From Russia’s capital to China’s 7th largest city, Almazov’s tattoo work has captivated enthusiasts and collectors across country borders. In this exclusive interview, he gives us a glimpse into his creative process. @tattooalmazov
Tattooing is not only a profession for some; it’s a lifelong passion. Almazov, who found himself drawn to the vibrant culture and artistic scene of Moscow, discovered his innate talent unexpectedly. What started as a passion project soon blossomed into a full-fledged career as he became an international resident artist at SJ Tattoo Studio (@sjtattoostudio) in Tianjin.
With a decade of experience under his belt, Almazov’s journey into the tattoo industry began in 2014 in his hometown of Voronezh. Inspired by a skilled friend in the field, he embarked on the quest to master tattooing, drawing knowledge from various studios and cities to hone his craft. “With each new piece of information from more skilled artists, I gained experience, increased my confidence in this field, and found motivation to create an individual style and produce high-quality works,” he said.
Almazov’s portfolio, which showcases his unique style that combines new school and anime themes, is visually stimulating. “My style is a free expression of the person. Bright, contrasting color combinations, dynamic compositions, and active contours create the very atmosphere that the client desires,” he describes. Almazov, who is actively engaged with his clientele’s needs, ensures that each vision is accurately translated into a tattoo. “People watch me for a long time. They analyze my work and understand what they can get from me. They [his clients] realize that their design will be created through this prism,” he explains, “corrections [in the tattoo design] are unlikely, since the client and I are on the same wave.”
However, being a tattoo artist is not without its challenges. Almazov acknowledges the industry’s commercial aspects that can stifle artistic growth: “This is a tedious routine that can take you out for long periods. It’s impossible to develop in this environment, you don’t see any growth or your mistakes. I spent a very long time in such a situation, almost three-quarters of a year, due to psychological issues. When I realized that I needed to take care of myself, I immediately decided to understand myself. Then understanding life, my inner circle and [the] work around me began to change. This helped me to get out of commercial work and to realize that I was standing still, frozen, wasting time – the most precious thing we have. Since that day, I have been working on myself constantly because I want to become better and not to waste time anymore.” Overcoming psychological hurdles and embracing personal growth, he emerged stronger, committed to continuous self-improvement and artistic evolution.
To stay ahead of the curve, Almazov immerses himself in the global tattoo community, attending conventions, lectures, and masterclasses worldwide. “By meeting and interacting with different tattoo artists, you gain an endless amount of experience with constant updates. Communication is the key to development in everything. From here you will know about all the innovations and news in the tattoo industry.”
Looking into the future, Almazov envisions a trajectory marked by growth and exploration: “I picture myself flying at top speed, like a comet, striving to reach my full maximum, and what it will be like after such a period of time is impossible to predict. Hope that I will reach the sun 🙂 ”
As he embarks on his international residency in China, Almazov remains steadfast in his commitment to pushing the boundaries of his artistry, one tattoo piece at a time. Check out more of Almazov’s art here.
