ABOUT ME

My name is Andrei Kolbasin. I’m a tattoo artist, and for me, tattooing has always been more than just a craft or a service. I view it as a full-fledged art form, in which not only technique and precision matter, but also composition, character, the energy of the image, and how the work will age on the body over the years. I’m best known for my realism, portraits, black-and-gray work, and large-scale projects that require thinking in terms of scale, depth, and a cohesive artistic vision.

For many years, I’ve been on a path of constant growth, driven by discipline and the desire to create work that’s stronger, cleaner, and deeper than the day before. For me, it’s not just about the result of “making something beautiful,” but about creating a piece that has weight, atmosphere, and inner substance. That is precisely why I have always been drawn to large-scale projects: sleeves, backs, complex multi-part compositions, portrait stories - works in which the tattoo becomes not a separate element, but a cohesive visual statement.

My journey as an artist has long extended beyond the confines of a single studio or a single country. I’ve participated in major international tattoo conventions, worked alongside some of the world’s most talented artists, exhibited my work, competed, learned, won, and gained experience in an environment where the best set the standard. For me, this has always been important: not to get stuck in my own little world, but to look beyond it, measure myself against the best, and grow through that process.

I am deeply influenced by art in the broadest sense - classical painting, sculpture, architecture, museums, religious and historical imagery, and anything that embodies scale, drama, and true artistic power. I’ve always been inspired not only by tattoo art itself, but also by how the great masters of the past worked with light, form, emotion, and space. This directly influences my work: it’s important to me that a tattoo conveys not just technique, but artistic depth.

My professional history includes not only client projects but also publications, interviews, awards, participation in conventions, educational activities, and work within a strong international professional community. Articles about me have appeared in iNKPPL, TattooMarket, Artifex, and Tattoo Life. I’m a member of the pro teams at World Famous Tattoo Ink and KWADRON, collaborate with Sullen, and work full-time at Monna Lissa studio. For me, all of this isn’t about status for status’ sake, but rather the natural result of many years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to my craft.

To put it simply, I love big challenges, powerful ideas, and tattoos with character. It’s important to me that every piece isn’t random or run-of-the-mill, but rather honest, well-thought-out, and emotionally impactful. That’s exactly the approach I bring to every client: attention to the concept, a serious approach to composition, high quality standards, and a desire to create work that I can truly be proud of.