My Journey as a Tattoo Artist: Breaking Stereotypes and Creating Art

I sometimes feel like I might be the only person on the planet without a tattoo. Not even a tiny one on my wrist. Perhaps in another decade, this might set me apart from the crowd. However, it’s unlikely I’ll hold out that long, given how modern tattoo techniques have transformed body art into a masterpiece accessible to everyone.

The Art and the Artist

Behind every great tattoo stands the unique personality of the artist. They refine your ideas, inspire you, and can even save you from a regrettable mistake. But how do people enter this profession, especially in Russia, where there are no educational institutions for it? I spoke with women working at the Your Choice Tattoo salon in Moscow to learn about their journey into tattooing and whether gender stereotypes exist in this field.

Carina’s Story

I stumbled into tattooing by accident. A friend who was a tattoo artist decided, as a joke, to try his hand at mentoring and chose me as his student. I was 19 at the time, applying to a university for a degree in economics and management. While waiting for the admission results, I became so engrossed in tattooing that I never even checked if I got in.

Many people think I have a talent for drawing. In reality, everything I can do now is the result of countless hours of practice and a strong desire to excel in this field. My primary style is watercolor. I gravitated towards it right from the start.

In my view, there are no trends in tattooing. Every style has its audience. Any style can be impressive if the tattoo is done tastefully, whether it’s minimalism or bold Blackwork.

A female tattoo artist? Why not? I know many women working in this field. Women have a sense of beauty, and it’s fantastic when they know how to express it.

There are many critical and picky clients. Working with them can be challenging, but I take it in stride. I believe the style I work in attracts open-minded, kind-hearted, and experimental people.

About the Watercolor Technique

The watercolor tattoo style was invented by American tattoo artist Amanda Wachob back in 1998. Since then, this style has remained popular due to its soft colors and realistic resemblance to actual paintings. In other words, watercolor tattoos allow you to transfer a piece of art onto your body, conveying the harmony of colors and bringing any fantasy to life.

Katya’s Story

Before becoming a tattoo artist, I tried various fields, but nothing stuck. I loved drawing since childhood, so I decided to try tattooing. I bought the equipment and spent a long time studying the nuances of the profession. The deeper I got, the more it captivated me.

Initially, I experimented with different styles to find my calling. I tried Old School, watercolor, and graphic styles. About two years after starting, I realized I wanted to focus solely on black tattoos. Now, my favorite styles are graphic, ornamental, and geometric. I am drawn to their clear lines and diverse forms.

Client preferences mainly depend on their worldview and attitude towards life. Many come with very mainstream ideas. I always try to modify these ideas to make the tattoo unique rather than a copy.

Flowers, especially peonies, geometric mandalas, and miniature tattoos are very popular. I love various patterns and designs.

There are many women in our profession now, and gender stereotypes about tattoo artists are fading. However, there was a case where a man was surprised to learn that I was the tattoo artist. He thought only men could be tattoo artists.

Before a session, I usually meet with the client to discuss details. If someone seems unreasonable, I simply refuse to work with them. So far, I’ve only had to refuse requests for intimate tattoos.

About the Linework Technique

If you love minimalism, linework is a tattoo style you should try. This technique is considered young in the art of tattooing and consists of drawings with straight lines and geometric elements. The term