Tattoos are a lasting and personal memory, one that takes time and thought to develop and can’t be undone easily. They range in size from a little word or memento to entire back tattoos or full sleeves, but each one is unique and requires a discerning eye to design.
Award-winning tattoo artist Gorajek Jaroslaw specializes in putting together masterfully designed arm sleeves with each element complimenting the next to create stunning and hyper realistic pieces of body art.
Jaroslaw is a respected member of the Polish tattoo community and he has been a judge at several tattoo conventions, evaluating and judging the work of up-and-coming talented artists. He is a brand ambassador of Ink Machines, a popular tattooing electronic gun company, and Kwadron, a tattoo supply company that offers ink and everything else a tattoo artist might need in their supplies.
Hailing from Poland, Jaroslaw has over 13 years of experience as a professional tattoo artist and has won over 40 awards for his hyper-realistic tattoos at conventions around Europe, from Milan to Warsaw, inking thousands of clients.
Jaroslaw did a lot of pencil drawings before he started tattooing. He then became a fine artist, painting on canvases, creating artwork inspired by the Old Masters. When he moved into the tattoo world, he explored the industry with designs and artistry that brought a new level of realism and authenticity.
He has seen the evolution of tattoo art change over time and has adapted superbly at each turn. Recently, Jaroslaw’s work won him first place at Milan Tattoo Convention in Italy for the categories of realistic and black and grey tattoos. “The process of creating tattoos has changed,” he explains. “In the past, designs were done by hand on paper but now we have tablets that make our work easier.”
The use of modern technology helps the client visualize the final product better. “In the past sleeves were often made from small pieces which eventually blended together.” This traditional method was hard to fix or adjust and lacked a certain element of congruency. Now, these sleeves are created as one unique piece of art letting the talent of the tattoo artist shine through.
Jaroslaw himself creates hyper-realistic pieces allowing his clients the ability to immortalize their pets or even their favorite movies – he has inked portraits of famous celebrities onto his clientele, as well as dogs that have passed away and meant the world to his clients. Working off of reference photos, he puts together beautiful memories of past pets. “For me, creating a tattoo that leaves a client with tears in their eyes is priceless.”
He pays close attention to recreating the accuracy of an animal’s eyes, quoting the famous saying: “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.” By making these tattoos come to life, Jaroslaw creates a lasting memory that is a powerful reminder of a loved one or pet. His work extends further, and he is currently embracing the horror movie trend within his work.
With horror becoming one of the most watched film genres in the cinema and streaming services alike, the tattoo industry has seen a spike in people wanting ink that represents their favorite movies. “I think this theme stirs up a lot of emotion and shocks people because it is unconventional,” he says referring to his horror themed catalogue. With tattoos inspired by films such as Silence of the Lambs, Scream, and Freddy Kreuger from A Nightmare On Elm Street, the Polish-born artist has opened up a new avenue for people to show their love for film.
These realistic tattoos jump off the body canvas and make a lasting impression on anyone who sees them. They act as talking points and gives people something to admire and ogle over. Jaroslaw credits his tools in aiding his creative process helping him to add depth to each work of art.
“Kwadron is known for its incredibly sharp and precise needles,” he details, “and Ink Machines is an industry leader for rotary machines, used by the elite of the global tattoo scene.” The precision afforded to Jaroslaw by the tools he uses allows him to better create his incredibly realistic tattoo sleeves. The level of detail attained by the Polish tattoo artist has put him in the upper echelon of tattoo artists around the world.
However, he isn’t happy resting on his laurels, Jaroslaw is looking to continue improving, reaching new heights. “I am currently painting a lot to help me to better understand colors and in the future create more works in this style,” he says. Imploring new methods of creativity will open up opportunities at the biggest tattoo festivals letting him try his hand at the different competitions there.
Despite his notoriety, Jaroslaw remains humble, thanking his wife for her constant support in his endeavours. “Without her support I never would have achieved my goals,” his sincerity shines through as he discusses his biggest inspiration.
So whether it is immortalizing your pet, or paying homage to your favorite film, Gorajek Jaroslaw can create a beautiful lasting memory. His arm sleeves continue to evolve as do his artistic talents, beautifully combining art and memories in a lasting form. As his catalogue grows we are treated to realistic designs that jump off the page, his style combines soul with vivid art to form tattoos that stand the test of time. The future is certainly bright for Jaroslaw in the international tattoo scene and we look forward to watching his creations continue to grow.
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Tattooed Mag 