Jardel Canto Colorado Springs / Colorado / USA @jardeltattoo
Jardel Da Silva Canto has built his tattooing career through years of dedication, study, and an enduring connection to art. After discovering tattooing at a young age, he gradually developed his own approach to color realism and hyperrealism, combining strong colors, depth, contrast, and a deep understanding of light and composition. With more than 70 awards, extensive experience at conventions across the United States, and a growing role as an educator, Jardel has turned years of experience into a career that extends beyond tattooing itself. His workshops reflect the same philosophy that has guided his artistic journey: sharing knowledge, embracing mistakes, and never considering the learning process finished. In this interview, Jardel reflects on his beginnings, the artists and disciplines that influenced his vision, his experiences in conventions and teaching, the role of his family, and the ambitions that continue to shape his path as an artist.
What were your first years in the tattoo world like? What memories or experiences come to mind?
My first years in tattooing were marked mainly by curiosity, difficulty, and a strong desire to learn. I had my first contact with tattooing when I was still very young, around the age of 13, at a time when access to information was completely different from what we have today. There were not as many courses, videos, or references available, so a lot was learned by observing, trying, making mistakes, and trying again. I had already been drawing since I was a child, around the age of 10, and I always had a very strong connection with art. When I discovered tattooing, I realized I could take what I was doing on paper and bring it onto the skin. One of the things I remember most is that almost obsessive desire to improve. I never saw tattooing as just a profession. From the beginning, for me, it was a way to build a life through art.
How did the process of developing your style happen? In what areas would you like to be more experimental in the future?
My style was built over many years. I went through different phases and influences until I understood that Realism was the path where I could express myself best. Over time, I became especially focused on color realism and hyperrealism, studying light, shadow, contrast, composition, color theory, and texture in depth. Today, I really enjoy creating work with strong visual impact, depth, and powerful colors, while still maintaining clarity and harmony in the piece. In the future, I would like to experiment even more with combining realism with freer and more artistic elements. I do not want to be limited by a formula. I believe an artist should continue challenging themselves and always look for something they have not yet mastered.
Did you have any previous artistic experience? How would you describe your
development as an artist?
Yes. Drawing came before tattooing. Since childhood, I drew a lot and was strongly influenced by comic books, illustration, and painting. Later, I began studying great masters of art, especially artists like Caravaggio, because of the way he worked with light, shadow, and dramatic atmosphere. My development as an artist never happened overnight. It was built through many years of study and practice. Even after I started receiving recognition and winning awards, I continued to see myself as a student. I believe that mindset is extremely important. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is still to discover.
What experiences would you highlight from your participation in conventions?
Conventions have played a huge role in my career. They gave me the opportunity to meet incredible artists, work in front of other professionals, exchange knowledge, and, most importantly, test my own limits. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of winning more than 70 awards, many of them at tattoo conventions across the United States, participating in events in different states and cities. I have also had the honor of serving as a judge, which I consider an important form of recognition in my journey. But beyond the trophies, what I value most are the people I met and the experiences I had. Conventions such as Elmira, Richmond, Knoxville, Pasadena, and others have all been part of building my professional story. You meet artists from different countries, styles, and generations, and you always go home knowing a little more than you did when you arrived.
What are your workshops like? What motivated you to start teaching them?
My workshops are very focused on showing not only what I do, but especially why I do it that way. I try to share my entire color realism process, from choosing the reference and preparing the design to composition, application, saturation, contrast, color mixing, and finishing. What motivated me to start teaching was realizing that many things that took me years to understand could help other artists shorten that learning process. I do not believe in hiding knowledge. I also make a point of showing mistakes, because I believe that teaching only the perfect side of the process creates an unrealistic view of the profession. I want people who attend one of my workshops to leave understanding the reasoning behind the work, not simply trying to copy a technique.
What role does your family play in your daily life and in your profession?
My family is my foundation and plays a fundamental role in everything I do. My children are among my
greatest motivations, and many of the decisions I make in my professional life are connected to my desire
to build something solid for them and to be an example of dedication and perseverance. Among them, Samuel has a very special place in this story because he is the youngest and also because he is autistic. Living with him has taught me to see many things differently, with more sensitivity, patience, and attention to detail. He is one of the biggest reasons why I continue trying to grow, not only as an artist, but also as a person. A tattoo artist’s career often requires long hours of work, travel, conventions, study, and many sacrifices that people do not always see when they only look at the final result. That is why having my family by my side makes all the difference. Today, success for me does not mean only winning awards or receiving recognition. It means being able to provide a better life for my children, being present in their lives, and building something they can be proud of in the future. My family constantly reminds me that before the artist, there is a father and a human being behind all of this.
Was there any artist who served as a major influence or mentor for you?
I have had many influences throughout my life. Even before tattooing, I was strongly influenced by comic books and painting. Caravaggio has always been a major reference for me because of the way he worked with light and shadow. Within tattooing, artists such as Nikko Hurtado had a major influence on me, especially when I began studying color realism more seriously. Seeing the level that some artists were able to achieve on skin completely changed my perception of what was possible through tattooing. But I also believe that we can learn from everyone. Over the years, I have met great artists at conventions, studios, and during my travels, and every exchange has added something to my development.
What are your plans for the future? Do you have any special participation, trip, or
convention scheduled?
My main plan is to continue evolving. I still have the same desire to learn that I had in the beginning, maybe even more. I want to continue participating in international conventions, teaching workshops, traveling, meeting new artists, and taking my work to different places. I also want to strengthen my presence between the United States and Brazil. I have projects and trips planned, including work in Brazil, and I intend to continue developing my color realism seminars. For me, the future is not simply about doing more tattoos. I want to build a legacy within art and be able to share the knowledge I have gained throughout all these years.
If someone is interested in your work, how can they get in touch with you?
Today, the easiest way is through my social media, especially Instagram, where I share my work, projects, travels, conventions, booking availability, and information about workshops. People can also contact me directly through the studios where I am working or during my guest spots. I always try to announce in advance the cities and dates where I will be available.
Would you like to leave any special message?
I would say: never allow the place you came from to determine how far you can go. My journey was built little by little, through many years of work, mistakes, sacrifices, study, and persistence. Many times, I did not have all the tools or opportunities, but I always had the desire to keep going. I am extremely grateful to God, to my family, to the people who believed in my work, to the clients who trusted me, and to every artist who, in some way, became part of this journey. After so many years, awards, travels, and experiences, I still look at tattooing with the same feeling that I have so much more to learn. Maybe that is one of the most important things art has taught me: there is no finish line. As long as there is a desire to learn, there is still room to grow.
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