Trained in animation and originally from South Korea, Woojin Choi has spent over eleven years developing an artistic voice that defies conventional tattoo categories. Now based in Los Angeles, Choi draws on influences ranging from classical and contemporary art to design, pop culture, and traditional Asian aesthetics to create work that delivers powerful visual impact and symbolic depth. Rather than committing to a single defined style, Choi has cultivated a strong visual ide

Nissaco is a Japanese tattoo artist whose unique vision has reshaped the way ornamental and cultural design is understood in contemporary tattooing. With over two decades of dedication, he has forged a style that blends the richness of Japanese aesthetics with modern geometric influences, creating pieces that are both timeless and innovative. His career has been marked not only by perseverance and artistic evolution but also by collaborations with world-renowned brands such a

From Richmond, Virginia, Jesse Smith is a New School tattoo legend and an international reference for his unique style that blends graffiti, illustration, and boundless creativity. With over 25 years of experience, he is the founder of Loose Screw Tattoo and organizer of one of the most important tattoo conventions in the United States. This year, Jesse returns as a judge for the DGN Tattoo Magazine International Competition, standing out for the second time as one of the art

Based in Medellín, Colombia, **Hernán Yepes** has built a strong path within contemporary tattooing, defined by a deep, technical, and conceptual approach. In this interview, he shares how narrative surrealism, black and grey work, and the conscious use of contrast became the foundation of his visual language—one designed to connect with the body while telling real, meaningful stories. Throughout the conversation, Hernán also reflects on his role as an educator, his experienc

From his earliest childhood drawings to becoming an established artist and studio owner in the Canadian Rockies, Derek Turcotte has built a career defined by constant evolution and a strong sense of identity. His work merges symbolism, ancestral influences, comic art, and fantasy universes, creating a powerful visual language that moves seamlessly between painting and tattooing. In this interview, he shares the foundations of his artistic development, the collaborative spirit

Deanna James (formerly Deanna Smith) is a Texas-based fine artist and internationally recognized tattooer known for pioneering a painterly approach to tattooing that has influenced the industry today. Her work, often described as a fusion of classical oil painting and modern tattoo artistry, is celebrated for its depth, emotional resonance, and technical innovation. Raised in Texas, James developed a love for drawing and painting at a young age, gravitating toward portraiture

Master of traditional Japanese Tebori, Kensho is an artist who bridges East and West through his craft, currently working in Noord Holland (Netherlands), Long Island, New York (United States), and Saitama (Japan). Recoanized as an Honorary Lecturer of Traditional lapanese Arts by the AAA Abstract Art Academy, and an ITIC International Professor License Holder in cooperation with the European Union and UNESCO, Kensho is devoted to preserving and elevating the art of Teboriblen

Quito-Ecuador IG: @kathutattoo FACE: @kathutattoo Meet the Grand Winner of the DGN International Tattoo CompetitionWe are proud to introduce Jonathan, the Best of the Best and overall grand winner of the DGN Tattoo Magazine International Competition. Selected by an exceptional jury composed of global icons Paul Booth, Victoria Lee, Jesse Smith, and Shi Ryu, Jonathan stood out among more than 100 tattoo artists from around the world. His remarkable talent in full color realism

Bogota - Colombia @camilo.osorio.tatoos Camilo Osorio Timote (born in 1997 in Ibagué, Colombia) is an internationally acclaimed Colombian tattoo artist, celebrated for his refined mastery in neotraditional, neo-oriental, and full-color tattoo styles. With over ten years of professional experience—beginning his career in 2015—he has built a solid and respected reputation in the industry, combining technical excellence with a distinctive visual language rooted in composition, s

MIAMI - USA @ vechirka.tattoo Passionate and precise, this tattoo artist transformed her love for drawing into a career spanning over 15 years. Trained in decorative and applied arts, she went from dreaming of painting churches to creating works of art on skin. She began working in color but found in black and grey a timeless elegance that enhances form and detail. She masters various styles within this palette, with a special affinity for fine-line graphic work, which allow

Denver Colorado / USA @ Josemanrique.art From the moment art became the center of his life, José knew tattooing wasn’t just a hobby—it was his path. With a versatile style that covers both black and grey and full color, and a passion for creating bold, long-lasting pieces, he has built a solid career that’s taken him to many corners of the world. His curiosity, constant travels, and belief that there’s always something new to learn keep him moving forward—growing, sharing, an

@lewis.tattoo Studio:@gangatattoola Email: lewistattooartist@gmail.com Luis, known in the tattoo world as Lewis, is a talented artist specializing in highly detailed and emotional portraits of dogs and cats. His journey into tattooing began under the mentorship of Joaquín Ganga (Gangatattoo) in Murcia, Spain, and after years of dedication, he moved to Los Angeles to work at the prestigious Gangatattoo studio. Throughout his career, he has developed a unique ability to capture

Viacheslav Danh, known in the tattoo world as Suan, has established himself as an international reference in black and grey realism. With flawless technique and a refined artistic sensibility, he has worked with high-profile figures such as Vinicius Jr., Odell Beckham Jr., and Jake Paul—building a career that took him from Europe to Los Angeles, where he now develops much of his work. Self-taught, perfectionist, and deeply committed to his craft, Suan approaches tattooing as

Sandry Riffard, a tattoo artist from Le Puy-en-Velay, France, has revolutionized tattoo art with his unique style of macabre hyperrealism. Starting in 2012, when he first picked up a tattoo machine, Sandry has transformed his passion for drawing into a career dedicated to exploring the duality between life and death through striking skulls and surreal elements. His work blends the darkness of macabre themes with the dynamism of animation and color, creating pieces that tell d

Ramón Nieves is passionate about realism in tattooing, mastering both black and grey and color. His art has been influenced by great masters and enriched by his connection to painting and fine arts, disciplines that continue to nurture his creativity and technique. His talent and dedication have led him to stand out on the international circuit, earning multiple awards at conventions and being recognized among the top five artists in DGN Magazine’s competition—an achievement

Myke is an old-school artist, a pioneer of American traditional tattooing with over 30 years of experience. His life and career have been a source of inspiration for many in the industry. He has served as a judge in prestigious competitions worldwide, and it was an honor for us to have him as a judge in our own competition years ago. His impact extends beyond the tattoo world, gracing the covers of international magazines and being featured in numerous reports and interviews

Alexey Mashkow, a renowned tattoo artist and judge of the international competition DGN TATTOO MAG, has captivated the global tattoo community with his distinctive style and bold creativity. Born in the Moscow region, near Sergiev Posad, Mashkow's upbringing in an artistic family laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for painting. A professional tattoo artist since 2011, Mashkow has spent over a decade honing his craft and leaving his unique mark on the industry. Befor

From Las Vegas, we present Ilya Cascad: Master of Ornamental Tattooing and Optical Illusions Ilya Cascad has established himself as a leading tattoo artist specializing in the ornamental style. Known for his unique designs that combine optical illusions and three-dimensional art, he transforms the body into a living canvas. Founder of Ornamental Ink, his studio is dedicated exclusively to this style, attracting like-minded artists and building a global community through annua

We are honored to present an exclusive interview with this tattoo master. Boris, a pioneer of realistic tattooing since the ’90s, has been recognized as a contemporary artist by the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO) and has closely collaborated with leading manufacturers in the tattoo industry. His dedication to teaching and influence in the development of modern techniques have left an indelible mark on the art of tattooing. Since the ’90s, Boris has shared his know