Today we want to present to your attention the interview with one of the talented Russian tattoo artist - Matty Nox.
The artist lives in Moscow, and works in the KRAPIVA tattoo studio. Sasha (Matty Nox) is engaged in professional tattoo activity since 2010. In works, she experimenting with mixing different styles. In tattoos, you can see lightness inherent in the watercolor, and the brutal of Art Brut . These bold combinations find an echo in the hearts of fans of the conceptual style tattoos!
Let’s start with a traditional question: “How did it all begin? How did you take up tattoo and what was your occupation before it?”
It all started off accidentally, when I decided to get a made-from-sketch tattoo. The artist appreciated my design and just suggested me that I got trained by him. It was interesting for me to show my worth in the creative sphere. By that time I’d already finished the Art and Graphic department and managed to work as a graphic designer, achieved some success in photography, but I always wanted to draw my own pictures. It’s important for me to develop in this field, to search my own style and the work material doesn’t really matter – be it paper, canvas or skin. Besides, though my “tutor” worked in a flat and boiled handles in pots where he cooked food, he earned quite a lot, which won me over, as I needed money at the time of my youth.
It seemed to me then, that I’d only beat something original, unlike other artists who were making tattoos from the Internet pics, I thought I’d do lots of beautiful things and change the world for the better. These ideas were very naive even for the year 2010. I had to wait patiently for some interesting offers as people wanted just butterflies and infinity, I had to compromise, make people change their decisions or turn them down. I didn’t move from my position and sometime later clients began to consider my taste and opinion. Thus, I bought a pair of tattoo machines (Khrust Kostey (The Bone Cranch) from Rechnoy, Micro Jones from Seth Ciferri) and other staff on the money I got for some commercial shoots and started tattooing in my first studio. It was a workshop in the attic of my friends’ garage.
Do you remember your first client? And what were your feelings when you were making your first tattoo?
My first experience was dreadful: my first victim was skinny, she was moaning and twisting all the time, from time to time she ran out to smoke and phone her boyfriend. Still I’ve never worried about hurting people. When I’m working my only concern is to produce a quality tattoo. After we corrected that old tattoo, my “tutor” threw me in solo flying and never contacted me in the next three years. One fine day he messaged me: “Great job! You’re going to success!”. Then I asked him: “Why didn’t you help me, sensei?” and he answered: “You have to be worth the master’s attention!”. That’s what severe tattoo artists of the old school are.
What directions did you manage to try your hand in before you began to work in watercolour?
I tried almost all directions: from graphics to trash polka. You have to find what you like, what you are capable of and you need to understand the ways to express your ideas or your clients’ desires.
Who or what serves as your source of inspiration?
I get inspiration from all around me – movies, animals, birds, other people’s art. It happens that all of a sudden emotions from some pic of a knocked down fox encourage me to express my feelings in pictures. Now I’m captivated by everything connected with the marine theme: yachts and barges, dockyards and lighthouses, fish and other sea creatures.
Can you remember any curious, extraordinary accidents in your tattoo artist career?
All my clients are interesting stories. They are people of different professions and I learn a lot of new things as I spend much time with people who I don’t often talk to in my everyday life: doctors, astronomers, journalists, investigators. Every time I “interview” my clients and ask them about their work, the countries they travel to or the soap opera that is worth watching. I love my work! :))
Can you please tell us about your plans for the nearest future? Maybe you are thinking of some tattoo travel? Which of the upcoming conventions are you going to take part in?
I want to change the vector, the style of my works. I want to make it more minimalistic. Thus I hope that I’ll soon go out of my comfort zone and produce something completely new to me. In 2017 I have some plans for tattoo-tours to Europe, at least. Conventions are not my department; I have no desire to participate in them. I have no competitive spirit and the fuss of the tattoo convention will cost me a lot of nerves. I prefer to work in a calm and cosy atmosphere, face to face with a client, without any unwanted attention.
Sasha, thank you very much for the interesting interview! With pleasure we will look on your creative discoveries!
Thanks!
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