interview with tattoo artist Lena Diamanti
Hello
Lena Diamanti! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this
interview. How it all started? Did you
feel inspired by someone? Honestly I never thought that tattooing
will mean the world to me until the first time my needles touched the skin. It
was a defining moment for me that helped me realize my true call.
The person that inspired me and imparted me with the love for tattooing
was my husband. Without him it is certain I would have never
imagined myself to be a tattoo artist.
Q: How did you learn the basics?
A: We had a mutual friend who was an owner of a tattoo parlor.
When we discussed about my intentions to start tattooing, he invited
me to teach me the basics. But unfortunately I had more questions than answers... My husband
noticed my frustration and he started scanning all the available
sources of information and guidelines from the internet. He watched
every video, every discussion on forums and basically any type of
available form of information related to tattooing, inks, machines
and techniques... And due to the fact that I didn't speak English at
all he translated the most valuable information to me on Greek so I
can understand it. So to answer your question I learned everything
that I know from a person that didn't know how to tattoo. And I'm
really lucky and eternally grateful for that! From the beginning, the
style that attracted me the most was realism. I tried to focus only
on this.
Q: What type of art outside tattooing inspire you?
A: I was really into drawing from a young age. I remember spending countless
of hours drawing everything around me! So definitely drawing played
a vital part.
Q: Any favorite tattoo artists?
A: There are many but Niko Hurtado and
Dimitri Samohin
would be the most distinctive.
Q: How long took you to get where you are today?
A: I don't
believe that I have mastered the technique of realism and I don't
believe that you will hear from any artist that they did. It is a
continuous learning process and without 100% commitment you can't
evolve as an artist. I work professionally
for the last two and a half years.
Q: Do you accept reference images?
A:
I always ask for photo reference because it helps me to understand
in depth their vision. But I take it only as an initial base so I
can create an original design.
Q: Your
paintings... I can't even pick a favorite. Ok, probably the the eye! Oh, my goodness... Impressive work Lena! Do you
sell your paintings or it's a fun hobby? Please plan an expo, do
something more, you're amazing!
A: At this point I have only sold one and it was a custom design
that I also tattooed on my customer. The truth is that we have
already discussed about the possibility of an expo in the near
future. But is really difficult to find the time and a place to
paint more. I travel all around the world
and I can't focus on that while I'm on tour. It is definitely one of
my feature plans!
Q: How the
foreign experience changed you as a person?
A: Being constantly on the road helped me to evolve as an artist and
as a person. I have a first hand opportunity to learn about new
cultures, meet with other tattoo artists and draw influences
from exhibition or museum that I have the opportunity to visit in
person. It also helped me expand my clientele outside
of my country. And one of the most amazing facts from this, is
knowing that many people in different countries around the world
have a piece of your art or better, your soul forever with them.
Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: Don't give up! Don't listen to the nay sayers! Be humble! Find
your vision and as my manager says work harder than you think that
you worked yesterday. Do that and everything is possible!