
What drew you to the tattoo world?
The freedom of expression. How people can express their inner world through tattooing, tell their story or capture important moments in their lives. How a tattoo can help heal a heartache or remind you of what’s most important. To me, a tattoo isn’t just a drawing, it’s a whole story.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist?
Watching the TV show Miami Ink. I realised it was a place where I could combine my love of art and medicine because I wasn’t willing to give up either of them. Also I sensed a kind of freedom in this business, knowing that in art you are never limited and you have endless possibilities for development.
You used to be a nurse, how do tattooing and nursing relate to one another?
Yeah, there are no ex-medics. Tattooing is partly a medical procedure, we still work with the skin, which is a full-fledged organ with its own peculiarities. As a tattoo artist you need to be ready for the client to feel bad at any moment and you can’t hesitate to deal with it. Also healing is fifty percent of the quality of the tattoo, so the right aftercare is also very important.
What was your first tattoo?
A white snowflake on my right palm. I am left-handed and made it myself. Later on the tattoo was also practiced on by my apprentices, as a first touch of live skin. Now it is perfectly healed and for seven years I have not done any touch-ups.
What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?
The first tattoo I did on a person was a blackwork sleeve for my first tattoo teacher. At my first class I was given a machine, needle and ink said, “tattoo me”. I was shocked, but I was up to the task.
As well as your first class, how did you learn to tattoo?
I had two mentors, they gave me the basic knowledge, led me through the gates of the world of tattooing, and then I went on my own. I studied other artists through video lessons, practiced on artificial skin and continued to draw a lot – very quickly I moved to the real thing. I still attend different workshops of the artists whose style and technique I like the most. There is no point where you’re the best; you can always get better.
Do you have a favourite tattoo experience?
There is no single favourite. I adore my clients and their ideas, especially when I am given freedom and told to “create, I trust your vision”. Those are truly the best moments, seeing a client’s eyes shine when they walk out of the tattoo studio happy.
Do you think tattoos can help people feel more confident?
Yes, I absolutely believe that. Expressing your thoughts, feelings, the way you see yourself and the way you want a tattoo. It’s magic. Especially when it comes to covering up old tattoos and scars.
Can you tell us more about covering up scars with tattoos?
It’s a very special subject. I would even say it’s tattoo therapy. Because scars have a significant impact on self-image, love for your body and the way you feel about yourself in your body.
If a person is not happy with what they see every day in the mirror, it can lead to terrible consequences. A person can become more closed-off, shy and constantly feeling ashamed of their body can significantly reduce the quality of life. Now I’m co-authoring a scientific article with a psychotherapist about it. This is an important topic that I believe we should not keep silent about.
How do you cover a scar and what should someone who wants one covered know?
Scars are basically connective tissue, like our joints. The quality of the skin is really different, so I wouldn’t recommend using this method for any fine lines or small details. I think the best thing to do would be to cover the scar with some part of the tattoo and draw attention away from it.
So, for instance, if you want to make a tattoo that’s all about drawing attention to a particular object, you can do that by making the object itself a bit distorted or something like that. It was great to work with a client who had a big burn on his arm. We covered it with an abstract tattoo.
The watercolour texture and shapes of the scar really complemented the composition, especially where it’s actually made.
It’s also worth mentioning that the age of the scar is important. You can overlap the stitches a year after the area has healed completely, as long as there’s no pain or discomfort. When it comes to keloid scars, I always make sure my clients see a doctor at the start of the project to check it’s ok for them to work on the scar.
You have done a few charity tattoo flash days, what are these like?
These are my special days, and I love them. I started holding them at home in Odessa to support our defenders. There have already been three and there will be more. On these days, I do small, quick tattoos for a fixed price, and all the money raised is donated to volunteers to buy medicine and other necessities.
Next time, I think it will be to help an animal shelter that has taken in pets who have lost their owners.
I don’t create flash sheets because I prefer to work with my clients’ ideas. A few days before the event, we develop a sketch, so each client gets exactly what they want.
What’s been your favourite country to visit and tattoo in?
Currently, I am most interested in working in the USA and Ukraine, but I like to travel everywhere; the main thing is to plan everything so that I don’t ruin anything at the last moment.
Do you have a moment in your career or personal life you’re really proud of?
I was probably at my happiest when I visited a tattoo convention for the first time and took second place in the “Neotraditional” style. That was in Kharkiv in 2021 — it was truly unforgettable. I also saw this wonderful city for the first time then, and I would really like to go back.
I’m also really proud that I overcame my fears and started travelling the world, tattooing wherever I go and meeting incredible people who inspire me more and more.
What are your hopes for the future?
I have big plans. I want to open two tattoo studios: one in the USA and one in Ukraine. There is a list of tattoo conventions that I’d like to attend. I am also thinking about setting up a charity project for scarred people, inviting different masters who work with scar camouflage and promoting tattoo therapy.
We can’t wait for the next step in your journey. Follow (@storm_tattooart)
We sat down to have an in-depth chat with tattoo artist Dmitrii Palkin who tattoos from Mimik Tattoo, in Charlotte, NC.
What first made you fall in love with tattooing? Do you have a very strong first defining memory?
Of course. It was in Russia. I was 10 years old and I saw the movie From Dusk till Dawn for the first time. George Clooney was so cool and he had a big brutal tattoo on his arm. This movie impressed me so much that I couldn’t sleep all night… I became a fan of tattoos after that.
What tattoos are on your own body? How old were you when you got your first? Do they tell a story – or are they more random? Do you still enjoy getting tattooed?
I only have five tattoos on my body… but that’s two arm sleeves, one leg sleeve , and my whole back and chest!
I got my first tattoo done by myself when I was 13 years old. I put together my own machine out of a spoon, guitar string instead of a needle, a ballpoint pen and a motor from a CD player. It was a very bad machine and the result was the same. It was a hieroglyph and I have no idea what it means. But from then on, I fell in love with the process of tattooing and that love has been with me all my life.
How did you become a tattoo artist? Is it a constantly evolving process?
After graduating from university, I tried my hand at different fields, but I always felt out of place. The love for tattoos is something I’ve always felt.
In one of the hard moments of life, when I lost everything, I decided that this would be the best moment for the dream to become a reality. I gave myself six months to try my hand at being a tattoo artist. It was the best decision of my life. I started learning how to tattoo every day. And this learning doesn’t end even now, seven years later.
How would you describe your style?
Black and white tattoo, microrealism, fineline.
What inspires you? Do you have any artists you admire?
I am very inspired by Dmitry Troshin, Sergey Murdoc, Sashatattooing, Orge Kalodimas. They are very cool masters, and besides their work I am inspired by the fact that they achieve everything by themselves.
Do you have any guest spots planned? Where and how do customers book in?
Yes, I plan to visit many different states in the US, I want to explore California, Florida, Vegas. To book a session with me, you can use any means of communication. Instagram direct or email Palkin@mimiktattoo.com.
You specialise in covering scars, how did that come about and what do you love about it?
I once had a situation where my wife badly burned her leg and I lived the recovery journey with her. She was left with scars after the incident and after healing I offered to help her cover them with a tattoo. When I announced on my blog that I was willing to help other women cover their scars as well, I saw huge feedback.
I started getting hundreds of hard tragic stories and pictures of scars sent to me. It was heartbreaking to read them, but I felt compelled to make their lives better. Scars are the heartache of thousands of women.
What’s different about tattooing scarred skin and what should customers think about if they have scars they’d like to tattoo over?
Tattooing over a scar is much more difficult to do than over just a skin. It takes a lot of experience to choose the right design and control the depth of the piercing. In the inexperienced hands of an artist, overlapping a scar will look like mush/a bruise. Not all scars can be resurfaced, sometimes I send clients to a dermatologist for a consultation to get the go-ahead.
We love how open and honest about your past you are on social media, why is that important to you?
Thank you so much! When I talk about my past, I get a lot of feedback from those who are having a hard time right now. And by seeing my journey and what I’ve come to, people see hope for a brighter future. It’s important for me to spread the message, it’s in my recovery programme. It’s also important for me to remind myself where I came from.
You’ve recently moved to the USA, where were you before and what made you make the move? What’s next?
All my life I have lived and worked in Russia and travelled a lot to other countries. America was my childhood dream. And I am happy that I have had this opportunity. America is a great country and I am honoured to work here now and learn the American culture!
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.
We love the twinkling lights, frosty mornings, hot chocolates piled high with cream and marshmallows. The joy of writing Christmas cards and making your own with family and pet portraits. Christmas is a special time of year, filled with traditions and loved ones.
It seems that you all love it too – from festive food to Father Christmas, we chat to tattoo artists and collectors about their Christmas tattoos and the stories behind them...
“My life is so hectic and busy all the time, Christmas is the time of year that I’m forced to slow down and take a break. I spend time with people I never get to see, and I just truly enjoy the entire process of gift giving. Shopping, wrapping and seeing the smile on their faces when they open their present. I love creating that Christmas magic for everyone.”
“I think a lot of my Christmas tattoos are inspired by vintage Christmas because it reminds me of decorations my parents and grandparents had when I was a kid. I just love the style of the ’50s in general too, so a lot of my designs are inspired by that time period.”
“I’ve always had such an infinity for Christmas from a young age, I’ve recently started collecting vintage Christmas items from the ’30s through to the ’80s and I wanted to immortalise the nostalgia into a leg piece. My tree tattoo is a nod to an aluminium tree, the colours are supposed to represent how the tree is illuminated by a colour wheel.”
“We’re planning to add more vintage items such as Putz Houses, Mercury bead garlands, and vintage ornaments. I haven’t seen the design yet but I have given Angie full reign to do whatever she wants”
“Riley is my Christmas client, and we’re always giggling when we do their tattoos, they’re just so fun…’
‘I love Christmas too. One of my fave memories from when we were kids, is me and my brothers waking up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve hoping to catch Santa in his sleigh in the night sky. As an adult, it’s more missing what my mom used to do to make it special – like Christmas breakfast and not having to tell her a Christmas list because she always knew the perfect gift. My mom passed away on 22nd December 2021, so Christmas is much harder these days without her.”
“My client came in asking for a full calf vintage style Father Christmas and wanted him to look joyful and not creepy. We went through a few designs trying to find one, but was hard as quite a few of them look a bit creepy. I really enjoyed doing the tattoo. My client was so funny and so positive, it was a really lovely day and her enthusiasm for it made it even better.”
“There isn’t really a story attached to my Christmas kewpie. I just asked Tracy for a Christmas kewpie and this is what she came up with. It was when she was at King’s Cross in London in 2014 and we listened to the Phil Spector Christmas album.”
“A very good friend of mine got this tattoo. She wears a different Christmas jumper every day in December and has a Christmas tree in every room of her house. I don’t get to see her much as I’d like but I love her and her enthusiasm for Christmas.”
“My Gremlins tattoo is by Fran Bailey at Sweet Pea, a cute little LGBTQ+ inclusive tattoo studio in Telford. I got it this year because Gremlins is one of my favourite films of all time and my ultimate comfort watch, so I wanted to have a little tribute to Gizmo. I messaged Fran about wanting a Gizmo tattoo and because they specialise in cartoon tattoos, they took it so seriously and went and rewatched the film to get the sketch as accurate as possible with all Gizmo’s little details!”
“My birthday is December 22nd, so all my eggs are in one basket being so close to Christmas. I always get so excited this time of year. Family, friends, blow molds, lights, old gaudy decorations – I love it all! As far as tattoos go, when a customer starts off by saying, “I think you’ll like this!” or, “I know it’ll be fun/weird,” I know it’ll be right in my wheel house. If a customer doesn’t know what to get, there’s plenty of hand painted holiday sheets all over the shop too. At this point, I’ve done 100+ Christmas tattoos, so you’ll be in good hands!”
