Interview with Kateryna Yakovenko – Black & Grey Storytelling in Tattoos

Interview mit Kateryna Yakovenko - Black & Grey Storytelling in Tattoos

At only 24 years old, Kateryna Yakovenko has already built a remarkable tattoo career across two continents. Born in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi, she discovered her passion for art at an early age and turned it into a lifelong pursuit. Today, she is known for her black & grey realism infused with storytelling and emotion. We sat down with Kateryna to learn more about her journey, style, and what drives her as an artist.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and where you come from?

My name is Kateryna Yakovenko. I’m originally from Chernivtsi, a small but beautiful city in western Ukraine. I’m 24 years old now, and I started my tattoo journey when I was 18. Back then I didn’t have a clear plan, just a strong feeling that I wanted to do something creative with my life. Chernivtsi isn’t a place where many people grow up dreaming about becoming tattoo artists, and I had never even seen a real tattoo in person. But something inside me knew this was my path.

Have you always been artistic?

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. My parents love to remind me how I used to grab markers and draw all over people instead of paper. My little sister was definitely my favorite canvas—she would sit there covered in rainbows, flowers, or monsters while I proudly worked on my “designs.”

At school, I was a quiet and focused kid who always got good grades. Becoming a tattoo artist wasn’t something I could imagine back then—it just didn’t feel realistic. But I always felt deeply connected to art, and even though no one in my family had tattoos or worked in a creative profession, they always encouraged me. That support gave me the confidence to follow my instincts.

Did anyone in your family influence your artistic career?

No, actually. No one in my family was seriously involved in art, and no one even had tattoos. I had never seen a tattoo in real life before I started learning about them online. But even without that background, I always felt drawn to creating. My family didn’t always understand what I wanted to do, but they saw my passion and supported me. That support made all the difference.

How did your journey into tattooing begin?

It probably started sometime in high school, even if I didn’t realize it yet. I wanted to turn art into something real—something I could actually do with my life. But I didn’t have an art degree, didn’t know any artists, and had zero understanding of how to enter the art world. For some reason, becoming a tattoo artist felt like the clearest path.

Still, I was scared. I didn’t think art was a “serious” career, so at 17 I enrolled in university to study Computer Science. Not exactly my passion. I worked three jobs to save money for an apprenticeship, and in every free moment I was watching YouTube videos and reading everything I could about tattooing.

What do you remember from your early days as a tattoo artist?

Because I was so young, everything felt exciting. I wanted to be in the studio all day, and when I got home, I kept drawing. It didn’t feel like work—it felt like I had finally found where I belonged. There were challenges of course, but I was too in love with the process to see them as obstacles. My first clients came quickly, and step by step I grew. Everything moved fast, but it all felt right.

Do you still feel the same passion today?

Absolutely. If anything, it has only grown stronger. I love my workdays, the people I meet, and the stories I get to turn into something permanent. Over the years I’ve worked in different cities across Ukraine, opened my own studio, sold everything, moved to the United States, and started from zero again. Since then, I’ve continued to build my name here, doing guest spots in different states and pushing myself to grow as an artist. I never stop—I’m always chasing new challenges and new ways to express myself.

How would you describe your tattoo style?

I’d describe my style as black and grey realism with a touch of storytelling. I love when every tattoo feels like a stolen part from a bigger picture—when it carries emotion and atmosphere. Lately, I’ve been drawn to stylized portraits—tattoos where the eyes already tell a story and the surrounding details build the world around them. I like when a piece feels cinematic and emotional, where every detail adds to the bigger picture.

Can you walk us through your creative process?

Every project starts with a conversation. I like to really understand the story behind the tattoo and what the client wants to express. From there, I gather references and start sketching digitally, which gives me freedom to experiment until the design feels right. I always aim to create something unique that fits the client’s body and energy—not just something that looks good on paper.

Was black & grey realism always your direction?

Actually, no. In the beginning, I said I’d never work in black & grey realism. One day my mentor told me, “Only people who don’t know how to do it say that,” and he was right.

Soft shading was the most difficult part for me at first. It looks simple, but getting that smooth, consistent blend takes patience and control. It took time to understand how different skin reacts and how to work with different machines and needles. Once I got the feeling for it, I completely fell in love with the technique.

What are the most important elements in your tattoos?

For me, the most important elements are composition and emotion. A tattoo should flow naturally with the body and look balanced from every angle. But it also has to feel alive—the mood, the energy, the way light and shadow create depth. A good design shouldn’t just look good; it should make you feel something.

Which part of tattooing do you enjoy the most?

It’s hard to choose, because each part gives me something different. Designing is where emotion takes shape. The application is when I feel completely in the moment—focused and connected to the work. And the completion, that moment when the client sees the finished tattoo and feels something, is the most rewarding of all.

What do you see for your future as an artist?

I want to keep challenging myself with more complex projects and travel more to learn from artists around the world. I believe inspiration lives in movement. I’d also love to share my knowledge with younger artists the way my mentors once guided me.

More than anything, I want to carry this passion with me for years to come. As long as I’m creating, learning, and connecting through my work, I know I’m on the right path.