We spoke with the kind owner of ‘Opium Tattoo’ in Toruń, Poland, and were impressed by her strong motivation and her amazing Surrealistic colored tattoos.
Katarzyna, how many years have you been tattooing and what has it meant for you to be part of the tattoo art world from the very beginning?
I specialize in hand-drawn art practically since childhood, So I’ve been developing my drawing skills before I started my tattooing journey. I also hold a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń with a specialization in graphic media and I have been tattooing for 9 years.
What did starting this profession mean to you?
Being part of the tattoo world has been an amazing experience. It has allowed me to grow both as an artist and as a person. My three-year journey with European conventions has been filled with unforgettable encounters, inspiring people, and the discovery of new places.
Tattooing has opened up an entirely new creative space for me and every day I continue to learn and grow in this unique art form.
Tell me about your art: there’s the Realistic style, the colors, the magic, your unique touch… is there anything we’re missing?
I specialize in Surrealistic Colored tattoos. Although I have developed my unique style with characteristic colors. I don’t limit myself in my art and enjoy experimenting with the fusion of different styles.
What does it mean to you to be a Polish artist?
Being a Polish artist is a great honor for me. The tattoo scene in Poland is developing at a rapid pace and is full of fresh energy.
Do you think Poland is becoming the new promised land of tattoo art?
Well, more and more artists, both from Poland and abroad, want to grow and improve. Since this year, I’ve started a series of individual seminars for artists. After years of learning, observing, and drawing conclusions, I decided to pass on my knowledge to the next generation. Thanks to experienced artists who share their knowledge, our industry is constantly evolving.
You haven’t stopped studying and keeping up to date, right?
Yeah. I also actively participate in seminars by other artists and run a project called “tattoo cooperations” but that’s a topic for a longer discussion. We learn throughout our lives, and only the hunger for improvement turns us into better artists. I have a great respect for well-established tattoo scenes in places like Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, Asia, United States, or South America.
I have truly fallen in love with the Italian tattoo scene too. I visit Italy several times a year and have built many friendships there.
Coming back to what you said – whether Poland will become the “new promised land of tattoo art” remains to be seen, but it certainly has great potential.
Would you like to describe the ‘Opium Tattoo’ studio that you own in a town called Toruń?
I opened ‘Opium Tattoo’ (IG: @opiumink) in 2018, and its main character has remained unchanged to this day. The atmosphere is calm and intimate. The studio is filled with awards and memorabilia, each of which reminds me of all the wonderful places I’ve visited and what I’ve seen. Two years ago, I made the decision to reduce the number of tattoo stations, and now, besides me, artists as Tatiana (IG: @tata_vatattoo) and Yurii/Jura (IG: @opiumink) work at ‘Opium Tattoo’.
If you could meet a big name in tattooing (present or past), who would you choose and what question would you ask him or her?
This is a very difficult question, as there have been and are many influential figures in the tattoo world whom I admire and who inspire me. If I had to choose just one, honestly, I might offend others who are extremely important to me both as people and as artists…
So you don’t feel like answering and I can understand that …
I’m going to skip trying to choose just one person, as there are really so many. When I was just starting out as a tattoo artist, my question was “How do you become a good tattoo artist?”. The answers were varied, but now my answer for other artists would be: be a good person, work hard, and draw conclusions. Be humble and follow your own unforced path.
Do you have a meaningful goal that you would like to see achieved in the next twelve months?
In the next twelve months, I’d like to travel more (mainly to conventions) and collaborate with wonderful artists from around the world as part of my “tattoo cooperations” project. It’s always inspiring to experience different cultures and styles, and this motivates me to grow both as an artist and as a person.
I’m full of positive energy and can’t wait to see what amazing opportunities and adventures are just around the corner!
And your last famous words are…?
Tattooing is the result of hard work and humility, where emotions meet the freedom of creation. The key-word is: Passion. Through it, we grow and can create our artistic space.
