Category: Travel

Posted on

“Every city has taught us something distinct, enriching our own style and deepening our appreciation for the art form,” travelling tattooists, Alex and Diana

After meeting in Poland and travelling Europe together, tattoo artists Diana Diaz (@ttoo_diaz) and Alex But (@but_flash) are now on a unique journey to tattoo in every state across the USA. Tattooing in new cities brings new experiences, incredible clients and insights into the tattoo culture across different regions – we chatted to the duo to learn more about the journey so far, settle in for the ride…

You’re a duo of traveling tattoo artists, working together to explore the USA one guest spot at a time. How did you both meet? What brought you together? Where are you from?

It was a bit of a coincidence. I was working in a studio in Poland, and Alex came to do a guest spot. We hit it off straight away. Both of us were into pushing our tattoo skills and had a shared passion for exploring new cities and cultures. I’m originally from Ukraine, as is Alex, so we connected over our shared background as well. It felt like the perfect partnership, and we’ve been travelling together ever since.

Tattoo by Diana
Tattoo by Diana

How long have you been travelling for and where have you been so far?

We’ve been on the road for five years now, we started working in different countries across Europe. Then our trips took us through Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and Denmark. In 2024, we ventured into the USA to continue our tattoo adventure. Last year we did guest spots in 14 states and even visited Alaska for a guest spot.

Tattoo by Alex

What’s been your most memorable place / guest spot so far?

One of our most memorable guest spots was in Anchorage, Alaska. It was a special place for us mainly because the tattoo community there feels like a family and we’re grateful to every person we met there. The vibe of the city was incredible, and we met so many inspiring native artists and customers. The energy in that city was unmatched, we saw some incredible wildlife and it was one of the first times we really felt like we were part of a creative community.

Tattoos by Diana

What have you learnt about different tattoo cultures in each country / city you’ve visited? Has anything surprised you?

Throughout our travels, we’ve discovered that every place brings its own unique flavour to tattoo culture. In some cities, the art is deeply rooted in local traditions and history, while in others, it’s a bold expression of modern creativity and personal identity.

One of the biggest surprises was finding incredibly tight-knit communities in unexpected locations. For example, in a small town in Alaska, the tattoo scene felt more like a close family than just a professional network. Every new city has taught us something distinct, enriching our own style and deepening our appreciation for the art form.

Tattoo by Alex
Tattoo by Alex

Has your own work changed or evolved along your journey?

Absolutely. As we’ve travelled and worked in different places, our style has evolved. We’ve learned new techniques, picked up insights from various artists, and drawn inspiration from the places we’ve visited. Exposure to such a diverse range of styles and people has pushed us to think outside the box and develop a more multi-faceted approach to tattooing. Now, we’re open to collaborations with different companies and are striving to transform tattoo designs into true art.

What challenges have there been along the way, and how have you overcome them?

There have been many challenges, different languages, cultural differences, and sometimes even just finding the right place to stay. We had to be resourceful, adapt quickly, and stay connected with each other to overcome those tough times. But through it all, we’ve learned to embrace uncertainty and stay flexible, we believe that this is the most important thing.

What’s it like living out of a suitcase? What kind of places do you stay in?

Living out of a suitcase is definitely a lifestyle choice! We stay in a mix of places — some are small Airbnb apartments, sometimes with friends, and other times in more unusual spots like RV campers or trailers when we’re on the move. It’s always a bit chaotic but exciting, and it keeps us on our toes. We’ve learned to pack light and adapt to whatever situation comes our way.

Tattoo by Diana

Where’s next on this journey?

Our journey is far from over! We’re currently working on completing our goal of completing 90 guest spots in every state in the US. Next, we’ll continue making our way across the country, with plans to visit new cities, collaborate with more artists, and keep growing both as tattoo artists and individuals. We’re excited to see where this adventure takes us!

So are we! Make sure to follow Diana (@ttoo_diaz) and Alex (@but_flash) on their incredible adventure.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

Posted on

“My work is defined by landscapes, anime and frame tattoos,” interview with tattoo artist Opal

Tattoo artist Opal (@opal.tattoo) is currently in Vancouver, Canada, where she creates breathtaking landscape tattoos. In this interview, she shares her most memorable tattoo experiences and how they helped shape the artist she has become today…

Opal first fell in love with tattooing at university; “when I was a sophomore in university, I realised that the Visual Design major was not a good fit for me and I started to question what I wanted to do.” She recalls that at that time she “became interested in drawing on the body rather than on paper. ” After that it only took Opal a year before they started to learn how to tattoo under @soltattoo and @tattooist_eq at Studio By Sol.

Now having tattooed for four years, Opal looks back at her humble beginnings, “I started with rubber pads” she says. But her talent shone through, “it was about a month and a half after I started that I began working on clients.”

She reveals how at first she felt apprehensive. “It was really nerve-wracking, and I found it difficult because I didn’t know which needles to use or how to angle the machine.” For Opal, “replicating the design exactly on the body was particularly challenging.” Although she was anxious and learning as she went, Opal took it in her stride and kept going.

We asked Opal about the first tattoo she did on someone else. “It was poetry related. The task was to create a design based on the feelings of a poem.” She admits that, “though it was abstract and challenging, I really enjoyed working on it.”

On discovering her most challenging tattoo, we had to ask about her most memorable tattoo experience. Opals shares how she created a tattoo for her dad. “It was especially memorable because my dad, who hates pain so much that he’s afraid of even getting an injection, got his first tattoo from me.” Smiling, Opal shares how grateful she is to her dad for that moment. It was really special.

Since then, Opal has done hundreds of tattoos, honing her craft to what it is today. With anime, nature and frame styles taking centrestage. She describes how her style has become what it is today. “At first, it was really difficult. If you scroll through my Instagram, you’ll see that I worked with very different designs compared to now. Back then, I was really stressed because of the designs. I didn’t know which designs suited me well.”

It was one of her mentors that helped her find her place in tattooing. “After a year of starting, the manager at Studio By Sol told me that I needed to find out what I really liked.” With this in mind Opal “started writing down everything I liked on a piece of paper. I found out that I love anime and landscape photography. Now, I mainly work with anime and landscape designs.”

When it comes to the inspiration behind her work, it’s her photography that inspires her the most. “I usually take pictures of natural landscapes and my friends.” It’s no surprise then that landscapes feature so heavily in her tattoos. Travel is also a big influence for the tattoo artist. “I often travel with my friends, and whenever I see a beautiful landscape or sunset, it becomes part of my design.”

Those tattooers who have paved the way are also an influence on her work. Although she can’t pinpoint one artist that she admires the most, Opal does “respect people who have dedicated themselves to a field for a long time. Especially in Korea, where tattooing isn’t fully recognised artistically or legally.”

Opal and these other artists are connected by their tenacity to keep going. She explains how she “admires those who continue in this profession without giving up.” Like them, she wants to pursue tattooing for as long as possible.

Currently tattooing in Vacouver, Opal is surrounded by artistic talent. “You can meet artists from many different countries, which allows you to see a wide variety of genres,” she shares.

When it comes to her clients, Opal’s work is evenly split between flash and custom design projects. The artist considers it important to “consistently upload flash designs” giving her clients the chance to wear a unique piece of her work that’s pre-drawn. She explains that “whenever I have time, I try to create and upload as many as possible.”

As Opal loves to tattoo different landscapes, we asked the artist if she has any guest spots planned. “I don’t have any guest spots planned at the moment.” But don’t worry, if you’re not in Vancouver you can keep an eye out for any guest spot announcements on her Instagram @opal.tattoo and inquire by email following the form provided.

Looking to the future and touching upon her Korean heritage, Opal shares how she “hopes tattoos can be perceived more positively by Korean people in the future.” Especially as there are now so many skilled tattooists in Korea. She believes that “Korean tattooing is renowned worldwide.” And yes, she’s proof of that.

Make sure to follow Opal on Instagram for more inspiring tattoos and to grab one of her flash designs for yourself.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

Posted on

“On one hand, there’s tremendous value to be found in the old ‘gatekeepers’ of tattooing, their respect for techniques and history… on the other, that knowledge was often inaccessible – especially as a young female tattooer,” tattooist, Charlotte Timmons

Tattoo artist Charlotte Timmons (@charlotte.e.tattoos) is known for her creepy cute tattoos – we’re obsessed with her iconic cat ghosts. Having made the move from the Birmingham in the UK to work at Grit N Glory in New York, here she shares more about her tattoo journey and the ever-changing tattoo world…

When did you start tattooing and how did you start in the industry?

I can barely remember when I started tattooing at this point, but it must have been around 2009, so we’re going back about 15 years.

How have you seen the industry change since then? 

It’s very difficult to answer this succinctly because it’s changed so much. As a mid-millennial, it’s crazy how much I’ve seen technology evolve in my lifetime – and that’s had an impact on every industry in so many ways. 

For me, tattooing has evolved in really good and really bad ways because of both the influence of social media and culture more generally. On one hand, there’s actually tremendous value to be found in the old ‘gatekeepers’ of tattooing – their respect and reverence for techniques and history, and the humility expected from people getting into the industry are lessons I internalised. On the other hand, that knowledge was often inaccessible – especially as a young female tattooer – and that it isn’t so much the case now.

As someone who loves to do guest spots in different places, it’s always fun to find fresh and conflicting opinions about where the industry is headed. Suffice to say, in my experience, the best people in the industry, both old and new, are the people who value and care for their customers, and are grateful to do the job. Not the people who always need to buy another ticket for their ego.

You tattoo in New York now, how was the move from the UK? What inspired you to move? 

It was really difficult. I went from a full calendar and a shop full of people I loved like family to barely any bookings and a shop full of new people I didn’t know yet. Then a pandemic hit – which made me feel I had made a huge mistake.”

“The culture of New York is highly competitive, innovative, fast paced, expensive and exhausting. And if I think about it, I don’t really know what inspired me to move here. It’s more like I did something really insane and then made up the reason later – like a lot of my favourite tattoos.

I had hit 30 and was watching a lot of friends and family settle down. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, I just felt this restlessness in my gut that I had to do *something*. When the thought came up to move to NYC after guesting there, I thought, why not? It’s kind of insane, but New York forced me to grow into a person closer to the one I wanted to be, so it was the right decision.

How is the tattoo scene different over there? 

I’d say I tattoo more people of colour in New York than I used to, which is a great thing that has helped me grow as an artist, and to see different tones heal on different skin types is important for the planning of a design. I grew up in a fairly diverse community, but most of the people of colour I knew were from conservative or religious families, so they rarely had tattoos.

The tattoo scene here is as vibrant as anywhere, but there are so many people here that you have to find your specific niche or it’s highly competitive for work.

How would you describe your style and what do you love to tattoo?  

My style has sort of been coined as ‘Illustrative Neo-traditional’. It’s a pretty good description. It’s like I can’t decide what lane I’m in so I just throw a bit of everything I’ve learned from people in every style into it. I love animals and floral, and I love creepy stuff and fantasy stuff the most. The themes of traditional are classics for a reason, but I’m become more interested in flow, and fitting things to the body shape.

Is there something you’d like to do more of? 

I would love to do some darker themes, and some bigger more ‘stripped back’ stuff, but I also appreciate that a lot of my work is really ‘cute’ and intricate and that’s why people go for it. It’s not like I want to tattoo skulls all day, but I would love to lean more into that occasionally because I feel like I want to fine-tune that area to be a better all-round tattooer.

Have you found you’re known for a particular subject? 

My little cat ghosts. Creepy cute stuff, animal portraits, and undoubtedly the most ‘famous’ tattoos I’ve made are of moths.

What’s been your proudest tattoo moment? 

It’s hard to pick one but a girl said to me at a show here in the US that she followed my work when she was a teenager, and it inspired her to tattoo. And a woman once sent me a picture her 14-year-old had drawn based on one of my tattoos. Both sort of took me aback because no matter how old I get, I always have this imposter syndrome and feel kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. So to have people notice anything you’ve done, and say you specifically inspired them to draw or tattoo feels really profound.

Any future plans you’d like to share with us?

I am currently living happily in NYC, but have guest spots around the US lined up for the spring and summer. Hopefully I’ll be visiting the UK later in the year too, but I can’t make any concrete plans just yet. I’m hoping to be back a few times in the next couple of years too.

Make sure to follow Charlotte on Instagram for more cute tattoos – and hopefully some skulls, too!

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

Posted on

Catching up with tattoo artist Owen Paulls

We last chatted to Owen Paulls (@owenpaulls) in 2017 (read his first interview) when he was tattooing on the road. We caught up with the black and grey tattoo artist, who now works out of his private studio (Owen Paulls Tattoo) in Brighton, to find out what he’s been up to for the last six years...

How have you been since we chatted in 2017?

Great thank you! Hope you have all been good too. I’ve been traveling all over and seen some cool things…and ink!

You’ve been tattooing for almost 10 years, how does it feel to look back on where you started? 

I don’t really know to be honest! I’m certainly more involved with the industry than I imagined was possible when I started, and there’s so much to learn along the way. The perimeters are always shifting and evolving in the tattoo world, so I guess I feel humbled to think of surviving it for 10 years! 

Where do you hope to be in another 10 years?

I hope to be in the same creative mind space and to be focused on how I can keep improving. I really hope I never lose the drive to improve my artwork, in tattooing or painting! 

What tattoo projects have you been working on? 

There’s been more larger scale work in my diary as of late. I think the last time we spoke I was on the road, so I was mostly doing tattoos that had to be completed in one or two days max! Since then I’ve been able to play the role of a resident artist in a few studios and take on larger pieces over a wider time scale.

It’s been really challenging but a great push in learning how to construct legible sleeves, front and back pieces.

What’s really been getting you excited?

Well firstly, the progression of our industries artistic side over the past, I think three years or so? It’s amazing to watch such rapid evolution of an ancient thing. On a more personal note, I’m so excited and thankful for the trust in creating more surrealism and Disney mashup tattoos. 

You mentioned in our last catch up that you were going into a more surrealism style, has this been the case?

I always wanted to do a little more realism that wasn’t so routed in real life or just a copy from a photo. I really enjoy being asked for portraits too, don’t get me wrong, but I love sci-fi or adding a little element of whimsy, flow and direction where I can. I’m still developing this style and trying to learn from other artists, who do this mix really well. At the moment I’m working on a few Disney projects which will see the characters collide with the real world in some way. So super excited for that! 

You also mentioned you would ‘probably make the move to colour work’, how has this gone? What changed?

Honestly nothing really changed, apart from the brief pause we all took in 2020! I’m still interested in adding some colour elements but I’d have to stay somewhere long term to really polish this aspect of my work. Right now with traveling and shows, black and grey is the better choice for me and allows me to showcase the desaturated Disney work that has helped me carve a bit more of a tattoo identity over the years. 

You were on the road, where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo?

It’s hard to pick just one place! I spent nearly two years traveling full time on the road and saw so many amazing places. I really love Italy and Florence especially. It’s so beautiful and relaxing there and in the same breath, I love Colorado for the mountains and nature. Probably because it’s a wilder, more rugged version of where I grew up! NYC and LA of course are beasts of their own, and I do love the busy hustle of city life. I’m tattooing in Germany later this year so maybe that will be added to the favourites list too! Who knows! 

Any experiences or stories that stand out? 

I remember being in literally the coldest weather I have ever experienced in Ottawa, Canada a few years ago. I thought I liked snow until then! There was a storm and snow stacked against the buildings around four feet. Every pavement and road was pure ice! I was there working a tattoo show and spent nearly the whole thing inside a set of three interlocking buildings with sky bridges, to escape the cold! You’d have to be tough to live there I think! 

Oh and almost getting hit by lightning in Florida! I was walking to the shop in the rain when it struck the traffic lights two metres in front of me, taking out the whole block. The loudest sound I’ve ever heard in my life, I’m very lucky to not have been crispified! 

How’s the tattoo scene changed since we spoke in 2017? 

Change wise, aside from the rapid artistic boost that 2020 seemed to inspire, I’m thankful to see the industry start to become more inclusive. I know there’s still a way to go just like every industry, but we have started the journey and it’s nice to see artists becoming more comfortable to express themselves in their art and/or tattooing. 

What’s been your proudest moment in the last six years?

One of my proudest moments has been recently, when I was asked to attend a few tattoo shows, based on my paintings alone. I’ve been working hard on my paintings for a few years on my days off and it’s very validating to be recognised for this. I’ve also had the chance to be part of some really progressive and highly talented teams, like the Empire Inks crew and the FYT artist line up. Not trying to push anything when I say they have the best approach to artist sponsorships and give back at every opportunity. I’m very grateful to be involved with them! 

How did you find the lockdowns, were you able to be creative?

I was still in Hollywood during the lockdown, so we really only had one long one over there. It was tough to be taken away from my career plans, mid stride but I understand this was the same for so many creatives and I do appreciate the safety aspect involved there. 

I set myself up with a painting and designing schedule, working 10-7, like a regular tattoo day, four or five days a week. I’d just finished a set of classes at LAFFA (LA institute of fine art) and was really keen to get to practice more. Obviously this was more paint time than I had anticipated but I believe it kept me sane and kept the wolf from the door bill wise! I’m aware I have been very lucky though and know this wasn’t the case for everyone around the world. 

On a final note I want to say thank you to everyone who supports my art and tattooing. I’m always looking to expand my skill set and learn what I can to improve. I’m thankful to have done a catch up with you and hopefully we can do another in a few years! 

You’re more than welcome! Make sure to read Owen Paull’s first interview with us and follow him on Instagram for more incredible tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

Posted on

Interview with tattoo artist Ignacio Freysselinard

27-year-old Ignacio Freysselinard (@freysce), a tattoo artist from Argentina has been tattooing for eight years, in cities all around the world. We caught up with the artist to find out about tattooing around the world and how he had the privilege of getting a tattoo Apo Wang-od and stayed in her community in the Philippines…

How did you get into the tattoo industry?

I didn’t know anything about tattooing or how you were supposed to learn to tattoo when I started. I met my mentor, Pato Domingez, in Buenos Aires, 2015, because a mutual friend put us in contact.

I never had the patience to watch a YouTube tutorial or anything like that, so I asked Pato how to tattoo. Suddenly, he was telling me to clean his toilet, paint the shop and get his beers! Although I had nothing better to do and I thought he was a really cool dude, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I fell into an old school apprenticeship and I’m really lucky that Pato was the one to show me the way. One week in, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

You’ve been tattooing for eight years, how does it feel to look back on where you started? Where do you hope to be in another eight years?

It feels amazing. Tattooing has become part of my identity and opened so many doors, I’m deeply grateful. In eight years I see myself living exactly how I’m living today; tattooing, travelling and exploring the world’s cultures and beauty.

How would you describe your tattooing style?

At the moment I’m really interested in all kinds of ethnic and tribal tattoos. I enjoy exploring these and many contemporary styles like American traditional, geometric or ornamental. A few months ago I heard Dannyboy Sawyer say, “My style is tattooing”. It would be difficult to pick just one style as my favourite, so I will agree with Danny.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the rich history of tattooing that spans oceans and cultures — as well as the global community of artists who share and exchange their different styles and methods with one another. That’s what my work aims to do, and why I’m on a mission to tattoo across all continents.

What tattoo projects have you been working on?

At the moment I’m working on some sleeves and back pieces mixing Tibetan, Indian and many Asian ornaments with tribal scales as the background. Step by step I’m trying to make all of my big projects freehand and it’s really exciting. In the future I would love to do more Japanese style, that’s something I really enjoy.

Where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo?

It’s hard to name just one. So far, Amsterdam has been one of my favourites. There is so much to learn there and so many great artists and tattoo shops. My experience at Rose Tattoo was amazing and enriching.

Can you tell us about your experience getting a tattoo from Apo Wang-od?

Meeting Whang-od four years ago was my greatest adventure. It was hard to get to Buscalan without a tour guide – I didn’t know I needed one – but once I was there I felt really welcomed by the Kalinga community.

Apo Wang-od with one of Ignacio Freysselinard’s designs

I was curious about their beautiful way of living and many of them were intrigued by my colourful tattoos, I was lucky to share information with them too. Getting tattooed by Whang-od was like a dream.

What I learnt from her Kalinga tattoos is that a tattoo doesn’t need to be technically perfect to look beautiful and real, what matters most is its tradition and respect, technicality is just a plus.

I want to go back soon and get tattooed by her grand-niece, Grace Palicas, the one who’ll keep the tradition and Apo’s legacy alive.

Are there any other experiences or stories that stand out?

Recently I was travelling with my brother in Fiji around the exotic islands. On each island I gave a tattoo to a local, some wanted American traditional flash, others wanted Polynesian designs or Fijian Tapa.

That allowed me to generate a deep connection with them, so after the tattoo they would take us to dinner with their families and teach us how to do spear fishing. That was definitely an experience that stood out to me. Also tattooing literally a few metres from the sea was a dream come true.

What’s been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment was probably the beginning, before I started my apprenticeship at The Gypsy Family. My world was really small and limited. Once I came into contact with this new world, guided by my mentor, my head exploded. I’ve learnt so much since then and not just about tattooing; about order, discipline, respect, music, underground stories and of course…some gypsy tricks. The feeling of becoming a tattoo artist was one of the best in my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Make sure to follow Ignacio Freysselinard (@freysce) on Insta for more incredible tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.