We were lucky to catch up with DANILA KARMYSHEV recently and have shared our conversation below.

DANILA, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m Danila, a tattoo artist whose journey began in the fascinating world of visual arts back in my childhood. Despite being a sports enthusiast and even captaining the soccer team, I pursued my artistic passion, eventually earning a fine arts education while still in school.

Growing up in a not-so-affluent family, I started working at the age of 11. After completing high school, I aspired to study architecture at university, but financial constraints led me to opt for a physical education teaching program in college, one of the few avenues for obtaining free education.

Post-college, seeking more opportunities for growth, I moved to a new city. The initial period was tough – I was alone, and my salary barely covered food and rent. At times, I even had to spend nights at a warehouse due to housing challenges. However, through hard work and perseverance, within a couple of years, I gained experience in the commercial departments of two major companies. Subsequently, I was invited to be the deputy manager in a private company. Although I worked there for over a year, I realized that I wasn’t happy. It’s essential to understand that being a manager at a young age plays a significant role in one’s self-esteem.

I showed up at work every day and performed well, but over time, I lost interest. I found myself eagerly waiting for the workday to end, heading home at 5 PM without giving work a second thought. That’s when I pondered – did I really want to live a life working in an office on an important position?!

The answer was clear – no.

Around this time, I was actively exploring literature on brain function and thinking. I stumbled upon the idea that we live for emotions and energy. This concept intrigued me. I thought about what I genuinely wanted to do sincerely and with pleasure, rather than forcing myself to act each time. I remembered how sincerely I enjoyed drawing and creating images in my childhood – it was pure joy, and I did it without expecting any reward. I had always been intrigued by the art of tattoos. I decided that this was the direction worth exploring. It was a tough decision; I had to step into the unknown. Moreover, none of my close ones understood what the tattoo industry was, and they considered my decision quite controversial. I resigned from my job.

In just a couple of months, I developed a business plan, rented a space, and took a loan to open a tattoo studio. At that point, I barely knew how to tattoo, and my knowledge of the business side was limited. However, with the situation being stressful, I focused on the most crucial aspects, without distractions, and soon everything fell into place! Initially, I worked alone, but soon, a few more tattoo artists joined my team. We were young and talented. However, when it was time to expand, I realized there weren’t many interesting tattoo artists in the city. I started thinking about sharing experiences and collaborating with aspiring tattoo artists.

By this time, I had a broad range of knowledge – fine arts education, pedagogical background, commercial experience, and skills in business communication and leadership. I began teaching tattoo artists. This marked the beginning of my primary and unique project – the TAHITI tattoo center. The uniqueness of this project lies in the fact that all the tattoo artists in this studio were my students. Recently, the studio welcomed students of my students.

More on this in the following sections…

P.S.: I would like to emphasize that only a sincere desire to engage in what you love leads to the ultimate success – inner satisfaction and an energy-filled drive to act. Having experienced this once, I am no longer willing to pursue false goals.

DANILA, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Danila, a tattoo artist who embarked on this professional journey back in 2012. With a background in fine arts, I specialize in both Black & Grey and vibrant colored tattoo projects. When crafting a sketch, I find it crucial to consider the client’s preferences, infusing my professional vision to achieve the best results.

I’m not your typical tattoo artist; I possess a range of skills and achievements beyond the traditional realm. I see myself more as a catalyst in the tattoo industry than just a tattoo artist!

Beyond tattooing, I assist young tattoo artists in leveling up their game and consistently achieving results – a feat I’ve proven time and again. Over the years, I’ve established the expansive TAHITI tattoo center, comprising students I’ve mentored since their first encounter with a tattoo machine. Today, some of them are esteemed tattoo artists on an international level.

Drawing on my daily experiences and longstanding collaborations with various tattoo artists, coupled with the analysis of successful cases, I’ve developed and extensively tested my own methodology for educating and integrating tattoo artists into the professional sphere. This methodology covers not only the technical fundamentals of tattooing but also extends to areas like effective client communication, personal branding basics, social media management, and client interaction. I’ve also created checklists for sketch creation, forming individual development plans at the start of learning, self-promotion without financial investments, and much more.

Compiling and structuring all this information, I’ve recorded a comprehensive video course facilitating the rapid development of aspiring tattoo artists!

I am genuinely passionate about the beautiful world of tattoos! With fire in my chest, I continue to evolve as a tattoo artist, mastering new techniques and directions not only in sketch creation but also in skin artistry. Recently, I delved into studying the technical aspects of tattoo equipment design and developed a series of groundbreaking tattoo machine models – my latest startup!

In 2022, I made the move to the USA, and I’m eager to bring my ideas and accumulated experience to life with fresh energy!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Ever since I discovered that genuine dedication to my interests is the most crucial aspect of my professional life, I realized that this, in essence, is my mission. I must wholeheartedly pursue my own desires. At this point in time, my desires revolve around unleashing my potential in the tattoo industry. I aspire to contribute maximally to the community, making the tattoo world more professional and progressive. To achieve this, I am ready to share all the knowledge accumulated over more than a decade of professional experience as a tattoo artist, studio creator, teacher, mentor, and tattoo equipment designer. Currently, I am prepared to share the insights gained from various parts of the world, embracing diverse tattoo methodologies and schools.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danila.tattoo/
• Other: my tattoo studio https://www.instagram.com/tahiti86tattoo/

Image Credits
Danila Karmyshev