Introducing
Raphael Langevin
Raphael is an up and coming self taught tattoo artist from Montreal, Canada. He talks about what motivates him as an artist, some of the challenges that he has faced, and who he looks up to in the industry.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist?
“I've always been into art. Growing up, i played drums 24/7 and Travis Barker was an obsession. I wanted to play like him and I wanted to look like him. When i was 16, i asked my mom if i could get a tattoo. She signed the release and i got hooked immediately.”
What motivates you to be the best artist you can be
“The thing that gets me going is certainly the fact that every person that i tattoo leaves with a piece of me. The thing that motivates me is when someone thinks that my designs are cool and tells me 'yo! This piece is so sick, i want it'. I'm always searching for that type of reaction.”
What are the most challenging aspects of being a tattoo artist?
“As a self taught tattoo apprentice, the most challenging aspect for me is definitely the stress. I've always been told to start tattooing but i was so scared of not being good enough. It took me 10 years to start tattooing. I was so stressed out while tattooing my first clients and it showed in my mood and in my shaky lines. After 4 months of tattooing, im way more comfortable doing it!”
Do you have a favorite tattoo on yourself?
“It's so cheesy to say but whenever i get a tattoo, it becomes my new favorite one”
Who do you look up to in the tattoo industry?
“I look up to anyone who's working hard doing what they love even though it's a bold move to start tattooing. For me, it's not about how good you are, it's about how dedicated and how passionate you are toward what you're doing.”
Raphael's skills are undeniable and his passion for tattooing is inspiring. Passion is what drives us to be the best we can be and Raphael is a prime example of that. Make sure to follow him on Instagram: @clairvoyant_tattoo. He is available for bookings through Instagram DMs.