We’re excited to introduce Rod Medina, a talented tattoo artist based in Winterthur, Switzerland, specializing in Polynesian tattoos. With over 30 years of experience, Rod blends traditional designs from the Marquesas, Samoa, and the Pacific Islands with modern tattoo techniques, creating meaningful, custom pieces. Let’s dive into his fascinating stories and his long experience in the tattoo industry.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hello everyone, my name is Rod Medina. I am a tattooer for over 30 years. I am involved in Polynesian tattoos and culture. I am the only one in Switzerland fully dedicated to Polynesian tattoos. I am married with two children and very happy doing what I love.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
When I was 13 years old, my grandfather took me on a big trip, six months on a cargo boat from Brazil to Japan. That experience changed my perspective of the world, and I had a lot of time to draw and observe different cultures and ways of life. I also had the opportunity to see tattoos on the sailors and in places like Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Japan. It was a life-changing opportunity to be with my grandfather for such a long time in such an exotic environment. From that point, I focused a lot on drawing, and the tattoo thing was already in my mind.
At what point in your life did you become a professional tattoo artist?
I started tattooing when I was 16, and I got a handmade tattoo machine from a dodgy guy in the city center of Rio de Janeiro. I started tattooing my friends, and I was really having a good time with that. As I was always drawing at school and at home, it was only natural that I would want to do a job related to drawing or something with artistic skills. So I was tattooing at my house for about three years, then I moved to London. I worked on building sites and as a bouncer for about a year, and then I got the opportunity to start working in Camden Town at a shop called Creative Hands (it’s not there anymore). It was a great opportunity to start tattooing professionally in 1999.
Where are you currently based ?
Well, after Rio de Janeiro, I moved to London where I spent a good part of my life. But London was too big and too much for me after 17 years there. So I decided to travel with my family. We traveled for about two years in Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. I got the opportunity to meet Australian tattoo legend Paul Breniff and his family in Surfers Paradise. I had a great time at Monster Tattoo in Okinawa, and after traveling for a while, I decided to settle in Switzerland, where I now live in the beautiful city of Winterthur, where I have my tattoo shop.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Switzerland these days?
The tattoo scene in Switzerland today is more or less like the tattoo scene elsewhere. It’s pretty saturated, with a lot of new people and a lot of people from everywhere. It’s not as busy as it used to be. Though I’m holding pretty well, there’s a lot of very talented people with not much work.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
I make Polynesian tattoos. I draw my inspiration mostly from the Marquesas, from Samoan, and the Pacific Islands. I make modern Samoan tattoos or “American Samoan tattoos.” This style developed with the arrival of American troops to the Samoan Islands, where they took inspiration from the Samoan Pe’a and put it into a new shape, a new concept, mixing Japanese and even some black and grey techniques to it. So that’s how we got this new Polynesian tattoo style that a lot of people have nowadays. It’s a mix of different styles and cultures based on Polynesian graphics.
When I left Brazil for London, one of the things I missed the most was the tropical beaches, the vegetation, the heat. I have a strong connection to indigenous cultures with some Portuguese-Hawaiian and American Indian cultural background. So I feel very at home with my work.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
Usually, my customers know about my work already, so they more or less know what to expect. All the work is custom-made. Most of it is freehand, made for the customer on time and with the specifications that the customer wants. If they want a tattoo meaning something special for the family, the future, the past, or someone they love, it’s all in their tattoos. I base everything on the history and mythology behind the patterns. With good mana and vibes to all.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
I think the biggest challenge is to keep tattooing interesting for me and for new customers, trying to keep it busy while having a good work-family balance. Another challenge is not being too involved in this social media circus. For most tattooers of my generation (I am 48 years old and have been tattooing for over 30 years), these are the main challenges as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
I love the freedom. I love the art. I love to travel. I love meeting interesting people almost on a daily basis. I love the opportunities tattooing can give you; it can take you to many other things. Because of it, I’m studying anthropology, as I’m interested in traditional cultures from around the world. And as you meet so many different people, you get lots of insights into different subjects… property, investments, crypto, diving, parties… you name it.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I always love going to conventions. It’s part of the traveling and meeting people. Also, it’s one of the best ways to stay inspired—going to a good convention where you’ll see new forms of art and tattooing being done to a higher level. You keep pushing yourself to achieve your best results, so conventions are very advisable. It’s also a great opportunity to have a few drinks with old friends.
Did you ever participate in any tattoo contests?
No, I never did, but now I will start.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
The main reason to go to conventions is for traveling, fun, and meeting old friends and making new ones.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
Honestly, I think there are too many tattoo conventions, just like there are too many tattooers. Some conventions are too small, and the tattoo artists aren’t experienced enough to be working at an event that should showcase the best artists of the city or region. Therefore, some tattoo conventions are the opposite of inspiring. My suggestion for people organizing conventions is to ensure that experienced tattoo artists are involved. It would also be good to have tattoo suppliers for sale, a good band playing, and make it a fun experience for both artists and the public. That way, the convention becomes busy and allows tattooers to make some money and have a good time. It would also be nice to see more specialized conventions focused on tribal, Japanese, and other themes.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
I loved London—the first conventions in the Docklands were really good. They actually had good bands playing and a lot of very good artists. I felt very privileged to be working at those conventions. I also loved Chicago—super big, lots of very talented artists in different fields, and a nice setup overall. Philadelphia, Paris, and Honolulu were also amazing conventions. I love going to the tattoo conventions in Tahiti and also the fabulous Tiki Weekend around Paris every year. It’s a great meeting of people from the French Polynesian islands.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Don’t bother too many tattooers right now. Well, seriously, it’s great, but you have to really focus on it. To become a real career that you’re going to take from your young years, when you think everything is super cool, to when you’re 65 or whatever the retirement age is for you. So if you don’t think this is a long-term career, just don’t do it. Otherwise, you’ll waste your young years on something that’s not going to be your job for the rest of your life. But if you really want to do it, then draw a lot, don’t trace it, don’t copy it, study a lot, and have a good time.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
All the traditional tattoo artists and the people who came before me.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
The biggest accomplishment is genuinely still loving my work after all these years and still believing that it’s great for me in the years to come.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I try to keep studying, not just tattooing, but the history and culture behind the work. I go every year to tattoo in the Pacific Islands—in Tahiti, I work on local people, I tattoo in Hawaii on local Hawaiians, I work in Hapanui in Samoa, and in other Polynesian islands.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
I draw quite a lot, sometimes I paint, and I play the ukulele whenever I can.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
Carry on being happy with my family and my work, carry on traveling, and enjoying my life :)
Do you have a sponsor? If so, what can you tell us about your sponsors?
No, I don’t have any sponsorship, but I’m open to it.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Thank you for your interest in my story. Thanks to the website for the opportunity for this interview. For anyone who would like to start a new tattoo project, please get in touch, either in Switzerland or at the next tattoo convention. Thank you and wish you a great day!
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