The work of Tattooist Arar melts hearts with its cute animals and cartoon characters. Discover more about him in this interview.

If you are a fan of small and cute tattoos like I am, you may have encountered the work of our guest today – Tattooist Arar. In a world where tattoos are driven by social media to be bigger and more eye-catching, Arar has carved out a space in the industry by with his delicate and intricate designs.

With over 450k followers on Instagram and an experience of eight years, Tattooist Arar is the go-to artist of small, adorable tattoos. Based in South Korea, his work not just win hearts of domestic clients but also international tattoo lovers.

Today, I am honored to talk with Arar about his career, tattoo style and his life. If you want to draw inspiration from his work, keep scrolling!

The start of the career

The career as a tattooist is a beautiful accident for Arar. Initially aspired to become an illustrator, Arar stumbled upon photos of small tattoos created by Korean artists on the internet. These intricate designs ignited a passion for the art form.

“I thought tattoos were just about thick, black lines and large designs. But these works totally changed my view on tattoos.” This chance discovery led him to delve deeper into the world of tattoos. It was this fascination that drove Arar to explore and ultimately adopt tattooing as a profession.

However, the transition into a tattoo artist was not without challenge. “Initially, everything was incredibly challenging. Whether it was figuring out out the optimal needle depth or the right ratio of ink, I struggled with all the aspects I didn’t foresee. It was very hard.”

However, Arar reflects on how difficulties paved the way for his growth, saying, “While I’m not flawless, I became better and more skilled with practice. The experience also laid a solid foundation for my tattooing journey. “

So cute that you can’t ignore

Arar’s signature style revolves around small and cute designs, often featuring animals, cartoon characters, and simple shapes.

One funny thing Arar mentions in the interview is that he was often mistaken as a female artist because of his tattoo style. His love for small and adorable tattoos sets him apart from larger, bolder designs. But he didn’t start out with such a unique style. Instead, it was an incident that eventually brought him to it.

Reflecting on this time, Arar shares, “About six years ago, my Instagram account was hacked. Failing to restore it, I was frustrated and stressed. So, I decided to work less and focus on my mental health. As I had more free time, I could create the cute style of art that I had always wanted to try. And that marked the start of my tattoo style.”

Tattooist Arar’s creative process

Arar is an inspiration-driven artist. “I try to expose myself to as many things as possible and apply them to my designs.” Arar also shares his approach to capturing those creativity sparks, saying, “If I have an idea that pops up while walking down the street, I would sit down and write it down so I don’t forget it.”

Another inspiration comes from his clients. He shares a touching moment when someone from abroad came to him for a Winnie the Pooh tattoo. “When the tattoo is done, she cried like a child.”

This experience opened his eyes to the profound impact of his work, “This was an experience that opened my eyes. I started to realize the profound impact my work can have on individuals and the lasting memories it can create for them.”

Finding a good tattoo and tattooist

It’s never easy to find a good tattoo design, especially when it’s your first tattoo. In this case, Arar recommends starting smaller.

“It helps you to be more aware of your pain tolerance level.” He also emphasizes the importance of communication between the client and the tattoo artist. “You can always use a rough sketch or reference images to express your ideas. This way, the artists will understand what you want more clearly.”

In terms of finding a good tattooist, style is the key. “The style of the tattooists is the first thing you should be looking at. Find someone who’s already doing tattoos you love. ” Sometimes, clients would come to Arar for a tattoo in a completely different style. In these cases, Arar would often recommend another artist who’s more skilled in the style.

Beyond the aesthetics, there’s something more that you’d want in a tattoo artist – a strong sense of responsibility. “Tattoos are permanent. It’s a privilege to leave a permanent mark on someone’s body,” he says. A good tattooist will listen to his clients and incorporate their stories and emotions in his work.

Life in and out of tattooing

Until last year, Arar had devoted almost all his time to work. As he almost had a burnout, he is trying to strike a balance between work and leisure this year. With newfound free time, Arar is embracing rest and relaxation.

Looking to the future, Arar is working to expand his practice to the United States. He wants to introduce his unique style to a broader audience.

If you want to know more about his work, check out his Instagram profile or leave your questions to him in the comments.