Exiled to Canada, installed on the other side of the St. Lawrence River opposite Quebec City, the French tattooist El Carnicero has a lot of fun with the art of the letter. A passion that surfs on the popularity of a style that makes more and more sense for a clientele in search of self-expression.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
Hello! My name is El Carnicero but I'm called Carni. I'm 32 years old and I'm from Yvelines, France. I have been a tattoo artist for nine years and I specialized in lettering seven years ago. I have been living in Canada for four years.
What was your path to tattooing?
It's not very complicated! (Laughs) I left school early and then I devoted myself to my two passions: drawing and mechanics. Since I was little I've been riding motorbikes. Today, my tattoo shop is in the same building as Frank Chopper, a custom chopper builder.
Do you come from graffiti like many of the tattoo artists who specialise in letters?
That's true for most, but not for me. I've always been attracted to calligraphy, the art of forming handwritten characters.
Some tattooists get into lettering because someone has to stick to it in the studio where they work. How did this happen for you?
For me, I was already very interested in calligraphy. When I started out, I read up on what was going on in the tattoo world and then came across books by tattoo artists like Big Meas (@bigmeas) and B.J Betts (@bjbetts). That's when I fell in love with this unique style.
What do you call a tattoo artist who specialises in letters? A typographer tattooist? A calligrapher tattooist?
Simply a tattooist. Because even if we specialise in lettering, what drives us is above all the tattoo itself and nothing else.
Do you create your own letters?
The style is different for everyone. After countless tests it is found and perfected.
How do you choose the typeface when working on a piece?
Everything happens on the day. The first time I see my client we talk and that guides the work I'm going to do. And then, the message they want to convey has a lot to do with the style of typeface I choose. If it's a soft message, I'll go for more delicate cursive letters. If the message is harder, I'll prefer a bolder typeface.
What is more important? Readability or impact?
For me, the most important thing is definitely the impact.
Do you have any typefaces that you specifically like?
I really like the cursive letters, very Chicano. I like the vibe and the fluidity it gives to the words. More broadly, I've always been interested in the Chicano culture and all the things around it, like lowriders...
The letters dictate the aesthetics of a piece, depending on their number, their association with each other. Are there any words you particularly like to work with because they "work" well?
Frankly, I like anything that can be written.
Do all messages have to be read?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words stick, no matter what you say.
More like free-hand and/or stencil?
FREE HAND EVERY DAY
How popular is this style today?
Today lettering is becoming more and more popular. It's hard to explain but I think people have more to say.
Are there any artists you would like to draw attention to for those who would like to take a more serious interest in letter culture?
Yes, there are obviously many. La familia BORN 2 SCRIPT with Lucho Morante, Feel, Fat Kush, Chocos, Jerry One ... they are all machines I respect a lot.
Do you have any links with the world of typography, graphic artists, designers. Are tattoo artists who specialise in lettering seen as designers too?
I don't really have any other connections outside of tattooing and yes I think we are considered designers because we try to create unique pieces for our clients on a free hand basis every day. + Instagram @el_carnicer0 Endless Tattoo Parlor 1005 rue Renault Saint Jean Chrysostome G6z 1b6 Canada
