Tattooing since 2009, Brazilian artist Leonardo Avelar blends the roots of traditional tattooing, with the elegance of classical art and geometry. Based in Belo Horizonte, Leonardo’s work reflects a deep respect for tattoo history while continually evolving through artistic exploration. With numerous awards from international conventions and a passion for meaningful client experiences, he opens up about his creative process, the rise of tattoo culture in Brazil, and why respect, patience, and dedication remain the pillars of a lasting tattoo career.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hello everyone, my name is Leonardo Avelar de Aguiar, better known as Leonardo Avelar Tattoo. I am Brazilian, born in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais. I am 34 years old and have been tattooing for 15 years.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
My fascination with tattoos began when I was 13 or 14 years old, when I was sucked into the underground culture in Brazil. I had started skateboarding, migrated from classic rock to punk, post-punk, and hardcore, so I consumed skateboarding, graffiti, and tattoo magazines. Influenced by all the skateboarders from California, many of them tattooed, and all the influence of 80s illustration in skateboards, graffiti, and clothes, tattooing seemed like a natural path for me.
At what point in your life, you became a professional tattoo artist?
I got my first tattoo in 2007 and after that, I was fascinated by the whole tattoo world. However, it was only in 2009 that I got my apprenticeship, and shortly after that, I was already working as a professional, about a year later.
Where are you based at the moment?
I still live in Belo Horizonte.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Brazil these days?
Over the last 10 years, tattooing has been growing very quickly. When I started, most people were conservative about tattoos. Those who got tattoos did something small and easy to hide. Today, I would say that at least 30% of the adult population has one or two tattoos, which for a country with 200 million inhabitants puts us in the position of one of the most tattooed countries in the world. As professional tattoo artists, we are evolving very quickly and dynamically. Globalization and the visibility of the profession are providing us with enormous growth.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
In Brazil, the natural thing for a tattoo artist has always been to learn to tattoo a little bit of everything, and that was my school. I started with black symbols, tribal tattoos, delicate tattoos, but what caught my attention the most was the traditional American style, the famous old school. When I had the technical ability, it was in the old school that I found myself, but I have always been very open and have tattooed everything during my career, black and gray, tribal in general. I have always really liked classical art, art nouveau, and I have always been fond of the geometric shapes included in them, so shortly after, I ended up focusing all the technique obtained with other styles on creating authentic geometric tattoos.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
When a client comes to me, even if they already have something in mind or bring me their references, I always try to conduct the process in a way that I can meet their expectations and my own as an artist. I try to include all the elements they want, but I can do it in an exclusive and harmonious way. I look for references in art books, and I mix this with my experience so that we arrive at the best possible result.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
I find it a bit difficult to adapt to all the modernity that the internet brings us these days, I feel that if you blink too long you end up falling behind.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
The artistic recognition we receive from our clients is incredible. Knowing that you changed part of that person’s life through your art is extremely gratifying.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
Here is one of the coolest parts of the tattoo world, if I remember correctly, the first convention I attended was in 2013 in my own city in Belo Horizonte. Since then, I have done this same event, in 2014, 2017, 2022. I have the opportunity to win with the Best Japanese Tattoo of the event. From 2014 to 2019 every year, I also did the Frankfurt convention in Germany. I participated in the Copenhagen International Convention in Denmark in 2015, in Brazil in Sorocaba (São Paulo) in 2018, 2019, and 2023 in the first two editions, winning one and Second Place in the Neo-traditional category and the following year with First Place in the same category. Last year in 2024, I had the pleasure of being invited to participate in the Big London Tattoo Show in London, a very high-level event, very incredible. In January 2025, I now participated in Tattoo Week, which is the largest convention in Latin America and is on the circuit with one of the best in the world, the edition of Cidade Maravilhosa (Rio de Janeiro), where I also had the pleasure of winning Second Place in the Oriental category. In September, I will participate in Sorocaba (São Paulo) this time as a judge, and in November, I will be at Tattoo Week São Paulo. There are several events that I still want to participate in around the world.
That’s impressive! Out of those events, which are your favorite so far?
My favorites lately have been the Sorocaba Tattoo Expo, which for me always brings the best that tattooing has to offer, a very high level in terms of tattooing and organization. Everything is done with a lot of dedication and care by the tattoo artist and for the tattoo artist. The Big London Tattoo Show and Tattoo Week, which have a huge diversity of artists and brands from all over the world.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
The main reason I participate in events is the connection we make with various artists from all over the world. Being able to exchange experiences is something magical about tattooing. The act of being able to transmit and receive knowledge is something important.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
I believe it is a great opportunity to educate the public (clients), encourage them to value the artist, and in addition to consuming their tattoo, they also consume the paintings, prints, t-shirts, stickers. This keeps the artist’s flame burning to produce artistically and evolve more and more. Regarding the event, I think it’s cool when the event finds different ways to interact with the public so that they feel part of the event. I know several people around the world who still think that tattoo conventions are only for tattoo artists and not for the public. Others think it’s a place to get tattoos for free or cheaper. Stressing that the event is there to foster the tattoo and artistic community in general is something that I sometimes see missing in some events. Showing the public that the convention is actually an opportunity for professionals to interact, thus raising the level of their work, and that the public is there having a great opportunity to have a tattoo from a professional from another state or even another country whose style is unique.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Respect is key, with all the facilities that digital media brings us today, remembering that no professional graduates from a one-week online course is important. Tattooing has a beautiful and magical history around the world. Every country had its precursor, someone who had the courage to face everything and everyone so that today we have the possibility of making a living from tattooing. It is important to know the history of these figures, respect those who came before, take an apprenticeship, and respect your mentor. You can even learn the technical part at a certain speed, but the language of a good tattoo can take several years. Living on ego is sustaining your own mediocrity, in other words, respect, patience, and dedication.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
There are several, Maurício Teodoro, Mauro Nunes, Júnior Goussain, Jun Matsui, Grime, Filip Leu, Thomas Hooper, among many others.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
Awards at events are cool and I am very happy every time I win one, but having recognition from the client makes me happier than anything else.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I try to be constantly evolving, I think I can never know too much, there is always something to learn, this feeling keeps me at the top of the game.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
I love painting with watercolor and liquid acrylic. Using digital tools to be able to draw is also part of my daily life.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
One of my biggest plans is definitely to move to the USA and have the possibility of tattooing there, being able to make connections with other artists and continue to raise the level of tattooing always.
Do you have a sponsor? If so, what could you tell us about your sponsors?
Not yet, it was never something I thought about.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
I would like to thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to share my story with you.
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