Interview with tattoo artist Greg Tetradis
Hello Greg! Thank you so much for taking
the time to answer some questions for our readers. Please start by
telling us something about yourself where are you from and your
background. Firstly I would like to thank Skin Artists Tattoo
Magazine for this interview. So, my full name is Gregory Tetradis
and I'm coming from the North part of Greece, a small beautiful city
named Kavala. Born in 1986 and raised there until the end of hgh-school. Such a great times back in the 80's and 90's! Childhood
without mobile phones, without any media and technology or other
"distractions" from growing up like a normal kid. We learned how to
be creative in matter to entertain ourselves in the neighbourhood.
What a pure life!! I so miss that from time to time. As soon as I
finished school I moved for studies as a graphic designer. I've
worked for about a year in this industry until I realised that was
not exactly what I was dreaming about. Since I discover the tattoo
world my life changed! Haha. I moved to London for almost five years. Now I'm based in my country again in the capital city of Athens
and I'm travelling as a guest artist most of the time.
Q: Tell me more about the beginnings.
A: Well, I've been messing around with all forms of art since
childhood. I spent my early years during school doing graffiti, wall
paintings, drawing all over my books, bedroom and other people's
walls. haha.
Then graphic design came to my life which I learned proper drawing,
a bit of architecture design, decoration, photography and so much
more interesting stuff! Later on, I went to a private school for
further education which we jumped into the digital world. We learned
photoshop, illustration, web design, 3d design etc. What led me to
tattooing was actually my first tattoo which I got at someone's
house.
As soon as I saw all the tattoo gears, equipment and the whole
process I was amazed! I said yeah!!!! That's for me! After I've
tried all diferent ways and tools of doing art I thought that
tattooing is way more interesting in many ways. So... here I am!
Q: How difficult was to learn the basics? Did
anyone help you?
A: Honestly I started from scratch. I had only couple of people
tattooing in my hometown back in the days and not even at a great
level. It was still hard to get information or find seminars. It was
the times where all artists kept secrets about their techniques and
palettes like a treasure. So I've learned from few videos
online explaining how a machine works and how the skin reacts what
are the needle configurations etc. (Just coil machines back then).
Slowly and safely I started tattooing some friends at home.
Q: Usually, people start with some simple designs, what type
of tattoos you use to do as a beginner?
A:
Mostly I was doing simple stuff such as linework, lettering, dot
work and some symbols until I felt more comfortable for bigger
things.
Q: What type of style you liked the most as a beginner?
A: As I'm coming from a graffiti and graphic design background, I
always loved to blend styles and incorporate abstract elements with
realism, and blending colors with monochromatic. Back in the days,
my inspiration was the style "trash polka" mostly.
Q: You have a really interesting style. I like the colors
and the unique backgrounds in each tattoo. It's really a one piece
design for each client. Awesome! Do you draw sketches before the
session?
A: Thank you! Indeed is a one piece design for each customer. When
I'm in the mood which happens from time to time when I have a day off, I throw quick ideas of compositions to my ipad so
I can have the basic structure. The complete idea is always
somewhere in my head with few alternative options. Of course I take
time and I prepare some designs as well so I can have available
for a potential customer, but with constant travels and working a
lot, there is not always time to do that. During the guest spots,
you have to be ready to deal with plan changes, poor ideas coming
from customers and different skin tones. So I'm mostly doing the
designs spontaneously after a short chat with each customer.
Planned appointments for my style of tattooing of course are the
best and I spend lot of time in advance to make the best out of it.
Q: It's like you gave tattoo realism an upgrade, and not a
boring one - thank you! Your style is a nice mix of realism and graffiti, sketch? How would you call your style?
A: Whoever says after being many years in the tattoo industry that
realism is not boring he would lie. Haha! We see more and more
people nowdays mixing styles with realism and creating such
interesting and unique sub genres. That's the future! Finally all
realism artists can feel more creative adding a signature into every
"boring" copy paste photography project. As I say there are 2 kind
of people in this industry, the technicians and the artists.
Technicians are great to transfer a photo on the skin in a perfect
way and artists can push a step further. I can't name my style
honestly. I would just say a blend of realism with graphic elements.
Aesthetically could vary from pop art to surrealism.
Q: How long it took you to figure out your creative process
and do you plan to experiment with new ideas? Maybe start doing
something completely different?
A: I will consider myself a hard working person, and to be honest it
took me a lot of time to put in order all those things in my head
and find the golden ratio and balance my process. Finally I feel
very creative and comfortable with my style combining all the
elements I like in one tattoo. Of course I keep experimenting in
every new design I create. One of the reasons I like art is because
there are no limits! I'm thinking to start some paintings again as I
feel more mature and motivated to do that. Speaking of new plans and
different things, I will share with you that I'm planning to release
limited series of snow blades and skateboards with my new unreleased
art works. Hopefully will manage to get a collaboration with a
brand.
Q: You're know for your style as it is. I like that. At
least I know exactly what to expect from you. But there are some
people out there,
still trying to get you to do a something that it's not somethng you
would do. How do you handle those situations? Hah
A: Well im glad to hear that because that was the hardest part In my
career. To have a quality tattoo style which has my identity, being
recognised as mine. Of course I still get some works to do which are
out of my range or comfort zone but I don't mind because I've done
pretty much everything so far and I can deal with that. Of course
the goal is to limit those as much as possible until I manage to do
only my style. Im in a good way though as im working only in high
quality studios which are doing their best to book me. Customers are getting more familiar with my works
and I get more and more requests.
Q: Have you ever refused to do a certain design?
A:
I hope it doesn't sounds unprofessional, but I actually did refused
few times to do certain designs, because my experience said that it
wouldn't work. I'm strictly perfectionist and is not in my
principals to gamble for the quality and result of my works.
Q: What tattooing represents for you?
A: Tattooing has changed my life actually! Began as an interest,
developed as a vision, turned out a passion, and now I would say is
a lifestyle!
Q: What the journey from the beginning until now taught you
as a person?
A: If you consider that im doing this "job" for the most years of my
life starting since the age of 24 I've certainly grew up in this
industry. I've learned how important is responsibility when someone
trusts you to do a lifetime art on their body. I've learned to
interact and talk with all kinds of people from around the world,
dealing with every mindset and situation, being patient, set goals
and definitely learned how hard you need to work to achieve it. The
tattoo industry is a whole school of life by itself.
Q: How often do you
go to tattoo conventions? Which one do you remember the
most?
A: Conventions are a thing that I was not so much into it. I've been
to some already but it takes a lot of time, organisation and extra
travelling which I never had the luxury of time to do. Plus I feel
is a stressful environment to work. Although is a great exposure and
nice to meet and catch up with artists from around the globe. Good
opportunity for us and for people to see other artists working. I
promised to myself that I'm gonna attend to more conventions next
year. One that I'm gonna remember which I liked a lot is Florence
Tattoo Convention.
Q: Where are you currently located? How the booking works?
A: I'm currently in Athens Greece but I'm on the road most of the
time. Im travelling at the moment between UK, Austria, Germany,
France, Switzerland and USA soon. There are more plans for next year
including Sweden, Spain, and Asia. As for the bookings, customers
can dm me, email or keep an eye on my posts and stories for
the next spots and contact with each studio for availability and
consultation.
Q: A quick but important advice for my readers who want to
start tattooing?
A: Last but not least... As the tattoo industry rapidly became
"modern" and "lifestyle", everyone wants to get their part of
"glory" from that pie. I would advice newcomers just to keep their
feet on the ground, work hard, love what they do and set goals.
Nobody was born a tattoo artist with skills. They should not get
disappointed in every mistake they do, but should work as a
motivation to become better. One step each time. We are still
learning every single day. That's the magic in this journey. There are no limits until you set them. Is not a bad
thing to get inspired by some artists, we all did! Copying when it
becomes a habit is killing the career. Find your own way, show us
your vision and offer some new fresh things that other will get
inspired by you.