Today we are very excited to share an interview with Leo Bonilla from Costa Rica. A passionate tattoo creator blending Japanese culture, anime and heavy music into mesmerizing tattoos.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
I’ve always been passionate about Japanese culture; I’m fascinated by its art, traditions, and of course, anime, Japanese, heavy music and comics. There’s nothing like a good story, and I love getting lost in worlds full of heroes and adventures, and that is one of my favorite forms of expression, which is tattoos. I can express myself with them; everything that has art is what moves me every day, and being able to express it is a blessing. I always try to mix everything the best way that I can, and as a person, I am a passionate and curious, friendly, loyal, funny, and patient person. Something that tattoo did for me is helping me connect with people with how I do my tattoos.
What sparked your fascination with tattoos?
Drawing came first, but tattoos came later. In high school, I listened to hardcore, death metal music, and all of the singers inspired me to get tattoos on myself, but one time while watching a Suicide Silence video, I saw Mitch Lucker and thought to myself, I could be the one tattooing him, so everything since then has been part of my journey.
Can you share with us how and when did you start tattooing?
Beginning at the end of 2018, I did an apprenticeship with an already tattooed person in Costa Rica and continued working nonstop.
Where are you currently based?
San Jose, Costa Rica, is where I’m based.
So how would you describe the tattoo scene in Costa Rica these days?
Strong and diverse, from old styles to new waves, these individuals are all incredibly talented in a small place like my hometown, Costa Rica.
What do you think helps you stand out in such a competitive niche?
I’m not sure if I can say that I stand out, but I always want to make sure that my tattoos are of the highest quality and, in someway, work for perfection in imperfection. I also like using black, dust, shadows, opaque backgrounds, and vibrant colors.
Can you walk us through your process when creating tattoos for clients?
Put my phone, fully eaten, either music or a nice horror movie or anime, and look for all my references of what I’m going to draw, and start doodling, in the placement where the tattoo needs to go.
What inspires your tattoo designs the most?
Japanese Anime, Comic, Manga, Cars, Hardcore Music, Horror movies, old paintings related to religion.
In your opinion, what’s the most challenging part of being a tattoo artist in 2024?
I might say the economy around the world, more awareness in tattoo placement and canvases.
And on the flip side, to you what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Learn something new every day, think, resolve problems, freedom, and creativity.
What has your experience been so far with participating in tattoo conventions?
Thanks god, amazing so heartwarming people, connect with people, find people who enjoy the life I chose to live, the tattoo life.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you ever attended?
Yes, it was a Gojou Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen.
That’s a very famous anime. What is your primary reason for attending tattoo conventions?
Experience and learn new things and meet new people.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for both artists and attendees?
Convention planners should advertise conventions more, and focus the attention on the public that way it’ll attract a lot of traffic which get more canvas for tattooers, so that way they can fill up more booth spaces, and a successful flow of people, and maybe have more printing stations, and more unbiased judges for contest.
What has been your favorite tattoo convention so far, and why?
I could say Anime Ink, at my first convention I met a lot of artists that I admire, go to know them, took pics, bought merch, I tattooed and met so many friends.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Do it, if you love it do it, draw, and think about it as if you were tattooing yourself you would like to have the best tattoos on you, that’s what you need to do on other people. Sacrifices need to be made, and with these, the gods of tattoos will give you right back.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
OMG a lot of people, people that have done so many things, Michela Bottin was the first person who I thought anime tattoos were amazing to look at in the body, Mike Randazzo, Isnard Barbosa, DJ Tambe, Matsy, Grind Design, Anrijs, Norm Letters, Oscar Hove, Big Sleeps, Badcaseofpurpose, Gian Karle, Sneakymitch, SketchyLawyer, Horibenny, Brandon Chiesa, and a lot more of people, who inspire me every day.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
I got to tattoo my mom and my dad, who hate it tattoos and everything related to it, that was something unthinkable to do, met my tattoo idols too haha was incredible, and every day that I learned something new related to tattoos feels like accomplishment, and last but not least the smile in my clients.
And how do you handle the pressure of staying relevant on social media?
I just try to focus on the things that I like to do, no to stress too much on it, and always be thankful of where I am, and what I accomplish, tomorrow I do not know if I will be here so I rather focus on how much I accomplish right now.
Balancing work and personal life can be tough. How do you manage it?
Hard question haha, is hard is being hard, getting to know the days of when the clients get more tattoos, track your working hours during sessions, drink a lot of water, and always have at least 2 free day without anything tattoo related, to release your mind and keep your creativity, and workout, workout, love what you do.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
Future is always uncertain, but I would love to keep improving my craft my tattoo, more tidiness, and cleanness, maybe one day be sponsored by an ink company, I would like to help my peers, help colleagues with the knowledge I’ve learned, travel around the world while I tattoo, and maybe have my own shop, which I would like to help my colleagues.
Do you have any sponsors? If so, could you share a few words about them?
I have 3 right now are the best, Pepax who have support me now 2 years with cartridges and machines they are the best always communicative, and always willing to help, Eko Aftercare who is my balm go to, eco-friendly and the products smell amazing soothe the skin incredible, shoutout to Cloud he is the best, big hugs, soon I will be joining in a convention booth with them, and an anime T-shirt brand Itami who always have looking the best in my anime gear, shout-out to Allan for the trust.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Be grateful, I know I have a lot to learn, lot to visit, lot to know, and my journey is starting but right now I have more that I thought I ever had and is thanks to tattooing and people who love what I do and what I draw, thank you all.
Awesome. Considered one of the top artists in Costa Rica.
One of the best Tatto artist in Costa Rica 🔥🇨🇷