interview with tattoo artist Michal Ledwig

  Hello Michal Ledwig! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. It really means a lot having you here. Please start by telling us something about yourself, how it all started? I did my first tattoo when I was in the army back in 2006, it was a lighter connected to a walkman motor and the smallest string from a guitar. Cell phone charger was a power supply, very first rotary badass liner.

Q: Getting into the business sometimes can be challenging. How long took you to get where you are today? Was it hard?
A: I have been tattooing four years now, but I would call myself a pro one year, since I took control over the whole creative process, from a concept to a ready tattoo. To be honest, the beginning wasn't so hard, it was exciting and fascinating experience. It starts when you want to be more than just a guy with a tattoo machine. Then you need to not only improve your skills but also open your mind.

Q: How your style changed over the years? Did you feel inspired by someone?
A: My style changed completely over the years. When I started tattooing, I did only black & gray tattoos. That's funny because I always said "black ^& gray forever" now I think color tattooing is cool too. My first inspiration was Victor Portugal with his awesome style and of course the freehand master Robert Hernandez. I also admire the incredible work of Bob Tyrrell, Paul Booth and many others. Everything changed when I started experimenting with colors. I realized that I can express myself a way better and show more. First breakthrough happened at the Boris Tattoo Seminar. He showed me that every small detail matters. The biggest breakthrough was when I meet Tofi, he opened my mind and showed me what a real tattoo really is.

Q: You have very interesting style. How would you call it?
A: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. My tattoo works are my inner visions. I have no idea how to call my style, I never thought about it, I just do my stuff.

Q: Tattoo realism is one of the most popular tattoo styles nowadays. Many artists take it as a challenge to learn it... I think it takes huge effort and knowledge to be able to get good results. What's your opinion?
A: To be honest, to be able to do good realistic tattoos, you must have a a lot of knowledge in the technical aspects such as saturation and how to play with colors. Yes, it's a challenge to "transfer" a realistic photo on the skin.

Q: What details are the most "nerve wrecking" to work on?
A: When I do a realistic tattoo, the most stressful part is doing the T-Zone of the face. We have to remember that the human's skin is not a piece of paper, we have no eraser, when you fuck up is really bad that's why I think the realism is really demanding.


Q: What are the pros and cons of being a tattoo artist?
A: It's hard to say what are the pro's and con's of being a pro artist. I think in every area of life there are positive and negative things. I never look at the negative things in my life, just focus on the positives, work with passion and enjoy every challenge.

Q: I bet meeting a lot of people every day, could be overwhelming sometimes.
A: I think not only good communication is important, but also understanding. Clients need to understand what we do, what style we do. I had a lot of situations when somebody came to me and ask for something completely different than what I do. Times have changed, now people need to realize that not every artist do every kind of tattoo.

Q: Your advice for the new artists?
A: Work harder and be better every day.