Exclusive Interview with Ivana Tattoo - "Narcissistic Rockstar" art book
Hello Ivana! Talking with you is always a great
pleasure! Creative, open-friendly person is something that I would
say about you. You're well know as a tattoo artist from Slovakia and
your art style is something that represent you, your life-style,
your art journey.
Your most recent project is your first book "Narcissistic Rockstar" which includes 120 full color pages with some of your best
works.
When I first saw your book, I felt like I already knew a lot about
you and your personality. Perfect! I guess, the book's main goal is
more like a self-introduction, instead of just promoting the art.
I must say it's both! My main goal was to promote my art, not the
other way round ... but I felt like people should also know about me
a bit... so, they could better understand Ivana Tattoo Art :)
Q: What made you to write the book?
A: I wanted to do something for my customers & people who like my
work... They kept asking me whether I sold my art... and except
tattoos I really didn't have anything else to offer. To sell. Or to
show... So I decided to do a mix of my artwork. I had had this idea
in my head for a longer period of time; then I met the right person
who could help me with the graphic design and that was it! I really
had fun with this first book, although it's kinda mixed up. As time
went, ideas were popping up in my head and every day I felt like I
wanted to change something or add something... but then it was done!
120 pages and no more adding!
Overall, there are some pictures of my old work... tattoos which I
liked at the time of making them... some of them may be around 4
years old... You can find there lots of my tattoos you have never
seen before as I never posted them anywhere! There are tattoos close
to my heart... There are some blurbs- those are my thoughts ...
there's so much truth especially in this one particular double page
'A look into a typical day in the amazing life of Ivana'. There's
also 'nothing'. Literally. And some disco. ;) The book is basically
a summary of my work... thoughts... and lifestyle...
Q: Why "Narcissistic Rockstar"? What is the main idea?
A: Lots of people think that I am a 'show-off' when they see photos
of me or my work in magazines... but all I mean to do is to present
my work... I want to share it and spread some more art out there...
I talk to the world through my art... so I thought I would name my
book 'Narcissistic Rockstar'... just for fun. And to be a little bit
cheeky. The title of the book was basically meant as a joke.
Q: To me, the book is like a beautiful life story. There are
so many feelings through the art in that book. Everyone who will buy
the book, will surely feel like they know you. Did you want a self
introduction?
A: My main goal was to promote my art... but yes I would say so... I
wanted to introduce myself through this book a bit too. I felt like
people should know some basics about me.
Q: Nowadays, there are lots of tattoo books coming out. When
It comes to your book, I was really touched by the stories of your
clients. Really cool, I think that I've never even seen something
like that. How did you come up with that idea?
- Would you say that letting people tell their stories
in your book could be an eye-opening experience to the rest of
the people wanting to get a tattoo? Something that people should
relate as life story, instead of going to a tattoo shop and pick a
random tattoo design?
A: Thank you for saying all this... I wanted other people to see and
better understand why my clients got the particular tattoos... what
it meant to them. I felt like it would give more character to the
book as well.
I like when a tattoo has a meaning for an individual instead of
putting whatever on one's body just because it's in right now or
because David Beckham wears it. I hope I could give something to
other people via this book.. there's a lot of hidden messages and
they can find and take from it whatever they want.
There's not much text in there; but what I wrote has a meaning. I
usually don“t say much, only the necessary stuff / I get straight to
the point. People nowadays have such a wonderful choice of artists
of any style and it's a pity they are still getting bad meaningless
tattoos.
Q: Do you feel like you're (somehow) part of their story,
while doing the tattoo?
A: I am just a provider/medium. The story is theirs. It's their life
and what they've gone through. I am only the one who engraves it
into their skin forever. I can become part of their story - when we
end up friends or more.
I feel very privileged doing that though!
Q: I was really having fun reading your "to-do" list. Wow.
Why not a boob job, but hiring a monkey assistant? :) You
really made me laugh! Looking at your tattoo works, probably the
most eye-catching designs are the animals. Are you an animal lover?
Do you have pets?
A: I am definitely an animal lover although I don't have any pets. I
travel a lot so I can't afford to have a pet. I would like to
have a monkey though. It wouldn't even have to be my assistant. :) I
love animals especially in nature! Recently I have been to Kenya for
safari. I believe/think animals shouldn't be captured. They should
just live in nature as they are. Unless they are sick or dying; then
yes, it's right to take care of them. Or some special breeds. So I
don't have to 'own a pet' necessarily; yet, I need it in my life...
in another sense.
Q: Funny unusual birds, small animals and floral designs are
something that really keeps your style unique, and the
amazing textures you like to play with while creating the design.
Can you give me a little description of that connection?
A: I love nature. I love everything living, including plants. I feel
very connected to nature (in general) as it takes a special place in
my world and I cannot imagine my everyday life without it! When I
tattoo birds or flowers it just goes by itself... those things are
already extraordinary and beautiful - it's easy! :) They are nice
and colorful... cute... glorious and lush... and I am just trying to
highlight their beauty by adding special effects or texture.
Q: "Everything in my life is like a chapter"; "Am I looking
for perfection" are a few of your quotations that really made me
thinking. Perfection? What would be perfection, when It comes
tattoo art?
A: Imperfection would make perfection perfect. :) There's no such
thing as perfection in tattoo art. Or art in general. Art is
ungraspable, it's limitless. It's perfect for that very second in
which it is created and then the moment is gone. In the moment of
creation, when the work is finished and I look at it I think it's
perfect and there's no need to add anything to it, or modify it; I
feel that it's just perfect. But this I think only for that very
fragment of time. And that is as close as we can get to perfection.
It's only in our minds, when we think it's good right now - only in
this very second.
At the end of the day, perfection is only a subjective point of
view... everyone has different taste and different views...
Q: Do you feel accomplished? What would be the next step?
A: Absolutely not! I feel like I am just at the beginning of
everything what I want to achieve and where I want to be. My next
step is to start making prints of my tattoos mixed with graphic
design, illustrations etc. I am looking forward to starting
designing my own t-shirts... I am excited about attending European
tattoo conventions in near future... about seeing more places and
meeting other amazing artists... There's a lot I am thrilled about,
really!
Q: You seem to be very open-minded. Some would say that you
look and live like a rockstar! What are your feelings about this?
A: I might sometimes look like a rockstar - with my boots, tattoo
t-shirts... my chains and leather jackets... but inside I definitely
don't feel like a rockstar. Many people see me like that and they
think I live my life like one; but it's the right opposite... I get
very shy when I am around people, especially people I don' know and
then I keep quiet... but people interpret it differently - they
think I am 'too cool' or self-opinionated. I don't like to go out to
party and drink/I am not a party chick... I like to be focused and I
like to have/keep my mind fresh. I might make exception sometimes,
of course, but in general I like to be aware.
As I already said lots of people think I am a show off when they see
photos of me or my work in magazines.. and all I mean to do is to
present my work... I want to share it and spread some more art out
there.. I talk to world through my art...
People usually take me for what I really am not. They think I am
'weird', but in fact, I am quite shy and what people see outside is
not always reflection of my inside world. But then again, I change a
lot and all depends on how I feel at the moment, on circumstances
and the situation in general. People also feel intimidated by me.
Q: Are there any funny random stories that you would love to
share, after publishing the book?
A: Yes. I get a lot more chocolates and wines from my customers 'cos
they know now how much I like it! Next time I will think of
something better to put in my book now I know how it works :)
Q: Would you say that writing books
can be your second
passion, instead of just keeping busy at the shop and doing tattoo
masterpieces?
A: Haha, no I don't think so. I did this book for fun and in my
spare time. Doing tattoos was and is my priority! I have already
started to collect material for my second book but when it comes to
writing - there's going to be a lot more for sure.
Q: What was the most challenging part in doing the book?
A: The graphic design. I was driving my designer crazy as I kept
changing pages the way I wanted to have them. I am very
particular/meticulous.
Q: Have you ever thought to collaborate with some artists on
a book? If, so with who?
A: Yes, I did, sure! Not on my first book Narcissistic Rockstar
though, as this was and will be purely only my project, but I have
more ideas for the future which I want to get out there! I don't
have specific artists yet as I would like to collaborate with few
different ones. I can name one so far and that is Traci Durfee from
Long Beach, California.
Q: Art could be a great influence on someone's personality.
What is the best lesson that you've learned from your art journey?
A: I have learned to give my best. I have learned to work hard to
achieve what I want. To stay focused and be patient... there's
constantly something I am learning on this 'art' journey! Also, I
have learned a lot about other people, too.
Q: What keeps you creative? What is coming on your mind
every morning while you go to work?
A: I think what keeps me creative is my life in general... I
appreciate things I have in my life... Every day I want to be a
better person... more loving and more understanding. Less selfish
and more giving. An extremely important part of my creativity are my
travels! There are too many beautiful things around me that I see...
all this is 'fuel' for my brain and my soul.
When I wake up in the morning and it's my work day I remain quiet
for at least 1 hour... while having my coffees I am still searching
for better reference for my design and I am thinking about it. It
can sound funny but I really think about my design intensely. I
think about all those possible options ... I want to 'picture it'
better.
This comes from inside because I really want to do the best I can. I
want to give my client good experience and good artwork. I want them
to be happy and proud of their tattoo. Then I just put on Tina
Turner's song 'Simply the Best' on my ipod and I listen to it over
and over again until I come to the studio! hahaha
Q: Is there any trick that people should know in order to
become successful?
A: I am not sure if I know the trick of becoming successful. Eat
well, sleep well and drink a lot of water ;)
Please feel free to share your feature plans and some of the
links where we can buy the book etc.
You can buy and see the preview of my book on
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3355709
The book can be shipped worldwide! There's a hard copy and also an
e-version for ipads or iphones (this one is brilliant) available.
Throughout December till 11th of January I will be tattooing in
Slovakia in Tattoo Rascal and from 15th of January till 2nd of
February 2013 I am doing a guest spot in Modern Body Art in
Birmingham, UK.
As for 2013, I am planning to get married, have a baby, but till
then, to attend few tattoo conventions all over the place, but my
main focus will be Europe.
People can always keep track on me on facebook: (IVANA TATTOO ART
Page)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ivana-Tattoo-Art/208943449123095
At the moment, I am putting together my own website too. And as I
mentioned before, I started to collect material for my second book,
which is definitely going to be better in terms of the layout,
artwork and more 'funny' stuff! :)
My nearest tattoo convention is Tattoo Freeze in Telford, UK on 13th
of January 2013 and then Milan Tattoo Convention in Italy on 8-10th
February.
Ms.Ivana It was such an HONOR to talk with you!
I'm so happy that I've got this chance.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
All the best and keep rocking.
You can read our other interviews with Ivana:
www.skin-artists.com/exclusive-interview-with-ivana-tattoo.htm
www.skin-artists.com/exclusive-interview-with-ivana-belakova.htm