Hello Alessio, Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. How and when the tattoo journey started? Did anyone help you? Was it hard to learn the basics? My career started just four years ago. I draw since I was a child and I always loved tattoo art. I used to study graphic design on my own too. When I started tattooing, it was a hobby, while I was studying psychology in the University. Finally, when I ended my studies I realized how much I love this art and I decided to take it seriously. It was a hard start. I remember I received help from my two uncles (one was tattoo artist years ago, the other one still tattooing in Argentina) and my parents, encouraging me, but basically I had to learn on my own. I started traveling and learning from other artists, improving my work, drawing and figuring out my own style. Most of people think is easy, but it isn’t. Sacrifice, work, hours and hours thinking about a design or what are you doing wrong. And you’re always learning, this road has no end. If you want to keep improving, you have to keep working and learning from those who know more than you.

Q: What type of art inspires you the most?
A: For example, music is really important for me. I can’t work without music. It gives me inspiration and good vibes during work. Talking about tattoo artists, there are many. I love the creativity, the mix between color and greywash, grey tones... there are really good artists around the world. I usually watch other types of art to inspire me. For example, Marco Mazzoni’s art is amazing. Hyper realistic art from Mike Dargas. Stunning. The graphic design from Irakli Nadar.

Q: I love the black and white tattoos, but it's really cool when I see some colored parts in some of them, very interesting. Tell me more.
A: First of all thank you for the kind words! Mmh, as I told you this road has no end. I started doing just black and grey realism because all my life I drew with pencil and I love b&g art. But I always loved colors too, so I started mixing color with black and grey, just adding little parts with color. The idea was add color as a "enhancer" for the smooth b&g piece. Balance between both. I started adding more color, playing with lights and shadows to do neon effects, so yeah I think I enjoy more creative b&g pieces with some color on it. But I enjoy only b&g pieces too, of course. Depends on the design.

Q: Color tattooing takes a bit more time?
A: Sure, at least for me. Color is harder in my opinion. It takes time to do color solid and smooth at the same time, for me. I always spend more time when I add color.

Q: How important is to experiment?
A: That’s a very good question. Normally artists focus their work in one style or technique. But is very important to experiment with many styles during your career, to find your style and improve as an artist. I did newschool, blackwork, neotraditional, sketch... (at least I tried haha) before I found my style. That gives you experience, makes you grow as an artist. Knowing how to do (at least the basics) in not only one style makes you better as an artist. Solid lines, color packing, good shading, draw some designs... everything. Same thing for drawing. I love to do portraits, realistic stuff.

Q: So far, do you have any favourite tattoo?
A: Mmmmmmh hard question haha. So difficult to choose just one... but if I have to choose one... maybe the one I did during a guest spot in Bamboo Studio (Canada) which is a girl with a green shinning triangle holding a bird on the top part and a lion in the bottom part. I love the way it flows and the shinning effect. Is one of my favorites.

Q: Tattooing is a technique that must be learned it's not like if you're good at drawing you gonna be good at tattooing, even though it's still important to know how to draw. How long took you to gain confidence in your work?
A: Of course. Being good at drawing is very important. Study the shadows, the lights, the lines, first in paper, then on the skin. In my opinion any tattoo artist must know how to draw. But that’s true, having good drawing skillls doesn’t mean you’re good at tattooing. You must learn about needles, the deepness in the skin, the way to heal a tattoo properly, how to treat the different types of skin, when to use colors and when to avoid, the hygienics rules... Definitely know how to draw is important, but not determinant, to know how to tattoo. Is just one important ingredient in a very complex recipe. It takes time to gain confidence. Long time. You have to think that we are doing something on the skin forever. Imagine the responsability. So first time is hard, really hard. But if you have ambition, you have the talent, and you put love in your work, you will find the way. Just analyze your mistakes and evolve your work. You will feel better and better, slowly. We can say that my tattoo career is still short, so imagine, I'm still learning new things everyday. But I know tattoo artists with more than 15 years in the business and they are still learning things about inks, healing process, etc. When you think your work is good, there are always new things to learn. Humility above all. Mainly, I think the most important thing is how your tattoos look healed. We all must work on that.

Q: Any challenges?
A: First thing is the stress, in my point of view. You have to take control of your time, because if not, this business kills you. Each day new customers, new designs, new tattoos, trips... You have to take control of it. This work takes most of your time. When you are not tattooing, you must work on the designs. If not, think about why the tattoo healed in that way or how to do “X” experiment in the next tattoo. Do you know what I mean? It never stops. If you want to be a pro tattooer, this never stops. I remember nights without sleep because of a convention, or because a very difficult piece for next day. Is not an easy job. Second thing is creativity. You must be creative, always. If you want to be a pro, you must keep improving. Sometimes you feel stuck, you see all your work the same or without improving, and if you want to be a pro, you have to resolve that. Try new designs, change or add things... So if you are starting in this business and you love this, keep focused in three things: be always ready to evolve your work, manage your times, and remember, humility above all.

Q: Do you have any favourite artists you look up to?
A: Some of them are Anrijs Straume, Boris Tattoo, Black Sanchez, Alex Sorsa, Animal tattooer, Jak Connolly, Dombrown, Victor Portugal... and many more of course.

Q: Any plans for the next few years?
A: Travel and travel and travel. Keep learning, keep improving. Go to some big conventions and know some big big artists. Make my work more known worldwide.