Dom Greco from Desperado Ink Tattoo Studio in Altona North. 89282 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By ALESHA CAPONE
DESPERADO Ink Tattoo Studio sounds like it belongs in a Hollywood film – but the body art business is actually located in Altona North.
Tattooist Dom Greco opened the studio two years ago.
Mr Greco said some tattoo studios could be “intimidating” but he welcomed anyone into his studio – including an 82-year-old woman who recently got her first tattoo.
“That’s why I built the studio the way it is, so it’s nice and comforting,” he said.
“I’m trying to get rid of the stereotype that as tattooists we’re all big, evil blokes.
“I’ve always been around tattoos. My Dad and all his friends had them and were all truckies and bikies.
“What I enjoy most is really just every day you see something different and with every design you do, you put some of yourself into it.
“I put whatever I’m thinking and feeling at the time into my work.
After a decade as a tattoo artist Mr Greco has developed his own distinctive style of body art.
Mr Greco described his designs as “a street, Latin-American style” done in “fineline black and grey”.
Mr Greco is also devoted to the Chicano style of tattooing which originated in Mexican gang culture and American prisons.
“I don’t do many tattoo requests such as the Southern Cross or tribal designs. I have my own style,” he said.
Mr Greco’s style will be on show this week when he spends around 10 hours demonstrating his tattooing ability at the Tattoo and Body Art Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The show, which is the largest event of its type in the southern hemisphere, will be on from Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 10pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. See www.tattooexpo.com.au for more details.
