Interview with Levgen

  Hello Levgen! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself and your background. How long have you been tattooing? My first was 7 years ago. I made my first tattoo for my friend and it was done at my home. Before that I didn't study in any special art school, just tried drawing on paper, I tried to paint graffiti, I tried to copy some pictures of other artists. When I was at university I met my new friend and he was already doing tattoos at that time. I saw how he was drawing and tattooing and I decided to try.

Q: Every beginning is hard, did you have any help?
A: I was familiar with some guys who knew how to tattoo, I was asking them about the whole process. Over time I bought my first professional tattoo machine and met with tattoo machine builder Stas Aksenov. He was so supportive and he helped me alot. After visiting the tattoo convention in Kiev I knew this is for me. I met so many great artists that now are my idols. I could see how those guys were doing tattoos, and when I came back at home I tried tattooing like them.

Q: Do you have any favorite tattoo style?
A: I like many tattoo styles, but for now I only do realism style. I try to do it in my own interpretation.

Q: How do you get inspired? Do you draw a lot?
A: Yes, of course, all my tattoos are unique. When I prepare the design I talk to my clients first and see what they want. I use photoshop mostly, but I also love drawing.

Q: How important is to have good drawing skills?
A: I think every tattoo artist should be able to draw to able to work on skin. Just drawing isn't enough, because the skin isn't a paper. You must have experience and enough time for understanding the skin and the whole tattoo process.

Q: Your style reminds me of Dmitriy Samohin's style. How long does it take to finish a realistc piece?
A: Thanks a lot, it's pleasure to hear this, because Samohin is a very good tattoo artist. My standard sessions last about 6-8 hours, it is enough time to work on the details. But a lot depends on the customers, if they can't handle the long tattoo session because of the pain, I'll take a few more sessions.

Q: Where are you located?
A: I work at Redberry tattoo studio Wroclaw, Poland. www.facebook.com/redberrytattoostudiowroclaw  We have a wonderful admin, she is booking the dates for the clients and discuss with them about their tattoo ideas. You can make an app via Facebook: www.facebook.com/levgen.eugeneknysh 

Q: Your new challenges?
A: In this profession you must learn every day and with every new tattoo. Every day you have new customers with new and interesting ideas so you can invent something new and original.

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: If you really like drawing, you can be very good and If you like a tattooing, you must try it. Now we have a lot of tattoo conventions and seminars in different countries, you must go to one and see the artists there and study from them.