From Barbering to Tattooing: The Beginning of Alex Goodman
Before becoming known in the tattoo industry as Alex Goodman, Bekzat Bekturganov spent five years working as a barber. His path toward tattooing began unexpectedly after meeting a client who had a highly realistic owl tattoo on his neck.
That moment sparked a fascination that would completely change the direction of his life.
Inspired by the level of artistry and detail possible within tattooing, Alex decided to pursue the craft himself — despite having no artistic background or formal training opportunities available around him.
Building Skills From Scratch
Coming from a family with no connection to the arts, Alex had to carve his own path into the tattoo world. His father worked as a beekeeper while his mother was a homemaker, making tattooing something entirely unfamiliar within his environment.
Without access to affordable professional mentorship, Alex turned to self-education. He spent countless hours studying online tutorials, practicing drawing techniques, and experimenting on synthetic skin and even bananas to improve his hand control and understanding of tattoo application.
For three years, he balanced his job as a barber while training relentlessly as a tattoo artist.
“It was a difficult process,” Alex explains. “At first, I didn’t fully understand the technical side of tattooing, but I kept practicing every single day.”
That consistency and determination eventually shaped the foundation of his career.
Developing a Signature Style
Today, Alex Goodman is primarily recognized for his realism tattoo work. However, his artistic interests continue evolving beyond traditional realism.
Alex has developed a strong fascination with futuristic cyberpunk aesthetics and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in visual culture. These inspirations are increasingly reflected throughout his designs, helping his work stand apart from more conventional realism tattoos.
His goal is not simply to recreate images, but to create tattoos that feel modern, powerful, and visually unique.
The Importance of Personal Storytelling
For Alex, the process always begins with communication. Every tattoo starts with an in-depth discussion about the client’s ideas, emotions, and vision for the piece.
Using this information, he creates a fully custom design tailored specifically to the individual while maintaining his own recognizable artistic identity.
He believes that strong tattooing goes beyond technical execution. Each element inside a composition should feel intentional, harmonious, and personal to the wearer.
That philosophy allows every tattoo to become more than just artwork — it becomes a story permanently connected to the client.
Overcoming Challenges in Realism
One of the biggest technical hurdles Alex faced early in his career was portrait tattooing. Since he had no academic art training, learning realistic facial structures, shading, and depth required years of repetition and experimentation.
Over time, persistence transformed those weaknesses into strengths.
Today, realism remains at the core of his work, supported by constant learning and a drive to continue improving with every project.
A Constant Desire to Evolve
Despite already building an established career, Alex Goodman continues pushing himself creatively. He actively participates in tattoo conventions, studies the work of respected international artists, and seeks new collaborations that help expand his artistic perspective.
For Alex, tattooing is a never-ending learning process.
“To continue growing as an artist and tattooist, I actively participate in professional conventions as a judge and a competitor. For example, at the Inkdian tattoo convention, I won Best of Show, Best Collaboration, and Best Realism, and judged other categories I wasn’t competing in. I constantly seek collaborations with top artists, continuously expand my knowledge, and incorporate new styles, so that each piece remains relevant, striking, and highly professional.”
Every session, every client, and every new design is another opportunity to grow as both an artist and a person.
With his combination of realism, futuristic influences, and dedication to meaningful storytelling, Alex Goodman continues building a distinctive presence within the modern tattoo industry.
Written by Tom vansteeland 26/05/2026
English 
Dutch 
Dutch (Belgium) 
French 
German 
Spanish