Danilo de Lucena, originally from Brazil, has been tattooing professionally since 2000, mastering styles from Oriental and Neo-Traditional to Realism and Full Color. With a career spanning 25 years, he has become an award-winning artist, respected judge at international conventions, and a strong presence in the U.S. tattoo scene. Let’s dive into his journey in the interview below.
To begin, could you introduce yourself and share a little about your journey as a tattoo artist?
My name is Danilo de Lucena, originally from Brazil, and I have been tattooing professionally since the year 2000. Over the past 25 years, I have specialized in multiple styles including Oriental, Neo-Traditional, Realism (black & grey and color), and Full Color. My journey has taken me around the world, but in recent years my career has grown strongly here in the United States. Beyond the awards I have won, I also serve as a technical judge at prestigious tattoo conventions, which highlights my role as a respected voice capable of evaluating work at the highest international level. In 2025, I proudly represented Black Ink, one of the most recognized tattoo companies in the U.S., in a total of 14 official events, further consolidating the strength and recognition of my work.
Your style is very versatile, and you work across several styles at a high level—that’s quite rare! What kind of tattoos can clients expect from you? Do you have a personal preference, or a favorite style you enjoy tattooing the most?
Clients can expect large-scale, custom, competition-level tattoos that combine technical precision with artistic creativity. While I master different styles, I have a strong passion for Oriental and Neo-Traditional, which have brought me several first-place awards in major conventions. In the U.S., I’ve been focusing on high-impact pieces that translate well both on skin and on stage during competitions.
You’ve won several awards at prestigious conventions—congratulations! How do you approach preparing designs for conventions, and what do you keep in mind during the process? Is there a particular award that means the most to you?
Thank you! Winning awards has been an important part of my career in Brazil, in Europe, and now in the United States. I have earned dozens of awards in Brazil across different styles, as well as important prizes in Europe that marked my presence on the international scene. Currently, my journey in the U.S. has further reinforced this recognition, consolidating my name among leading artists. Here in the United States, I have already won nine awards in different conventions, in categories such as Color, Large Color, Realism, Male Tattoo, and also the title of Best of the Day (1st place at the Orlando convention). Among them, the 2nd place Best of Show in Maine (2025) holds a special meaning because it highlighted my work on an international stage and marked a new phase of my career in the U.S. In addition, I had the honor of representing Black Ink in 14 U.S. events, which shows that my career is recognized not only by awards, but also by the trust of highly respected names in the tattoo world.
Do you have any special plans or upcoming projects that you’re especially excited about?
Yes, absolutely. I am currently focused on expanding my presence in the United States through major VillainArts conventions, where I participate in more than 40 events across different cities. I am also developing my private studio in Orlando, Florida, where I bring all this international experience to local clients. My recent journey representing Black Ink in 14 U.S. events in 2025 further reinforces my presence in the American tattoo market. My goal is to continue raising the standard of tattooing in the U.S. while proudly representing my country in international events, both as an award-winning artist and as a recognized judge.
