Meet Andrei, widely recognized as Andy Noir, whose journey in tattoo artistry spans from Siberia to San Francisco. This 28-year-old talent, originally from Russia, is currently making waves in Kelowna, Canada, and is set to bring his unique vision to the U.S. next year. Andy‘s fascination with tattoos sparked from the bold, colorful designs on metalcore and deathcore musicians, propelling him to self-teach his craft at 18 and steadily build a thriving professional career.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
My name is Andrei, 28y.o. Originally from Siberia, Russia. Better known in the tattoo industry by the name Andy Noir.
How did your journey in tattooing get started?
My passion for tattoos started with heavy music like metalcore and deathcore. I was fascinated by the colorful tattoos on the musicians and captured all my attention and interest.
At what point in your life, you decided to became a professional tattoo artist?
I started tattooing at the age of 18 solely as an interest, learning all the techniques on my own, since there were 2 shops in my city at that time and no one took students. After a couple of years of practice, I started to get something similar to an “Okey” tattoo, I was invited to work in a tattoo shop and from that moment my professional career began.
Where are you based at the moment?
I currently work in Kelowna, Canada. In one year, I’m moving to San Francisco, USA.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Canada these days?
In my opinion, the tattoo industry in Canada is starting to change because there will be a lot of young and strong tattoo artists who show a high level of tattooing after a couple of years of practice. This competition forces tattoo artists to grow as artists and become stronger, to show the best ideas and qualities of projects, which is certainly good.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
I started out as a New School tattoo artist, and I’ve always liked the design approach and composition in this style, but I’ve also always been attracted to the realism style with its detail and greater attention to effects. I tried to combine these two styles. A year ago, I got to know AI and realized that it was the perfect tool to create the perfect reference that would include everything I wanted to see in my designs. I use AI exclusively to create a reference. Design, composition, and effects work are performed separately.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
We usually start by discussing the idea and the body part on which the tattoo is planned. Basically, my clients give me the freedom artist and trust me to create the design. I try to approach each design individually and choose new combinations of effects and compositions.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
Personally, there are no difficulties for me. Most people would say that this is a big competition as there are a lot of tattoo artists, but in my opinion this is an opportunity for faster growth as an artist, as progress is born in competitions.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Of course, this is a travelling! This is an ideal opportunity to see the world and work in almost any part of the world. Get to know the most talented tattoo artists in the world and share their experiences
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
At the moment, I have had 7 tattoo conventions and have plans to continue attending all possible conventions that I can reach. So far, all the conventions I’ve been to have been held in Canada, but next year I plan to attend conventions in America and Europe as well.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
Competitions. I love competing with other tattoo artists and moreover with myself. I’m very self-critical, but I can see myself growing and progressing as a tattoo artist. It’s very nice to win something and draw more attention to my style, but I’m also pleased to lose to worthy opponents. In fact, losing at the tattoo contest makes me grow up and analyze myself more in order to improve my weaknesses and show my style even better at the next convention.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
To choose only high-skills tattoo artists as judges for a more objective assessment of tattoos, to shoot tattoos for the public on screens using polarized light and camera lenses, to make a separate mention of healed tattoos for the contest and not to accept them to other contests, it will be more objective and will motivate tattoo artists to create something interesting for the contest.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
At the moment, it’s difficult for me to single out one thing, because I haven’t visited many of them. But I will say that for me personally, this is the Okanagan Tattoo Show, as this is the first convention where I won the main contest and received decent prizes.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
First of all, the necessary basic knowledge of academic drawing, without this knowledge there will be no growth. After that, he will learn all the techniques and styles of tattooing. With this knowledge, you will open up as a tattoo artist, relax, draw what you like and have fun, combine styles and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
My top tattoo artist at the moment is this: @theattic_c.p @oxi.tattoo, @animal_tattooer, @biserovandrey, @futrblacktattoo, @green.vesper, @nbktattoos and @hugofeist.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
Finding my own style. This was the most difficult and most exciting goal. Create a recognizable and attractive style.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I hope that the peak of my career is still in the front. In my opinion, being an artist is an eternal pursuit of something beautiful.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
Currently, I am engaged exclusively in tattooing, but I want to paint more in oil when I have more opportunity and time for this.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
At the moment, my dream is to join a team of high-skills tattoo artists, work and attend conventions together, and just have fun.
Do you have a sponsor? If so, what could you tell us about your sponsors?
I don’t have sponsorship, but there are brands that I would like to be sponsored by. This is Fkirons, Kwadron, Eternal, WorldFamousInk because the quality of their work is at the highest level and I use only these brands. I rarely try something new, but I usually go back to my main brands.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Never be afraid to use something new and try to combine styles. The most important thing I would like to wish is not to forget the emotions and feelings with which you came to tattoo and enjoy the process, think less about money and more about design, money kills creativity. Then cooler your designs are, then more you will earn in the future.
Leave A Comment