Interview by Iva Kancheska from Skin-artists.com
(See the original interview here)
Q: What made you to become a tattoo artist?
A: I can't say what finally triggered my start in this field, but I've always loved tattoos and looked up to the artists. I lived 6months in Munich and got a little bit involved in tattoos during my visit by designing some flash to a couple of friends of mine. A while after that I got to know my mentor, colleague and good friend Jussi Tuominen who really got me into tattoos, taught me everything I know and gave me that final push and encouragement I needed to get myself started.
Q: Who is the most admired person in the world of art for you? Do you have any influences?
A: My all-time favorite artist I admire and love to be influenced by is Matisse, his use of color always inspires me and makes me in a good mood. In the tattoo field I would have to mention Jesse Smith, Jime Litwalk, Joe Capobianco, Ciavarro, Kelly Doty, Jimmy Lajnen among other great newschool artist I really look up to.
Q: What was the hardest part of becoming a tattoo artist? Can you make a little rundown of your starts?
A: I think the hardest part is to believe in yourself and at the same time keep humble and learn from your mistakes.
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: 5years.
Q: You have very inspirational portfolio. There are lots of tattoo styles you do. Is there any favorite?
A: I'm all about color so my favorite work is definitely color work, but while I still see myself as a beginner I want to do a variety of work and learn by studying different styles.
Q: Do you want to be recognizable by a certain style?
A: If I could choose it would be colorful, maybe more in the new school, comic genre.
Q: How much an artist is able to bring a new style nowadays, when we're almost overwhelmed of the popular media?
A: I think maybe it is style enough if you can bring a little bit of your own personality into the work you do, and express your self that way. If that could be interpreted into a style of its own that would be super of course!
Q: Being a tattoo artist must be fun! What are some of the craziest experiences with the customers?
A: I love my customers and they are definitely one of the best parts of my work. They make every day different and I feel that I can learn something new from everyone of them just by getting to know them and hear their stories.
- What pisses you off when it comes to clients? Are there any "bad" clients?
No, I don’t think there are bad clients, its just about learning to read your client and co-operate with them, if you manage that everyone is a good client.
Q: Any piece that is still undone? What would be the most blow-minding creation you want to put on someone's skin?
A: I already have many great clients that give me free hands to stuff I love. But of course I would love to do more big and colorful work, like a Alice in wonderland or some other Disney-character sleeve for example, wink, wink=) I also love to do more color pin-ups, 50´s Elvgren style and the bigger the better.
Q: Do you travel a lot? Do you visit tattoo conventions? If so, which one left you the most memorable impression?
A: I haven’t worked in any convention yet but maybe sometimes in the future. I've visited a few big ones, the London tobacco dock convention was very inspiring.
Q: To be creative every day could be little hard at times, do you use other art mediums such as painting, photography to get inspired?
A: I love to go to different art exhibitions, mostly when I travel I do some drawings and paintings whenever I have the time.
Q: What would be the most challenging progress plan you want to accomplish?
A: I cant say I have a great plan, but I strive to work as much as I can, get influences from different artists and just keep learning every day and make progress.
Q: Is there anything you want to change in your job, you style? If so, what's that?
A: Of course there are many things, but most of all I would like to bring in more of my own style into every work I do.
Q: Anything that you're most proud of? Is there any trick that people should know in order to become successful?
A: I’m proud of the place I’m in right now. My work is my passion and I want to keep making progress, learn new stuff and meet new people, sky’s the limit! My advice would be just to follow your dreams and do what your passionate about, everything else is waste of time.
