Interview with Valentina Riabova

Valentina Riabova is the featured covergirl and tattoo artist in the Jan-April issue of Models Ink Magazine. She is a tattoo artist, model, painter, sculptor and educator.

INTERVIEW:

MI- If you had the choice to tattoo anybody who would it be and why?
VR – I have to be honest no fantasies like that .

MI- Based on your portfolio your clear distinct style is color realism, why and what is your second style of preference? Which is your least favorite style to do or your weakest in your opinion?
VR – I really like blackwork/ornamental large works, the least favorite style is any bad quality tattoo:)

MI- Do you get to be selective of the clients you take on? Have you turned down a client because of their choice of tattoo or style?
VR – Yes of course. I think good artist can only become good by doing it.

MI-You are a painter, sculptor, tattooist and model; What is your favorite art medium to work on/with if you had to pick only one and why?
VR – Tattooing, painting, sculpture, psychology and even sports- everything I’m doing is interfering a lot. And makes me better in each direction. I see absolutely no point to choose anything of that. Me as a person is much more than one exact action.

MI- Do you have any hobbies that are not art related? What do you do in your free time or just for fun?
VR – Everything what I’m doing not related to art is related to erotic. And I study psychology, philosophy, medicine.

MI – Before you were a tattoo artist what did you want to do for a career growing up?
VR- I’ve always wanted to be an artist. The exact material doesn’t really matter. I ve been working as a tutor and as a designer before I started tattooing.

MI – What are the biggest setbacks or obstacles that the tattoo industry faces?
What would you change about the industry?
VR – The biggest disappointments for me are tattoo artists with low self esteem (meaning they don’t want to learn, to improve, they sell their job or promotion services too cheap to the side businesses such as inks, machines etc). I would really want to make this part of the industry raised, then it would have been nicer to compete with artists.

MI – What are your favorite things/advantages about the industry?
VR – Of course it’s customers, new friends, creative colleagues and traveling. Super great fun for that.

MI – Do you plan on traveling overseas (or have you already), to tattoo? Have you been to the U.S? Would you consider a tour?
VR – Unfortunately I can’t get an American visa for now.

MI – What are your favorite things/advantages about the industry?
VR – One of my favorite things about the industry so far is the friends and connections made through our customers, models and photographers. We met some amazing people across Europe.

MI – Do you plan on traveling overseas (or have you already), to tattoo? Have you been to the U.S? Would you consider a tour?
VR – Unfortunately I can’t get an American visa for now.

MI – How does the tattoo culture in Germany differ from the rest of Europe or from America or other continents? Do you notice a difference?
VR -Germany is a perfect place to work. But don’t say it too loud

MI – Do you have a favorite quote(s)? It can be tattoo or non-related.?
VR -We are currently working so hard to open a physical shop and tattoo studio in the south of England. We have sponsored artists that are going to work with us such as BloodGodUK (Jason Denton). Also we will be bringing out lots more products and march in the upcoming months.

MI – Do you have a favourite quote(s)? It can be tattoo or non-related?
VR -“If you are there, be the best”. I’m a lot about competing:)