Today we're going to talk with Valentina Ryabova, a tattoo artist from Saint Petersburg, Russia. She is working as guest spot tattoo artist at Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria. Check out the Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk

Q: What made you to become an artist? How long have you been tattooing?
A: I always was keen on drawing, and all my life I had been studied this art. When I graduated from the university, I realized that I don’t want to work as a designer, and I bought my first tattoo equipment. It was in November of 2012.

Q: How did you learn the basic skills?
A: One of my tattoo masters helped me to begin tattooing. Half a year later my friend, who also made me some tattoos, offered me a job at his studio. There I got many useful advises.

Q: As a beautiful lady, was it hard to get a tattoo machine and develop a professional style?
A: It was hard to prove people (man especially) that a young girl can make something serious, but I always wanted to be a man :) To be self-contained, independent and to work hard. I was always successful in studying and I wasn't afraid to do something that preferably considers to be men prerogative.

 

Q: You're very talented! Do you have any influences?
A: Thank you! Yes, I am in love with art of many painters and tattoo-masters. Here are some of my favorite painters Levitan, Bosch etc, my teacher of painting and many perfect tattoo artists all over the world.

Q: How do you usually corporate your basic ideas to the final one? Do you use sketchbook?
A: I don't like to make many sketches for one work, I prefer improvisation, but I use photos as a base, I can't work using some paintings because I see there many mistakes lightening, reflects, volume etc. When I paint, I prefer to draw from life portraits, landscapes and still lives. So I choose some good photos and do all the rest work in my head. My inspiration, I think, are extreme sports, wild nature and sexuality. I don't drink and don't smoke so some strange hobbies such as shibari and pole dance are things that give me some energy for creation.

Q: If someone ask me, what style you do better, honestly I don't know what should I say, you're great at any!!! Do you have any favorite tattoo style?
A: I prefer realism, color and black and white.

Q: How much as an artist you try to bring something new and unique for your clients? Have you ever refused someone to tattoo? I guess you don't want to tattoo ready-made designs from internet...
A: Yes, I often refuse many customer's ideas, because tattooing for me is mostly my artistic realization and my perception of beauty, not a job. So it's hard for me and for my client sometime to find photos that will suit both. The object has to be well lighted to have enough contrast. It allows me to show volume and to make my work looks good even many years after the session. I rarely worry about the moral constituent of the image, I just need it to look beautiful. But I also love works with great and interesting message and idea. I'd like to do more tattoos with BDSM theme, I see there so much attractive about this subject, but I haven’t seen any interesting tattoos on it. I also want to develop a design component of my works, to make interesting composition. I think, it has a great meaning.

Q: Where are you now located?
A: I'm working now in Saint Petersburg, Russia with my friends.

Q: Do you also work as a guest spot artist?
A: I just began my career so I haven't. I worked for a few weeks in other cities in Russia and I'm going to visit a great studio Nadelwerk in Austria this summer. After that I'm opened for some new guest spots and I hope to work with Nadelwerk so far. I'd like to visit France because I do speak and love French, can't say it about English.

Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk

Q: What are the most interesting experiences with the customers, especially the Russians? haha Are there any weird clients that are trying to make a contact with you by getting a tattoo, cuz', let's face it, you look gorgeous!
A: At my surprise, it's nearly not happening, all the men during the sessions are more than shy. I can't remember any strange cases, but I've met strange people, of course, quite often.

Q: Apart from the busy tattoo schedule, do you also work as a model?
A: Modeling is more a hobby, but sometimes I work as a model. But now tattooing took all my attention and time and I'm fine with that.

Q: Young, beautiful and talented are just a few words to describe you Mis.Valentina, what is your biggest challenge in your work, life?
A: I think the important thing for me is to enjoy the life, to draw a lot and to achieve my goals.

Q: What are your plans for the near feature?
A: In the near feature I want to visit many countries because I haven't been traveling a lot, and to make many many tattoos :))

Q: Do you have any advice for the new artists?
A: I believe that I started too recently to give advices. But I think the most important thing is to be hardworking person, and to pay attention to details. If you draw, you need to study the theory, especially if you work in those styles, that requires a realistic drawing, then learn design basis, and then you’ll be able to take responsibility for another's appearance.

Please feel free to share your contact info
My contacts: Fb.com/ValTatboo http://instagram.com/val_tatboo Valya66607@mail.ru

Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk