Cecilia Valdez is an upcoming tattoo artist from Denmark and long term best friend of mine. She took time out of her busy day to answer questions for us and give you all an insight into the tattooing industry.
You can check out her work by liking the Tattoos By Larsen Facebook page
Q:Â Question time! Cecilia, I love your work. It’s really common to see tattoos that don’t look like they’ve had a lot of love and care put into them but your work demonstrates a real passion. When did you realise you were so passionate about tattooing?
A:Â First of all, thank you so much! It is great to know that others see what i try to express through the ink. It started about two and a half years ago. I had never thought much of tattooing and was planning on going to uni to take classes in the Systematical Study Of Religion. I had to have money though, so I applied for jobs all over town. By chance I became the apprentice at a tiny studio where i got to practice on pig skin! But it didn’t work out, so I left. I still hadn’t tried to tattoo a person, but in the short time i worked at the studio I found my love and passion for tattooing. I saw the work of the world’s best artists – what they could do totally blew my mind and I decided to earn my place among them some day. I am nowhere near as good as my idols and the road is long and tough, but I love what i do. I will get there.
Q:Â So it sounds like you almost stumbled into tattooing by accident, what made you decide to keep with it?
A:Â Well, I have been drawing all of my life. I just never thought it would result in a career. As soon as I got in contact with tattooing I realized that it WAS possible to combine my love for art, religion and anatomy. It just felt so right! I could never give it up
Q:Â Aw! It’s brilliant you get to do something you love doing. Are there any aspects of tattooing you don’t like so much? What is the hardest aspect of the job?
A:Â Oh, you mean stuff like smelly feet and armpits? Haha.. There are two things which makes the job really hard. First, some people will never be satisfied. I can beat myself up about such situations for days – sometimes weeks. The other thing is that as an artist you can never be “good enough”. I don’t think i will ever be satisfied with my work no matter how many compliments i receive, but – you know – If i ever were satisfied with my work I should probably find a new job!
Q: How do you handle those times when people aren’t satisfied?
A: I try to do whatever I can for the customer. I can always talk to my boyfriend and colleagues about such matters. They will tell me that I am only still an apprentice and “shit happens”. Some people just never will be happy. I need to remember that
Q: Awesome.. are there any particular artists that inspire you and why?
A:Â Many! Niki Norberg, Phil Garcia, Domantas Parvainis, Dmitry Samohin, Carlos Torres, Miss Arianna, Cecil Porter… I could go on for hours!
Q: Are there any big issues in the industry that you feel need tackling?
A: There are. There are almost no laws on tattooing in Denmark. It is not an official education, so anyone can buy a gun and ink from China and call themself an artist and scratch through skin at home. It damages the reputation of the business and every tattoo artist. You know, you get what you pay for. Sadly, people who go to scratchers often end up spending more money in order to fix their bad tattoos.
Q:Â Ouch, sounds nasty. Last question, what advice would you give to aspiring tattoo artists?
A: Patience and practice. Learn how to draw and get into a shop. Take risks. Respect. Be humble to customers and colleagues. You owe them everything that you are and will be.
I enjoy doing neo traditional as well as realism.”
Q:Â Amazing, thank you so much for that! Anything else you want to say or add for the Cultured Vultures readers?
A:Â I hope you guys enjoyed the article and might find the strength and inspiration to follow your own dreams.
Please note that that the creative rights to the works shown belong to the artist.
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