The future cover artist for the Italian Tattoo Yearbook talks about the evolution of her Fine-Line art straight from her studio, ‘Five Leaves Tattoo’ in Salerno.
Hi Diletta, what went through your mind when you found out you’d be creating the cover of the Italian Tattoo Yearbook (coming out in a few months)?
It was obviously a great pleasure; collaborating on projects like this is always a great honor.
Have you already thought about what you’ll portray on this as-yet-unreleased cover?
I actually had several ideas in mind, but in the end I chose to combine various elements that are representative of my work and also a little bit of my life. I don’t want to reveal the details, but I will tell you that the cover I’m working on is a color other than black.
How do you think your Black-n-Grey Fine-Line style has evolved in recent years? For a tattoo artist, standing still is almost detrimental, so tell me about your progress…
I think standing still is almost impossible. Over time, you always feel the need to evolve, however small the change may be. Change always comes from studying what you’re doing in an attempt to improve the shapes, the composition, or, more simply, the visual impact of a given subject.
Sometimes you realize that very little is enough, other times you need to completely overhaul that image.
Your women have something sensual (and sometimes erotic…) that takes us back in time. They are truly 100% feminine figures who aren’t afraid to show their sexuality. What do you think?
Female figures are, in my opinion, the most beautiful subject of all. My depiction of them, sometimes in a very sensual manner, is a way of elevating the beauty of women in all their aspects to the highest degree.
Do you often have carte blanche from the client, who is initially fascinated by your creations, or do you always prefer to let the idea originate with them, then synthesize and refine it?
Actually, I experience both: some clients give you carte blanche on everything, allowing you to be more daring with the composition or subject matter. Others give you a little more direction, and it often happens that they come up with a brilliant idea you hadn’t even thought of.
Can you tell me about ‘Five Leaves Tattoo’ in Salerno (IG: @fiveleavestattoo), which recently celebrated its third anniversary? How did it feel to return to work in your hometown after years at the ‘Wildink Tattoo Crew’ in Naples?
I’ve changed studios a few times and had a great time wherever I worked. Returning to my hometown and opening my own studio (IG: @fiveleavestattoo) – I won’t lie about this… – was stressful and rewarding at the same time.
It’s difficult, of course, to run a studio but it’s also incredibly beautiful to have a space of your own to call home.
If your tattoos were music, cinema, and literature, respectively, which titles or authors would you focus on?
I don’t think I can pinpoint my work to specific titles or authors, but I’ll tell you that, in recent years, my work has been heavily influenced by the ‘70s and ‘80s in terms of cinema, fashion, and music, while until a few years ago I was more inspired by the ‘40s and ‘50s of the last century.
Do you have any plans for this summer — guest spots or conventions?
I don’t have anything planned for this summer, but I’m just organizing my calendar for the fall. I have a couple of conventions in mind, including Catania (IG: @cataniatattooconvention.it) for sure, and I’m planning guest spots around Europe. I think I’ll publish all the dates by the end of the summer (IG: @diletta_lembo).
