08/09/2026
What an amazing and intense weekend!
During the Big London Tattoo Show I had the opportunity to create a very special piece: a Motanka, a traditional Slavic doll with a beautiful symbolic meaning.
In the past, women across Slavic cultures would make these dolls with a specific intention, such as love, prosperity, happiness, protection or anything else they wished to invite into their lives. The doll was believed to carry that intention and bring good fortune to its owner.
Interestingly, a traditional Motanka was not supposed to be made using scissors, as cutting the threads or fabric was believed to cut the intention and could bring bad luck.
For this tattoo, I also incorporated elements inspired by traditional Polish paper cutting called wycinanki. The pattern is based on a regional folk design connected to the area my wonderful client Nina comes from, which made the whole piece even more personal and meaningful. 🇵🇱
A very special thank you to Nina for your patience, trust, creative freedom and for being such an incredible model throughout the whole process. 🤍❤️
Thank you as well to everyone who stopped by our booth, watched us work and shared so many kind words about the tattoo. It really meant a lot.
Huge thanks to our lovely neighbours for the amazing atmosphere, to the organisers and to all the wonderful people I had the chance to meet over the weekend.
And of course, congratulations to all the competition winners!
I am leaving this weekend feeling incredibly grateful.
Thank you for everything and hopefully see you at the next one!
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Slavic tattoo
Motanka tattoo
Polish folk tattoo
Slavic folklore tattoo
traditional Polish tattoo
folk art tattoo
wycinanki tattoo
Polish paper cutting tattoo
symbolic tattoo
cultural tattoo
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