We recently connected with Nikol Sedef and have shared our conversation below.
Nikol, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
In today’s world, staying creative without getting burned out by the endless stream of information and short-form content is challenging. It’s easy to lose focus or become disconnected from ourselves and the work we love. The way our habits have shifted in this fast-paced, ever-changing landscape has made it harder to remember what creating art really means, or even why we do it.
We often need to remind ourselves that we’re not in competition with others, that the digital world isn’t reality, and that every creation has an audience, whether large or small. Art production has become so intertwined with social media, and not everyone can handle existing in that world without bending to its rules. As artists, we sometimes stand alone, facing huge projects as individuals, while the big names and brands we see online are often supported by teams of people. It’s important to remember that no one can do everything themselves in today’s world. Things move fast, and so does consumption.
There are times when it feels like we’re constantly in a race, especially with the pressure of maintaining a presence on social media. Speaking from personal experience, balancing communication with clients, designing, tattooing, providing aftercare, taking and editing photos, posting on social media with the right music and trends; it’s a lot to handle alone. It can be exhausting, and there were periods when I felt so burned out that I didn’t have time to create, or worse, didn’t even want to.
It’s normal to feel like we’re falling behind when everyone else seems to be in a race. That’s why I’ve learned to give myself the time I need. My ideas change frequently, and even the news I see in a day can influence what I create, so the process of creating artwork can take time. Sometimes I feel burned out even while I’m in the middle of working on something, and in those moments, I remind myself how fleeting life is and how the race I’m in is only with my own mind.
For me, art is everywhere, in every experience. My creations come from everything I’ve experienced: a song I’ve listened to, a meal I’ve tasted, a game I’ve played, a film I’ve watched, or a country I’ve visited. I take inspiration from everything my senses experience. I create with my emotions, and as long as I continue to feel in this complicated, emotional, tough, yet beautiful life, as long as I can question, be angry, be sad, and be happy, I’ll continue to create.
In short, my ability to keep my creativity alive comes from the source of what I create. When I’m tired, I try to embrace it and listen to myself. I believe every artist who wants to make a living from their art knows how important rest is. As long as an artist has a theme they work with and a source that keeps their creative intelligence flowing, they can keep going. Because when the things we create lose their purpose, when we continue without knowing why, it becomes all too easy to lose our way.
When I create something that lets me express my voice, critique what I see, and know what I want to say, my ideas never run out.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a multidisciplinary tattoo artist, my journey has been a mixture of personal growth, exploration, and connection with the people I meet along the way. I’ve traveled and worked in studios across the world, from Beirut to Helsinki, Istanbul to Hamburg, constantly learning from the different cultures and stories I encounter. Tattooing isn’t just about creating art on someone’s skin; it’s about capturing a moment, an emotion, or even a whole story, and making that a permanent part of someone’s life. That’s what excites me the most, helping people express themselves through my art.
What I find most special about my work is how I blend my worldview with my clients’ stories. Each piece I create is unique, a collaboration between my own ideas and what my clients bring to the table. I’ve always believed that the energy of the person in front of me is what makes the final piece truly theirs. My goal is to capture that energy, to honor their story, while adding my own artistic vision to the mix.
For me, tattooing is about more than just the final result. It’s about the entire journey; understanding what the client wants, creating a design that is truly personal, and then bringing it to life on their skin. I also specialize in cover-ups and love the challenge of transforming older tattoos into something new and meaningful. Whether it’s preserving a bit of the original or completely reimagining the piece, I believe every tattoo has a story to tell, and I’m honored to help my clients tell theirs.
In terms of what’s next, I’m working on a few personal projects that involve merging my illustration work with tattoo art. I’m also interested in exploring new techniques and materials, pushing the boundaries of what tattooing can be. There’s so much room for creativity in this field, and I’m constantly inspired to evolve both as an artist and a storyteller.
All in all, I want my clients to feel seen, heard, and understood when they walk into the studio. It’s not just about getting a tattoo; it’s about connecting with their stories and creating something that will stay with them for a lifetime. That’s what my brand stands for; authentic, personal, and meaningful art.
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 on my journey as a multidisciplinary tattoo artist, three qualities and skills have been the most impactful. First is resilience; working long hours, sometimes 6 to 12 hours a day, is not uncommon in my profession. Tattooing can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding, but pushing through these challenges to achieve the best results for my clients is something I value deeply. For those starting out, it’s essential to build both physical and emotional resilience, as setbacks are inevitable. Staying committed and pushing through those hard days will lead to growth and better outcomes.
Another critical skill is adaptability. When I first started, I made it a point to learn various tattoo styles, from realism to abstract, which provided me with a strong foundation. Today, this flexibility allows me to cater to different client preferences and adapt to their unique visions. My background in fashion design also helps me stay in touch with trends, which keeps my work fresh and visually appealing. My advice to others is to explore multiple styles early on, as this broad knowledge will allow you to be versatile and ready for any client. Staying connected to trends and other art forms keeps your work dynamic.
Finally, client-centered creativity plays a central role in my process. I believe in balancing the client’s vision with my creative expertise to create something meaningful and personal. I make sure that communication during the design process is clear and that clients feel understood. My focus is on collaboration, working together to bring their story to life through art. For those starting out, honing your communication skills is key. Truly listening to clients while guiding them with your expertise results in both trust and unique, meaningful art.
These qualities; resilience, adaptability, and client-centered creativity, have shaped my journey, and I continue to evolve by embracing these principles in my work.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
For me, balance is an essential concept, and I try to apply it to every part of my life. While some people may prefer to focus solely on one strength and perfect it, I believe in honing myself across different areas, ensuring that I meet the personal standards I’ve set. Tattooing isn’t just about creating great art; it’s also about presenting that art well, communicating effectively with clients, and delivering an experience they’ll remember. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to showcase your work, but training your eye and maintaining consistency in presentation can significantly enhance your overall aesthetic.
It’s like serving a dish on a fancy plate: no matter how beautiful the presentation, if the food itself isn’t well-cooked, it won’t matter how visually appealing it is. Similarly, a great tattoo without a strong connection or communication with the client can result in an experience that’s lacking. People may not always remember the art, but they will remember how they felt during the process. This is why I believe it’s important to acknowledge and embrace your weaknesses, because doing so creates the space to improve in those areas.
In my career, I’ve always focused on creating unique, custom designs for my clients, but what has brought me to where I am today is a combination of elements: attention to detail, a consistent color palette and themes, and a strong focus on presentation. Had I neglected any of these aspects, I wouldn’t have reached this point. It’s not just about excelling in one area, but understanding that every part of the process; from design to client interaction to presentation, matters.
Ultimately, while I lean into my strengths, I also believe it’s crucial to invest in improving areas that will support and elevate those strengths. That balance has been key in both my personal and professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikolsedef.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nicolesedef
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesedeftattoo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikol-sedef-2aa890123/
- Twitter: https://x.com/NicoleSedef
