“Turning the Ordinary into Extraordinary: An Interview with Tattoo Artist Fluffy”

Similar to painting, sometimes you can recognize tattoo artists by examining their work. Fluffy is one such artist. She intricately blends feminine floral patterns with animals, waves, and elements of nature, crafting something truly captivating. Her distinctive style is bound to leave a lasting impression.

With nearly 100k followers on Instagram, her designs are reaching an ever-expanding audience. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to interview this rising star in the South Korean tattoo scene and discuss her perspectives on art, career, and beyond.

Interview with tattooist Fluffy

The start of the career

Tattooist Fluffy is an artist affiliated with the South Korean tattoo studio, StudioBySol. A glance through her Instagram profile reveals a plethora of flower, animal, and wave tattoos. Her affection for natural elements shines through as she meticulously crafts her dreamy, whimsical tattoo style.

However, her journey didn’t begin with a clear destination in mind. In fact, she initially pursued a career as a designer. Yet, she found herself longing for a more creatively fulfilling path.

It was a friend who introduced Fluffy to the world of tattooing, and she instantly fell in love. Drawing had always been a passion of hers, and tattooing provided the perfect avenue for her to shine while indulging in her love for art.

Embarking on a career as a tattooist was both fulfilling and intimidating, especially in the beginning. “Fixing tattoos can be challenging, especially since most of my work is small. Any mistake can be glaringly obvious.”

Now an experienced tattooist, Fluffy faces a different set of challenges. “As I’ve honed my skills, generating fresh ideas has become my primary focus.” Drawing proficiency, maintaining hygiene standards, and providing excellent customer service are the cornerstones of tattooing. Like many other tattooists, Fluffy dedicates herself to daily practice to enhance these skills.

Turning ordinary into extraordinary

Cats, flowers, butterflies, and various other natural motifs have been inked countless times worldwide. To establish one’s unique brand, it’s crucial to develop a distinctive and visually appealing style. This is precisely what Fluffy accomplished.

By melding commonplace elements such as waves and moon tattoos with inventive color combinations and floral patterns, she transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. “Cats, waves, flowers, and butterflies are ubiquitous in our lives. Therefore, I strive to infuse creativity into my designs to offer a fresh perspective on these familiar symbols.”

One reason why tattooing animals comes so naturally to Fluffy is that she loves animals herself. “If I were an animal, I would want to be a  bird  to fly freely. Or I could be a cat so I would understand what my cat is thinking.”

She is also inspired by great ᴘᴀɪɴters like Vincent Van Gogh and Alphonse Mucha. They were both masters in using colors. And that influences Fluffy’s color choices in her tattoos.

Bringing new life to old tattoo

Tattooing from scratch can be a fun process, but the task gets more demanding when doing a cover-up.

“I’ve done a lot of cover-up tattoos, and most of them were really challenging. I remembered a girl came to me for a cover-up. She had a tattoo that represented a memory for her. But that memory no longer sparked joy. So she wanted it replaced. I covered the original tattoo with flowers and butterflies. And I still remembered how she lighted up and smiled. That’s when I realized tattoos could actually change people’s lives.”

Cover-up tattoos require a delicate balance; they must provide effective coverage while also being aesthetically pleasing in their own right. This duality is what makes cover-ups particularly challenging. Tattooist Fluffy employs floral patterns, galaxy backgrounds, and other creative elements to expertly conceal old designs. While these cover-ups may take longer to complete than creating a new tattoo, the end results are undoubtedly worth the extra effort.

How to find the right tattoo design

Tattooing is not solely about the act of applying ink; it encompasses a broader scope of responsibilities. A tattooist serves as a creator, communicator, and advisor. Understanding clients’ style preferences, pain sensitivity, and lifestyle is essential for delivering a successful tattoo.

“If a client wishes to showcase their tattoos, opting for arm tattoos is ideal due to their visibility. However, for those seeking something more discreet, I would suggest tattoos on the back or below the collarbone.”

Selecting the right placement can also minimize discomfort during the tattooing process. “Pain sensitivity varies from individual to individual. However, in general, areas with thicker skin or fat tend to be less painful to tattoo, such as the back of the arm.”

When it comes to guiding clients through their first tattoo experience, Fluffy adopts a unique approach compared to most tattooists. “Rather than offering advice, I prefer my clients to have a direction in mind. This provides me with a starting point to work from. If they come in with no idea at all, there’s a risk they may regret the design I choose for them later on. Therefore, it’s beneficial for them to explore and reflect before consulting a tattoo artist.”

Simultaneously, Fluffy remains open-minded and accommodates most inquiries. “As long as the subject matter isn’t controversial, I’m happy to work on it.”

Looking forward

Tattooist Fluffy has quickly garnered a reputation and achieved success, yet she acknowledges that her journey is far from over.

“I aspire for my work to reach a broader audience, both domestically and internationally. However, I continue to draw incessantly, aspiring for my art to be showcased in various formats one day.”

In South Korea, only individuals with a medical license, typically doctors, are legally permitted to perform tattoos. This regulation remains a concern for many local tattoo artists. “I hope that this issue will be addressed one day. Artists should not be limited in their expression, and clients deserve access to the diversity and creativity we have to offer.”

That concludes our interview with tattoo artist Fluffy. If you have any questions for her, feel free to leave them in the comments below. Also, be sure to visit her Instagram for additional tattoo designs and inspiration.