Our interview for the talented master in neotraditional anime tattoo - Green Vesper
1. Why the name Green Vesper?
It’s honestly not that deep - it’s just the name of a cocktail I’ve never even tried. I liked it because it was short, catchy, and sounded clean. It originally came from my digital and concept art era and it just stayed with me.
2. Do you remember the exact moment when you decided you wanted to become a tattoo artist?
It wasn’t one dramatic “movie scene” moment - it felt like a very logical step. Right after I graduated university (I studied art and design), tattooing just clicked as the natural next direction for me. I’d already been through art school earlier too, so everything was kind of pointing there anyway.
3. Would you like to tell us about the journey that led you to define your anime neotraditional style?
For me it wasn’t a “trend” choice - it’s genuinely the visual language I’ve always been drawn to. Even before tattooing became my full-time career, the tattoos I chose for myself were already in this direction. I started getting more and more anime/neotraditional - inspired pieces on my own body, and that naturally pushed me to study the style deeper: the canon, the tricks, the way composition and color work on skin. When you think seriously about what you’d want on yourself, you inevitably become a student of that style and at some point you realize you’ve basically turned into an expert simply because you’ve lived inside that aesthetic for years. So it felt completely logical: I tattoo what I love visually, and I developed in the style that genuinely interests me the most.
4. Was there a specific moment or a particular tattoo that you feel marked a turning point in your style?
The real turning point wasn’t one tattoo - it was when I started traveling and doing more conventions/guest experiences. The moment you meet new people (not only tattooers), build an audience that genuinely values your work, and start receiving consistent feedback and support - it creates momentum. It becomes a snowball: new cities, new conventions, more connections, more people who respect what you do. That kind of community keeps you charged, motivated, and hungry to keep evolving.
5. Many people focus only on the beautiful side of this job, underestimating its psychological aspect. How would you describe the mental and physical challenges of being a tattoo artist today?
Physically, it’s long hours in one position, intense focus, and very repetitive strain - neck, back, hands, all of it takes a hit over time. Mentally, people don’t realize how much of this job is not tattooing: you’re your own manager, designer, photographer, social media person, and sometimes even a therapist - while still having to stay creative. One of the biggest challenges today is the competitive environment and constant comparison. There’s so much talent online and in real life that it’s easy to wake up and immediately start measuring yourself against others. And a lot of tattooers are extremely self-critical - that mix can be exhausting and genuinely demoralizing if you don’t keep it in check. The competition and comparison trap is one of the most draining parts of being an artist in 2026.
6. Burnout is a common topic among artists. Have you ever experienced it, and how did it affect your work and creativity?
I’ve definitely had periods where burnout and creative fatigue were real - especially when you’re trying to stay inspired and visible while the industry moves fast. But honestly, I haven’t had burnout in a long time, because I finally found what I truly love doing. I’d rather decline a project that doesn’t excite me than force myself through it. For me it’s important to enjoy the entire process: the sketching, the session, the photos - and that’s only possible when the idea is genuinely interesting to me stylistically and story-wise.
7. What are the most underestimated struggles people don’t see behind a tattoo artist’s career?
People don’t see how much this job affects your body - and how important physical activity becomes if you tattoo for years. Eight hours of sitting and leaning over clients doesn’t end well for anyone, so taking care of your body is not optional, it’s part of the profession. And there’s also the “emotional labor” side. Tattooing is very social: every day you meet a new person with their own story, their own energy, their own problems - and during sessions we often end up acting like therapists. You give emotional energy constantly, and sometimes you don’t know until the end of the day that a client has drained you both physically and mentally. After some sessions you go home and you just need silence to recover. And the invisible workload. People see the final tattoo - they don’t see the planning, communication, design prep, content, photography, and constant decision-making. Also, being present, holding responsibility, staying disciplined long-term - it’s not just “drawing well.” And I really think the industry still under-talks mental health - this job can be isolating and draining, and we need better conversations around that.
8. How do you personally deal with pressure, expectations, and constant productivity?
A big shift for me was simply stopping the constant “watching everyone” habit. I don’t really track other tattooers the way I used to - the competitive feeling now mostly exists only at conventions, and even there I stopped giving it so much power, because it stopped being important to me. I’m genuinely happy with my level and I value the audience I’ve built. My focus is: stay consistent, don’t disappear, and keep giving people high-quality work and content - no filler. Instagram is basically a gallery, and people come to a gallery to see something beautiful. So I try to stay aware of trends in a smart way (popular characters, anime people love, interesting stylizations), while still doing everything in my own lane. And mentally - I work on “getting off my own back”: different artists have different contexts, different stages of life, different paths. Comparing yourself without context is just self-destruction.
9. Do conventions still inspire you, or can they sometimes be overwhelming?
Both. Conventions are intense: loud, chaotic, and kind of a creative overload - but in a way that can be super energizing. At the same time, they can be overwhelming physically: noise, adrenaline, and basically no time to eat like a normal person. I usually leave inspired… and exhausted.
10. In your opinion, how do conventions affect artists, both mentally and physically?
Physically: long days, sensory overload, inconsistent lighting (sometimes it genuinely like tattooing in a nightclub), sometimes chaotic schedules, and food options that don’t help your body survive the weekend. Mentally: it’s pressure, competition, and constant social energy. The good side is it pushes you out of routine and can motivate you to grow - but you pay for it with fatigue. But the biggest value isn’t awards or entertainment - it’s connection. Conventions are one of the only chances to see people you care about in the industry who live in other states or countries. It’s like a reunion for artists who’ve known each other for a long time but rarely get to meet because of geography. That connection is what keeps a lot of us inspired and grounded.
11. How do you imagine the tattoo world in the future, and what advice would you give to those who want to pursue this career today?
I think tattoos will keep becoming more accepted - which is amazing - I just hope tattooing doesn’t lose its soul in the process of becoming “trendy.” I also think AI will be part of the workflow more and more, but mostly as a reference tool - nothing replaces a human eye for flow and emotion. For new artists: find your taste, stay curious, and be patient. And don’t ignore the mental side - this job is beautiful, but it can be isolating, so build support around yourself.
12. If readers could take one message from your experience, what would you like it to be?
Just a simple message: support the artists you love, be kind, and if you ever see someone doing something cool - tell them. Also… drink water. Especially if you’re getting tattooed.
