A native of Russia and resident artist at the acclaimed Love Machine studio in New York City, Ilya Cascad works hours on end to finalize geometric, motion illusion patterns on the bodies of his clients. “Symmetry” and “precision” are words that best describe Cascad’s tattoos, done in black ink; however, recently implementing color to arm […]
Author: The Tattoo Journalist
Interview with Celebrated Tattooer Tommy Montoya
Tommy Montoya has seen firsthand both the underground and the mainstream of the tattoo scene. Recognized for his 20-year commitment to West Coast black-and-gray tattooing, Montoya, a California-based artist, rose to international prominence after appearing on the television show “NY Ink” (2011–2013). Tommy Montoya and Ryan Ashley Malarkey headlined the 2019 “Feather Falls Tattoo Expo” […]
Lisbon Tattoo Fest: Interviews with Alexandre Abreu, Mauro Amaral, Andy Kemp & Alberto Solposto
On the same weekend of “Black Friday” and barely weeks away from Christmas, the Lisbon Tattoo Rock Fest held its event on that long weekend at the “Tejo Sala” conference building, which is annexed to the Altice Arena and with a beautiful view of the Tagus / Tejo river. Entering the Lisbon Tattoo Rock Fest, […]
Chris Garver Interview: Tattooing from the Gutter to the Top
In a summarized historical explanation, the “Tattoo Renaissance” began in the late 1950s with tattooers like Lyle Tuttle, Don Nolan, Zeke Owens, Ed Hardy, and others pioneering the way. “Between the hippie movement of the late ‘60s and the feminist campaigns and rights movements, the tattoo industry saw itself in the midst of a rebirth […]
Noko: The 10-Year-Old Tattoo Prodigy and Daughter of Gakkin
Born in Japan and living in The Netherlands with her parents for the last three years, Noko, 10 years old will be 11 this December. She loves dancing, playing Roblox and making slime with her friends. We met her at the London Tattoo Convention, where she quietly drew in a sketchbook while her esteemed-tattooist-father Gakkin […]
Daniel the Gardener: Interviewing Berlin-Based Tattooist
Known a decade ago as one of the youngest painters to participate in reputable art galleries in Buenos Aires, Daniel the Gardener, is presently recognized for his career in tattoo art. The twist is that although he’s a home gardener and understands much about plant life, he wants to go beyond—artistically and emotionally—to fuse petals […]
Kavan the Kid Interview: Art Saved His Life
American photographer Kavan the Kid has expressed his disquiet emotions in the surrealist imagery that he produces. Fears, anxiety, depression are aspects unfolded in his visuals, and he talks openly about these personal struggles in this interview. He has collaborated with Human Code to create a candle with his artwork, to be sold online and […]
Nikko Hurtado: Work Smart and Be Grateful
We met up with tattooist Nikko Hurtado at the end of a warm-winter day at the conference hall, a building located across the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, where he and other prominent colleagues Joe Capobianco and BJ Betts conducted workshops to aspiring artists. Hurtado, the event co-host and studio owner of Black Anchor, […]
Michela Bottin Interview: NYC, Tattooing, and Scarification
We met and interviewed Michela Bottin in 2017, at the Setubal Tattoo Convention, she was one of the more sought-after tattooists because of her differential style inspired by Japanese and American cartoons. Her colorful tattoos made people smile and that’s likely the reason why she was invited to participate in “Hope vs Cancer” organization, which […]
10 Best Tattoo Artists of 2018—Editor’s Picks
The tattoo industry has grown immensely in the last decade. There is demand and appreciation for both old-school and new-school artists. Nowadays not everyone goes through a grueling apprenticeship (yet there may be a need for it as Ami James states in our interview); the new generation is often coming from universities (from fields like […]