Milan Mone - Tattoo Artist
MY WHY
I’m a lover of any type of art that lives outside the box and can be personally sacred, while also daring. Tattooing allows me to do all of these things, with an endless supply of possibilities that keep me excited about what I could create each day. The room for growth as an artist and human, my daily interactions, and the endless knowledge surrounding tattooing - are all things that motivate me and remind me how blessed I am to be involved in such a craft.
MY METHODOLOGY & STYLE
When creating a design for someone, I take into account what they’re aiming to achieve, and how I can approach it in ways that meet their desire - while also pushing it a bit outside the realm of expectation. I may choose one particular style I’m proficient in or even do a blend of them depending on the visual end goal - staying within the bounds of Black and Gray, Blackwork, Illustrative or Neotraditional. A mix of fine and thicker lines gives a design balance and depth, tones or solid black adds weight and texture, while the style sets the mood and feeling of the piece.
WHEN I KNEW THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO
Ever since childhood I held a fascination with body art, long before I could even understand the ‘why’. I recall proudly telling my parents that I would grow up to become a tattoo artist, despite only seeing them occasionally on strangers at the time. My grade school years were spent covering my hands and arms with different drawings, making each design more intricate than the last - something I took pride in, but my mother frowned upon. It wasn’t until later in life after I had graduated from college and felt a disconnect with most “normal” jobs that I took my art more seriously and decided to finally pursue tattooing.
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF WHAT I DO
Being in the position of being able to make timeless art for a living, combined with the ability to share it with people I may not otherwise meet is special to me. As someone who travels and loves interacting with different people and cultures, it’s amazing that I’m able to form a connection with someone based on a shared love of body art. Being involved in an industry that continues to multiply and return the love and effort I put into both my craft and clients, has to be the most rewarding part of showing up each and every day.
HOW CAN SOMEONE BENEFIT FROM MY OFFERINGS
People may benefit from the fact that with each interaction I hope to bring a warm, genuine energy that allows them to feel comfort and confidence during their session. I value quality relationships with my clients, friends and family alike - and enjoy being able to guide someone through the tattooing process towards their ultimate goal. Each piece has elements of my time, dedication and character that I hope shines through and makes an impression with the people I have the pleasure of tattooing.
WHAT INSPIRES ME
Many of my personal interests, all the way to the artists and their work that I admire and know, hold much of the inspiration for my art. From plants and herb study, floral motifs, mysticism, to the macabre or bizarre - if I feel even a seed of intrigue, it’s enough to inspire my thinking to something larger. Fellow artists that are constantly pushing the envelope of how and what they design, evolving techniques and knowledge, different styles and eras of art - my inspiration can come from endless sources to which I’m grateful for.