Colombian tattoo artist Leonardo takes a religious strategy to his work. Whereas lots of his colleagues might draw inspiration from traditional painters or their favourite cartoons, Leonardo is influenced by the mysteries of our huge universe. He dives into the religious unknown, pushing past regular consciousness to unravel the secrets and techniques of various dimensions. This has resulted in some fairly spectacular tattooing, with colour combos, textures and motifs we seldom see on human pores and skin. We sat down with Leonardo to find out how he discovered tattooing, fashioned his signature model and way more.
Inform us the way you developed a love for artwork.
Artwork is said to consciousness. It’s a transcendental human language that we use to alter ourselves and the world. Since I used to be younger, my mom instilled the humanities in me. Via artwork, I used to be all the time within the huge questions as a human being—the place can we come from? Who’re we? This led me to discover the place tattooing developed and I had the chance to journey the world in my quest. I began by going to South America: Argentina, Chile, Perú, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil and Panama. There, I studied tattooed mummies and realized in regards to the Andean spirituality of gods and love. I continued my search all through MesoAmerica and commenced forming a connection to the artwork cultures of the Toltecs, Aztecs and Mayans. I finally made my option to Europe in faculty and studied the best painters of all time. I continued my research of artwork and human spirituality in Asia, then I finally made my method again to Colombia.
How did you learn to tattoo?
Earlier than turning into a tattoo artist, I designed traditional bikes. On the time, I had a buddy who was an American conventional tattooer and in the future I instructed him to show me tips on how to tattoo. Ten years have handed since I first picked up a tattoo machine and I by no means let go. It was love at first sight.
How did you kind your signature model? How would you describe it?
At the start, my model was very a lot old style with robust strains, stable colours and easy designs. That was the vast majority of my early work and, over time, I started studying different types reminiscent of Maori tribal, neo conventional, new faculty, Japanese and realism. I believe it’s vital to know the principles after which break them. The secrets and techniques I’ve realized from all of those types have helped me to create my present model, which incorporates advanced shapes with mystical, magical and esoteric meanings. I might outline the tattoos I presently do as visionary artwork, as each bit evokes a sure metaphysical consciousness via the symbols I take advantage of.
What are a few of your favourite tattoos that you just’ve accomplished? What stands out about these initiatives?
I like all of my large-format items—full backs, bodysuits, sleeves, legs, and so forth. I hope to have the ability to be part of a number of bodysuits collectively in some unspecified time in the future. Along with huge tattoos, I additionally love tattoos which have a transparent message or a whole lot of unconscious symbolism.
How do you go about mimicking metallic textures in your work?
Since my model is predicated on experimenting with new issues, I’ve all the time preferred working with totally different textures. Certainly one of my biggest achievements is with the ability to obtain holographic chrome or gold chrome colours. It’s all the time a problem, however is made potential via endurance.
Is your artwork impressed by psychedelics? Do you could have any enjoyable psychedelic tales you’d wish to share?
I take into account psychedelics as a drugs for consciousness and to expertise your senses in a brand new method. I realized little-by-little from my first occasions utilizing LSD at drum and bass festivals. I keep in mind one time I used to be at a pageant out of city and I started seeing everybody as aliens—their unique kind maybe. When the journey was over and I got here again to actuality, I understood that with DMT there’s way more on the market than we’ve imagined. We’re projecting our actuality in an empty house and the whole lot we expect, think about and consider is actual in some infinite dimension.
What recommendation would you give your youthful self?
To be pleased right here and now, but in addition to maintain dreaming.
