Interview with tattoo artist Moriel Seror
Hello
Moriel Seror! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself, how it all started? What part of the journey was the
most difficult? I got my first tattoo when I was 16. Ever since then I was kind of
hooked on it. I studied computer science but just being in front of
the computer all day was not really my thing. After studying I
worked as as graphic designer and web developer but very early into
that I started my apprenticeship with my tattoo artist Yancoo
tattoo.
The most difficult part was and still is that I'm my worst critique. I'm
never satisfied and think everyone else is better. Off course this
pushes you forward but is not that good for your selfesteem
sometimes. I probably have to be also my biggest fan.
Q: What type of art outside tattooing do you like the most? Any favorite artists?
A: That would be definitely sport. I train a lot. Mostly BJJ and
calisthenics. I have a lot of favorite artists. Too many to count.
One big inspiration I really look up to is
Boris since I'm also
getting tattooed by him, I'm also in close contact and we talk about
all kinds of stuff. It's really interesting what someone that has
been a big name in this industry and still is can tell you.
Q: What type of tattoos you use to do when you were a
beginner?
A: I did pretty much everything. Which I think is very important
since you can learn something from every style. I'm not sure if I
really have a style. I'm still pretty diverse. Off course I like
some stuff more than other but as long as I have my artistic freedom
I can turn a lot of styles into my own.
Q:
Tell me more about the creative process. Do you draw
sketches before the session?
A: That really depends a lot on what it is. Since I used to work as
a graphic designer I work a lot with photoshop. Which I mainly use
for my realistic tattoos. When it's some traditional stuff I
do a lot of drawings either digital or on paper and with the
bio-organic I freehand a lot. Using a lot of different techniques
keeps it interesting.
Q: Tattooing is a service job, what about creative freedom?
A: Tattooing is a form of self expression for the client but
also for the artist. Luckily I'm in a position where my clients give
me the artistic freedom. Which I really need. Sometimes when I'm
designing and I feel stuck I have to restart all over again and
listen less to what the client told me. I need this flow when I’m
designing. Otherwise I can’t work. I think is a teamwork
between the artist and the client. We need the freedom but we also
have to be greatful for client that grant us this freedom. I'm
always open for cool ideas from my clients and I always try to put my twist on it.
Q: I bet exploring new ways of working can be a lot of fun,
but sometimes a bit of a challenge technically or maybe even
creatively. Any favorite
tattoo you did?
A: That’s difficult to answer because I feel like I'm learning
something new every day. Creating portraits with double exposure
is quite challenging because the semi transparent object can
be quite difficult to create. But also to make multiple pictures that
normally wouldn’t go together, look like one as if they were meant
like this can be challenging. Searching for the right pictures can
take forever since I always have the perfect picture in my head.
That’s why I take my own pictures from time to time to get the exact
look I want.
Q: I really like to see talented artists working together!
It's so refreshing and fun. I can
only imagine how is to work with artists like Torsten Malm and
Adrian Cier. So much creativity and so much talent! Tell me more
about this collaborations.
A: I met Torsten and
Kätlin a couple of years ago in Venice on the convention and we
clicked right away. Adrian
started working in my shop around 2 years ago. So we went to a
lot of conventions together and he met Torsten and Kätlin too. We
had this great energy as a team. I don’t remember who had the idea
to do a collab but we were all into it and when we did it was so
much fun. We laughed so much. Even though it can be challenging for
four artist to work together we never had any problems, because we support each other.
Collab @adriancier @torstenmalm_tattoo and @katlinmalm_tattoo @el_mori_tattooartist
Q:
Any goals?
A: Would love to have more
guest artists in my studio. I haven't
really done any seminars and get asked a lot if I could do one. So
that’s a big plan. But I'm a perfectionist so I want to create a
unique experience for the artists that would take part.
Q: Your advice for the new artists?
A: Shut up and listen. You might learn something.
Be persistent but not pushy. Be kind to everyone. You never know who
you are talking to and what you might get back even if it’s only a
smile.