From animation to tattooing, the Bulgarian tattooist-illustrator Petja Evlogieva took the plunge without asking too many questions, thus becoming one of the first tattoo artists in her country. For this art addict, the discovery of this new medium was accompanied by a real enthusiasm that she now shares with her husband, also a tattoo artist in Sofia.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself Petja?
Hi, my name is Petja Evlogieva. I’m happy married to my best friend and we got two daughters. We live in a small house, in a small village, next to the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. We have our own, family Tattoo Shop in Sofia. We both love drawings, our kids and pets and spending family time in the nature.
How long have you been drawing?
I’m in love with drawing since I was a small kid back in Montana in my childhood. My parents saw me drawing- all day and night- and in that time they decided it will be cool for me if I join the art classes at Reni Petrova’s Art School. There, I was surrounded by art and a lot artistic kids. We were travelling and drawing often to some magical and interesting places around Bulgaria. I knew, since then, that my job, profession and passion will be art. I had put every minute in drawing and educating myself, so one day I will work in Disney! Hahaha you see I’m not there yet, but this idea of being part of animation world followed me to the university where I graduated Animation. I was working in Warner Bro’s production “Kleiner Dodo”, after that I was 2D artist for a year in Gameloft/ gaming industry. Then, I took part of the team -Bulgarian folktales based idea for an animated series “The Golden Apple’. And still my love is there- in the animation and illustrations.
Your Instagram show a lot of work as an illustrator for children, at what stage does it come?
Actually, first of all I was assistant in animation productions and I become tattoo artist and then I started to illustrate children books. Books are here over the last 7 years. Firstly I made all of nowhere my original character Liska (in Bulgarian it is the word of a Fox Female). She was showing my life in a comic situations in a single drawings, as if it was my diary, enjoying fun time, festivals, holly days or just the day life with the family at the sea, mountain tracking and so on. Then I made three books with the stories and people really loved and still love Liska. Then ’Ribka Publishing’ asked me to join their team and we have already made 4\5 projects for a small kids together. I really love working with “Ribka”, they trust me and give me all the freedom, I need to give my best in art. Previous year I was invited to illustrate one new children book, of a new author and was really fun time. I created a whole new world based on the author’s stories and was just magical. Now I’m working on 2 different kids projects and really love my job.
Tattooing came before as you said, how did it happen?
I never knew tattooing will take such a big part of my life (more than 13 years now). My husband is a tattoo artist for more than 20 years now, and he taught me tattooing, in a period, animation was in a really, let say not that stable- situation, here in Bulgaria. I started tattooing some small designs, I used to draw for fun. I always love to create characters and imagine funny stories of them. Some of my closest friend trusted me to try on their skin. My husband was giving me and still all the support in the world and so I started. I was sure, it will be only till I find some nice work with the animation. But with the time tattooing gave me the freedom to work what and when I want, and to travel (before Corona) a lot, to meet an amazing people, especially colleagues all over the world. I never thought “I’m going to become tattoo artist”. We are super often joking in the shop with the regular clients, that “every” Wednesday I quit job, when I get angry at something. I never pretend myself as a real tattoo artist, as I love to say “I draw illustrations, sometimes on a skin’’. I’m just an artist and love to experiment with different techniques.
How did you feel about the tattoo world before you started?
It is kind of a sad story here. Firstly, when I joined the tattoo scene I was super happy with all the colleagues here in Bulgaria. I was to be one of the first girls in the tattoo world back in 2008 here in Bulgaria. So, they were happy to have me, as something new. But then not everything was that pink and candy. I have my stories here and there, but I prefer to keep the nice touch of all of it.
Do you find inspiration in it?
OH, I’m super inspired by a lot new and old-school tattoo artists. I try to keep updating myself with the new styles, new artists, new techniques. But if you ask me of my favorites I really love the art of Jamie Ris, Logan Barracuda, Kelly Dotty, Ben Banzai, Victor Chill, and the all-time beloved Tony Ciavarro, Dimitri HK, Jesse Smith, Jimmy Litwalk and so many more. I remember looking on the paper magazine for days, making studies of the way they work. And still I admire all those artists that made me believe, I can be part of the tattoo world with my style and no need of changing myself, to fit in someone else’s style. They all are unique and that is how it should be.
Among the themes you like to work animals and nature seem to have a specific place?
Mostly I love to draw characters and actually yes, they are mainly animals. I love children stories and books. I’m surrounded my nature and it is the closest theme I got inspired by. They said that “one day you will grow up enough, so, you will love children books again”. Ok, maybe I’m there yet! My collection in rising more and more, even my kids are grown up enough, so they have their own libraries. This Christmas I got 5 new children books just for myself.
Woman is also a theme which you seem to take great pleasure in exploring the different facets ?
I really enjoy drawing ladies. All of them, and all ages. I love to explore their faces, their gesture. The story they are telling us, hidden behind their eyes. And also the clients really often connect themselves with the characters I draw or ask me to. And still I’m not sick of it, my best and comfortable zone. Give me more!
You are originally more of a crayon or felt-tip pen artist...?
As I have already mentioned, I’m illustrator in all the different techniques. I love the water flow that the aquarelle gives me, the sharpness of the color pencils, the crayon and also the smoothness of the tattoo ink. I never try to re do the drawing the same way as on the sketch. I prefer to let the technique itself presents the way it fits best. If it should we blended or more sketchy.
Tattooing is about being at the service of your client. Do you see it as an opportunity to open up to other worlds or a constraint to your creative freedom?
It depends on the clients. Some of them share a super cool and crazy ideas, I would never think of and let me freely brainstorm it and enjoy, the way I will represent it. So they get the best of me, because I really put all of my love in the tattoo project. I love to work like that. Others, they believe they go the better taste, the more knowledge and skills than you. They cut your freedom, “Knowing” what is best for the project. At the end, they have something not that good, you don’t even wanted to have started it, BUT always knowing, that “you didn’t put your best, because you didn’t like it”. So everyone gets what he trusted you for.
Having your work exposed thanks to your projects with publishing company, does that mean you book lovers among your clients?
So, so many. I got so many projects done, based on books, on a favorite story, or an author. I really love, when a new project is coming and it’s based on a book I never heard of. I love to do my research and super often it happens that I need to buy that book, because I got so interested of. You can see in my art, so many tattoos based on Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, Terry Pratchett Heroes and so many movies – Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, DC and so on and on.
The presence of women in the tattoo world has changed considerably. How do you feel in this traditionally masculine environment, especially when you evolve in a "cute" universe close to childhood?
Heheh! Good one! Actually as an artist I really feel absolutely ok. Almost, I never feel like clients are acting differently or curious, because I’m woman. I believe they treat and respect me because of my skills. I know that you mean, but here in Bulgaria, women rights in tattoo industry are super ok. Even I believe, I would, get and I did had some help, when I need it, by my men colleagues. About the cuteness of the characters I’m tattooing, I got often asked, if I mainly tattoo ladies. But the answer is no. Maybe half of the clients I work with, are men. And they always got the craziest ideas. But here as well, I do care much, if the skin is man or women’s, since the head trusts me, if you know what I mean :)
How do you feel about the #Mettoo movement that hit the tattoo world too?
It’s disgusting! No matter, in what situation you are using your position to abuse someone. If you are man or a woman and you believe you have the right to. I’m sorry to hear that, and I know what you mean. I have no words to add. It’s just not acceptable! + Instagram : @petjaevlogieva
