Today we’d like to introduce you to Melek Tastekin
Hi Melek, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I completed my education at the Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in ceramic art, and began my tattoo career about 10 years ago in Turkey. I’ve always been passionate about creating colorful realistic tattoos, and I started to develop myself in that field. In order to gain more experience and get to know different cultures, I frequently worked as a guest artist in various studios abroad.
As I continued to grow in my craft, I started participating in conventions and received numerous awards. I signed my first sponsorship agreement with Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment, one of the most prominent brands in the industry. Eventually, I felt limited by my surroundings, and three years ago, I moved to the United States after receiving a job offer from one of the top studios in New York. I continued to win awards at conventions here and began receiving invitations to serve as a jury member at many events.
Later on, I signed a sponsorship deal with World Famous Ink, the largest ink brand in the U.S., followed by another with Hustle Butter. In addition to realism tattoos, I also developed my own unique surreal style, becoming one of the pioneers of the neon effect tattoo look. This style became so popular that I collaborated with World Famous to launch my own ink line, the “Melek Tastekin Neon Effect Series.” I now have two ink sets under my name.
When I started feeling overwhelmed by the fast-paced lifestyle in New York, I decided to relocate to Colorado, a place I had often visited and loved. After working here for a while, I decided to open my own tattoo studio in Denver. Together with my husband, we founded Tattoom Art Gallery Denver, located in downtown. Our studio is not only a tattoo space but also an art gallery and painting workshop.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, I’ve faced many challenges along the way. I think one of the hardest things for me was dealing with coworkers who, at times, seemed to want to pull me down. During that period, I experienced some trust issues, and there were many times when I completely withdrew from social life and focused solely on my work. Looking back, I believe that consistent hard work and living a balanced life are what truly make a difference.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a tattoo artist and also a painter. I believe that having a fine arts education has taken my tattoo career one step further. I’ve received many awards, and I’ve also had the honor of presenting many. I’ve signed sponsorship deals with some of the world’s top brands and continue to maintain those partnerships.
But I think what has made me the happiest is the love and appreciation for my tattoo style, which eventually led to the offer of creating an ink line under my name. I guess that was the moment I felt, “Okay, I’ve broken a barrier in this field.”
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think my favorite thing about this place is definitely the people! Everyone is so kind and helpful. I’ve never felt alone here. I’ve lived in many countries and states, but I can honestly say I’ve never come across people as genuinely nice as those in Colorado.
As for the part I like the least, it would probably be the high altitude. The pressure, I’d say. There’s no humidity, it’s dry, and sometimes I find it hard to breathe. But I’m getting used to it 🙂
Pricing:
- My hourly rate is $350. The tattoos I usually do take between 14 to 18 hours to complete. However, if a request genuinely interests me and I’m excited about creating that tattoo, I’m always open to offering a discount.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melektastekin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melektastekin_tattooer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AVa4R3Z3U/?mibextid=wwXIfr
