Today we’d like to introduce you to George Kalodimas.
Hi George, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Sparta and raised in Athens. I started drawing before I could even write—it was always my first language. In high school, I got into graffiti and sketching obsessively. I later studied 3D animation, hoping to find a creative path, but it didn’t quite click. So I ended up working as a graphic designer for a supermarket chain. It paid the bills, but every night I went back to sketching—nonstop.
Around 2003, I picked up a cheap amateur tattoo machine and started experimenting. In 2005, I became an apprentice to Sake, one of the pioneers of Greek tattooing. A few years later, I became one of the founding members of the Sake Tattoo Crew, which eventually became the biggest shop in Greece.
By 2010, I was fully immersed in geometric tattooing—long before it became popular. In 2013, I made a promise to myself: to create one mandala artwork per day for six straight months—184 days without missing a beat. That intense creative ritual became the Solstice Mandala book, which sold out quickly and introduced my work to a wider global audience.
After that, everything moved fast—guest spots and conventions all over the U.S. and Europe, and unforgettable trips to Nepal for the Kathmandu Tattoo Expo. In 2020, I made the decision to move to New York full-time. In 2023, I opened As Above—my own private studio and creative atelier.
Today, I split my time between two places that mean everything to me:
— Monolith Studio in Brooklyn, where I’m part of an incredibly talented team
— And As Above, my personal art space on Long Island, where I tattoo, paint, and create in full solitude.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road—but I see the challenges as part of the process.
In the beginning, tattooing wasn’t a big thing in Greece, and when I chose to fully focus on mandala work, that style barely existed. I had to trust my instinct and stay committed to what felt right, even when it wasn’t easy to explain or sell.
I’ve always done everything myself—designing, tattooing, replying to emails, editing my own videos, building my website, publishing books. I taught myself everything online, step by step, with no team behind me. That taught me patience, discipline, and self-reliance.
Moving to the U.S. during the pandemic was also a big leap—new country, new system, new start. But I’ve always believed that if you stay consistent, open, and curious, things align over time.
The struggles never really go away, but they evolve. Now I see them as fuel. They push me to grow, to stay sharp, and to keep building the life and work I believe in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist, but I see what I do as something deeper—it’s a form of ritual, meditation, and connection. My work is rooted in sacred geometry, with a strong focus on mandalas. Over the years, I’ve become known for large-scale, detailed blackwork that blends structure, flow, and spiritual symbolism.
I specialize in custom geometric designs, with a heavy focus on organic mandalas and skulls—all drawn by hand. So far, I’ve created over 5,000 unique mandalas and more than 1,000 hand-drawn skulls. Each piece is designed with intention, shaped to the individual client, and made to last both visually and spiritually.
What sets me apart is the consistency and the level of focus I bring into my process. I’ve dedicated years to refining this visual language—studying form, balance, and pattern through daily repetition. I also handle every part of my work personally, from designing and tattooing to editing my videos and producing my books and prints.
My love for photography and filmmaking has also played a big role in how I present my work. I’ve built a recognizable aesthetic on Instagram that reflects my art and lifestyle—minimal, intentional, and always evolving.
Any big plans?
Right now, I’m in a phase of refinement and expansion. After two decades of tattooing, my focus is on going deeper—not just bigger. I want to continue pushing my tattoo work to new levels of precision and intention, while also giving more time to my other creative passions like painting, filmmaking, and design.
I recently transformed my space in Saint James into a private studio and creative atelier—As Above—where I can work in solitude, film content, and develop long-term projects. I’m also proud to be part of the Monolith Studio team in Brooklyn, where I spend most of my week surrounded by amazing artists. The balance between those two spaces keeps me inspired.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with linocut printing—bringing my designs into a fully handmade format, one print at a time. It’s physical, raw, and deeply satisfying. This hands-on process has been a refreshing contrast to digital work and adds another layer to how I share my art.
In the near future, I’m working on new art prints, a special limited-edition reprint of my Solstice Mandala book, and two new books—one focused on skulls, and another reflecting on my ten years in New York. I’m also slowly building a YouTube channel that captures the behind-the-scenes of my process, not just the final results.
Long-term, I just want to keep evolving. To protect my energy. To stay obsessed with the work. And to keep creating things that feel timeless.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kalodimas
