Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivana Belakova.
Hi Ivana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in tiny village called Kostolne – it has around 200 people and it’s in the middle of nowhere. You need a car to access everything. I grew up surrounded by nature playing soccer every day, playing and dreaming big.
I also grew up in communism which was very interesting era for me 🙂
We had to order groceries one week ahead and only one bread per family, one bottle of milk, etc.
Everything was very controlled; we couldn’t travel overseas expect Russia and Croatia upon special written permits from the government.
When I was nine years old, communism finished and Slovakia went through political changes.
When I finished college; I moved to little town called Trencin where I start to tattoo. I am not sure what year exactly it was I think 1999 or 2000
After one year, I left overseas to Australia/ Sydney where I lived for few years.
From there, I started to travel all around the world – I lived in many countries like New Zealand 2007-2008; Cayman Islands 2008-2010, UK, France, USA – where I decided to move. It was year 2011.
Until today I live and work in Long Beach, California where I have established my own studio IVANA TATTOO ART.
Besides tattooing, I have my own Clothing brand – LUXURY TATTOO BRAND called ITA LOS ANGELES; also based in Long Beach, California.
I always knew and felt as an artist and I knew I was special. I cannot really describe this; it’s inner feeling some sort of. I felt so connected, fearless, my imagination was off the roof and I had big dreams. I always felt that I am success.
And I wanted to be a businessman (I didn’t know what these words even mean that time)
In school as seven years old, I was already trading and selling chewing gums to earn money.
Just like any kid, I wanted to be a singer and actor – basically, I always saw myself as an artist some sort of. I never pictured myself any other way. And funny that I saw myself living in Los Angeles to be exact and that happened 30 years later.
I was very vivid child and also very creative and athletic.
Later in life tattooing came to me and the first time I touched skin with a needle I knew right there and then that’s exactly what I am going to do!
I start to tattoo my brother and friends… without gloves or any professional equipment. My friend got me tattoo machine from Canada- I found out after some time that it wasn’t really tattoo machine (It was machine for permanent cosmetics) but I could do small ornamental tattoos with it.
I didn’t even know how to put it together – needle and tube.
I learned the hard way and it took me longer to figure out things but I am very grateful for it as I didn’t have any rules how to tattoo; what to do first what not… how to apply colors…
In this sense, it was perfect; I am pretty sure that’s what made me to develop my own unique style.
In 2007, I left to travel all around the world as I wanted to see other cultures and their heritage (New Zealand, Polynesia, Micronesia, Asia, etc.). This again widens up my knowledge and passion.
Traveling in my opinion is very important!
Until today… after all these years… I am still learning!!
The fact that I am the only woman in the world whose tattoo art is certified as contemporary fine art in Macro Museo in Rome and winning 1st place with my work all over the world in many different styles! (Prague, Sydney, New Zealand, Taiwan, Shanghai, New York, Canada, USA, France..); my exhibition of ITA limited edition prints in Shanghai…
Best large and small color, best leg, best black and grey, best sleeve, best of day, best small tattoo, best original, the most unique, avant-garde, best animal, best flower, etc. – list goes on!
Learning different languages. Few years back, I could speak six different ones.
Moving all across the globe and living in different countries.
I am proud to announce that in October 2020 my ITA (IVANA TATTOO ART) luxury lifestyle brand introduced its first branch ITA ALLURE (@itaallure) – Modern Permanent Cosmetics and more.
I am excited and looking forward unveiling my next branch ITA ACADEMY early next year.
My lifestyle brand will have many branches which will be introduced throughout next year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I take risks in life constantly. Always with moving around to the new country or city where I don’t know anybody. I had also many obstacles in my life – especially when I start tattooing or when I moved to a different continent not speaking the language and not to have any money; not knowing anybody.
Obstacles… I cannot really remember… after some time, I tend to forget hardships. Always when I look back, I have completely different perception of things and focusing on what good happened.
Let’s not forget – tattooing can be very ‘male-dominated’ industry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
TRAILBLAZING / NOTABLE WORLDWIDE SEMINARS – India, Jan 2019
Ivana Tattoo Art hosted the FIRST and ONLY WOMAN taught seminar/workshop -Colombia March 2019
Ivana Tattoo Art hosted the FIRST and ONLY WOMAN taught seminar/workshop
CLOTHING DESIGNER 2017
Ivana Tattoo Art created ITA LOS ANGELES a Luxury Tattoo Brand designed to reflect an elevated lifestyle. Her goal is to collaborate with high fashion designers to display her art on their clothing and branded items.
I call my style Contemporary “Funky Color” Tattoos.
My tattoos are positive, playful, beautiful, sometimes mischievous and always fun. My style is innovative, sophisticated, and eclectic; a contemporary mixture of multiple genres combining funky, bright colors and abstract elements with street style. My trademark style is instantly recognizable and has garnered fans and admirers worldwide. My distinct and unique signature is always present.
On NOVEMBER 17, 2018 – The MACRO Museum in Rome announced the recognition of Ivana Belakova’s Tattoo art as Contemporary Fine Art. A stringent evaluation of the world’s contemporary tattoo artists was conducted by fine art critics and Ivana Belakova aka IVANA TATTOO ART became the FIRST and ONLY WOMEN in the world to be recognized as a Contemporary artist for her funky color and illustrative street style of tattooing.
Her tattoos are now considered contemporary fine art and are listed in the museum’s catalog.
What sets me apart is my contemporary unique, original and highly recognizable style in tattoo industry.
I am a trendsetter. IVANA TATTOO ART is a brand. I am a celebrity tattoo artist.
My biggest achievements are 1st places all over the world in tattooing in many different categories and styles! (NYC, LA, Sydney, New Zealand, Shanghai, Singapore, Praque, Canada, UK, Paris, Taiwan… list goes on)
I am the only female in the world who’s certified as contemporary fine art tattoo artist by the Museum of Arts in Rome, Italy.
I am also a teacher – I am teaching tattooing techniques and color and spiritual classes – positive mindset, lifestyle and manifestation.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was very vivid child! I used to play soccer every day; I was very much boy. I used to have my own ‘group’ where I was a leader. Very dominating type of kid. Super smart and entertaining. Until today everybody knows me from my village and towns around.
Later in life tattooing came to me and the first time I touched skin with a needle I knew right there and then that’s exactly what I am going to do!
Pricing:
- Session start from $3000 up
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://ivanatattooart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivanatattooart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivanatattooart
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvanaTattooArt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVBBHNIxheDodn0-T9cd_Sw
Image Credits:
IVANA TATTOO ART
