Meet Balkon Pokes | Hand-Poke Tattoo Artist

Hi Ceylin what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
As a tattoo artist, an important habit is communication and being able to openly listen to the clients needs. Tattoo ideas and aesthetic varies significantly from person to person, so it is vital to have an open mind while designing the final product. Also, we shouldn’t forget that a tattoo is a piece art you carry on your body forever, so the persons comfort and happiness with their design is more significant than anything else during the process. I also think patience is a habit that is nice to have as a tattoo artist. I always try to make the people I tattoo feel as comfortable and un-rushed as possible — but I expect the same energy back from them. A tattoo is a craft that takes time, and this time shouldn’t be rushed.
Lastly, making my studio a warm and cozy environment always makes the sessions a good time. Although it’s beautiful, tattoos aren’t always very easy; so at least the person getting the tattoo should have some kind of unvarying comfort thanks to the music, beverages, snacks, and my cat.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a hand-poke tattoo artist based in Los Angeles. I love doing nature-based designs, and specialize in thin&tiny line work tattoos. What I am most proud about with my art is that I am mostly self-taught, and started my business solely as a hobby. I did not guess I would end up being able to do an interview about my work, let alone my work as a tattoo artist! It is very exciting to start being recognized by my art, and I am eager to continue developing my artistic style.
I’ve been tattooing almost three and a half years now, and it has been an amazing journey coming to where I am. I definitely could not have done it without the trust of my friends, who were always willing to get tattooed by me even when I was just in my learning phases. Thanks to so many wonderful people I’ve tattooed, I have come to where I am as balkon.pokes, and am excited to meet so many more all around the world.
There have of course been some challenges along the way, and the learning curve (as is with any craft) was not the easiest, but I am very proud of where I am at the moment, and know that the only way from here is up.
The people I’ve tattooed are always the best part of my job, because I get to talk with so many amazing souls and it’s always a beautiful exchange of thoughts and knowledge. I am blessed that I am able to interact with people from so many different backgrounds, cultures, jobs, mentalities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’re so lucky that LA is close to a lot of cool places, so if my best friend were visiting: Our schedule would definitely include a 1-night trip to Twentynine Palms, or Palm Springs, and we would hike in Joshua Tree during the day-time.
For LA, I would take them to Griffith Observatory and do the Hollywood Sign hike.
I would take them thrifting at the Rose Bowl, or if we couldn’t make it there I would take them to Melrose TP.
DTLA Warehouse rave scene is something I would show them, because it’s an experience everyone should see at least once.
For food, Kazu Nori and Uovo for chill/simple/delicious dinner nights, and for a fancy night I would take them to Gjelina or Bestia.
For drinks, definitely a cocktail bar, there are a lot of great places on 3rd Street near Beverly Hills. But also, there are amazing pubs all around, and most of them aren’t disgustingly crowded on Fridays or Saturdays.
Silverlake/Echo Park area at night time for bar hopping is definitely always a good idea, or if we are near the beaches, Main St. on Venice also gives the same opportunities.
LA also has so many cool museums and exhibits all the time, so I would try to see if there is anything going on. If not, LACMA and The Broad are obviously must-sees. Getty Center is also super cool.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to primarily thank the creators and founders of Melting Garments: Giovana (Gigi) Brito and Mariana Ramirez. Thanks to their events I was able to organically create a clientele and spread the word about my tattoo business. Secondly, Ali Deran, an amazing tattoo artist based in Los Angeles at Fleure Noire on Melrose. He taught me a lot of technique and tattoo etiquette. I am definitely a better artist thanks to him.
@baby.cleaver is an inspiration beyond any other hand poke artist. They are wonderfully talented and a magnificent tattoo artist.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balkon.pokes/