Interview With Tuğçe Soylu – Horror Portraits And Beyond

Tuğçe Soylu is a horror aficionado tattoo artist from Izmir, Turkey.

In her monster portraits, she works carefully crafted textures into creepy appearances, creating awe-inspiring beastly faces.

Besides her tattoo studio Rivateus, Tuğçe also runs a YouTube channel where she shares process videos and tips.

Join us for our talk about tattoo, art, and the various aspects of the nowadays business of running a shop.

When did you begin tattooing and how did tattooing become a part of your life? 

I’ve always felt a strong connection to different sub-cultures, be it in music or art.

The challenges of being a craftswoman in a male-dominated industry caught my interest.

With a fine arts education background, I naturally found my way to tattooing, starting my journey in 2016.

The result of my dedication and passion led to the creation of Rivateus Tattoo Studio in 2021, right after the pandemic. 

What are your biggest artistic inspirations? 

Creatures of Turkic Mythology, observing the nature & society, even something simple that can happen in everyday life makes me express myself visually. 

In art mediums, Remedios Varo, Francisco Goya, HR Giger, Kathe Kollwitz, Leonora Carrington are some of the names that come to my mind. 

Do you have a favorite type of work? 

I’m passionate about Surrealism and Horror Portraiture, and I love exploring the world of color realism and abstract art in my work. 

How do you feel about managing all the different aspects of being a professional tattoo artist? 

The day-to-day life of a tattoo artist in today’s world is very demanding, as it requires juggling various professions together.

Nowadays It’s more than just creating art; it involves managing social media accounts, generating content for a broader audience, and simultaneously playing the roles of a photographer and videographer in the creative process.

For solo artists, this workload often stretches to around 6-10 hours a day.

I count myself lucky to have my husband supporting me; he takes care of the business side of things, enabling me to focus solely on my art. 

How does social media affect your work? 

Navigating social media, particularly Instagram, is a mix of blessing and a curse, it undergoes rapid and unpredictable changes.

It’s tough to keep up and nowadays, the average tattoo artist might struggle to gain visibility on Instagram.

Personally, I’ve discovered fulfillment and success in sharing my knowledge through my YouTube channel, which has become my primary focus.

I believe in the importance of fostering small communities rather than constantly racing for reach on social media. Building meaningful connections is where the true value lies. 

What do you still want to achieve in tattooing? 

On my journey of mastering the surrealism beast in tattoo artistry, there’s still a considerable distance ahead of me.

My ultimate aspiration is to become a globally recognized artist in my unique style. 

As I plan to attend conventions, my focus isn’t solely on winning awards (although that would be a delightful bonus), but rather on connecting with curious minds. I’m eager to meet fellow artists who share my passion and make lasting friendships. 

Looking ahead, my vision includes establishing an online school for aspiring artists, particularly those in developing countries.

I’ve observed a certain gatekeeping of knowledge, especially in areas like color realism, and I aim to break down those barriers.

I genuinely believe that if someone has the hunger for knowledge to enhance their skills, they should find that information freely. 

Do you have any tips for those just starting out in the world of tattooing? 

In this craft, perfection comes through practice, what folks label as “skill” is essentially the result of dedicated practice.

It’s crucial to critically assess your work and master the art of thorough research to fill in the gaps in your knowledge.

Tattooing is an ancient profession with numerous layers, so it’s essential to take measured steps in the direction that suits you best, one step at a time toward your chosen path of growth. 

What message would you like to send to your future clients? 

Artistic Freedom! It’s incredibly important for me to shape a tattoo that aligns perfectly with my abilities.

Without artistic freedom, my creativity is limited, and you miss out on a tattoo that truly represents my full potential and creativity.

This is the first step (a very important one) you should take towards putting your trust in me and my craft! 

You can follow Tuğçe’s work on Instagram and YouTube