interview with Priit Salusoo | realistic tattoos | estonia 20/05/2014
Today we're going to talk with Priit Salusoo, a tattoo artist from Estonia. His studio is called Dark Symmetry. He's also working as guest spot tattoo artist at Tattoostudio Nadelwerk, Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria.
Q: How long have you been tattooing? What was the hardest
part in getting into the world of tattooing?
A: Hello! I started tattooing when I was in high school. But all
this period was just the beginning...searching, learning. The
hardest part was to find my own identity through the art. It has
been a long journey and I still feel that I have so many things to
learn.
Q: What kind of art interested you in the beginning? Do you
have any influences?
A: I was inspired and fascinated by dark style art. In 1997 I saw
the tattoos by Paul Booth and I was sold! It was so impressive. I
have had a lot of influences... life itself offers you tons of
references like nature, photography. But of course I have some
"special" favorites from tattoo industry like
Dmitriy Samohin,
Den Yakovlev, Nikko Hurtado,
Denis Sivak, Alex De
Pase etc.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I don't know how to name it. Mostly it´s realism mixed with
surreal elements, contrast and highlights. Some crazy ideas with
crazy colors. No compromise with quality!
- Do you have any favorite designs?
I like a lot of designs. And yes, I have some preferences, a bit
weird elements, techni-color lights on face, dark contrast. Actually
it doesn´t matter, I can turn a random dog portrait or figure also
to a cool mode! Everything depends how you are thinking ... Most
important thing is that this piece on a skin has to speak for
itself!
Q: I bet everyone will say that color work is a way more
challenging than the black & white style, especially when it comes
to realistic style. Do you agree?
A: For sure! Working with colors is a big challenge! Years ago I was
afraid of working with colors, because I didn´t know how to mix them
technically, I only had theories....theories that may work in your
head don´t always work in practice..Since I started to paint
regularly and working together with really good artists I got a lot
of power and answers to my questions. I moved on technically very
fast... I am very happy about that!
- Color or black & grey? Any preferences?
So many people have asked me that question. I prefer both! Of course
some effects are better with colors like eyes, blood, texture,
shining materials etc. Working with colors is more difficult, it
needs more time than black and white and the technique how to apply
the colors is totally different from black and white work. Both
styles, colors and black & white are based on some rules you need to
follow!
Q: How much the talent play a big role in
tattooing?
A: Talent is a gift. But nothing comes by itself... Everything is
important! Art education, seminars, workshops, sketching, drawing,
painting... practice and hard work. Also learning from your mistakes
and the respect for yourself and others.
Q: Being a tattoo artist, must be fun at times. People who
are getting a tattoo, usually reveal their stories to their tattoo
artists. Have you ever learned about life while listening to
someone's story?
A: I have had very interesting clients with different stories...fun,
sad, weird stories, but I have learned a lot from life itself. These
stories and people will always bring up the eternal questions of
life...
Q: What reaction from a client makes you happy after
finishing the tattoo?
A: It´s not a special reaction... I just see and feel when they are
satisfied. It´s more based on feeling... But of course if I will get
a messages later where the client thanks me, then it´s a good and
warm feeling.
- Do you also cheer up the ones who are afraid of the pain?
If so, what are their first words when they realize getting a tattoo
is not really a painful experience? hah!
I don´t understand about being afraid of pain! It´s like an urban
legend without a serious background. You want the tattoo or you
don´t. If You choose the right professional tattoo artist then the
process will not be so painful. It´s all about your thinking... and
size of the picture, technique, type of needles etc. Usually my
clients are surprised that it is not so painful.
Q: Where are you now located? Please share
some basic info about the shop you work in.
A: I have my private gallery in Estonia. It´s called Dark Symmetry.
I paint there a lot and make some special works for my friends. Of
course I am always opened to some cool motives and nice people. Who
are interested can contact me via e-mail or facebook!
www.facebook.com/darksymmetry
http://instagram.com/priitsalusoo
priit.salusoo@gmail.com
Also I work almost regularly in Tattoo Studio Nadelwerk in Austria.
Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 /
4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page -
Tattoostudio Nadelwerk
- Do you also work as a guest spot artist? If so where, with
who?
I´ve worked in Germany, Stuttgart 0711 Tattoo Studio with very nice
people and nice crew. And regularly in Tattoo Studio Nadelwerk.
I´ve had a nice opportunity to work together with some of the named
artists like Iwan Yug,
Csaba Müllner, Adamik Erik,
Oliver Zilahy, Paul
Munteanu, Razvan
Popescu, Mariusz
Romanovicz etc.
Q: The every day inspirational motto?
A: If you really want - you can do it! Make things for yourself and
share them with good friends.
Q: The best career achievement so far? What are your plans
for the near feature?
A: I have met a lot of my favorite tattoo artists and nice people
around the world. Also some special awards and prices but I prefer
the real life... family, nice friends, colleagues, my own art
gallery. I try to move on step by step, paint more and move
technically to a higher level.
Best regards,
Priit
<Dark Symmetry>
Dark Art and Personal Tattoos