Jun 17, 20223 min read

Skin experiences

" you feel the tattoo almost as I feel it; you can feel the emotions I felt through the drawing, because I represent exactly what you tell me: it’s a two person job “

The story of tattoos has yet to be written, but what fascinates Elena and has driven her to devote herself completely to this art are the antiquity and the transformation that it has undergone over the years. Tattoos are older than you think, can you believe it? Starting in the Copper Age (about 4000-5000 b.C.) tattoos were used to distinguish the orders of hierarchy in a society, until the more recent 1800s and 1900s of the last millennium, when tattoos were a luxury that only nobles could afford.

…but have you ever wondered what tattoos really are?

Well, tattoos are scars. Specifically, Elena told us that a tattoo is the scar left by the pain you need to feel to face a certain emotion, an event, which will stay with you forever. But don't worry, it’s not just that! You also tattoo to decorate your body. That’s right, the tattoo can also be just a decoration, like these ones here

Beautiful, aren't they? Between the two types of tattoos, Elena prefers tattoos that tell emotions... and are as colorful as possible! In fact, her style is Old School, that is, colorful and traditional symbols, such as nautical subjects, swallows, mermaids and pin-ups, which began to take hold in the 1920s (hence the name Old School), therefore a style that derives from the history of tattooing, which should be valued and studied to understand and appreciate what you can do today.

So, how have the way of tattooing and the perception of tattoos changed over time?

Well, it's a matter of culture: if once upon a time the first Italian tattoo artists loved the contact and the connection that was created with the client, today tattooing has lost some of its original meaning due to the transformation of the entire sector into a business; the perception of tattoos and of tattooed people has also changed: now everyone gets tattooed, women and men, old and young, without distinction of style and size of the drawing. What hasn't undergone any changes is the impression one has of tattoos on sight, like on the face: Elena in fact explains that, unlike our culture, in the Maori tradition it's common to get bold tattoos even on the face without any distinction of gender

and without consequences on the social and working life of the person in question - it's culture.

Talking about job,

are you by chance wondering how to become a tattoo artist?

If the answer is yes!, we know how to help you: all you have to do is take a health and hygiene course (in Friuli Venezia Giulia, unfortunately, there's still no chance to take this course, so those interested in obtaining the certificate must go to Veneto that prepares you to tattoo in a proper and safe environment to minimize the possibility of infection and contamination. Concerning an official qualification, instead, there is the possibility to follow a degree course at the Academy of Fine Arts of Udine, although it is not required since it is still a developing sector… however, we feel hopeful for a change. The main way to learn is still to work your way up in established studios, as Elena did at the beginning of her career. She has been a tattoo artist since 2007, when she opened her first studio in Cordenons (PN), and then moved here to Aviano where she runs her own store, where she still tattooes her long-standing clients who are now fond of her and have followed her even after the move, because a deep and lasting bond is created between client and tattoo artist, just like a tattoo on the skin.

Let us know what you think and if you have any questions or curiosities!