Today I won "Best of Day" at the Moscow Tattoo Convention
This year I’m actively traveling to tattoo conventions again. Before Moscow, I had already worked at festivals in Saint Petersburg and in Siberia. I was invited to the Moscow Tattoo Convention by the organizers, led by Pavel Angel, and I decided to go. They promised a strong lineup and a great expo.
I made a post on VK saying I was going to the Moscow convention and was looking for a model for a large black-and-grey realism piece. A guy reached out from Surgut, or Tyumen, but I believe it was Surgut. He was already planning a vacation and decided to combine it with getting tattooed in Moscow.
At first, he wanted something modest: beads around the neck and a small cross with Jesus. I told him that wouldn’t work, because the goal wasn’t just to do a tattoo, but to compete for an award. We needed something powerful and expressive. In the end, I suggested a large cross across the chest in black-and-grey style. A massive cross, with a realistic image of Jesus emerging from within, as if from inside the cross. He liked the idea immediately and agreed without hesitation.
We met in Moscow shortly before the convention. He was nervous. A large chest piece, a long session, noise, crowds. But during the session he did great. He talked with people who stopped to watch and actively joined conversations. Many came up to ask about the concept and the sketch, watching the process up close. On the outside he looked like a tough guy from Surgut, but in reality he was very calm and open.
When the tattoo was finished, I submitted it for Best of Day. The judges rated the piece highly, and we took first place that day. For him, it was his first large chest tattoo, his first convention, and his first award. An amazing start. He was absolutely thrilled.
After the awards, he said he was going to celebrate at a sauna. I declined. I had to work the next day, and saunas are strictly off-limits with fresh tattoos. From what I understand, he chose something like a tea lounge or hookah bar instead and gave himself a few days to celebrate properly.
For me, this story is about trust and ambition. He came from another city, immediately agreed to a large chest tattoo, and endured the entire convention marathon. And once again, I was reminded that it’s not worth settling for small tattoos when you can create a strong, memorable piece that has a real chance to make it to the stage and win a prize.
I made a post on VK saying I was going to the Moscow convention and was looking for a model for a large black-and-grey realism piece. A guy reached out from Surgut, or Tyumen, but I believe it was Surgut. He was already planning a vacation and decided to combine it with getting tattooed in Moscow.
At first, he wanted something modest: beads around the neck and a small cross with Jesus. I told him that wouldn’t work, because the goal wasn’t just to do a tattoo, but to compete for an award. We needed something powerful and expressive. In the end, I suggested a large cross across the chest in black-and-grey style. A massive cross, with a realistic image of Jesus emerging from within, as if from inside the cross. He liked the idea immediately and agreed without hesitation.
We met in Moscow shortly before the convention. He was nervous. A large chest piece, a long session, noise, crowds. But during the session he did great. He talked with people who stopped to watch and actively joined conversations. Many came up to ask about the concept and the sketch, watching the process up close. On the outside he looked like a tough guy from Surgut, but in reality he was very calm and open.
When the tattoo was finished, I submitted it for Best of Day. The judges rated the piece highly, and we took first place that day. For him, it was his first large chest tattoo, his first convention, and his first award. An amazing start. He was absolutely thrilled.
After the awards, he said he was going to celebrate at a sauna. I declined. I had to work the next day, and saunas are strictly off-limits with fresh tattoos. From what I understand, he chose something like a tea lounge or hookah bar instead and gave himself a few days to celebrate properly.
For me, this story is about trust and ambition. He came from another city, immediately agreed to a large chest tattoo, and endured the entire convention marathon. And once again, I was reminded that it’s not worth settling for small tattoos when you can create a strong, memorable piece that has a real chance to make it to the stage and win a prize.