Anna Sundvall

I’m a tattoo artist and illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. I was born in a small village in the very north of Sweden, close to the Swedish Lapland. Here I pretty early developed an interest for art and design, often with nature, animals and the solitary environment as inspiration.

Have you always been a tattoo artist?

Wow, I’ve worked in so many different jobs during the last few years just trying to make a living. I’ve always done my own thing on the side tho.
I started my creative career as an illustrator and photographer, and has also been working on film for a few years. It’s only this last year I’ve been able to tattoo only, which is great!
That being said I’m so happy to have all these different experiences I have from working with people from different  ages and background, I think everyone should try that.

What was it like the first time you put needle and ink to skin?

The first tattoo I ever did was on my cousin, and took forever. It was supposed to be a snake, but looked more like a worm once it was finished. We’re still all good tho :)

Do you have any funny stories you can tell?

I don’t really have any crazy stories of my own, but I’ve heard quite a few from other artists.
I’ve had some reeeally nervous and scared cutomers tho, but we have always managed to work through it so that even they have felt afterwards, that’s a great feeling!

Why do you prefer hand-poking to machine tattooing?

I’ve been hand-poking from the start and haven’t really tried machine yet, but there’s some really great machine artists in the studio where I work and I’m looking forward to learning their techniques as well! It’s always nice to have the choice of both.

What would you recommend to someone who wanted to start tattooing? 

Everyone sucks in the beginning, don’t let it stop you from continuing.
Especially to all my ladies out there- don’t listen to dudes mansplaining you, you can do it just as good as anyone else, tattooing is not rocket science.

Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to handpoke tattooing?

Hm.. don’t start with the thinnest needles, it feels safer but it’s actually a lot harder to get tight lines with the thinner ones. Start with a 7 or a 9 and do simple line work to begin with.

So Single Needle Tattoo Kits, I believe that home tattooing is inherently risky, but people have, and will continue to tattoo themselves, therefore making a safe and affordable kit is the way forward... What's your take on this?

I think it’s a good thing, especially for everyone to feel included in the world of tattooing, the more the merrier. It might be a good thing to do some research about working in sterile environments tho, cross contamination etc.