This tattoo artist, trained in fine arts, works in her private studio with a curious name (‘Pineapple Tattoo Maribor’) and carries on her research in colour, almost never failing to include women’s faces and cute animals in her creations.
Ina, my first question isn’t how you got started in this profession, but when you finally realized that yours wasn’t just a passing dream, but a lifestyle. Was there a specific moment when you became aware of this?
It was definitely always a big dream to have this kind of lifestyle. But I’d say it really started feeling it around 2024. In 2025 I slowly started realizing it all, although honestly, things have been happening so fast that I still feel like the “this is my life now” is slowly on its way… (smiles)
Your work brings together Surrealism and Colour Realism, often blending in abstract or graphic elements — and running through it all are women’s faces and a genuine tenderness toward the animal world. Where does all this come from?
I feel like portraits have always followed me in a way. Ever since childhood, and later through my education as well, that’s what attracted me the most. But at the same time, I don’t really like putting myself into just one box.
I’m interested in so many different things, and I think that definitely shows in my tattoos and overall style.
Do you spend more time studying the subject you’re going to tattoo or studying the color?
Since I’m originally educated as an art professor, I’m naturally really interested in the whole background behind things. I absolutely love researching and writing about the theory behind it all, so I’d say I’m constantly studying the entire design process and all of its elements.
Living in Slovenia and having visited the Trieste tattoo convention, have you been influenced by Italian tattoo art? For example, I know you’re a big fan of the work of Carolina Caos Avalle (IG: @carolinacaosavalle) and Stefano Galati (IG: @stefanogalati_)…
In the past I’ve attended quite a few tattoo conventions in Italy, and I’m planning even more in the future. Honestly, Italian art history attracted me long before that – already during my studies, and even before. And yes, exactly – besides Natasha Animal (IG: @animal_tattooer), Sandra Daukshta (IG: @sandradaukshtatattoo) and Rich Harris (IG: @harristattooart), both Carolina (IG: @carolinacaosavalle) and Stefano (IG: @stefanogalati_) are definitely some of the artists I look to the most for inspiration.
Would you like to tell us about your tattoo studio in Maribor, aptly named ‘Pineapple Tattoo Maribor’ (IG: @ina_pineapple_tattoo)? I know you opened it at a difficult time for the global community (January 2020, on the eve of the pandemic), but it’s already entered its sixth year of existence…
Yeah, only three months after opening my private studio (IG: @ina_pineapple_tattoo), I had to temporarily close it because of the pandemic. And of course, it happened a few more times after that as well. It was definitely a really challenging period, but I still tried to use that time to invest into theoretical knowledge, studying, and researching.
Tattoo conventions are a key part of your career, if only because of the many tattoo awards you’ve won over the years. What kind of summer and fall 2026 do you expect in terms of participation in these events?
What I really love about this lifestyle is the variety you can create for yourself. I honestly have to say I absolutely enjoy tattoo conventions, because they break the routine and make life more dynamic and exciting.
Honestly, I can’t wait for the next convention and everything else that’s still coming this year.
The only problem is that I can’t attend all the ones I’d love to go to – I kind of have to narrow it down a little, otherwise I’d literally be traveling all the time! (laughs) In 2026 I still have around 5 tattoo conventions planned (one of them being ‘Lugano Tattoo Royale’), so there’s definitely still a very exciting and busy end of the year ahead of me.
And your last famous words are… ?
“You will never be good enough”. In the best possible way! (laughs) There’s always room to improve, grow, and learn something new.
