Moving from the hardcore-punk music scene to tattoo conventions, the next step was to get involved in tattooing to see what would happen next. Since then, a lot has happened: from his beginnings in Italy, he now works at the Grand Reaper in San Diego, a renowned studio where he creates large-scale tattoos in the Illustrative/Neo Traditional style. His favorite subjects are birds and snakes which he makes flow on the body.
Hi Bara, welcome to Tattoo Life. Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? Where are you from and where do you work?
Hey, thank you for having me. I was born and raised in a little town in North Italy. I currently work at The Grand Reaper in San Diego, California.
For how long have you been working professionally and how did you get into tattooing?
I started tattooing professionally in early 2018 after my apprenticeship in Italy. I’ve always been into hardcore-punk music and tattoos were definitely around the scene. I was continually fascinated with them; I started visiting tattoo conventions frequently until one day I realized that I had to try tattooing, to see what was really behind it. Since then I loved it and I never stopped doing it.
Have you always been in San Diego?
Unfortunately no. I moved to San Diego only a few months ago after obtaining my O-1 visa, I always wanted to live here though. After my apprenticeship I worked a little bit in Italy. Following that I chose to move to the UK where I spent 6 years working in different cities and shops, I was London based for almost 4 years.
I have been impressed by your work seeing how you blend oriental subjects with the very realistic use of colour, moving closer to Neo Traditional. How would you describe your style?
I really don’t know what to call my style because in my head I’m always trying to develop my work; I don’t really know the parameters of what some new styles are today. If I had to group my work within a recognised style it would probably be Neo Traditional.
Have you always used this style or is it the result of an evolution?
My fascination for traditional style has always had a big impact on the concept of the shape I like to design.
I did a lot of pencil realism drawing at the beginning of my journey, which influenced my way of representing detailed illustration.
My style has definitely evolved through the years, refining my techniques and figuring out exactly what my style is but I always knew that the “illustrative/neo traditional” was my very big love.
What steps in your career have influenced your style?
Moving to the UK was certainly a tough deal for myself and my career. I was on my own, I didn’t speak any English and with just less than a year of tattooing on my back.
Stepping out of your comfort zone teaches you immensely, but in all matters being able to recognize and let go of things that don’t make you comfortable, generates positive decisions.
I believe the desire to make tattooing a lifetime profession influenced everything.
Among the subjects that can be mentioned as your favourites which ones would you place?
I’d say birds and snakes without a doubt. I love animal subject matter in general, they are so fun to draw. You can always do something different with them, from varying the expression to altering the angles you draw them in. I also really enjoy using different colours and lights to convey different moods within my pieces.
Is there a particular research you are focusing on?
In the last few years I have dedicated my tattooing mainly to large scale projects. I like the emphasis you can give to the body shape by simply drawing something that flows on it. The intention and the emotion behind a tattoo is what matters and attracts my focus, but definitely creating harmonious compositions too.
What would you like to achieve as a tattoo artist?
As is human nature we are programmed to change, to evolve as people, leaving myself open to embrace new perspectives in the future. I think I will keep deep diving into creating powerful tattoos in turn empowering the people with them. I’m aware that most of the time it is the owner of the tattoo releasing the power, I suppose what I want to achieve is making that happen with every tattoo I do.
