Black Kimono Tattoo Bruno Freitas

LEO FAVARINK

Leo was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Art has been part of his life forever. Now he’s focused on realism/illustrative black and gray tattoos; he is on the road and always open to something new. ⸺What advice

would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo?

(A tattoo virgin) Just do it! A tattoo is amazing; it’s the only thing we can take with us everywhere, forever! Take your time to find the perfect artist for you; when you find them, be open to their creativity and vision. Giving freedom to your artist is one of the secrets of having something unique and incredible. ⸺What would you say is your favorite part of the job? I love the whole thing. Art is the best, and being able to live as an artist is a blessing. Recently we decided to do a photoshoot of healed pieces. My wife and manager, Ranna, is also a photographer; she invited several customers and took awesome photos of their tattoos. It was a new experience for me. Usually, I do the tattoo, and I don’t see them again unless they come back for more. Being able to see everyone after several months or even years, enjoying their tattoos, and being so happy about them made my heart full. ⸺What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? It all started very early with the influences of hip-hop, skateboarding, rock’n’roll, and street culture in general. Tattooing, at least for me, came along with these scenarios. I always liked to draw, but I never thought one day I would become a tattoo artist. My brother started doing good tattoos, and I realized that it was possible, it was a time that I was going through a moment when I was questioning what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I decided to learn more about art and go for it. ⸺What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Be open to learning; everything and everyone has something to teach you. Pay attention to details, respect your customers, other artists, and the history of tattoos. Creating to be the best is a waste of energy; instead, create to connect with people and be the best version of yourself. ✕

Independent Artist