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, Zoltán Krizsán, Adamik Erik, Stanimir Stoychev, Vezhdin BG, 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