Hello Todirica Dumitru! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself and your background. How it all started? My story is a little bit different then others... I started tattooing when I was fiveteen. I tattooed myself with a self made machine, I liked it and I wanted to have some tattoos on me. This was fiveteen years ago, so at that time I never thought that this will be the road of my life. My first ,,customer’’ was a friend of mine that insisted to tattoo him something... about the result... I don’t wanna talk about hahah

Q: Having a talent is not enough, it takes lot of hard work to become a tattoo artist. How did you learn the basics?
A: In the beginning I learned by all myself, simply by doing tattoos, because at that time in Romania, there was no tattoo scene. I think there were 2 or 3 shops in all country and no suppliers. So everything that I used was self made, with sewing needles and rotary machines that my father helped me to build. After many years when this was only a hobby, I decided to apply for working in a small shop. This was the opening door for professional tattooing.

Q: The first time tattooing, how it felt?
A: The first skin I tattooed was mine :) and the only thing I was afraid was that my mother will catch me! :) On other person's skin I don’t remember how was the feeling, I think I was too young.

Q: Well now every tattoo looks awesome! How long took you to get on this level?
A: Thanks! I think the last two years helped me to get here. Two years ago I started working in Germany and I went to many tattoo conventions where I had the chance to meet many artists and more open minded people.

Q: Tell me more about the creative process and your style.
A: At this time I think it is difficult to find my own style and to come out with something new. I’m new in professional tattooing, so till now there wasn't so much time to take a break and to focus. I just try to learn more and more and do the tattoos the best I can. The creative process started to be easier after I learned to use Photoshop, that helped me so much in preparing my designs.

Q: The longest session ever? I would love to hear about the brave client!
A: My longest session ever was 12 hours with some breaks, and the customer was a girl 21- 22 years old. We stopped because I was too tired, not because of her. :)

Q: Being a tattoo artist is fun, because you meet a lot of people every day, some vent during the session, oh tell me about it!
A: Being a tattoo artist is fun, yes, but sometimes you are also a psychologist. You have to listen their stories that are crazy, funny or sometimes sad. It's always interesting to hear different stories.

Q: Tell me about the tattoo conventions, any cool memories?
A: I go to many conventions and I also do guest spots. I have lots of great memories. The most important thing is that you always meet other artists and every time you learn new things. The last convention was in Milano this year, where I felt like in a fairytale surrounded by so many great artists, some of them legends in the industry. The best memory is when I win an award.

Q: Any guest spots planned?
A: Guest spots were, are and will be very important for me, so I think it will be hard for me to stop doing it.

People can find me always at :
Nadelspiel - Stuttgart Germany
Nadelwerk - Wels Austria
Iron & Ink - Vejle Denmark
Kaos Tattoo – Zurich Switzerland
NH Ink – Neheim Germany
Rock N Roll – Wroclaw Poland, etc

Q: Do you have a sketchbook with some of your designs, so the clients can immediately choose a design or it will take some time for you to draw it?
A: Yes, I have already prepared designs with stuff that I wanna do, but most of my works are from designs made together with my clients.

Q: Is there anything you don't like about the tattoo scene?
A: I can’t say I hate the reality shows that involve tattoo shops or other stuff like this, because my opinion is that these shows have opened the mind of many persons that till these days they thought tattoos are only for outlaws. My idea is that these shows have helped the tattoo industry to develop. What I hate about these shows is that it is not so much about the tattoo art itself, it is more drama and people who do these shows are not so professional as they seem to be.

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: Work, don’t stop learning, keep the feet on the ground, be humble, be thankful and dedicated never stop!