Turning The Page. A New Beginning – A Look Back
From Skin to Canvas – Why I Dedicate Myself to Painting
It’s the end of May 2024. I’ve been working non-stop for weeks – barely any days off, and work has long seeped into every part of my daily life: emails, scheduling appointments, preparing designs, tattooing, recovering from it (a physically demanding profession), creating social media content – and the list doesn’t end there.
For years, the desire to have more time for painting has been growing. I try to carve out that space, but appointments and their preparation take up too much time. I’m juggling both – tattooing and painting – but at some point, I realize: I’m not made for doing things halfway. I want to deep dive into my themes, not just skim the surface.
Then, my body sends a clear message: I keep getting sick. At first, I ignore it, but soon, I’m forced to cancel appointments. One infection follows the next. By the end of May, it’s clear: I need a break.
The thought of not having to do anything for once feels surreal. I’ve been self-employed for 15 years, have rarely taken vacations, have never been on sick leave, and have never allowed myself longer breaks. A mistake, as I now realize.
In the following weeks, I spend a lot of time walking through the forest with my dog. I let my thoughts wander. Gradually, I recognize what I have suppressed for so long: I want to paint.
Why I Choose Painting
My painterly, abstract style has always been present in my tattoos. But when tattooing, I imitate what spontaneously emerges on paper and canvas. I’ve reached a limit: I need more freedom.
On canvas, I can give my spontaneous gestures and playful process unrestricted space. I don’t have to think about what works as a tattoo. I can work with colors and transparencies without being confined to black and clear lines. I love how layers overlap, how colors flow, how the unexpected takes shape.
And that, right now, feels just right.
A New Journey Begins
I am incredibly grateful to have shared my artistic vision with so many people – and that many of you wear my designs on your skin. Thank you for your trust.
I warmly invite you to follow my creative journey into painting. See you soon.
PS: If you are now looking for your future tattoo artist, here are a few artists I highly recommend:
Anna Ustrehova
Paulina Kemnitz
Lina Tattoo Artist
Duna_af
La Bottega del Arte
Koit Tattoo
Roman Melnikov
Lee Stewart
Andrej Volkov
Nikita Rastorguev
Teti Malik
Tattoer Nadi
Nikos DADC
Carola Deutsch