Mathilda Ekaterina, a truly female catharsis

This is the story of an artist who found her calling in a tattoo shop in Lyon named after a three-digit number (‘681’). Although she doesn’t tattoo – she creates works using alcohol inks…

Mathilda, I know you’re a shop manager in your hometown of Lyon at ‘681 Tattoos Shop’ but you’re also a visual artist. Add the rest…
I grew up in a small village in the French Alps, surrounded by animals from a very young age. I moved to Lyon when I was 23 after completely falling in love with the city. I have a musician father and a very creative and handy mother, so I’ve always loved making things with my hands too: drawing, embroidery, crochet, cross-stitch… I also played drums and bass guitar. More recently, I found my way back to painting through alcohol inks.

For the past eight years, I’ve been working as a manager alongside Teo Milev (IG: @teomilev) and the entire ‘681 Tattoos Shop’ team (IG: @681tattoosshop). It’s a job that requires precision and structure, the perfect balance between the artistic world and my love for organization, being thorough and taking care of everyone.

In your life, did you enjoy visiting tattoo studios or modern art museums before?
I always try to visit at least one museum in every city I travel to. I’m the kind of person who is easily amazed, and Lyon itself feels like an open-air museum. So many old buildings are adorned with statues, engravings, and intricate architectural details on their facades and doors. I liked tattoos since my teenage years, but it was when I joined ‘681 Tattoos Shop’ (IG: @681tattoosshop) that I truly educated myself about the tattoo world and its iconic figures (thanks to Teo Milev, who is a true fountain of knowledge!). I must admit I’ve attended more tattoo conventions than tattoo shops. Conventions are such powerful meeting points. Artists from all over the world gathering in one place.

It’s the best way to discover new talent and experience a wide range of styles in real life.

To describe your paintings, you use the phrase “Abstract Catharsis” which gives a good idea of what you’re doing. So, does painting those enveloping masses of color and shape make you feel better?
I started painting with alcohol inks between two long lockdowns during Covid times. It was a very dark and difficult time for me. Through abstract painting, I found a way to let go and quiet my mind. Watching the colors blend and flow across the paper has a relaxing, almost hypnotic effect. Creating something vibrant and full of color during such a dark period in my life felt deeply healing.

Did working in a tattoo studio inspire you to use ink mixed with alcohol as a technique for your paintings? Or would you have used these substances anyway?
Alcohol inks are also used in certain markers, but my approach is quite different from what my colleagues do artistically. The hardest part was allowing myself to start something creative because “imposter syndrome” can be very strong! In my job, I work alongside incredibly talented artists and regularly meet some of the best tattooers in the world.

Feeling legitimate in my own artistic expression within that environment wasn’t easy.

However, it was thanks to my colleagues that I made my first sale at ‘The Ink Factory’ (an international tattoo convention organized by our shop; IG: @theinkfactorylyon). Each year, there’s a charity auction, and that moment helped me take the leap. It was incredibly meaningful for me.

I guess seeing a great artist like Teodor Milev working at ‘681 Tattoos Shop’ inspired you to get a tattoo from him, but how was the idea for that splendid black and grey swan you now sport on your back born?
To be completely honest, it was Teo’s work (IG: @ teomilev) that gave me the concrete desire to get tattooed. I have many animals represented in my tattoos, and I imagined my back as a canvas, with a graphic/abstract dimension. I was bullied for many years at school, I truly felt like the Ugly Duckling. Now, as an adult, I’ve learned to stand up for myself. The swan symbolizes that transformation for me. I’m also a hopeless romantic, and the swan is often associated with pure love.

Does that girl on your right leg have a name?
Yes, it’s Lana Del Rey (IG: @honeymoon)! I’m deeply drawn to her retro universe, blending melancholy and romance. I’ve found echoes of my own emotions in Lana Del Rey songs at different stages of my life.

Your right arm has so far remained free of tattoos and ink. Will you leave it that way to balance the contrast, or will you one day get that tattooed too?
Yes, I think I’ll tattoo my arm as well! I’m used to getting large-scale pieces and usually dedicate an entire limb to one single artist. My right arm is one of the last major spaces I have left, along with my chest, and there are so many artists I admire… that the choice will be a difficult one! I’m giving myself some time to decide.

Do you enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching movies like we all do? Now I’ll ask you a tough question: if your art were a novel, a film, and an album, which titles would you choose?
Such a tough question! The album would be ‘The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been’ by Landmvrks (IG: @landmvrks). The title speaks for itself, and the album stayed with me throughout the whole of 2025. I read a lot, but it’s harder to find a direct parallel here – I’ll pass on that one! (laughs) Same for movies, but my favorite is ‘Titanic’ by James Cameron (which I’ve seen more than 25 times, I’m almost a bit embarrassed to admit it). At this point we can say it must have influenced me in some way!