Tattoo artist. Traveler. Creator. Free spirit. Rosalie enhances the human body like a canvas. Drawing each piece freehand, she crafts stunning symmetrical designs that accentuate and embrace the anatomy of her clients. With a background in fashion and an eye for detail, she blends tradition with high aesthetics, wrapping skin in intricate “garments” of ink. Here, Rosalie talks about life on the road, and her journey as multi-talented artist.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
I’m Rosalie; tattoo artist, traveler, artist, free spirit, and joker. My style is a symbiosis of elegance and strength, ornamentation and symmetry. Each of my designs is drawn freehand onto the skin to perfectly adapt to the individual anatomy of my clients. I owe this approach in part to my background in the fashion industry. I see tattoos as an artistic garment that enhances, protects, and enchants the body. My work is more than decoration; it’s an expression of strength. I love working on large-scale pieces, wrapping bodies in intricate armor. And I’m always on the move because my art thrives on encounters, travel, and the places and people that inspire me.
How did your fascination for tattoos get started?
I’ve been fascinated by tattoos and their history since I was a child. Where does tattooing come from? I would spend hours reading books about indigenous cultures, rituals, body modifications, and tattoos as symbols of belonging and identity. No one in my family was tattooed, but for me, it was always clear: I didn’t just want to draw – I wanted my art to go under the skin.
When did you decide to start tattooing?
At 17, I met a skilled tattoo artist at a Hells Angels studio in Switzerland. I begged him for a year to take me on as an apprentice until he finally agreed. I started with drawings, old-school designs, and Hells Angels motifs, learning the craft in its purest form. That studio worked in the old-school way. Since I already had my own apartment but wasn’t earning anything at the studio – and was still there all the time – I had three jobs and worked seven days a week, day and night, to make my dream of tattooing come true. It wasn’t an easy path, but it was the right one.
Are you still based in Switzerland?
Born in Germany, raised in Austria, now at home everywhere. I haven’t had a permanent residence for a year and a half. I sold everything, hit the road, and have been working all over the world ever since. Soon, I’ll be moving to Berlin, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop traveling. My urge to discover new places, meet new people, and find new inspiration will always remain.
What kind of tattoo projects do you like to do the most?
I feel deeply honored when people choose to carry my art on their bodies in a large-scale way. Body suits, for me, are the ultimate form of tattoo art – a transformation that happens not only on the outside but also on the inside.
My tattoos are both powerful and elegant, large-scale, symmetrical, long-lasting, and tailored to the body. They wrap around their wearers like custom-made artworks, sometimes like a dress that hugs the body, sometimes like protective armor. Every design carries a story, an energy. I want my clients to feel stronger through my work – confident, bold, and present.
Seeing someone grow through my work is always a special moment.
What’s the main source of inspiration for your tattoos?
Everything around me. The aesthetics of architecture, ornamentation, the patterns in old windows, the lines of nature, the movement of fabric on the body. The anatomy of each client provides the canvas that I refine with my art. And then there are the encounters – every person I tattoo brings their own story, which reflects in my projects.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
Nowadays, being a good tattoo artist is no longer enough. It’s no longer just a craft – it’s a total art form. We have to be artists, photographers, social media managers, videographers, editors… And then there’s the psychological aspect: we’re not just tattoo artists; we’re also conversation partners, advisors, and above all, pain guides. It’s an intense profession – but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating for me.
What do you love the most about being a tattoo artist?
Freedom. The ability to create my art anywhere in the world, to experience new cultures, and to work with so many different people. But most of all: the moment when a client sees their tattoo in the mirror, and I see that sparkle in their eyes. When I feel that my work is more than just an image on the skin – that it has changed something within them.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I started attending conventions quite late. I wanted my style to develop to a point where I could truly identify with it. Today, I travel to international conventions – not just to showcase my art but to exchange ideas with other artists, discover new techniques, and absorb creative energy.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you have ever been to?
Yes, it was in 2019 in Florence – an experience I won’t forget anytime soon. The journey there and back was complete chaos, but as soon as I arrived, I was blown away by the incredible quality of the artists and their work. However, the convention itself was disappointing: few visitors, and our booth was placed right in front of a small live band. Having meaningful conversations with clients was nearly impossible. On the second day, we managed to change locations, but unfortunately, it didn’t help much. Financially, it was a loss – but as an experience, it was still valuable.
In which way was it valuable to you?
Because of the exchange with other artists. The inspiration, the energy. I love discovering new perspectives, connecting with creative minds, showcasing my art to an international audience, and evolving artistically. And, of course traveling.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Follow your heart and create what you feel.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
Those for whom tattooing is not just a job but a way of life. Artists who work with the body rather than just on it. Those who create long-lasting, timeless pieces.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
My greatest achievement? It’s not a particular award or milestone – it’s the people I touch with my art. Being able to live off my passion, travel the world, and have clients who appreciate my work and proudly wear it on their skin – that means everything to me.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
Yes. I come from the fashion industry, I still sew and design, and I’m involved in sustainable fashion events. But I also love working with different materials – wood, stone, clay, metal… I build, create, experiment. My hands always have to be making something, whether with a needle, a paintbrush, or a drill. I’m a very hands-on person – and I get excited about new things quickly.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
For me, standing still is not an option. I want to grow, explore new techniques, and refine my own signature style. My goal is to create art that moves people – that tells a story, has meaning, and endures.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Yes – a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey. To my clients, who wear my art on their skin. To my family, friends, and supporters, who motivate and inspire me. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
