With over twenty years in the game, Mustafa Corbaci, better known on Instagram as @elmucos, has built his career across continents, earning a reputation for refined Black & Grey Realism rooted in anatomy, emotion, and storytelling. Now based in Jacksonville, Florida, he merges technical precision with a deep sense of legacy, one he continues to share through mentorship and education.
Hi Mustafa, where are you from and where do you live at the moment?
I was born and raised in Turkey. After building my name and opening studios in Istanbul, Samsun, and Izmir, I relocated to the United States. I’m currently based in Jacksonville, Florida, working across the state and traveling for guest spots in major U.S. Cities.
I collaborate with leading studios while traveling for guest spots in cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and New York. Florida has a dynamic tattoo scene with international clients all year round, which helps me maintain a steady flow of high-end realism projects.
How long have you been in the tattoo world?
I’ve been tattooing for about two decades. I started in the late 2000s by tattooing friends in my neighborhood. Very quickly it became more than a hobby—I turned professional at age 20 and have remained fully committed ever since.
What have been the key milestones in your career, and where have they brought you today?
Founding multiple studios in Turkey was the first big milestone. Moving to the U.S. expanded my international clientele and visibility. Recently I earned awards at the 2025 Villain Arts Jacksonville Tattoo Convention (including 2nd place Overall Female and 3rd place Large Black & Grey). I’ve mentored several artists, received invitations from respected studios for guest spots, and my work has been featured across media.
These steps have brought me lasting recognition and a consistently full schedule.
Your style is Black and Grey Realism. How would you describe, more deeply, your tattoos to our readers?
I pursue organic Black & Grey Realism with fine tonal transitions, lifelike textures, and careful anatomy. I aim for a natural flow where light and shadow create depth and emotion. Technique matters, but the goal is always to capture the soul of the subject.
What do you mean by “Pen of the future” when referring to your tattoo machine?
Pen-style machines translate subtle hand movements into the skin with high precision while reducing fatigue. For realism, that control is everything—it’s like a painter’s finest brush, engineered for consistent and hygienic performance.
You define tattooing as “a legacy of humanity.” Can you explain what you mean and share your vision with our readers?
Across cultures and centuries, tattoos have carried identity, memory, and meaning. I see each piece as a permanent story that connects a person to their past and their future.
My vision is to create work with archival quality – tattoos people are proud to live with – and to pass knowledge forward through teaching and mentoring.
Do you have a background in art school?
Yes. I first studied Sculpture, then Graphic Design at university. It trained my eye for anatomy, light, composition, and negative space, all fundamentals that strengthen my realism and elevate my design decisions.
Are there particular subjects you especially love to work on, the ones that really define you?
Portraits, hands, and eyes… any subject where expression leads. I also enjoy symbolic compositions that merge human figures with nature or spiritual motifs, giving clients personal narratives rather than simple images.
Looking ahead, what are the next steps you’d like to take?
My next steps are to open my own U.S. studio, expand my guest-artist circuit, and formalize education through seminars and a structured training program for Black & Grey Realism. I’m also developing brand collaborations and exhibition projects that document my process and outcomes.
How would you like to close this chat with Tattoo Life?
Tattooing gave me a voice that crosses languages and borders. I’m grateful to share that voice with Tattoo Life’s audience and to keep contributing to our craft through art, mentorship, and collaboration.
