Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Shakuto.
Alex, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am an immigrant from Russia. I always wanted to live in a free country like America and my dream came true last year. In Russia, I used to have my own small tattoo shop, but I lived in a small town and couldn’t get a lot of clients who wanted to get tattooed big rad pieces like I do now. I’ve started to tattoo 3 years ago and my brother Miha Sakuto was the great inspiration for me.
While me and my wife Lena was traveling in Germany, where he lives now, he did a couple rad color tattoos for me and for her. Since that time tattoos have become my passion, I always love to draw and choose black tattoos for my way in the tattoo world. But I always felt that I need more improvement and development, I need to go forward and feel more inspired, so I decided to leave Russia.
When me and my family came to California, everything has changed. One week after our airplane has landed at LAX I’ve already found a great job at Lion’s Den Tattoo SD, I even didn’t know English well, but my work’s level made the owner of the shop (his name is Mike) hire me. I appreciate it and respect Mike for this great possibility.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I love to do black tattoos. I feel free in such styles and techniques as ornamental, mandala, dotwork, whip shading and lettering. Floral pieces, skulls and skeletons, different patterns and mandalas – that I love to create on people’s skin. Tattoos for me isn’t just about money. It’s my lifestyle, it’s my religion, my passion.
I don’t copy another artist and don’t like when my clients ask to tattoo something general, like from 1st search page on Google, I always offer something original and my clients really love it. I love to do large pieces like sleeves, draw sketches and combine patterns, creating something absolutely original and individual.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I think my art is out of national and international events. We have too much bad news every day and I’m glad if my art will make people happier, inspired and open-minded.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my works at our tattoo shop – Lion’s Den Tattoo and on my Instagram @alex_shakuto. By the way, I’m also creating graphic prints for street and sport wear brands. Now I collaborate with Iron Rising Apparel, located in San Diego (@ironrisingapparel).
Contact Info:
- Address: 7628 Broadway Lemon Grove San Diego, CA
- Phone: 6195149756
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_shakuto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aleksandr.sakuto
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