I started tattoo apprenticeship in 2015 in Istanbul. I was also taking drawing class to prepare for the fine arts university entrance exams. I was living with mom in Tuzla, which is at the Eastern border of Asian side of Istanbul

My drawing course was in Kadıköy. Which is the western border of Asian side of Istanbul. It was taking me 1,5 hours to go, there was no direct subway line then. And 1,5 hours way back…

The tattoo studio I was apprentice was in Beşiktaş. It’s on the European side of Istanbul, it was taking me 2 hours only to go. 2 hours way back, 3 hours if it’s late night…

The university I started studying then was also in Beşiktaş, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. When my studies started I left apprenticeship. I was tattooing my new friends from university at their places. They were all around Istanbul and mostly in the European side.

I spent most of my time of the day in public transportation in the beginning of my tattooing journey because no one could come to mom’s place. 5-6 hours of the day was spent on roads, with my tattoo equipments on my backpack. Istanbul public transportation was a freak show but I was 20 years old and I could take all the strain then!

But I was confident that eventually this would come to an end. Currently, my clients plan trips from overseas only to come get a tattoo from me. I am fortunate to have clients coming from all over the world to wherever I am at the time!