Interview to the tattoo artist who works in the same location used by the great Lou Robino and knows how to infuse his work with the right colors.
Luiz, do you feel you are just a tattoo artist specializing in Realistic or is your inspiration much broader?
Yeah I am a Realism tattoo artist, but my inspiration is much broader. I am inspired by all kinds of art, from painting and sculpture to photography. I am also inspired by nature, people, and the world around me.
I believe that all of these things can be translated into tattoos, and I am always looking for new ways to express myself through my work.
Have you met important teachers along the way or are you completely self-taught?
I am not completely self-taught, but I did start out tattooing by myself. I learned a lot from watching other artists and experimenting on my own. However, I also had the opportunity to learn from some of the best Realism tattoo artists, including Oleg Shepelenko (@olegtattoo), Alex Pancho (@ad_pancho), Phil Garcia (@philgarcia805) and others.
These artists taught me a lot about technique, color theory, and how to take a good picture.
I saw one of your recent tattoos and – more than a simple cover up – it really looked like a tribute to the best horror movie around with figure of the ‘Nun’ in the foreground really impactful. Was it a difficult project to complete?
Yes, it was a challenging project, but I am very happy with the results. I wanted to create a tattoo that was both Realistic and impactful, and I think I achieved that with the Nun.
I also wanted to create a tattoo that was personal and meaningful to my client. He is a big fan of horror movies, and he wanted a tattoo that would pay tribute to his favorite genre.
How did you get involved with a huge company like World Famous?
It happened through my work at tattoo conventions. I was competing in a convention when one of the owners of World Famous saw my work and was impressed. He offered me a sponsorship, and I have been working with them ever since.
Do you have a favorite color palette or does each of your tattoos (Realistic ones, cover ups etc.) require a certain spectrum of different colors?
I do prefer to use the basic printer colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to create and modify the color palettes for my tattoos.
I find that these colors are versatile and can be used to create a wide range of effects. I’m also excited that World Famous Ink has created a custom color kit with my name and the CMYK colors.
This kit will make it even easier for me to create the perfect color palettes for my clients.
Where exactly can we find you in the United States or in Brazil? Are you often on the road or do you have your own tattoo studio?
I have my own tattoo studio in Selden, New York called ‘Selden Ink’ (@selden.ink). It is located at the same address as the famous Tattoo Lou’s Selden, which I purchased from the son of founder Lou Robino Jr. I am honored to be working in the same location where Lou Senior founded his tattoo shop, and I am always grateful for his support and encouragement.
Are you often on the road?
Sure. I am often on the road, guest spotting at tattoo conventions all over the world. However, I always make sure to spend time working at my studio in Selden, where I am able to focus on my clients and create custom tattoos that they will love for a lifetime.
Do you have plans for international tattoo conventions and prestigious guest spots at the beginning of the new year?
Yes, I have a number of international tattoo conventions and prestigious guest spots planned for the beginning of the new year. I am particularly excited to be guest spotting at the ‘London Tattoo Convention’, the ‘Tokyo Tattoo Convention’ and ‘Tattoo Week Brazil’.
If you had one artistic dream, just one, to realize in 2024, what would it be?
My one artistic dream for 2024 is to create a tattoo that is so realistic, it looks like a photograph. I am constantly pushing myself to improve my skills, and I believe that this is something I can achieve in the next year.
