Big dragons, lady faces, dirty skulls and roses: these are the subjects that French artist Florian Svaha has chosen in his search for the most classic Traditional tattoo, starting from the archive of images of vintage photographs from the early 20th century and the drawings of the great pioneers of this style such as Bert Grim and Percy Waters. Always trying to respect tradition, giving a fresher, more current aesthetic to his work and the codes of Old Classic.
Hi Florian welcome to Tattoo Life. Where are you from and where do you live at the moment?
Hi, at first thanks a lot for your interest in my work, I’m from Paris, France, and I’m now based in Bordeaux, south west France, after traveling for tattooing around Europe.
How did you become a tattoo artist?
I dropped out of school really early, spotted my buds wearing those Traditional tattoos at hardcore gigs, I remember that immediately I fell in love with the raw power and energy of those designs.
I already used to draw a lot into graffiti and thought I could learn and find meaning in life through tattooing.
I found my apprenticeship a few months later in a street shop in the Parisian suburbs and learned about tattoos and did lot of walk ins.
What was your first apprenticeship? Did you start with a specific style or were you tattooing all kinds of style?
Throughout my apprenticeship, 10 years ago back in 2014, I honed my drawing skills, executing designs under the guidance of my mentor. I managed client interactions by providing advice and I dedicated myself to painted flash sheet.
When did you decide that the old classic Traditional was your favourite style?
Although I initially liked Traditional tattoos, I learned different styles to meet everyone’s requests.
Right from the start, I’ve always aimed to learn as much as possible to improve and understand the codes of Traditional. I’ve been able to make a living from it for about five years now.
Why this choice?
After diving deep into the books, checking out tons of tattooed people pics from back in the day like the book from Rich Mingins, seeing the flash sheet by those tattoo artists from the early 1900s like Percy Waters, Bert Grimm and many more, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. That’s what tattooing is for me.
I dig being part of the evolution, adding my touch to a Tradition that’s been around way before me and will keep rolling long after I’m gone.
Are there some subjects you like more for the power of the drawing or for the meaning they refer to?
Definitely big dragons, lady faces, dirty skulls and roses.
Who are your mentors?
Oh too many people, but I talk everyday with some of my friends from USA we have a WhatsApp group chat and share everything we do day after day to give and get some advice/ feedback, take a look at the Ig page of Zack Deaton, Danny ltp 13, Jarret Crosson, Kady Anne Tattoo, Lorine Devine, Andrew Vidakovich and Ryan Cooper Thompson. And of course my tattoo collective “290 tattoo club” from France.
Do you add something “new” at the classic iconography of the old school style?
I’m not sure if it’s for me to say, but I try to bring something fresh while still respecting the codes of this style.
I enjoy staying authentic, yet I like adding my personal touch to offer something unique.
Do you draw or paint?
Every day, 7/7, at least some sketch if I’m busy or, if I have time, I paint some flash.
To wind up this nice chat with you, would you like to tell us some news on the interesting projects you are organizing for the next months?
We worked on a tattoo flash painting book with friends Alex 290, Romain 290 and Romain tattooing, I have in mind to leave Europe and move somewhere else and I have already worked on that but I won’t say more about that for the moment, stay tuned and you will see, big changes are coming!
Will you attend some tattoo conventions in the next future?
Yes, find me at True Blue Tattoo Convention in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Truly Yours Tattoo fest in Mannheim, Germany, Sa Tattoo Convention in Cape Town, South Africa. And last but not least, I’ll take part in a painting show in Sheffield, UK, with some of the best Traditional tattooers from Europe, thank you all, see you somewhere!
