Interview - David Cavalcante

What’s your name?
david cavalcante

Where you are from?
originally from long island new york, i am currently working in washington dc at tattoo paradise

How old are you? And how much time did you create designs of that style?
i am 31, as far as time i spent creating a style, i have been tattooing for 8 and a half years so pretty much that long

How did you get contact with this style in the first place?
when i first started to get into tattooing and seeing them...

There’s some special reason for you to like this kind of designs?
they are fun to tattoo and i like to look at them

What did you like most in this style of tattoo?
it is timeless

Tell us some names that really influence you on your designs?
the S.O.G.G..mike wilson, steve boltz, mark mahoney, bob roberts, ed hardy, mike brown, horihide, jason brooks, chad koeplinger, tony hundel, steve bryne, bert krak, eli quinters, jack rudy, scott sylvia, mike bruce, dan higgs, josh brown, mike rennie, danny reed, josh arment, nick collela, mario desa, teddy safarian, chris conn, thomas hooper, dan santoro, stewart robson, valerie vargas, dan wyseph,.. i really like looking at old pinky yun, cliff raven, mike malone and jack rudy flash also.. there are so many and i am missing out on a lot

Which is the elements that you like most and why? (e.g., some likes more roses, others diamonds and so on)
i like tattooing flowers a lot.. you can make them all different ways.. and also lettering i enjoy doing a lot.. most because you can change them up everytime.. also water i really like doing designs in water

When you are creating some designs for tattoo, you think that's important to know the meanings of each design?
yes so that it comes out correct and how things should be positioned..

Can you explain how born a idea for a design for a tattoo in your mind? What’s your inspiration?
usually my inspiration is the customer and if they are cool or not.. if they want to play art director and tell me how to do it i will not be as into the design as someone who gives me an idea and lets me create it how i would want to do it

In which circumstances did you have better ideas for designs?
if the customer is nice

Did you think that the artist should reinvent themselves every day trying new things? (talk about it if possible)
yes, definatly.. i think the day you stop learning from tattooing is the day you should quit...

Did you feel sorry for sale some of your unique arts or original paintings?
no because i could either make another on that is better or if it is something that i really like i make sure that it goes to a good home usually a friend i end up giving it to.. i really dont sell paintings unless someone offers to buy

Which of your own designs did you like most?
i did a really nice russian stacking doll

Did you have some collection of other artist’s art?
yes

Tell some of your favorite tattooist/designers from today?
dan santoro, steve boltz, thomas hooper, bob roberts, adam schrusberry, chris conn, dan higgs, daniel albrigo, ed hardy

Did you have some sketchbook or arts for sale? If have, where the people can find it?
i dont have any right now, i did a few months ago for a convention i did in sydney.. if anybody wants one i will get one made up.. it is full of designs that i have done and encourage others to use.. they are straight out of a street shop and are what people want

Did you have some message that you want to pass or something to say to our readers?
if you are already tattooing, dont teach anybody else.. its already flooded with tattooers. you are creating your own competition. only teach people if you have been tattooing a long time and know what you are doing.
if you want to learn, dont bother, get a real job