Name: Kim-Anh Nguyen-Dinh
Age: 22
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Age: 22
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
What attracted you to tattooing?
I don't really know, I just think that tattoos are beautiful. I love how a tattooed skin looks. Also, everything I did or liked when I was younger seemed to be somewhat related to tattoos, so it was like a natural thing to like for me since my teenage years.
How did you get into the industry?
I've always been passionate about drawing, since a really young age... then, by my teen years, got in the punk scene, etc. and naturally discovered the tattoo world. At first I was just happy and fascinated to collect them on my skin, without ever thinking about holding a tattoo machine.
I used to get my tattoos on those street shops where the tattooer doesn't draw... he used to tell me "bring me a drawing you like and I'll ink it!" So I started drawing some of my tattoos myself... Guess it was some kind of first experience with tattoo sketches! haha
Was it hard to find an apprenticeship?
Yep... for years I tried to be given the chance to become someone's apprentice and the answer was always "no". Also maybe because Swiss cities are quite small and not many tattoo shops exist around here.
How many years have you been tattooing?
6-7 months
What inspires you?
So many things!! Good tattooers, traditional Japanese culture and also kawaii-girly stuff, old school tattoos, etc...
Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
Some people I really like are Uncle Allan, Jürgen Eckel, El Bara, Ashley Love, Marco Serio, Tutti Serra, Judd Ripley, Claudia DeSabe and Paul Dobleman among others. I've been so lucky to get tattoos from almost all of them... and I'm planning to get tattooed by Claudia and Paul Dobleman, hopefully someday soon!
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Some kind of cute and girly, traditional old school style... I guess.
What have you learned in your years in the industry?
Ha, not much. I'm just starting... I'll be able to answer you that question in a couple of years!
What advice do you have to people considering careers in tattooing?
Wow, I'm not sure I'm the best person to give advice to anyone as I'm just a rookie in the tattoo world... anyway, I guess that painting a lot, documenting yourself about tattoo history and never giving up, even when lots of people try to persuade you to stop, are things that helped me to persevere.
What are some of the best things you have experienced as a result of your career?
All the love and positive feedback from my clients and Internet followers and to be able to meet and work with people I admire, like Claudia de Sabe, traveling, being able to make a living out of my passion, drawing everyday, etc...
Where do you currently tattoo?
I work in Geneva, Switzerland and also at Jolie Rouge Tattoo in London.
