Kroco got into tattooing by chance - he likes to talk about destiny - and over the years has specialised in Chicano culture, realism and typography. Styles in which the Parisian tattooist from Seine et Marne shows undeniable talent. As a result, he was recently selected by the creators of the new tattoo TV show, Le Meilleur Tatoueur. In this French version of Ink Master, Kroco competes against other candidates and is put to the vote by a jury made up of industry figures Dimitri HK and Mickaël de Poissy. A first season to be discovered soon on RMC Story.
Hi Kroco, can you tell us how you came to be tattooed?
Well, I'd have to say he came to me! (Laughs). I got into this business a bit by chance, even though I don't think it's really a chance at all. Because I believe in destiny. In 2013, I met a tattoo artist who was looking for a designer. He wanted to offer more elaborate and personal projects. Up until then, I'd never imagined becoming a tattoo artist. One thing led to another and I ended up opening a shop with him. I was in charge of the creations, but also the reception, the preparation of the stencil, etc., but I felt frustrated. Because he was tattooing MY creations. So something clicked and I thought I could do it too. I asked him to lend me some of his equipment and I started practising at home on my body and pigskin.
What were your results?
In all humility, after three months of training, I was almost doing better than he had done in three years (laughs). I said to myself that there was something to be done. After six months, I realised that I had to strike out on my own and I started work on my garage to turn it into a special tattoo room. I went it alone, in 4m2, for just over a year. With no advertising, just word of mouth, I found myself overwhelmed with work, with projects that got bigger and bigger. Emotionally, but also artistically. In 2015, I finally decided to open my own private studio, not far from where I live, in my little countryside home in Seine et Marne. And here I am, ten years later, answering this interview (laughs).
Have you been drawing for a long time?
Yes, I've been drawing since I was a child. In fact, I feel like I was born with a pencil in my hand!
What is your graphic culture?
Marvel superhero comics and the offbeat humour of Gotlib (French cartoonist and founder of Fluide Glacial magazine) inspired me. Then there's hip hop culture, which has become a real passion, along with music and graffiti.
How did you choose to focus on Chicano and realism?
Chicano culture has always fascinated me! There's a lot of art: murals, paños (pocket handkerchiefs scrawled with drawings made by Mexican prisoners for their loved ones), paintings on low riders, their dress code and, of course, tattoos. When I was very young, I came across the film 'Les Princes de la Ville' ('Blood in, Blood out' by Taylor Hackford, 1993). It blew my mind and my eyes. It's only logical that I should specialise in Chicano. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the chance to see it for myself.
How do you go about choosing the typeface when you're working on a piece?
It depends on the emotion I'm feeling, my client or the theme of the tattoo.
In terms of realism, you do a lot of portraits. What do you think makes a successful portrait?
It's when the emotion comes out of the photo that was used as a model. But it's a very complex thing and I don't always allow myself to interpret it. The aim is to be as faithful as possible to the model. Shading that is too dark or off by 1mm, for example, can completely miss the face and disfigure the person. The expression in the eyes is very important.
Portraits are a way of carrying with us people we care about, but also of remembering those who have gone. How do you deal with this emotional aspect?
This kind of project touches me a lot because I myself lost my parents too early, and I have engraved them in my skin. So I'm in a good position to understand this need when my clients ask me to take portraits of their loved ones. It's an honour for me every time. Many thanks to them for their trust.
Who are the masters of the genre that you watch?
I'd say David Vega (@david_vega83), Samuel (@samtattoos7), and Miguel Natan (@miguelnatantattoo), but especially Kindamo (@_kindamo_) for the last few years for his universe and technique.
You recently took part in the TV show "Le Meilleur Tatoueur" (The Best Tattooist), which is starting to be broadcast on RMC Story.
It's more or less the same concept as Ink Master (an American reality show), but with a few variations. It's a daily show that will be broadcast for almost two months, and every week four different tattoo artists will compete against each other in tattoo challenges with set themes.
How did it go for you?
It was a great experience to take part in this show, the first of its kind in France. I already do a lot of conventions and I've already got the competitive spirit (laughs). But the cameras add an extra layer of pressure. And to be judged by the big names in tattooing, like Dimitri HK and Mickaël de Poissy, is a real privilege. They've been really sympathetic and I've had nothing but positive feedback on my work. It's such a pleasure. + @krocogarcia_tattoo
