Interview with tattoo artist Anton

  Hello Anton! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself and your background. Hi, I am from a small town in the far east. I moved to St.Petersburg two years ago and it was the best decision for me as a tattoo artist! I attended an art school in early childhood, but after 2 years I stopped going there. Then, I continued to draw on my own everything I saw around.

Q: When did you start doing tattoos? What type of tattoos you use to do as a beginner?
A: I started tattooing in 2015. There was no tattoo industry in my city. I got all the information from the internet, YouTube videos and asked a lot of different tattoo artists about everything that interested me. In the beginning, I did simple, not detailed tattoos based on contours.

- Was it hard learning the basics? Did anyone help you?
I have been attracted to graphic pencil drawing since childhood. This is probably what influenced my choice towards black and white realism.

Q: How long it took you to figure out your creative process and direction?
A: I have always been interested in copying photos with maximum accuracy and bringing something new to them. There was no one in my environment to whom I could turn for advice.

- Would you try any other style?
I'm more interested in working with different tattoo artists and their styles.

Q: What do you like about tattoo realism the most?
A: I like to do portraits, images from movies, horror, etc. It’s hard to impress me. Therefore, I try to bring something new that I haven't seen before in a tattoo, into every design.

Q: I like when you add some graffiti or tattoo fonds, like a background etc. Very creative. Who comes up with the ideas?
A: I really like to do portraits, especially girls' portraits adding various details to them like makeup or inscriptions on the face. I love "graffiti" culture so you can often see some elements in my designs from it.

Q: The graffiti vibe... loving it! We at Skin Artists love skateboarding and graffiti so much, so when we see a tattoo artist implementing these things together either as a unique tattoo stye or does all this separately, it's always good to see. Tell me more about your graffiti paintings. How long have you been into graffiti?
A: I've been into graffiti for 4 years. Due to frequent business trips, I don't spend as much time on this as I would like.

- Are you part of a graffiti crew or you are an indipended artist?
It's like a hobby. I take inspiration from the creation of the design and the process.

Q: Gotta say, that skateboard looks amazing.
A: I've been interested in drawing on non - standard subjects lately. As an idea, I want to draw a horror picture on a hand saw.

Q: Do you travel for tattoo conventions, seminars etc?
A: Yes, I often travel to different countries. It helps me not to stand still and grow. I try to participate on tattoo conventions, which is also necessary in our business.

Q: Tattooing is more than just a job. It's a lifestyle. What do you cherish the most?
A: I was most afraid of spending half my life in the office at the stage of finding myself. Tattooing gave me the opportunity to work, develop everywhere in the world, meet interesting artists and work with them in tandem, communicate, get inspiration and experience.

Q: Saint Petersburg, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Seriously, I've been there only once a few years ago... How is the local tattoo scene in your opinion?
A: Yes, St. Petersburg is a great city! The tattoo industry is well developed here. I know a lot of cool artists with great prospects.

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: Don't be afraid to experiment, be optimistic, impudent in life, tear your soul for a dream and it will definitely come true! When you want to give up, remember why you started.