Alis

We have the beautiful, talented Alis with us today. So where are you from?

I was born near the city of Milan, Italy.

What was it about the ink that made you fall in love with it?

I fell in love with the world of tattooing on my first visit to a tattoo convention. I got my first tattoo at 16, and it was a red rose on my forearm. From that moment, ink became a passion, and I wanted to be part of the ink lifestyle.

Did you always know how to draw or was that a skill you learned?

I have always studied in art schools; drawing and art have always been a way of expression for me.

When did you have your first client, and were you nervous?

I officially entered my first tattoo studio for an apprenticeship in 2016. With my first client I was not nervous, because I had practiced a lot, and therefore I had a strong concentration.

What is your most prized work?

All my works are important to me. Usually I don’t do any work that is not meaningful to me. I like to create customized compositions on the body, like tailor-made clothes.

Nicely put. How many tattoos do you have?

I have my full sleeves, a back piece, and some stuff on my leg. And then I have a Horiyoshi III tattoo on my stomach, and a sacred heart behind my neck from my friend Stizzo.

Which tattoos mean the most to you and why?

All my tattoos mean something to me. They certainly remind me of the moments in my life in which I made them, and more than something specific, I remember the emotions I felt in those periods, and above all whether they were more or less positive feelings.

Do you have your own shop? If so, what’s the name and when did you open it?

I don’t have my own shop, but I work with a friend of mine, Stizzo, at Best of Times Tattoo in Milan. It’s a famous and historical studio in the city.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

I like to tattoo according to the criteria of the Japanese tradition. Obviously the modern influences regarding the juxtaposition of the subjects and the positions on the body are noticeable.

So what is the next step in your tattoo evolution, or your goal?

For the moment I will continue studying and improving myself. I would like to collaborate with some artists; surely it would stimulate my creativity even more.

Who is your favorite tattoo artist that inspires you?

I like different tattoo artists. Surely the ones I get the most inspiration from are Ichibay, Horihiro Mitomo, Guyletattooer, Gotch…

Any tips or tricks you’ve learned as a tattoo artist that you can share?

Surely something I have learned is to commit always and in any case. To do this job, it takes determination.

Do you have social media?

Yes, it’s @alismindtattooing.