Dorothy works alone, away from the prevailing noise, in her intimate and protected studio ‘Atelier Lune Noire’ in Aix-en-Provence — and shows us, from within that world, how much fascinating mystery still lives in tattoo art.
Dorothy, some artists are born and travel the world to find inspiration. You seem to have always done everything in your hometown of Aix-en-Provence, and that perhaps adds even more value to your work…
I did indeed grow up in the same city where my studio is now located. My parents are foreigners, and I traveled a great deal with them. Their Celtic and Nordic cultures deeply shaped me. I still love to travel, but my roots are here. I am naturally introverted and deeply attached to calm and solitude. I cherish returning to the quiet rhythm of my small studio (IG: @atelier_lune_noire) and to the hidden corners of Aix-en-Provence that I know by heart. This sense of rootedness nourishes my work just as much as my journeys do.
Would you say that certain visual artists, magazines, or a particular kind of music played a key role in leading you toward tattooing?
I grew up in a home where art was everywhere. I was constantly drawing, alone or with my parents, and as a child I imagined becoming an illustrator, perhaps even working in comics. When I discovered tattooing – an image in Vogue magazine of a dancer tattooed all the way up to his skull – it was a revelation. A true obsession. I began drawing on my own body, and I got tattooed very young, at fourteen. The rest followed naturally.
Tattooing imposed itself as an obvious path, eclipsing any other possibility. I have never imagined myself walking a different road.
It’s probably an understatement to call your tattoos “Ornamental”. In fact, you see them as “Dark Ornamental Spells”. Is that just a catchy phrase, or is there some esotericism behind your work?
My work is Ornamental in the sense that placement and the shadows created by each piece are essential. The motif is always in dialogue with the curves of the body. I see tattooing as an almost magical gesture – a way of redefining the silhouette, reshaping the body’s lines, and revealing an inner strength. It can feel like a rebirth, a reinvention, something deeply powerful. That is what I mean when I speak of “Dark Ornamental Spells”. Esotericism deeply interests me. It is not merely decorative; it forms the underlying framework through which I think about the body, transformation, and symbolism.
That part of your stage name (“Purple”) comes from the fact that in the midst of the Black-n-Grey of your tattoos you like to insert small portions/shades of colour… purple?
“Purple” was my nickname twenty years ago – I had purple hair at the time. I still have a strong affection for that color, and I enjoy occasionally slipping a subtle shade of violet into an ocean of black!
To create tattoos like yours, do you need to have lived as an artist and tried different experiences, or does it all simply come from an innate inspiration?
My designs are the synthesis of everything that moves me artistically. I have been drawing the same themes since childhood: moons, flowers, magic, skulls etc.
My line work has naturally evolved, and I hope to continue deepening these motifs.
It is not repetition, but excavation. I explore the same symbols through constantly renewed forms. I enjoy it just as much as ever, because the canvas changes – everybody brings its own variations – and that encounter makes each piece unique.
Can you describe your realm, ‘Atelier Lune Noire’ in Aix-en-Provence? It’s not exactly the typical tattoo studio you imagine, is it?
This is the fourth shop where I have worked, and the first that is entirely my own. ‘Atelier Lune Noire’ (IG: @atelier_lune_noire) is located underground, in ancient vaulted cellars. I love the feeling of being slightly outside of time, sheltered from agitation while still in the heart of the historic center of this ancient city. I dreamed of creating an intimate cocoon – a place where transformation can unfold with calm and depth.
Where do you plan to spend most of 2026 — based in Aix-en-Provence, or traveling between guest spots and tattoo conventions?
I will spend most of 2026 in my studio (IG: @atelier_lune_noire). I attend few conventions – although I truly love that energy and meeting passionate, inspiring people – and I do not do guest spots. I’m a true hermit! I choose to prioritize long stretches of focused time, rootedness, and dedication to personal projects. I am currently working on a series of illustrations inspired by the cycles of nature for a musician friend.
If your tattoos were music, what would they be? And a novel?
Music is essential in my life; it nourishes my universe and resonates deeply within me. I listen from morning to night, and some sounds strike a chord deep in me, shaping my inner world. It’s impossible to limit myself to a single album or a few names – there are too many! – but here are the bands I’ve been listening to on repeat lately: Ofdrykkja, Osi and the Jupiter, Ulver, Opeth, Heilung, In Vain, Wintersun etc.
They share a contemplative, mystical, and some dark dimension, with heavy, slow, and resonant sounds that echo in me and strongly influence my work. I also read extensively. The last novel that truly moved me was ‘The Unseen’ by Roy Jacobsen (a beloved Norwegian writer who sadly passed away in October 2025. Ed).
And your last famous words are… ?
In shadows we bloom. (Such a dramatic, yes!)
Follow ‘Atelier Lune Noir’ on Instagram: @atelier_lune_noire
