We started with email correspondence with the author of “Lust is My Favorite Sin” and photographer of this remarkable “Shibari Project,” Dirty Archangel is his artistic name. A Turkish immigrant and citizen of New York City, who’s day job are taking professional cityscape pictures of the Big Apple. Because a photoshoot like this one generally […]
Category: Body Art
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” […]
Shiran: Finding Freedom Though Traveling and Tattooing
Giving beautiful tributes to Etta James, Nina Simone and Sam Cooke — Shiran could have easily become a professional illustrator, but somehow ended up in the tattoo field. Shiran is engaged to tattooer Artem Koro, who has been her rock through thick and thin, such as a long recovery after her leg and hand were smashed […]
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, […]
From Design to Skin: Tattooist Jelle Poksflok Strives for Perfection
Out of the numerous tattoo artists we have met, this is probably the first person who built their studio in the backyard of their home. The reason makes sense: to be closer to his wife and daughters. “Time is precious,” Jelle Poksflok firmly comments—not wanting to lose important moments with his children and still having […]
Yanina Viland: Painting, Tattooing and Creating Positive Experiences
We met up with tattoo artist Yanina Viland in her new private studio in Lisbon, Portugal, located in the traditional part of the city that overlooks the Tagus river. She smiled, showing us her balcony—the outdoor space where she spends time just chilling and collecting thoughts. Her dog BB King, a friendly mutt she adopted […]
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 […]
Living the Dream: Tattooist and World Traveler Ivana Belakova
Leaving her native Slovakia in 2000, Ivana Belakova’s dream was to travel and see what was beyond her country’s borders. Establishing her tattoo business in Long Beach (California) for the last nine years, she has worked hard to make a name for herself in the tattoo industry. In addition to being a recognized tattoo artist, […]
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 […]