How did you get into tattooing? When did you decide to specialize in Traditional Tattoos, and what were your first steps in tattoos?
Hi, I'm Mariano, tattooing in Berlin for the past 8 years.
My connection to tattoos goes back over 20 years, rooted in hardcore and punk. As a kid, I was drawn to heavily tattooed people, but most of what I saw didn't feel right to me. Too realistic, too overloaded, or just without soul. At 18, I got my first tattoo, and that was it. I was hooked. But I was still searching for something that really spoke to me. That changed when I saw Annie Frenzel's work in a magazine. That was the first time I felt like this is it. That "this feels different" feeling, you know? I reached out, got tattooed, and again, for the first time, I felt something new. I was genuinely excited about what was on my skin.
I kept coming back to that shop, got more tattoos, and connected with one of the artists there who ended up tattooing me the most. Through him, I got introduced to the roots. Bert Grimm, Ed Hardy, Sailor Jerry, Paul Rogers, and everything clicked. Bold, timeless, no bullshit. That's what I was looking for.
I started hanging around the shop a lot. Drawing, painting, watching. Seeing how big pieces come together, how flash days run, and how tattooing actually works beyond just the tattoo itself. That time shaped everything. At some point, my girlfriend gave me a tattoo machine for my birthday. I learned the basics, but most of my real development came from immersing myself in that environment and eventually finding my own way to translate that history into my own work.
Do you have a favorite style you specialize in?
Yes, 100 percent. I specialize in American traditional tattoos, specifically the New York style, but I also draw inspiration from Australia and Hong Kong. I basically tattoo what I most enjoy seeing on other people.
Are there any tattoo styles that have disappeared that you miss seeing?
Not really, to be honest. All the great styles that I love and that have a strong history are still around: tribal, Japanese, and, of course, traditional!
Where do you see yourself and your work in the next 5 to 10 years?
I hope I can continue to have just as much fun and joy in my work, keep growing and developing, and explore more of the world through tattooing, discovering amazing places, and constantly meeting great people along the way. Being able to gain life experience, have success, and be part of a culture that brings me so much fulfillment means everything to me. At the end of the day, tattooing has been the main part of my life for many years, and I truly love it.
About the Artist:
Mariano is a traditional tattoo artist in Berlin specializing in the bold lines and timeless aesthetic of American and New York-style tattooing. Born and raised in Berlin, he operates a professional, English and German-speaking studio environment dedicated to technical discipline and the safety of his clients.
Website: TraditionalTattooBerlin.de
Instagram: @tatsbymariano
