In the vibrant world where ink meets skin, there exists a dynamic subculture where creativity knows no bounds. Today, we delve into this realm to illuminate the journey of Misi Furucz, a tattoo virtuoso celebrated for his electrifying New School style and mesmerizing designs that ignite the imagination. Join us as we embark on a colorful odyssey through his career, delving into the inspirations, aspirations, and adventures that define his status as a true professional in the tattoo art world.
When and why did you decide to become a tattoo artist?
- I've been fascinated by tattoos since childhood. My first personal tattoo story is quite funny: at the age of fifteen or sixteen, a friend who had a homemade tattoo machine did my first tattoo. After he finished this 'masterpiece,' he simply left the machine with me. A few months later, I gathered the courage and started tattooing myself, and that's where my whole adventure began.
Where do you work now?
- I live in Slovakia, specifically in Komárno, where I have a small private studio that is so well hidden that even the locals can hardly find it.
When I'm at home, I sometimes work there. But most often, I work as a guest artist in several studios because I love the variety and travel. In Germany, I work in 2brothers.ink. I also work in Barcelona at Family Art 2 and in the Netherlands at Dogstar Tattoos. No matter where I go, I'm always looking for new studios to gather more inspiration!
Is tattooing art, a job, or something else for you?
- For me, tattooing is simply everything: passion, work, a way of life. I am completely addicted to this craft, and I love doing it. It's my livelihood, but I still do free tattoos today because I'm motivated not by money but by continuous development and the joy I can bring with my creations.
How, when, and what drew you to new school tattooing?
- I have always loved cartoons and still watch a lot of them. One day, I stumbled upon the work of Victor Chil, which was very cartoon-like, and I fell in love with new school tattooing from the first moment. I had never encountered this style before, but I immediately knew that this was what I wanted to do. I decided to become the best in this field, so I won't stop tattooing until I am the best new school tattoo artist!
Your vibrant colors in tattoos evoke genuine delight when looking at your portfolio. What themes do you enjoy working with the most?
- The greatest joy for me always comes from funny designs. All I care about is that it has a humorous expression. I am also particularly fond of Japanese-style designs; something about the traditional Japanese elements really attracts me.
Do you have favorite tattoos, clients, projects, or perhaps some unusual stories in your career?
- I love dogs, and I have a little brown beauty myself, and I especially love tattooing dog portraits. Many of my clients whose dogs have passed away come to have their favorite's image tattooed on them. The most beautiful moment for me is when they look in the mirror, touched to see their little friend again on their skin. This moment is priceless for me and always reminds me of how special and valuable this work is.
What is the most important aspect of tattooing for you?
- For me, the most important thing is that my clients and I spend good, friendly time together and enjoy every moment in each other's company. I believe that if we feel good together, I can create even better and more beautiful designs. Tattooing is not just about the final result but about the whole process spent together, which really makes the final outcome special. Precision, attention to detail, and client satisfaction are all factors I focus on intensely to deliver my best.
Do you travel a lot for work? Where have you been? Who have you had the opportunity to work with? Can you share a particularly significant experience?
- Yes, I travel a lot since I work in multiple studios, participate regularly in competitions, and attend workshops. These trips provide a great opportunity to learn new techniques and draw inspiration from different cultures. Additionally, my girlfriend and I always enjoy exploring new places together. This not only enriches my work but also provides personal experiences.
We've seen you among convention participants many times. Tell us about your experience and results. How many awards do you have? And which ones are the most significant for you, and why?
- I think nobody loves tattoo competitions more than I do! If I could, I would be at competitions every weekend. I've had some great experiences at these events—the organizers always take care of every detail, and everyone is very friendly and helpful. I have a pretty nice collection of awards—exactly 23—and I've earned them all at well-known competitions. There are four awards that I'm particularly proud of. The first is the very first award I won in Budapest in 2014, a third place. The second, which I won in Venice in 2017, was a 'Best of Show' and was an incredible experience for me. The other two awards I won at the Evian Tattoo Show, a 'Best of Sunday' first place in 2022 and a 'Best of Medium' third place in 2023. These are special because it's a convention that features a lot of new school artists, and it's a huge achievement for me to have won there.
Have you had collaborations with other artists?
- I haven't yet had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, but I'm working on it because I find the possibility very exciting. I'd love to try creating something with others, so if anyone wants to work on a joint project, just message me on Instagram!
You are a member of the Pro Team of several major brands. What does this sponsorship mean to you? Are you able to influence the tattoo industry through this collaboration?
- For me, it's a great honor to have sponsors, and I'm incredibly grateful to them. I appreciate all their support and owe them a lot of thanks. This sponsorship has fulfilled an old dream of mine and marks a milestone in my career. It not only signifies recognition but also provides additional motivation for me to continue improving and taking on new challenges.
How do you assess your popularity? And in your opinion, how can it be measured?
- I don't consider myself particularly popular, but I am delighted that more and more people, including professionals who are great role models for me, come to talk to me at tattoo competitions. This is a real confirmation that I am on the right path. As for popularity, let's leave that question open for now, but in a few years, I'd love to return to this topic and tell you how I evaluate my popularity then.
Many successful tattoo artists strive to share their acquired experience. Tell us if you have any such activities in your life and for whom they are.
- Yes, I regularly conduct workshops and seminars for tattoo artists. I think it's important to share my knowledge and help those who dare to ask. I believe that sharing knowledge raises the standards of the profession and aids in the development of new generations.
What do you find most appealing about being a tattoo artist?
- This is indeed a tough question. It might sound strange, but what attracts me most to being a tattoo artist are the challenges themselves. I love the feeling of being able to improve on the mistakes of the previous day and continuously develop. This development is not just evident on paper during drawing but also directly on the skin, which makes my work particularly exciting.
Do you have any work goals and plans for the near future that you want to achieve?
- I have a big plan for the near future: I want to move to the United States to start a new chapter in my life and career. I hope that this move will lead to even greater success and new inspirations in this exciting environment.
Comments (3)