Always learning. Doing your best. Enjoy the freedom to express yourself. This could be the motto of Felipe Santo, a 32-year-old tattoo artist from Brazil who has been based in Toronto at Ink & Water for three years. Contrasting blackwork and clever light effects make up Felipe's work. A mixture of humanity and monstrosity animates his fierce and mysterious characters. A real talent for staging for this young tattoo artist fan of hardcore.
Hello Felipe. What was your first contact with tattooing?
My first contact with tattoos was when I was 18. I have been raised in the biggest city in South America, São Paulo. In the middle of the chaos of almost 40 million people. I’m a former hardcore band singer, 14 years ago, when everything was still pretty new to me. Tattoos and hardcore/post-hardcore have always been connected by the street culture. Got my first tattoo on the couch of a friend. Almost passed out. Since then, I have never stopped getting tattoos done on me. Later on, when I figured out the music career wouldn't take me anywhere, I found a job as a tattoo shop manager. It was my hidden apprenticeship. I learned first how a tattoo shop works, washing metal tubes everyday, cleaning garbage cans, how to treat clients and then, 2 years later, one of the artists at the shop asked me if I wanted to try tattooing. I remember me and my brother at a young age, recording animes (Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z) on VHS and then trying to copy them to the paper then found myself with a cheap machine in my hands, I went home, in my bedroom, a small chair and my mattress on my ex-girlfriend leg was where I fell in love with tattooing. It was magical, seeing a purple stencil turning into black (sort of, because the lines were terrible). I have never stopped since then. It was around 10 years ago.
How did you become a tattoo artist then?
After that, I focused on only tattooing. Left my band, my girlfriend, my family and did a dive in the world of tattooing. I have never had an apprenticeship for how to actually tattoo. I have learned everything by myself, by the places I have been and from the other artists I have met in my journey. Always asking, always interested. Try, fail, try and learn.
How is it to work in Ink & Water shop? Do you often work in the other shop in New-York?
Working at Ink and Water could not be better. I have only good people around me. People who want to get better. People who love what they do. People that trust you. People who understand that we are people too, made of flesh, with good days and bad days. mutual respect. Moving to another country isn't easy and they make my transition seem easier. Everything is different : the culture, the language. I have plans to visit New York pretty soon although I have never been yet.
How did you learn how to draw?
I believe I'm better at tattooing than drawing. Still learning everyday, struggling everyday. It’s the most important to me. After my first contact with a tattoo machine, I decided to take some drawing classes. I have never been a big fan of school and teachers, so it didn't last for too long. I have dropped all of them and decided to learn by myself. I wish I had the opportunity to frequent an art school. Maybe in the near future.
All your tattoos are so dark and deep, how do you work on that?
About my style, it's always evolving and changing with time. My first contact was with traditional tattoos but always based on neo traditional. Never succeed in this style. I fell in love with black and grey tattoos when I worked at a shop where everyone used to do realistic styles. So I kind of learned a lot with them and also their clients used to ask me black tattoos, since we were at a shop that only do black tattoos. That's how I started using only black ink and grey washes and incorporated it into my own work. My tattoos are dark and deep because I do love to keep the most contrast that I can. Heavy dark background with lighter subjects. I find it looks better when it heals.
Yes, it’s amazing. How do you create so much textures?
Texture is the key. I could say my work is recognized by shading with round liners and magnums, so I can reach a different level of contrast.
Given the rather dark atmosphere, are you inspired by horror films for example or books?
I'm inspired by everything I see. By horror movies (Michael Myers my favourite), by animes/mangas and also by video games. I have always been a lover of the asian/Japanese culture. The patterns, the movements and its uniqueness.
Who are your mentors in tattoo?
I have learned a lot how to be a good person and a good artist with two big names of blackwork. Frank Carrilho and Fredao Oliveira. Both Brazilians too. They taught me a lot.
What do you want to express with your tattoos?
I focus on following the human body shape and size and prefer doing bigger subjects. I used to say my tattoos walk around. It's made to be seen from far away. You can spot them from a couple meters of distance, you don't have to get closer to figure out what is happening there. I like how my tattoos/sleeves change the way my clients look. I love how they wear them. How they feel happy and different after our last session. I like making friends. My clients are the best of them.
Do you also paint or use other supports?
I do enjoy painting on paper. Brush, black ink, cotton paper. Not a huge fan of digital artwork. I like the feeling of paper. It's real. It's there. You can touch and feel. You can ruin it with one single mistake. No erasers. No turning back. So you have to take your time, be focused on that if you want to be good. It's therapeutic. Patience is the key. As everything ( I believe) in life.
How do you see tattoo in Canada?
I have lived in Canada for 3 years so far. I don't know much about the country but the tattoo industry here is totally different from Brazil. We have the same types of tattooers. The ones who are concerned about the old culture, the new generation creating a new culture on its own and the enthusiastic ones. Canada has such amazing and complete well worldwide known artists and tattooers. Names like Steve Moore, James and Anthony Tex, Chris Dunn, Water Street Phantom. I love how we here are free to express ourselves with our art.
What are your projects for this year?
My project for this year is to only work with big scale projects. From sleeves to backpieces. I am also still looking forward to creating a bodysuit one day. That would be amazing! My goal is to draw more, understand more and make it more simple. Always trying to create a tattoo that lasts forever. Become a better person for me and for the world around me. @felipexsanto