Recently I happened to spend an exceptional Sunday morning with one of my friends. I participated in a 38-episodeInk Medicine Podcast created and hosted by Micah Riot.
Micah and I share a passion for tattoo craft, fine art, and the Bay Area! They did one of my tattoos years ago, but I admired their work for a while before that. I even picked their brain about apprenticeship when I moved to SF. Micah has more than 15 years of experience as a tattoo artist, owns a private studio, and hosts a very thought-provoking yet purposive podcast about the world of tattoos. It flatters me to be on the list of so many talented guests they already had!
We talked about my work, my private studio, and the perks of being a tattoo artist nowadays. We shared thoughts about our Slavic roots, relationships in the modern world, beauty standards, and more. It turned out to be an intimate talk, the kind you would have with your best friend during brunch. Check out the podcast to get to know me better.
Beautyberry tattoo is a noteworthy botanical tattoo project I’ve done recently. T. alreday has floral piece by me, and a few months ago she came back for the next plant tattoo, a bigger one. I’m so thankful to my loyal clients! They always bring me fresh ideas. And you know me, I can’t say “No” to a custom botanical tattoo project.
Provided references
From a list of plants provided, for the main theme of the design a Beautyberry was chosen. Callicarpa americana is an ornamental plant, which has brightly colored, tightly clustered berries. An excellent choice for the tattoo, because you can play with a composition and a flow of a design.
Design drafts
T. also really wanted to incorporate a garden snail into the design. We’ve decided to make a shell match the color of berries, to bring the whole story together. I like how a purple color touch also adds depth to the picture.
A Beautyberry may have a variety of meanings, such as wisdom, preparation, dignity, seriousness, and mourning. A snail tattoo can be a symbol of rebirth, death, and even self-sufficiency. As for T., the whole tattoo idea is an ode to their childhood growing up in Miami.
Explore more botanical tattoos and available designs by me. Feel free to share your tattoo ideas, I'd be glad to make a special custom floral design for you.
This year I’m lucky to participate in the 4th installation of Send Me Across the Sea at Helvella.art gallery in Oakland, CA. Family-friendly small works show featuring artists from the Bay and beyond.
The story of creating the tattoo flash goes from Inktober and is inspired by Floriography, specifically by dangerous & poisonous plants. Each one has an interesting & symbolic meaning. There are few of floral designs available. Feel free to contact me and claim the design. Initially created in Procreate, some of these botanical tattoo illustrations were later drawn again, but that time on real paper with colored pencils. Which ones are now available only atSend Me Across the Sea.
At the event, it is possible to see live and take home artworks by many talented artists and including the kind organizer of the exhibition, @malisasuchanya herself. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful art show.
This event was delayed since the start of the pandemic. And finally, after two years of waiting it has happened. I also participated in the previously held Send Me Across the Sea art shows. You can get a feeling how it was by watching my vlogs.
The exhibition will last two weeks! Don't miss your chance to purchase my original artwork.
As a symbol of California state, redwood tree is one of the most common choices as a memorial tattoo along with California poppy flowers. It's believed, that Redwood represents wellbeing, safety, longevity, wisdom, and bonding.
Redwoods have been around for about 240 million years, that fact makes them as old as dinosaurs. You might be surprised to know that a 2,200-year-old Sequoiais still standing strong in the forest of California.
Take a look at these Redwood tattoos by me and don't hesitate to contact me with your very own idea!
I present to your attention a newcollection of tattoo designs—Vogue Tattoo Flash. Charismatic and at the same time incredibly elegant characters came off of vintage magazine art-deco covers. A series of graphic illustrations referring to the magnificent artworks of Vogue magazine. The tattoo designs are a perfect fit for both: fashion fans and lovers of floral and fine-line tattoos.
“Fashion starts from a drawing; Vogue started as an illustrated magazine,”
Once in a bookstore, I came across a great specimen from the 80s. A selection of illustrated vintage Vogue covers. When I got my hands on the book, I knew I had to create this tattoo project.
It's telling that I was attracted to those pages. Flower arrangments, beautiful graphic folds of fabrics, fine lines of ink—ideal for being embodied in someone's tattoo. I love my job! The world around us is full of inspiration, you just need to reach out.
I wanted to find common features and combine illustrations from different years and different artists into a single homage—Vogue Tattoo Flash. It was so great to go through all the pages to choose the covers that speak to me the most. Finding those little details, beautiful curves, or textures that I love so much. And was so fun to decide how to translate them to the limited color palette that I prefer. And rendering them in fine lines which you all know me for:)
Recently, I was approached by K. and D. with an interesting idea for pairing tattoos. The Star Wars inspired tattoos. Their concept is based on the love story between Princess Leia and Han Solo from Star Wars. A portrait of Leia for K. with words "I love you", and a Han Solo's blaster with "I know" for D. Also, to my great pleasure, there was room for a flower arrangement! I love how designs are different and matching at the same time.
Star Wars Inspired Tattoos – Making the Design
Check out the process of bringing an idea to life.
Final Look of the Star Wars Inspired Tattoos
HealedHan Solo's gun after first session.
The Inspiration
Working on this project I combined my favorite style and art skills. Portraits, Hair, Star Wars-inspired tattoo flash and Flowers.
Portraits.
I honed my illustrative style by drawing tons of them! Would love to do more portrait tattoos.
Hair.
You can't imagine how I love drawing hair 🙂 That's why I created these tattoo designs with just hair-dos.
Star Wars-inspired tattoo flash I have. Yes, hrrrm..
A mix of Russian folklore and Star Wars. Meet Luke-Ivan Tsarevitch and others. You can find a fairy-tale about each one by clicking on the image or read it below. All the illustrations are available as a tattoo designs.
Short descriptions of the fairytales
Leia / Alyonushka
Alyonushka – is an orphan. Her little brother doesn't listen to her, drinks water from a hoof print in mud and turns into a goatling. A king has married this beautiful girl, but a witch, who wants to take away her husband , drowns Alyonushka in a pond and becomes her. Only her little brother (the goatling) knows the truth and can save Alyonushka and himself from the evil witch.
C-3PO / Sirin
Sirin (from a greek "Σειρῆνες " ("siren")) – is an edenic bird with a woman's head. It's also depicted with another edenic bird, Alconost, but unlike that bird it sings sad songs. Sometimes these songs could hurt people (they could lose their mind). That's why in some legends, Sirin has a negative connotation and it's considered to be a dark bird, the underworld messenger.
Darth Maul / Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga – mistress of the forest, animals and birds, almighty prophetic old woman, guardian of the other world's borders. Her name is derived from a Proto-Slavic word "ęgа" representing snakes and reptiles. Baba Yaga casts spells, flies in a pounder, and ensnares good fellows and children in order to eat them. She dwells of the forest border in a hut on chicken legs, surrounded by a fence made of human bones and skulls. In ancient times the dead were buried in such little houses located above the ground on tall stumps that looked like chicken legs. A zombie grandmother lies still and can't see a person who comes from the world of the living (the living and the dead do not see each other). She finds out about a person's arrival by the smell.
Ivan Tsarevich (meaning Ivan, the King's Son) – is one of the main characters of Russian folklore. He is the youngest of three brothers. Koschey (the immortal warlock) stole his bride and in order to save her. Ivan Tsarevich needs to enter the Far Far Away kingdom (i.e. the underworld), pass many trials, and cunningly overcome Koschey.
The theme of insects in a tattoo brings numerous feelings in people. In this article let's explore the beauty and symbolism of butterfly tattoos we see most often nowadays.
The butterfly image has always been one of the top choices for a tattoo design. And you can tell why. As a representation of natural symmetry, fragility, and a source of divine colors, a butterfly is the best example of flawless beauty.
What is the meaning of a butterfly?
The tenderness of these creatures has drawn the interest of people in different cultures from all over the world.
Often butterflies symbolize resurrection, healthy transformation, and spiritual awakening due to their lifecycle. For instance, a butterfly tattoo meaning in Japan is femininity and elegance; two flying butterflies represent family happiness and prosperity. However, butterflies were considered to be the harbinger of war in Ancient Rome. In Chinese culture, it is a sign of immortality, wealth, and longevity. In some cultural traditions, a butterfly symbolizes a soul.
Memorial tattoo
I had the occasion to create projects that had a memorial value for clients. As it carries the meaning of the soul, once, a butterfly was a symbol of connection with a departed loved one.
Firstly, symmetry. They say it is a manifestation of the desire for reliability and strength. So, it has always caught the human eye. It allows creating enchanting designs that embellish your body.
Colors & patterns
Secondly, the exceptional colors and patterns of the butterflies inspire to create unique and meaningful art. You can add more symbolism to the design, by encrypting the date or name in the ornament.
Sense of lightness
The natural airiness that a butterfly emanates can be used to create your own tattoo style.
Dynamics
In addition, the flight creates a dynamic pattern, a movement effect, that emphasizes the muscles and contexture in general.
Symbolism of Butterfly Tattoos In a Nutshell
The image of a butterfly can have variable meanings. From grace to immortality. You can also add your personal connotation to the tattoo using color and pattern. Thanks to the wonders inherent in nature, a butterfly inspires a unique piece of art creation. Therefore, a myriad of their shapes allows you to choose what exactly fits you and your personality.
I can create a custom butterfly tattoo design just for you. Explore my latest tattoo projects and available designs as an inspiration for your future tattoo.
I was invited by Malisa Suchanya to participate in the cutest group art show. Each artist could submit up to 10 pieces plus prints and accessories. There were more than 50 artists.
I painted 10 watercolors with characters from my new ongoing comic project, Fog Mushroom. Masking fluid, watercolor + salt, and watercolor pencils. Super fun ^___^
The show was a 2-day pop-up event. We (Malisa, Dianna Xu, and I) hanged everything the day before. The girls did a great job arranging all the art. Different works complemented each other in color and style.
So glad I took part in it and can't wait for the next one.
San Francisco Open Studios is the oldest and largest open studio program in the country that showcases over 800 emerging and established SF artists in their studios.
I was the one responsible for all the design for our Sawyer Street Open Studios. Here's what I came up with.
Logo
First, we needed a logo to put on all our materials. I tried different options and stopped on a simplified version of Melissa's house where we would have our Open Studio. I put it on our booklet, stickers, Facebook and Instagram.
Guide ad
This event is organized with the help of ArtSpan, a non-profit organization, committed to cultivating a vibrant & accessible art community in San Francisco. They print Open Studios guide with all the artists' details to help to promote them. We decided to advertise there. My inspiration for the design were 60's. Their bold attitude. Therefore high contrast, black, white and yellow.
Booklet and Stickers
We wanted to give out something to people. I designed a booklet with info about all 6 artists and stickers. Each artist had personalized stickers with little logo-house and their art printed on clear vinyl. They turned out super cute:)
Artist statement/bio
Every time I visited an exhibition, I wanted to see an artist's photo near their art work. So I could find them in the crowd and talk. I decided to implement this to our little art show.
I printed each one's art statement and made everyone's polaroid photo. Loved the result:)
Open Studio Sign
The task was to make a poster sign at the entrance. Since it was on the window I decided to make it on semi translucent paper, so some light would come through. I used my AxiDraw pen plotter to draw it. It came out perfect:)
This year I took part in San Francisco Open Studios. Artists host this event each year. You can visit their studios, buy some art and have fun. Also it is the oldest and largest open studio program in the country. It showcases over 800 emerging and established San Francisco artists in their studios.
It was a great experience! Maybe because my friend Melissa Mohammadi invited other artists, whose works and personalities she liked. We shared her studio. I'm glad to meet these awesome abstract artists.
