Meet Nany, a talented tattoo artist based in Canada, originally from Ukraine. Featured in our March issue, Nany shares her unique journey, artistic vision, and insights into the world of tattooing. Dive into her story and discover what makes her work truly stand out.
Can you please start by introducing yourself and sharing your journey as a tattoo artist?
Hello, hello! I am Nany, and I am a tattoo artist from Ukraine. I have been tattooing for 9 years.
Was I an apprentice?
50/50. First I took a tattoo course, which took 1,5 months. Afterwards, I went back home to Donbas to practice and get a portfolio. In 2 months I was back to the tattoo shop in Dnipro and got a lot of help from my teacher and from all the artists who surrounded me.
However, for 2 years, I combined tattooing and studying Chinese philology , which wasn’t so easy. But I am glad that I started tattooing when I was 19. My first guest spot was in Germany right when vivid happened. After that I worked in the Netherlands and Poland.
In 2022 I moved to Canada and had a chance to visit tattoo conventions in Paris and Peru.
Your portfolio showcases stunning realism in both color and black and gray. Is there a particular style you’d like to tattoo more or explore in the future?
I really enjoy both black/grey and colour realism,I would love to mix it more with a solid black background. It helps with cover-ups, and through the years, it looks very clean. And I am excited to learn more about colour realism portraits.
What differences have you noticed between tattoo studios and clients in Canada compared to those in Europe?
I really enjoy working with projects in Canada. Clients come for something special that no one else has. It can be challenging sometimes, but there is so much meaning behind every design and in every small detail. Customers are looking for an artist with their own individual style. However in Europe, not everyone was open to unique ideas and experiments.
What do you enjoy most about being a tattoo artist, and what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your work?
I enjoy being able to draw every day. Also, it has opened doors for me to travel and work at the same time and meet new friends all over the world. But the hardest part is that it’s your own business, and no one will help you find customers. You need to be a content creator, psychologist, photographer, and so on at the same time. You need to be flexible.
How do you balance meeting client demands while staying true to your artistic vision?
I feel so lucky because over the last year, I have heard from my customers, “I love your style and trust your vision.” That’s why I also prefer to meet with every client for a consultation before booking an appointment “to feel the vibe”.
Do you have a favorite or particularly memorable project that you’ve worked on?
I think I have my top 10, but every project has a big story behind it.
Are there any exciting plans or collaborations you’re looking forward to in 2025?
Vancouver and Edmonton tattoo conventions for 2025. Also I am very excited to participate in the Milano and New York tattoo conventions in the near future.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time to recharge and stay inspired?
This is a very good question. You know, life is already the biggest inspiration. I think traveling to new places is important. Hikes in nature help me stay grounded. Snowboarding, longboarding, dancing with fire and all other things that make me happy.
