Let’s get acquainted with this nice girl from Genoa who knows a lot about ink, Greek gods, Chicano subjects, full backpieces and the charm of Mary Poppins.
Hi Elisa, I’ll start with a little flurry of questions: tell me a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living? Does your love for gymnastics have anything to do with your work?
I have been a saleswoman for 13 years, but I am also a piercer and I would like to be able to combine precisely piercing and tattooing – I have also tried tattooing and it was very successful! – in my beautiful Genoa. My love for working out has nothing directly to do with my work, although sitting many hours has contributed to the need to give stimulation to my body. Take away everything but my cast iron! (laughs)
Is that last name “Snippop” a stage name or is the real name on your documents?
As for “Snippop,” it’s not my last name, but a nickname I gave myself years ago. I felt in love with the fact that it was “Poppins” backwards from Mary Poppins character which I have tattooed.
When exactly did your passion for tattoo art begin?
My passion for tattoos did not start as a young girl, but at the age of 24, when I started hanging out with people who were very tattooed.
My eye began to adjust and my awareness of wanting to tattoo myself to grow.
In the previous years I was very fond of piercings (20 in total), then over the years I emptied out a bit, and then started to fill up with tattoos. You know, half-measures are not my forte! (laughs)
Do you remember your first time in a tattoo shop and what subject did you choose on that particular occasion?
As my first tattoo I did a small letter under my wrist, which immediately almost bothered me to see. Only to realize that small tattoos weren’t for me! (laughs) So I decided to book a whole leg after a few months…
Can you describe both of your sleeves?
I did my left arm about a year after finishing the leg. It’s a Chicano Trad, which has my Chola version portrait with a peacock on top of the head, a symbol of protection of women. Then I have two small masks laughing and crying, a sacred heart and my parents’ initials. The right one is nearing completion, and here we find a unicorn with realistic armor, the initial of my grandmother who passed away this year, a putto with an inflamed halo, and a man and woman in typical Chicano makeup.
Symbolically speaking, the subjects of your tattoos on your arms imply anything in particular?
They both have intimate personal meanings and also elements that don’t have any particular meaning.
I think the “masterpiece” you show off on your body is definitely the big piece that covers your back from your neck to part of your buttocks. Would you like to tell me about it?
The main subject of my back is Themis, the Goddess of Justice.
I chose her as the main subject since I like the fact that she judges impartially without needing to see.
On her factual sides she has a little angel and a little devil who despite trying to deflect her thinking fail, moreover one shoots an arrow at the other with a bow.
Am I wrong or is your right thigh the part deputed to random tattoos?
My right leg is entirely tattooed. On this very thigh I have tattooed Mary Poppins who has in turn tattooed on her face a small umbrella upside down and the words “Snippop” which is – as I told you – “Poppins” upside down. I have various designs including a slice of my favorite pizza, a horseshoe, a wild card, a ladybug. So it’s a bit of a “lucky” leg.
Who are your trusted tattoo artists?
My right arm combo was tattooed by Federico Agostino (IG: @Fede_Westside) and Luca Forlini (IG: @Luca_il_Brujo). They both work at ‘Ink Hustler Tattoo’ (IG: @ink_hustler_tattoo). My backpiece was done by Luca Forlini too. Last but not least my leg was tattooed by Marzio Bellomo (IG: @marziobellomo_staytrue), an artist working at ‘Stay True Tattoo Shop’ (IG: @staytruetattooshop). They are all tattooers from Genoa.
If you had three major projects (not related to tattoo art) to complete in future, what would they be to see accomplished in 2024?
In 2024 I aim to: realize myself work-wise, carrying out the projects I have in mind as best as I can. Realize life and family plans.
Being able to travel as much as possible because I love discovering worlds and ways of life unknown to me.
Do you already have your next tattoo in mind?
I’ve always been stymied with my neck, I would love to have it tattooed, but it’s really very challenging. Right now I feel “neat” and I should seriously consider how it might fit. I have the other leg entirely empty and I don’t think it will stay like that much longer! (laughs) Probably I will start with it, but unlike the right one I wouldn’t want it in color, I like it more Black & Gray.
Have you possibly booked the studio and the tattoo artist yet?
I will entrust my leg to my partner, mentioned among the tattoo artists above. His name is Federico Agostino (IG: @Fede_Westside) and will surely be, as long as I have space, the creator of any of my future tattoos.
