Name: Lina Stigsson
Age: 34
Location: Amsterdam
What attracted you to tattooing?
Everything. I always liked to work with my hands and I had been drawing a lot my whole life. And to be working with the skin is interesting. You have your art on somebody that walks around with it and loves it(hopefully, instead of doing a painting that hangs on somebody's wall for example. I like that, having the body as a canvas.
How did you get into the industry?
I did an apprenticeship for two years in a dutch village called Deventer.
Was it hard to find an apprenticeship?
I was lucky. I had been going out with a tattooer for a couple of years so I knew a few people in the tattoo scene in Amsterdam. I couldn't find anything in Amsterdam though so I had to travel to Deventer that took a couple of hours every day. I didn't mind though, I was so happy and grateful for having been giving this opportunity.
How many years have you been tattooing?
Ten
What inspires you?
I love animals and nature. I grew up on a farm in the southern country side of Sweden with animals like horses, dogs, ducks and rabbits, all different kinds. And the nature was just around the corner. My mother used to paint horse motives when I was young, so she has inspired me. I'm also influenced by the early tattooing. I really like old school stuff.
Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
All the old timers like Bert Grimm, Tattoo Peter, Captain Coleman, Sailor Jerry. Today there is too many good ones to mention them all!
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Old school, simple. I try to do classic looking long lasting tattoos. As far as my style I think that is something you develop through the years. I don't try to do something special but keep at what I think is interesting and beautiful and from there I guess is where I am right now.
What have you learned in your years in the industry?
That I have so much more to learn...
What advice do you have to people considering careers in tattooing?
Go for it, but be prepared to put a lot off hard work into it.
What are some of the best things you have experienced as a result of your career?
That I could travel and work my way around the world. To have opportunities like that is really great and fun. And to meet and get to know all of these people from all around the world, that is great and also very inspiring to meet other people in the business.
Where do you currently tattoo?
Admiraal tattoo studio Amsterdam.
