Things and Ink magazine Archives

July 7, 2025July 8, 2025

“A tattoo isn’t just a drawing, it’s a whole story,” interview with tattoo artist Kseniia Oliinyk

Tattoo artist Kseniia Oliinyk (@storm_tattooart) believes that tattoos can be integral to healing both physical and emotional wounds. She used to be a nurse in Ukraine, and now she is tattooing in San Francisco in the USA where she covers scars and heals souls…

What drew you to the tattoo world?

The freedom of expression. How people can express their inner world through tattooing, tell their story or capture important moments in their lives. How a tattoo can help heal a heartache or remind you of what’s most important. To me, a tattoo isn’t just a drawing, it’s a whole story.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

Watching the TV show Miami Ink. I realised it was a place where I could combine my love of art and medicine because I wasn’t willing to give up either of them. Also I sensed a kind of freedom in this business, knowing that in art you are never limited and you have endless possibilities for development.

You used to be a nurse, how do tattooing and nursing relate to one another?

Yeah, there are no ex-medics. Tattooing is partly a medical procedure, we still work with the skin, which is a full-fledged organ with its own peculiarities. As a tattoo artist you need to be ready for the client to feel bad at any moment and you can’t hesitate to deal with it. Also healing is fifty percent of the quality of the tattoo, so the right aftercare is also very important.

What was your first tattoo?

A white snowflake on my right palm. I am left-handed and made it myself. Later on the tattoo was also practiced on by my apprentices, as a first touch of live skin. Now it is perfectly healed and for seven years I have not done any touch-ups.

What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?

The first tattoo I did on a person was a blackwork sleeve for my first tattoo teacher. At my first class I was given a machine, needle and ink said, “tattoo me”. I was shocked, but I was up to the task.

As well as your first class, how did you learn to tattoo?

I had two mentors, they gave me the basic knowledge, led me through the gates of the world of tattooing, and then I went on my own. I studied other artists through video lessons, practiced on artificial skin and continued to draw a lot – very quickly I moved to the real thing. I still attend different workshops of the artists whose style and technique I like the most. There is no point where you’re the best; you can always get better.

Do you have a favourite tattoo experience?

There is no single favourite. I adore my clients and their ideas, especially when I am given freedom and told to “create, I trust your vision”. Those are truly the best moments, seeing a client’s eyes shine when they walk out of the tattoo studio happy.

Do you think tattoos can help people feel more confident?

Yes, I absolutely believe that. Expressing your thoughts, feelings, the way you see yourself and the way you want a tattoo. It’s magic. Especially when it comes to covering up old tattoos and scars.

Can you tell us more about covering up scars with tattoos?

It’s a very special subject. I would even say it’s tattoo therapy. Because scars have a significant impact on self-image, love for your body and the way you feel about yourself in your body.

If a person is not happy with what they see every day in the mirror, it can lead to terrible consequences. A person can become more closed-off, shy and constantly feeling ashamed of their body can significantly reduce the quality of life. Now I’m co-authoring a scientific article with a psychotherapist about it. This is an important topic that I believe we should not keep silent about.

How do you cover a scar and what should someone who wants one covered know?

Scars are basically connective tissue, like our joints. The quality of the skin is really different, so I wouldn’t recommend using this method for any fine lines or small details. I think the best thing to do would be to cover the scar with some part of the tattoo and draw attention away from it.

So, for instance, if you want to make a tattoo that’s all about drawing attention to a particular object, you can do that by making the object itself a bit distorted or something like that. It was great to work with a client who had a big burn on his arm. We covered it with an abstract tattoo.

The watercolour texture and shapes of the scar really complemented the composition, especially where it’s actually made.

It’s also worth mentioning that the age of the scar is important. You can overlap the stitches a year after the area has healed completely, as long as there’s no pain or discomfort. When it comes to keloid scars, I always make sure my clients see a doctor at the start of the project to check it’s ok for them to work on the scar.

You have done a few charity tattoo flash days, what are these like?

These are my special days, and I love them. I started holding them at home in Odessa to support our defenders. There have already been three and there will be more. On these days, I do small, quick tattoos for a fixed price, and all the money raised is donated to volunteers to buy medicine and other necessities.

Next time, I think it will be to help an animal shelter that has taken in pets who have lost their owners.

I don’t create flash sheets because I prefer to work with my clients’ ideas. A few days before the event, we develop a sketch, so each client gets exactly what they want.

What’s been your favourite country to visit and tattoo in?

Currently, I am most interested in working in the USA and Ukraine, but I like to travel everywhere; the main thing is to plan everything so that I don’t ruin anything at the last moment.

Do you have a moment in your career or personal life you’re really proud of?

I was probably at my happiest when I visited a tattoo convention for the first time and took second place in the “Neotraditional” style. That was in Kharkiv in 2021 — it was truly unforgettable. I also saw this wonderful city for the first time then, and I would really like to go back.

I’m also really proud that I overcame my fears and started travelling the world, tattooing wherever I go and meeting incredible people who inspire me more and more.

What are your hopes for the future?

I have big plans. I want to open two tattoo studios: one in the USA and one in Ukraine. There is a list of tattoo conventions that I’d like to attend. I am also thinking about setting up a charity project for scarred people, inviting different masters who work with scar camouflage and promoting tattoo therapy.

We can’t wait for the next step in your journey. Follow (@storm_tattooart)

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Upside down tattoos: Which way up should I have my tattoo?

Everyone in the tattoo world has an opinion on this. So tattoo artist and owner of “Surrey’s best tattoo studio 2023” Laura Raña (@lifeininklr) weighs in on the debate… should your tattoo face you or those around you…?

Tattooing has been around for thousands of years. There have always been traditions and ‘rules’ that needed to be followed. And one general rule is that all designs should face the centre of the body – the heart.

For example, front thigh tattoos should face inwards towards each other. And top outer arms will face forward in the same direction the body faces.

Tattoo placement wasn’t always a choice. However, tattoos can now be placed wherever you want.

As a tattoo artist for almost eight years, I’ve had multiple discussions with clients and other tattoo artists about placement – what works and what doesn’t. And it seems to be a reccurring subject that causes huge disagreement and divides so many people time and time again.

So, does it really matter which way up your tattoo is facing? Should it be for you to see or for others to enjoy?

It depends on the subject, for example to invert a face, that we are all used to seeing in the typical position (eyes above the mouth) may be perceived as grotesque. If a face is upside down it may appear unfamiliar or even “wrong” to our brains.

This is because of the exposure effect. The image projected on to the back of our eyes is upside down. Our brain decodes this image so that we perceive it the right way up.

Whether a tattoo is upside down wouldn’t matter if a tattoo is solely for its owner and not for the eyes of those around us.

I have found that those who have just one or two tattoos tend to choose very significant designs. Sometimes, the collector doesn’t want to share these with other people. The tattoo may be a reminder of a lost loved one or a nudge to keep going despite any obstacles.

These tattoos might be so personal that actually it’s no concern of others to see or even comment on. It’s very important to the client to have them facing them. It doesn’t matter if they are seen as “upside down”. It’s also fair to say that it’s the individual’s right to choose the placement for those very reasons.

Following tradition

Most tattoo collectors like to follow the traditional rules of placing their tattoo so that it faces outwards and towards other people. The rules comes from the many tattoo artists before us, their ideology of what aesthetically is pleasing and what fits the flow of the body, always facing the heart.

Because it’s the way it’s always been, a lot of artists will refuse to break tradition and place a tattoo “the wrong way”. I’ve seen arguments between artists and clients about this several times. Neither side has wanted to give in, leaving the client very angry and the artist out of pocket.

Personally, I think we should follow the “rules” with such a longstanding form of expression that goes back to the beginning of civilisation. It seems only right to place designs so people can enjoy your chosen artwork. Aesthetically, it looks more appealing. But of course, I discuss this with every client that steps inside my studio.

Times are changing

But tattooing is moving away from old school, bold thick lines and there’s a new style in vogue: fineline super dainty style. Anything is possible, and more people know exactly what they want. They’re not willing to compromise and don’t care for other people’s opinions when it comes to their chosen body art.

The current trend of patchwork tattoos allows us to bend the “rules” slightly, too. Smaller stamp-like tattoos are placed angled with mismatched positioning which adds to the stickered sleeve effect and uniqueness.

Find the right artist

Ultimately, it’s up to the client and their preferences which way up the tattoo goes. But give it some thought before you head to the studio and mention it to your artist when you book in. I always give my clients the right to choose what makes them happy and to enjoy their tattoo – whichever way up it sits.

The idea of a right and wrong way also opens up discussions – once placed, the tattoo will always have a slight distortion on the body, as we aren’t poles … we taper and twist, so placed the right or wrong way up, the tattoo will still look slightly distorted depending on what position your body is in – begging the question, so does it really matter?

If in doubt…

Get an ambigram tattoo. These are designs where different words or symbols can be read from different angles. They are designed with a special kind of symmetry or mirror effect. This allows the word to remain readable even when viewed upside down. Like others, you might enjoy getting them inked for their unique and sometimes mysterious look.

What do you think? Which way is the right way up? Let us know…

Make sure to follow Laura on Instagram and read our interview with her too.

Words and tattoos by: Laura Raña

August 28, 2024August 28, 2024

“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.

August 8, 2024August 13, 2024

“Tattoos aren’t only a fashion accessory, but also a very precious thing that means a lot to someone,” interview with tattoo artist Nando

Tattoo artist Nando (@nandotattooer) owns Nando Studio in Seoul in South Korea. His Instagram is filled with the most beautiful pet and micro tattoos – most of the tiny tattoos he creates are under 10cm! Here he talks about his delicate style, falling in love with tattoos and his proudest tattoo moments so far…

How long have you been tattooing?

About 14 years now. Since 2010 when I graduated from art college. I’m a self-taught artist.

How did you become a tattoo artist and what made you want to become one?

I’ve been interested in art from a young age. I studied painting at university. Once I graduated from college I served in the military. I then lived in Madrid in Spain for about two years, which is where I met a group of friends who were tattooed. I hadn’t really seen tattoos before, especially not in Korea.

When I saw their tattoos, I realised that it was a really meaningful art form for people. I fell in love with it and so I came back to Korea and started my own tattooing journey.

Can you tell us about your own tattoos?

I have about 10 small tattoos. I’ve been to a lot of countries, while there I connect with some amazing artists. I usually get tattooed from artists in the country I’m in at the time. They’ve become souvenirs of my travels.

What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?

I gave one of my friends a plaster statue of Poseidon that I had made. He then wanted this tattooed but really big on his shoulder! It was my first time tattooing and I challenged myself. Especially as it was so big. It took me about 10 hours but I think I did pretty well despite it being my first ever tattoo.

How would you describe your style?

I wanted to tattoo what I painted. I always try to make my tattoos as detailed and meticulous as possible, because it’s something that’s engraved on one person for the rest of their lives.

What made you want to create small realistic tattoos?

I typically do a lot of my work in spaces that are under 10cm. I focus on tattoos that are meaningful to the people who are getting them. Also my work is very detailed. Each tattoo usually takes around three hours.

What do you like to tattoo?

I love tattooing anything that I think is beautiful. I love beautiful tattoos with stories behind them, because tattoos are not only a fashion accessory but also a very precious thing that means a lot to someone.

What inspires you and do you have any artists you admire?

I am inspired by so many artists. Lately, I’ve been inspired by the art of James Jean.
My tattoos are mostly natural objects such as animals or florals. My hometown is very rural, so I’m getting a lot of inspiration there, too.

Do you have any guest spots planned?

I’m getting invitations to tattoo people from many countries. I have a strong friendly relationship with @mommyimsorry studio in Germany.

How can clients book in with you?

Through my Instagram @nandotattooer. You can make a reservation for a detailed consultation using the email and kakaotalk app on my Insta profile.

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?

Tattoos are still treated as a medical practice in Korea! So tattoo artists are united and talking to the government to solve legal problems. I think it will be resolved in the next few years. Also social awareness of tattoos has improved a lot. Many celebrities get tattoos as a way of expressing themselves, so tattoos are becoming recognised in Korean society.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

There have been so many proud moments while I’ve been doing tattoos. There was the time when I drew my work on to leather in collaboration with the brand Montblanc. It was an honour to work with a famous brand in this way.

Another moment was when I tattooed fingernails realistically over my customer’s fingers whose fingers were cut off. I was so proud of my job when I saw how satisfied and happy he was.

Follow Nando on Instagram for more beautiful pet and micro-realism tattoos.

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

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024

“Working on sugar-paste and soft skin feels sort of the same – and a moving person is similar to a spongey stacked cake!” from cake maker to tattoo artist, interview with Laura Raña

From cake decorator to tattoo artist, Laura Raña (@lifeininklr) runs a private, eco-friendly, vegan and woman-led studio and she holds the honour of “Surrey’s best tattoo studio 2023”.

She was a cake artist for 16 years – and she used to teach and write columns for magazines – so Laura came to tattooing late, but her passion shines through. Here she chats all things cakes, tattoos and creating a welcoming studio for all to enjoy. Make a cuppa and settle in for the ride…

Before you became a tattoo artist, you were a cake artist, what inspired you to make that change?

After spending 16 years juggling life as a mum of two daughters (Bella now 16 and Eva 14 ) and being a cake artist, I felt like I had achieved everything that I wanted in the cake world. I was 35 and I wanted to use my artistic flare and creativity for something that wouldn’t get stuffed down the throats of my customers week after week.

After spending so much time perfecting colour blending, modelling and painting on tiers of delicious sponges, I began thinking how I could transfer the skills I’d learnt. I wanted to create something that would last forever and not just briefly as brightly coloured crumbs on the side of people’s mouths.

Tattooing had always been something I was fascinated with. My grandad, who was an antiques dealer in the 50s until the 80s, was covered head to toe – back then, it was very taboo and frowned upon in his industry. I used to glare at the naked ladies and dragons strewn across his back, chest, arms and legs. He was six foot five, both tall and wide, his art work made quite an impression on me as a keen young creative artist in the making. He would definitely be one of my inspirations.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a tattooer…

I started slowly getting covered in tattoos at the very illegal age of 14. I would walk past the only tattoo studio in my town, hoping they wouldn’t notice me in my school uniform. Then when it came to holidays or weekends, I’d try to dress older and strut into the studio beaming with anxious confidence to keep topping up my ink collection. This was when my interest was sparked.

Skip forwards 21 years and after ignoring the narrow-minded warnings from everyone (including my parents) that it was a dangerous industry to get involved in, I began my search for a studio that wouldn’t laugh in my face.

That was the hardest thing – starting a new career at 35. I’m a strong-headed person, so I kept knocking on doors, in the hope someone – anyone – would see my passion. Rejection came thick and fast, but I found a studio, eventually.

Apprentices make zero money, well at least I did. I had lots of people offering their skin but trying to throw myself into this amazing new career was not financially viable. So I’d work four days at the studio, then balance part-time work and cake making around that.

What was it like being a cake maker? And how does it compare to tattooing?

I adored my career as a cake artist, what a dream to have a career in the cake industry. I actually entered Kirsty Allsop’s Handmade Christmas TV show by making a fully decorated Christmas cake in under four hours – I ended up winning. It blew up my career and I began making celebration and wedding cakes, and that led me to teaching. Then I opened my own cake studio – I even had my own little cake column in a magazine. I felt just like Carrie Bradshaw. I began entering cake competitions and I’m very proud to have many gold awards. I was even cast for Extreme Cake Makers on TV. I specialised in chocolate modelling, airbrushing and then painting on cakes – all things I brought through to my tattoo career.

Cake and tattoos although very different, there are some elements that feel similar. The use of colour and blending work is the same in tattooing. Working on soft sugar-paste and soft skin feels the same too. Also a moving person is similar to a spongey stacked cake! It could move at any time…

Can you tell us about your studio?

Everyone is welcome in my little private studio. It’s nestled among the bamboo trees in my back garden. It’s a comfortable, cosy, funky little safe space where no one should feel intimidated. I created a studio I would be comfortable being tattooed in, as I think the more at ease you are, the better the whole experience will be.

Tell us about the award your studio won…

Having spent seven years building up my (very) little business, I was stunned to be nominated for England’s Business Awards in 2023. I was even more taken back when I won the title of “Surrey’s best tattoo studio”.

I’ve never claimed to be the most sought after artist – and there are thousands of artists around Surrey that are phenomenal – but these awards are about your art and your business. So that includes reviews and customer service, amongst other things. I was even mystery shopped so they could see the kind of service I offer, how I dealt with my client and the overall experience.

My little framed award sits proudly in the studio where all can see.

How would you describe your style, what do you like to tattoo?

My style isn’t just one thing. Tattooing different styles and using different techniques allows me to broaden my work to appeal to a larger client base. I know it’s probably frowned upon in the industry, but I did the same with my cakes.

Learning different things is beneficial for a successful business and it enables me to become a better artist. I don’t want to pigeon-hole myself to just one thing. I don’t want to wake up one morning and be bored of the same old stuff. So, for me personally, variety is most definitely the spice of life.

How do you work with clients, what’s your tattoo process?

I find the industry has changed from years ago when you’d walk into a studio covered wall-to-wall in flash designs and people choose “number 10”. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but now with Pinterest and social media, people find ideas they like and perhaps want to combine a few ideas together. That’s where I come in, to create a design that fits their brief.

My focus is to ensure my clients are well informed, feel heard and understood and happy with their tattoo.

Is there anything you’d love to tattoo?

My “wannados” are based around pop art – bright, bold, almost comic sketches. It’s timeless art that stands out and looks super cool. But I feel like there isn’t much of a place for that as many clients want super fine line delicate pieces. I’d love to continue to tattoo thick lined patterns that are edgy and look amazing on everyone.

Any guest spots or travel plans?

I’m going to start guesting at a few studios towards the end of this year to get myself out there and socialise with other artists. I might attend a few conventions too.

Follow Laura on Instagram for more tattoos and updates on guest spots.

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