Interview. Dillon Forte

21 / 01 / 2019 Alexander Ledovskih

Tattoo artist Dillon Forte / Source: @dillonforte

World-renowned artist, Dillon Forte, is recognized primarily for his contemporary style of Sacred Geometry in tattooing. A California native, born February 1987, Forte has since dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in his craft. He believes in viewing the body as a whole, and creates harmonious designs to flow seamlessly with the skin. Forte has been published in various magazines, books and editorials world wide. His side projects include photography, painting, fashion and tech design, commercial and residential murals, and gallery exhibitions.

Today we have great opportunity to ask some questions to Dillon about his creative way, future plans and many other. Let's go!

- Hello Dillon! At the beginning, please, tell us a little about yourself and how and when did you decide to come in tattooing?

- Hello Alexander! I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and have always been creating art for as long as I remember. After getting my first tattoo at about 16 I was inspired to learn this craft myself.

Tattoo artist Dillon Forte, black authors style sacred geometric ornamental tattoo | USA

- What does this word «tattoo» mean to you?

- I immediately think of word’s origin which is an adaptation of the Samoan word Tatau, which means “to strike”. The meaning of the word is deeply personal with each individual, and I simply help express that with every tattoo I create.

- Tell us about your work. Why did you choose this style of tattooing?

- I’ve been inspired by the metaphysical and sacred geometrical aspects of nature since as long as I remember.

- What the most important features in your tattoos?

- I try to create a balanced image that assimilates the clients aesthetic with my own.

- Where do you get inspiration?

- I think traveling is the most inspiring, to see the world with your own eyes gives you a unique perspective. I also read a lot and listen to podcasts while working.

- What message can your works carry?

- My work can represent a plethora of ideology, as each piece tells a different story.

- Tell us about your typical working day.

- I typically schedule one client per day allowing us to have enough time to focus on developing the designs and creating stencils and committing the piece to skin.

- You work in really interesting and unusual style. Can you sign out some peculiarities of people who want to become your customers? What they do in regular life, outside of tattoo shop?

- My clients come from all fields. Sacred Geometry isn’t something that only a small percentile can relate to, it relates to all life in general it’s extremely universal.

- Do you remember the most unusual or strange story on the session?

- Tattooing by torch light on a beach in Kauai under a meteor shower was one of my favourite.

- Who was your the most interesting customer?

- I’ve tattooed lots of interesting people from all walks of life. Actors, musicians, athletes, techies, artists etc…

- How extensive is your tattoo geography. Where have you already had to work and where will you work in the near future?

- I’ve been to every continent around the globe except for Antarctica.

- Do you have special countries where you are always ready to return?

- Some of my favourites are Bali Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Egypt.

- Do you participate in tattoo conventions? If so, where can we see you?

- I do! I’ll be at multiple coming up including The London Convention, Singapore Ink Show, International Nepal Tattoo Convention and New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival.

- How do you rate your popularity? And how it can be rate at all?

- Haha I have no idea I try to just focus on producing the best work I can and not paying too much attention towards what people think.

- What else do you do in regular life apart from the tattooing?

- I tattoo about 5 days a week and after errands and doing artwork it’s definitely a full time job. I’m lucky if I find time to travel or spend time in nature.