Born and raised in Germany, Myra Brodsky is one of the most authentic tattoo artists, creating an unique style which consists in traditional bold designs with an Art Nouveau touch.
Myra is currently tattooing at Red Rocket Tattoo in NYC.
How did you get started and what inspired you to become a tattoo artist?
A friend taught me when I was 19. I just moved to Berlin all alone and had no idea how things work.
Being all by myself for the first time ever inspired me to do whatever I wanted.
We know you travel a lot while tattooing. Can you tell us what are you favorite locations/countries that you’ve been to and why?
My favorite city in Europe is London. It’s great to work there and to go out. I always enjoy having a drink at a bar before I go to sleep.
You started tattooing in Germany and now you’re working in NYC. What are the differences and similarities between US tattoo industry and the European one?
I started tattooing in Berlin which is a lot different from all the other cities in Germany. Berlin and New York have a lot of things in common.
People move there because of similar reasons and everyone intends to ‘be someone’ in all sorts of ways.
It can be very exhausting to exist amongst mansplainers and ego-bitches. But if you play it right you might as well get to enjoy the ins and outs of the two cities.
Berlin always seemed to me like ‘the capital of mediocrity’ where every wannabe-tattooer tries hard to be different than the other so called artists.
In the end he’s just another copycat who loves to steal from the big names. It’s very cliquey there and no one really sells anything and in fact it’s just how they say: Berlin- poor but sexy.
New York is a lot more business-oriented. Tattoo artists rarely send away walk-ups who just ask for little souvenir tattoos. They’re money-makers and we all have to pay our bills.
The best of the best work in the city so there’s definitely a lot of competition going on. But hey, it’s fun and it pushes you to get more productive. I love it!
What are your main sources of inspiration and how would you describe your aesthetics?
Well, I have to admit that men with red hair and blue eyes inspire me. My life is pretty playful. I go places, I meet people and I party. It’s a great mix, right?
I hate it when things get boring so I always need some time apart from what I just experienced. After staying in the city for a decent amount of time I love to see some nature and vice versa.
Sometimes I take a trip to a random remote place. Then I stay there for a couple days just to watch nature and make notes.
My aesthetics can be described as crude and dull by haters. Or as classic and timeless by others. Who knows?
I make American European Traditional and I love it.
What are your favorite subjects to tattoo and what is your process when designing a piece?
I like to get to know my clients and create something personal. Everyone who meets me is welcome to get a custom piece. I cannot tell you what specific subjects I tattoo.
It always has to be something that really suits my client. I always come up with a few suggestions and then we figure out things together.
The process of designing a piece is very regular. I draw on paper. And always will.
What’s been your favorite moment in your career, so far?
Moving to New York and being able to move freely between two continents.
What do you like to do when you’re not tattooing?
I’m a roller coaster junkie and together with my sister we set up amusement park bets. The one who can take most of the rides wins!
What advice can you give to artists who are just starting out?
I don’t think I’m the right kind of person to ask for advice.
In the old days, tattooing used to be regarded like a sub-cultural activity, but now with all the social media apps it seems to be more mainstream. What are your thoughts about that?
It’s still kinda sub-cultural to me, myself and I.
I know times have changed and when I started it was a lot different. There’s a bunch of stuff that annoys me about social media. Like all the self-promoting attention seekers who rather post selfies than tattoos. Or the abundance of style trends that’s out there.
I’m sorry but I cannot follow anymore. The ones who’ve got most of the followers are considered the best? Like a random number is a measure for quality? I don’t think so.
What are your thoughts regarding tattoo trends like watercolor tattoos, embroidery tattoos etc.? We as tattoo aficionados, when we’re thinking about getting a new tattoo, should we follow the trends or should we stick to the established ones?
I don’t have an opinion towards the trends. If people wanna get embroidered instead of tattooed they should definitely do it.
I would never try to prevent that.
A few tips on tattoo aftercare?
Don’t pick it, don’t scratch it, don’t sauna, don’t swimming pool, don’t sun, don’t sweat, don’t dirt, don’t re-wrap it after it’s unwrapped and washed. Just don’t!!
But remember: DO take care of it!
Talking about the tattoo industry, what would you like to see done differently in the future compared to now?
I’m not a big fan of the rise of the iPad in the tattoo industry. A lot of people say that it helps them create their designs quicker and better. But I think it’s cheating.
They copy and they trace and they deceive. The apple can leave the stage if you ask me.
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