Some use them for attention; others for artistic freedom, rebellion and reminders of important people, places or events. For others it’s a cultural tradition, addiction, or done out of impulse. Regardless the reason, tattoos continue to grow in popularity as a socially acceptable method of self expression. Tattooing is a combination of drawing art and cosmetic surgery and requires an artist with creativity, practice, precision, a steady hand and patience. It’s an art, basically painted onto another canvas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wicked artist, Roumen Kirinkov began his career in 1996, in Iowa. Kirinkov is an international tattoo artist and has explored his art in Bulgaria, Chicago, Seattle, Mississauga and now Toronto. Kirinkov works at Black Widow Tattoo and Toronto Ink. Toronto Ink has been seen on MTV, rated number six in “the 20 iconic tattoo shops around the world” — according to Matador Network — and has been located in Toronto for almost a decade. Mark Prata, 32, the owner of Toronto Ink, was the tattoo and art designer for Breakout Kings — an A&E TV crime series.

 

Tyson Badwa, 20, is a production worker at Celestica — a company focusing on the manufacturing of electronics — and a happy client of Kirinkov who was tatted on Halloween of 2013, with a virtually popping skull tattoo on his forearm.

 

“I had gone onto Google and searched up this style and finally, a (sketch) drawing I liked. It was a zombie chewing on the skin … So I showed it to Roumen,” Badwa said.

 

Badwa enjoys comic-books and stumbled upon the iconic Spider-Man tattoo with the almost 3D effect, “almost as if his skin was being teared”. He said the effect was what he loved most and then found the eerie drawing. Kirinkov has a realism style of tattooing in black and grey and says he likes to draw a heavier outline first then “shade it as realistic as possible.” He, like many artists, tries not to just take photos from the Internet and copy another’s artwork.

 

“Roumen sketched up his own version of how it could look better and came up with what I have now,” Badwa said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Badwa says the meaning behind the tattoo is his alternative side coming out, the “bad side” of him. He says he admires how creepy — and almost disgusting — the tattoo is. He receives comments like, “I didn't even notice the fingers!” and “That’s so cool!” Still, the tattoo is radiant and has a shine. Badwa says he admires the 3D effect and the incredible detail in the eye.

 

Kirinkov says his favourite tattoo on his body is of the Virgin Mary and that he isn’t even religious. The piece was inspired by a painter and he got it done for the way it looked, not so much the meaning. There is one thing Kirinkov constantly tells his clients.

 

“I often tell them, you’re better off — in the long-run — getting a meaningless tattoo that looks beautiful rather than getting one that means a lot but it looks bad,” Kirinkov said. “Meaning change as you get older, but hopefully, if something looks nice it always looks nice.”

 

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Kirinkov says he admires M. C. Escher (1898-1972), a world-famous graphic artist. Escher expanded his art with more realistic work during his days living in Italy. You may recognize his work of the hand, drawing a hand entitled, Drawing Hands. 

 

“As far as the black and grey stuff goes, I’m a huge fan of M. C. Escher,” Kirinkov said. “I love his stuff; it’s phenomenal.”

 

Placement of your tattoo, how many you have, the size and symbols, all affect the emotion and responses you receive. But they are definitely a conversation starter. If you have a wicked tattoo you want to share @DropDeadMagazine on Facebook. Like our page and tag your tattoo artist. #TorontoInk