He likes to create tattoos that combine different styles, that tell the story of the clients he meets, their important moments or objects that are dear to them. This is the starting point for the illustrative work of Mark D, Russian-born and resident of Los Angeles, California.
Hi Mark, do you want to introduce yourself to our readers? Where are you from and where do you work at the moment?
Hello Tattoo Life, my name is Mark Drushchenko (Mark D), and I’m from Nizhnevartovsk, Russia. Currently, I live and work in Los Angeles, California.
How did you become a tattoo artist?
I’ve been drawing and loving creativity since childhood, which eventually led me to tattooing. I started tattooing in 2018 and continue to work to this day.
On your IG page, you write that you do contemporary tattoo. Does it mean that you don’t work with a Traditional style?
Yes, that’s correct. I work in my unique style, where I combine different elements to create unique compositions, which I believe is the main thing in tattooing.
You are focused on illustrative, fantasy, and spiritual black and grey subjects, is that correct? Do you have a personal interest in specific fantasy subjects?
Partially correct, but for me, there are no main or most interesting subjects.
The main thing for me is to tell the clients’ story, reflect important moments in their life, important objects, and do it stylishly and compositionally correctly.
What are your favorite subjects?
Probably, I enjoy and I am most interested in working on stories rather than on objects. When a client asks me not just to depict an object but tells me the backstory, the importance of a concept or event in life, the significance of anything, and gives me creative freedom to express all this in a tattoo using the tools I find necessary.
Where do you find your inspirations? What are your interests?
I don’t believe in inspiration. I have discipline, respect for the clients and their body, and the desire to develop and create the best possible work today.
You like small format tattoos. Don’t you?
It depends. I’m not a big fan of miniatures as such, but sometimes I find it interesting to make tattoos of small, or rather medium size. As for miniatures, I most often use them as background elements in my compositions.
It seems you like to travel for your job, to do guest spots in different studios. Are there some places where you’d like to go or some studios where you really would love to work?
Yes, I like to travel, and if there’s an opportunity to combine the useful with the pleasant, why not work in a new city. I’m still exploring and discovering America for myself, so I’m ready for guest spots in different shops across the country.
How do you see yourself as a professional tattoo artist in the next years?
I see myself as a successful tattoo artist who will continue to develop and will do everything to advance the tattoo industry in the USA.
