interview with tattoo artist Victor chil
Hello Victor Chill! Thank you so much for taking the
time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something
about yourself and how you got into tattooing? I started
with graffiti, when I was 15 years old and when I was 19 I started
tattooing. One day, I asked the guy who tattooed me, Rafa, from
Ronin Tattoo, how can I learn and start tattooing. He advised
me about tattoo materials and places to buy it. I used to work with
graffiti and with the money I bought my first machine and started
tattooing.
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: It's been 8 years now.
Q: Do you have any favorite tattoo style?
A: Personally I like New School, because it gives me more freedom to
create, but I also like realism because it relaxes me.
Q: I really love the new school tattoos... Since when the fascination for this style
first began?
A: My fascination started with the Graffiti, that's where my style
comes from.
Q: Do you have a sketchbook? Tell me about the creative
process.
Yes, all my designs are custom made. I always start from zero. I
work on the idea with the client and then I prepare the design. If
the design is something very specific, I start from one or several
reference images, so I can get reference of proportion, colors and
measures. If it's not a very specific design, or if it's something I
have already very clear in my mind, like a tattoo machine, I start
from zero. I personally try to do different stuff and custom designs
for every client, because it's what they look for when they come to
me. And if the client let me, I try to change the idea, add details
or different things to look better.
Q: Are there any type of tattoos you
simply won't do?
A: I don't do covers, retouch or continue the work of other
artists. The cover ups, I don't do because I work too much and I
don't have enough time, so sometimes I need to chose. If I see the
idea isn't feasible or it's not good enough for tattooing, I
recommend and advice, but If I see the client doesn't give in, I say
yes to everything.
Q: You always look for ways to improve...
A: Yes I would like to improve, but right now I don't have enough
time to create new stuff. I work everyday. But next year I think
about working in new styles, do something different.
Q: How long your clients wait for their
appointment?
A: Basically they need to wait about one year, because even though I
work full time, I have too much work. Fortunately I work with
friends and it's a great environment at the shop.
Q: Getting a tattoo can be painful at times, especially on
some extra sensitive parts of the body. How do you cheer up
your clients?
A: I tell them: Take it.
Q: Any crazy experiences with them?
A:
When I tattoo my friends, I shave them before
tattooing, I paste it with vaseline in their face and make them a
goatee.
Q: What is the best lesson you
learned from your journey?
A: To appreciate and value my job.
Q: Any advice for those who are starting out?
A:
My advice for those who are starting now is to work hard,
continuously and a lot.