Today we are super excited to present you this exclusive interview with Maiza. A talented tattoo artist from Brazil, who has been crafting beautiful ink for over 11 years with her unique blend of fantasy and botanical designs. Let’s dive in into this very detailed and interesting interview with Maiza, where she shares her journey, creative process, and the story behind her love for tattooing.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hey, my name is Maiza and I’m a tattoo artist from Brazil. I have been tattooing for the past 11 years and I would introduce myself as a world traveler tattooer who loves fantasy and botanical designs.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
Well, I never thought or wished to be a tattoo artist but tattoos had chosen me. It was a very beautiful and naturally flowing connection, when I saw that I was not only tattooing; it had become my entire life and it changed my world completely. Tattoos are my soul desire….. they are lot more than just fascination is my life.
How and when did you start tattooing?
Well, it is a very long story. I remember myself once when I was a kid having a dream: drawing. When I got up, I tried to draw but I couldn’t. I never knew even how to draw, until I was 17 years old. At that time I had to do a surgery to figure out if I had cancer or not and because I wasn’t sure if I would live, or even if I would be healthy to live my life, I started to try new things. That was when I started trying graffiti, skateboarding and drawing. That was when I figured out, if I concentrate , I could draw and I never stopped drawing until today.
Tree years later I found myself, with a dream “be free, live life as full and authentic as possible” and in that point I knew only tattooing would give me this freedom, this life I was searching for.
I am 100% self-thought and because of it, learning how to tattoo was basically like “climbing stairs”. Every step I felt in my bones and I am still feeling it. As an artist that didn’t know anything back in the day and today I am able to help others to climbing those “stairs” in a easier way. I would say the start of my career was pretty tough but I am extremely proud of myself.
Where are you based?
I have been travelling full time has been 2 years , prior that I was a resident of the Netherlands and even before UK.
How would you describe the tattoo scene these days?
Well as a person who travels full-time and is never in the same spot with the same artists, I would say that the tattoo scene today is huge! There are so many different styles, techniques and every day it just gets better and better. I really love diversity, and I feel the tattoo industry is getting more and more inclusive every day.
How would you define your tattoo style?
I have been tattooing my own style, since I’ve started. Since the beginning of my career, drawing has always has been my focus and it has evolved a lot in the last 4 years.
In the past I would tattoo a lot of Neo Japanese and Neo Traditional. Today , I would say I just don’t follow any rules, I literally make what my soul’s desires and I am lucky enough to have customers who love what I do! So I don’t have a name for my style which I consider something particular and personal. Few people say it is like Neo Traditional but Neo-Traditional has rules that I don’t apply in my work. For example: bold lines and thin lines together, colour packing techniques or even making the design as clean as possible.
I just don’t follow those rules, the only thing I can say is that my work is coming from my imagination, with no rules and NO references. It is a fantasy, maybe.
What kind of tattoo projects do you like to do the most?
I really love making fairies, together with botanical designs.
What’s the main source of inspiration for your tattoos?
Imagination, I have a very vivid imagination. I basically can touch it. I live in my head and I am a daydreamer. so, I always have a notebook with me to write down my ideas because I have a lot.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
I think today the biggest challenge is definitely to be authentic, loyal to your imagination and to yourself. As I see today in this market there are many artists that just looks like other artists and I feel this is a problem. Why we want to make art similar to another, if we can be ourselves and unique? I think it was my challenge since the beginning of my career, until today. So I strive to keep my authenticity.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Community, I love the sense of community that we have in this business. It is also the most freeing work in the world, being a tattoo artist is just so free. I live the most beautiful life because of tattooing, there is non better reward than being free. Tattooing is freedom.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I love it, I have been In a few and I just love it. I love the fact of networking, I think networking is the most important aspect of participating of conventions. It helped me to keep growing and learning or even trying different techniques that later on I added to my work process.
Second thing are friends, I really love going to conventions for friends, tattoos conventions is like a meeting point, where artists from the whole world see each other once a year and I just love this vibe and growth environment.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you have ever been to?
Yes, it was tattoo week in Sao Paulo in 2017 ..… many years ago. I don’t even have the pictures anymore but I remember how inspiring it was to be between so many creative people and I was just a tattoo baby. It was a very incredible experience.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
Networking, I always check who will be attending the convention with intentions to work, meet and make the right questions to those artists.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
God’s of Ink so far! I have never been in a such wonderful convention before in my life, it was the convention that I have the most beautiful memories and true laugh of joy. Where I couldn’t feel any ego, all I felt was how happy all artists was to be invited, happy not only for themselves but for every artist there, we had shown maximum respect to everyone works, who was participating as it is a very very very selective convention, and you have to be invited by Miki Vialetto. Such an honor, and definitely my favorite so far.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Do it, even if anyone supports you, even if you don’t have space or time to dream with such a thing, just do it! The success of any artist, is following the heart. Make your art, materialize and for that keep focusing!
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I really love, Lorena Morato, Lilian Ryan, Ubiratan Amorin. Those people there are not only very talented, they also have a strong mindset and beautiful kind soul. This is what make them so inspiring artist for me, because not only their work are absolutely beautiful, but they are amazing human being!
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
Everything! I came from nothing. I didn’t know even how to draw, and I learned ! Every single thing I accomplishment on my career was a result of a very, very hard work, abdication and soul dedication to this craft to make it possible.
I am very proud of myself, you know I get up at 6am to study, make things happen, I go to bed after midnight drawing. I don’t go out to make my art better and better and I do it until today! I truly believe my obsession with tattooing got me into where I am now.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
Yes, I really love making videos! Videos are not different than tattoos, it is a very creative way of expression and I love that ! I love making videos because it is my hobby, I don’t make money from it and switch from tattooing and videos for me is just the perfect creative combo!
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
My goal is to move to US. Buy a van and travel the whole US tattooing and making videos.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
“KEEP DREAMING” if you have a dream, it is your soul desires it, follow your heart to become the person you’re supposed to be, your best ever self. It won’t be easy, but you got it!
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