JANUARY 2021 | 85You’ll find Carolina Caos Avalle right at the intersection of
pop-art collage and skin. Avalle crafts stunning designs
combining elements of realism, abstract textures and
allusions to children’s cartoons, giving each client a truly
unique work of art. We caught up with Avalle to learn about
her approach to design, how she incorporates texture into a
tattoo and what advice she’d give to her younger self.
When did you fall in love with art? I’ve loved drawing and
painting since I was a child. It became a physical need for me,
like sleeping or eating. During school, I would sometimes lock
myself in my room for days and all I did was draw. In drawing
and painting, I convey my often tormented state of mind,
because I’m never satisfied with what I’m doing.
What were the first years of your tattooing career like? Eight
years ago, I met my work and life partner Stefano Galati. For
the first few years I tried to learn more, try different styles, draw
and study various tattoo artists. From Japanese to cartoon,
realistic to old school, color to black-and-grey, I tried to learn
as much as possible from different tattooers.
How would you describe your current style and how has it
evolved over time? Today I call my style Realism Avant-Garde
and it’s the result of my studies plus my approach to different
techniques. I combine illustration, realism, graphics and
painting harmoniously. I developed this style over the years,
but I’m constantly changing. I live in a state of perennial anxiety
where I’m never fully satisfied and am constantly looking to
improve my technique and style. I have a lot to learn and there’s
always something to improve. Being very self-critical, I always
hope to do better in the next tattoo.
How do you decide which elements to combine into one tattoo?
In my projects, I build the parts of realism, painting, abstract
and graphics so that the colors are in contrast with each
other and make the main subject stand out. I love to approach
the complexity of realism with the simplicity and sweetness
of illustration. The main subjects on which I build the whole
composition are almost always feminine. The woman is a
predilection that I’ve always had, even before I started to tattoo.
Behind a female face, there’s a different beauty and delicacy
that I would dare to say is profound.
What role does texture play in your work? Texture is
fundamental in my work. The graphic, abstract and design
elements are what give life to the composition, which unite the
tattoo by making the realism stand out even more.
What advice would you give to your younger self? Everything
can always change, for the better or for the worse. Usually in
life things don't happen by chance, but with commitment and
perseverance I think many results can be achieved. Above all,
you must feel satisfied knowing that you have done your best to
achieve your goals.