Meet Diana Diaz Tarakanova

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Diaz Tarakanova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.

Diana, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I became more confident by going through different life experiences and learning from them. I always try to listen to what I really want and do things that make me excited. When I do something new—especially in a new country—I often feel scared or unsure, but I do it anyway. I try not to compare myself to other people. Instead, I focus on getting better at my own pace. That helps me understand myself and grow.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Diana Diaz, a tattoo artist from Ukraine currently traveling across the U.S. as a guest artist in various studios. Over the past 8 years, I’ve worked in 11 countries — and in just the past year, I’ve tattooed in 16 U.S. states.

At the heart of my work are the shoekids: small characters in boots that represent memories, emotions, and personal moments. Each one is unique and often gets a name tied to something meaningful from the client’s story.

Right now, I’m focused on growing the shoekids universe, expanding my tattoo brand across the U.S., and working toward my dream of tattooing in every state in America.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three most important things that helped me on my journey were being strong, being curious, and being flexible.

Being strong helped me not give up when things were hard—like moving to new countries or when I didn’t have much work. I kept believing in myself and didn’t stop trying.

Being curious made me want to keep learning. I always try to discover new things, watch what’s happening around me, and learn from every experience.

Being flexible helped me work in many different countries, with different people and in new places. To get better at this, you have to try new things, step out of your comfort zone, and be open to change. It’s one of the most helpful skills you can have.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

In those moments, I try to be mindful of how I’m feeling. I take a pause, reevaluate my priorities, and focus on the basics—sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. Sometimes, it’s just a sign that I need to rest.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ttoo_diaz
• Facebook: Diana Tarakanova
• Linkedin: Diana (Tarakanova) Diaz
• Twitter: @ttoo_diaz
• Other: Pinterest: ttoo_diaz
  Bluesky: ttoodiaz.bsky.social
  Tumblr: ttoodiaz
  Reddit: ttoo_diaz