IN THIS FORMAT WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A TATTOO SHOP PRESENT IN THE “TATTOO ARTISTS YEARBOOKS”, A HANDY GUIDE TO THE TATTOO SHOPS IN EUROPE.
Alice comes from music scenes like hip hop, hardcore and metal, but it’s since she moved to Berlin about ten years ago that she’s been making her way with her sweet Illustrative/NeoTrad tattoos.
Alice, can you tell me about the highlights of your career? How many years have you been tattooing professionally? When did you realize you could make it in this profession?
I’ve been tattooing professionally probably about 12 years now, before that I had my rough 3 year apprenticeship, the – what nowadays some would call – “old school way”. There wasn’t a particular moment where I realized I could make it, it was all in and nothing else from the beginning.
At that time I was studying Communication and PR, with a BA in Advertising and I remember thinking the whole time about how I didn’t want to work in that industry (as exciting as I still find it to be) and that I could never settle for a 9 to 5. So I basically took the 24/7 route instead, with no regrets I might add. Never thought about highlights, two turning points might have been moving to Berlin in 2015 and then later on opening my own shop (IG: @thegrind.tattoo) here, in 2023.
You’ve defined your style as ‘Illustrative/NeoTraditional’. But going into more detail, what do you think your tattoos do for those who wear them?
I never fit in, never found my box, so out of that emerged the Illustration (because that’s what I‘ve learned) – NeoTrad (because that’s what I love) style I suppose. I have a hard time defining what I do myself, that definition was given by others and to be honest, I think it’s what I have always subconsciously aimed at. People saying they recognize me in my work is the highest compliment and I’m always humbled by that. When I think about tattooing and what it does to one, two people always come in mind, Filip Leu and Duncan X.
What is your idea about the concept of tattoo?
I think tattooing is a paradox. You leave a mark on a person’s skin, you become memorable. It’s an immense honor having someone choose you and wear a piece of your art. But at the same time, I believe one should not take oneself too seriously. As memorable as you think you are, nothing is forever, especially not nowadays, and some things should just be there to make you smile.
I hope my tattoos give people a reason to smile.
I think your tattoos also have a good dose of sweetness and positivity. You’re not the typical tattoo artist who pursues dark and anguished atmospheres – quite the opposite. What do you think?
Thank you! We all have a darkness lingering inside. I know I definitely do, but I don’t feel the need to put that on the outside also, to give it a visual form of expression. I’d rather give everything a positive twist and have people smile when they look at a piece I’ve done. You adorn yourself with tattoos, they might as well be fun.
Have you had any mentors or role models in your life? Who are the artists you respect, even outside of tattoo art?
I’ve learned a lot from everyone I’ve worked with, good and bad. One of the most important lessons probably was: not to let your ego prevail. As for tattoo artists that made a difference in my path, I would say Stara Broda (IG: @starabroda currently working at Eisenherz, Magdeburg/Germany), Danne Tatowierer (IG: @danne.tatowierer Fürth, Germany) and Julian Hets (IG: @julian_hets Tigerstyle Tattooing, Hamburg Germany). Outside of tattooing, the one artist that I deeply respect and always look up to is New York City’s finest Chris RWK (IG: @chrisrwk). “RWK” stands for Robots Will Kill.
Am I wrong, or are you just as passionate about music as you are about tattoo art? I’ve found several of your playlists on Spotify and Instagram. Would you like to be a DJ as well as a tattoo artist?
Music is indeed my first love, it’s always been there. I studied piano as a child. One of my funniest memories would be from the final audition/exam, slamming the trap of the piano on my teacher’s hands. For months she had been correcting the posture of my fingers with a ruler, so I paid that back.
Feisty from day 1, I guess. Safe to say I never played the piano ever since. Later on, I got into hip hop when I was about 13-14 and from there into hardcore and metal. I can’t imagine life without music. DJing is not on my bucket list. I recently got back into concert photography after 15 years. Yet another way of visual expression, besides tattooing.
What’s the latest music album you really liked?
Raw Brigade – ‘100%’. They are a straight edge hardcore band (IG: @rawbrigade) from Bogotá, Colombia and the latest release from 2025, called ‘100%’ is pure, raw energy. I think we definitely need more of that.
Can you describe your little private, artistic world called ‘The Grind Tattoo Atelier’ in Berlin?
I get caught up in details and everything I do is intentional. Poured my heart and soul into a space (IG: @thegrind.tattoo) I spend more time than home. People come in and say “This place is 100% you” and I think that’s wonderful. I’ve always worked in street shops and at a certain point in life, I needed some peace and quiet. But at the same time I didn’t want it to be a private shop so tried to find a middle way.
I don’t want to hide behind closed doors. Come by whenever you are in Berlin.
Last question – Does tattooing in Kreuzberg have a completely different allure than the rest of the world? Or is the world becoming a bit more alike?
It’s a matter of perspective. If you compare tattooing in Berlin, Kreuzberg to tattooing in a small town, pretty much anywhere, it might definitely have a different allure. If you compare it to Amsterdam, London or New York, it’s pretty much the same. All “big city good rats” go through the same struggles.
Follow ‘The Grind Tattoo Atelier’ on Instagram: @thegrind.tattoo
PUBLISHED IN GERMAN, ITALIAN, FRENCH, ENGLISH AND SPANISH EDITIONS. EVERY YEAR EACH VOLUME SHOWS HUNDREDS OF TATTOO IMAGES AND PRESENTS THE TATTOO SHOPS IN EACH COUNTRY WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.
