Today we're going to talk with Oliver Zilahy, a tattoo artist from Kazincbarcika, Hungary. His studio is called Troll Tattoo. He's also working as guest spot tattoo artist at Tattoostudio Nadelwerk, Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria.

Hello Oliver Zilahy! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers.
Please start by telling us a little about yourself and how you got into tattooing?

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your magazine.

Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: I have been drawing since my childhood and at age of 14, I took the first brush in my hands. I knew immediately I wanted to do art. Then I joined the army at the age of 19, where I drew my first motif on a friend, which was a dragon. He advised me to start doing tattoos, and I thought, why not? Two years after honorable discharge, I bought my first tattoo machine. I improved myself and I did my first tattoo when I was 23. Now I have been doing this for 17 years and I can't imagine my life without it.

Q: What kind of art interested you in the beginnings? Do you have any influences?
A: I've always been a fan of realism. It is Mihály Munkácsy who impresses me the most, I am always shocked by his paintings. Without question, he is my favorite artist.

Q: What's your biggest inspiration?
A: A lot of tattoo artists' work inspire me. I like Nikko Hurtado’s work the most. It is amazing how real his tattoos look like and the way he uses light and shadow effects are breathtaking. However, when it comes to paintings, Michalengelo’s obsession and humility gives me the most motivation. I was about 16 when I saw a biographical movie about him which affected me greatly.

- Do you believe in hard work instead of just having a talent? 
I do believe that a certain type of talent is a must and when talent is combined with hard work success will come.

Q: When it comes to talent... You're one of the most talented artists I've seen in my life. How did you develop you style throughout the years of experience?
A: Thanks, but there is still room to improve. Yes, when I started doing tattoos, I was drawing a lot. I was looking at magazines and analyzing well-known artists' tattoos. Constantly, I was improving myself and I was doing experiments to see how things work. This is a profession where you never stop, you always need to train yourself.

    

Q: Portraits are probably the most remarkable designs in your portfolio. When the fascination for this kind of style first began?
A: Yes, you see that right. I have been making mostly portraits and realistic tattoos for about 3 or 4 years. I always try to make my tattoos to look as real as possible.

Q: Would you say that color realism is your specialty?
A: Of course, I love the style of realism and when it is combined with colors, that is the thing I really like.

Q: Where are you now located? Please share some basic info about the tattoo studio you work in.
A: My studio is in Kazincbarcika, Hungary, which is a small city. I have opened it for about 9 years. A few months ago, I received an invitation from the studio Tattoostudio Nadelwerk, Austria to join them. I said yes and I have no regrets. We have a very good company here and I feel good here. And just to mention some tattoo artists I work with Müllner Csaba, Adamik Erik, Priit Salusoo, Paul Munteanu, Razvan Popescu and Mariusz Romanovicz.

Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk
Troll Tattoo
Hungary Kazincbarcika
Jószerencsét u 10
3700
trolltattoo@vipmail.hu

Q: What are your plans for the near feature?
A: My main goal in the near future is to improve my skills. I would like to attend tattoo conventions so more people can get to know my work. The other thing is painting, unfortunately I haven't had time for painting lately, but I would like to paint more in the future.

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: My advice for those who want to be tattoo artists is to be humble and to work hard. Never give up on your dreams and success will come.

Please share your work info/website.

I'm working as a guest spot tattoo artist at Tattoostudio Nadelwerk:
Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk

My Studio Contact Info:
Troll Tattoo
Hungary Kazincbarcika
Jószerencsét u 10
3700
trolltattoo@vipmail.hu