I’ve just returned from the tattoo convention in Zwickau, where I won the Black and Grey category, and the adrenaline still has not worn off. This is an extremely strong convention. The selection process is tough, not everyone gets accepted, and being invited alone is already an honor. The event is organized by Randy Engelhard, who runs his own studio in Zwickau and brings together a truly top-tier lineup.
The convention featured an intense concentration of artists, the kind of people you usually only see on Instagram. Steve Butcher came in from the United States, along with Tommy Lee Wentzner and Paul Acker, known for his powerful horror work. There was also a Russian artist, Evgeny, who took home an award as well. It was one of those rare events where you genuinely want not only to work, but also to walk the floor, watch others tattoo, and meet people in person.
My model was Sunny. We had already done several tattoos together, and it was easy for her to travel to Zwickau from a nearby city. For this convention, we planned a black-and-grey portrait on the calf, on the lower part of the leg. Honestly, I do not remember exactly who the reference was, whether it was an actress or another model, but the final result turned out very clean and cohesive.
Stepping into a convention like this, where only strong artists are gathered, really grounds you. There is no feeling that you are one of the few experienced artists surrounded by beginners. You are standing shoulder to shoulder with the best artists in that location and with invited stars, and that makes the award especially meaningful. Everyone wants to win, but here you approach it realistically, knowing how intense the competition is.
When the Black and Grey results were announced and our names were called, it was a massive adrenaline rush. My model and I were jumping, shouting, and celebrating like kids. The atmosphere was incredibly charged. Winning at this level gives you a completely different sense of your work. You realize that you can compete with artists you once considered untouchable.
After the awards, representatives from another German studio approached me, Tattoo Art Karlsruhe. Lena Tattoo Art works there and produces very strong pieces, and the studio invited me for a guest spot. So this win in Zwickau brought not only a trophy and recognition, but also new professional connections and future opportunities.
The convention featured an intense concentration of artists, the kind of people you usually only see on Instagram. Steve Butcher came in from the United States, along with Tommy Lee Wentzner and Paul Acker, known for his powerful horror work. There was also a Russian artist, Evgeny, who took home an award as well. It was one of those rare events where you genuinely want not only to work, but also to walk the floor, watch others tattoo, and meet people in person.
My model was Sunny. We had already done several tattoos together, and it was easy for her to travel to Zwickau from a nearby city. For this convention, we planned a black-and-grey portrait on the calf, on the lower part of the leg. Honestly, I do not remember exactly who the reference was, whether it was an actress or another model, but the final result turned out very clean and cohesive.
Stepping into a convention like this, where only strong artists are gathered, really grounds you. There is no feeling that you are one of the few experienced artists surrounded by beginners. You are standing shoulder to shoulder with the best artists in that location and with invited stars, and that makes the award especially meaningful. Everyone wants to win, but here you approach it realistically, knowing how intense the competition is.
When the Black and Grey results were announced and our names were called, it was a massive adrenaline rush. My model and I were jumping, shouting, and celebrating like kids. The atmosphere was incredibly charged. Winning at this level gives you a completely different sense of your work. You realize that you can compete with artists you once considered untouchable.
After the awards, representatives from another German studio approached me, Tattoo Art Karlsruhe. Lena Tattoo Art works there and produces very strong pieces, and the studio invited me for a guest spot. So this win in Zwickau brought not only a trophy and recognition, but also new professional connections and future opportunities.