Meet Dmytro Shcherbakov

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dmytro Shcherbakov. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dmytro, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

I think there’s a common misconception that people working in creative fields are always inspired, full of ideas, and constantly ready to create. In reality, it doesn’t work that way. When you’re juggling many projects, working with a full schedule, and constantly producing, there are moments when you feel exhausted or stuck. I believe that’s something almost everyone experiences at some point.

Over time, I’ve found my own way of avoiding burnout. The most important part is allowing yourself to rest and knowing when to shift your focus. Changing your environment or switching to a different type of activity can make a huge difference. My typical workday in Chicago is very structured: tattooing clients throughout the day using prepared designs, then working on designs for upcoming sessions. That routine can easily become repetitive if you’re not mindful.

To stay balanced, I always remind myself why I do this work in the first place – what it gives me personally and what emotions my clients experience through it. I also make sure to break the routine. I attend tattoo conventions in different cities, travel for guest spots, and work in other studios. New places, new people, and new energy are incredibly refreshing.

Last year, I added another layer to my work by teaching and sharing knowledge. I wrote my book Skin Not Paper: The Modern Tattoo Guide and hosted webinars, which turned out to be surprisingly energizing. Teaching forces you to reflect, organize your thoughts, and see your own experience from a new perspective.

Beyond work itself, staying creatively healthy means feeding your mind – traveling, meeting people, visiting exhibitions, museums, galleries, and allowing yourself to rest at the same time. For me, burnout isn’t something to fight aggressively; it’s something to prevent through balance, awareness, and honest connection with what you do.

My clients also play a huge role in this. The people I work with constantly give me new energy and motivation to keep going. Because of that, I wouldn’t say I’m experiencing burnout at all, I genuinely love what I do and welcome new challenges with enthusiasm. Each project feels like an opportunity rather than an obligation, and that mindset makes all the difference.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At the core of what I do, I’m a tattoo artist, and that’s what keeps everything grounded. I love the direct, human side of this work – the conversations, the trust, and the shared moment of creating something that will stay with a person for life.

What feels special to me is the balance between structure and intuition. I enjoy working with clear compositions and graphic thinking, but I always adapt those ideas to the body and to the person wearing the tattoo. Every project is different, and that constant variation keeps the work exciting and meaningful.

Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow through tattooing itself – working with clients, traveling for guest spots and conventions, and slowly expanding my creative world through education and personal projects.

More than anything, I want my work to feel honest. If a tattoo is done with care, attention, and respect for the person wearing it, everything else tends to fall into place.

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, three things had the biggest impact on my journey.

First, courage – the ability to take risks and make decisions instead of playing it safe. Second, curiosity – constantly wanting to learn, observe, and evolve rather than repeat the same solutions. And third, discipline – showing up consistently, putting in the work, and letting results speak louder than words.

For artists at the beginning of their path, my advice is simple: don’t be afraid to take risks, stay curious, and work consistently. Talent matters, but persistence and focus matter more in the long run.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I don’t pull back – I refocus. I prioritize what actually moves me forward and cut out everything that doesn’t. Pressure usually means growth, and I treat it as a signal to sharpen my decisions rather than slow down.

At the same time, I believe it’s just as important to give yourself permission to rest. Knowing when to push and when to pause is part of discipline. When your direction is clear and your energy is managed, even heavy moments become manageable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asphalt-ttt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asphalt_ttt