Veronica
Expert in fine line black work
Veronica started working with us as a guest artist from Argentina and loved New Zealand so much that she’s decided to stay!
Veronica specialises in fine line black work with a focus on florals, animals and profiles. She loves doing large scale work, but no job is too small! Her crisp fine lines are perfect for tattoos of any size.
An interview with Veronica:
How did you get your start or become interested in tattooing?
I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember, but I first became interested in tattooing after getting my first tattoo in my early twenties. Until then, tattooing had always seemed like a very difficult and almost inaccessible world to me, especially as there weren’t as many tattoo artists, or women in the industry, as there are today. Watching my first tattoo being done made something click, and I thought, “Maybe I could do this too.”
I took a few tattoo courses, bought my first machines and started practising on myself, friends and family. However, I didn’t have my own space to work from at the time, so eventually I became frustrated and put tattooing aside. Even though I spent several years working in completely different jobs, it was always something I hoped to return to one day.
In 2020, my partner Lu gave me a new tattoo machine for my birthday and encouraged me to give it another try. I began practising again, and in 2021 we created a small private studio in our home in Argentina. Lu managed my bookings while I focused on tattooing, and little by little I built a wonderful client base. We worked together there for a few years before moving to New Zealand, where I’ve continued developing my career as a tattoo artist in Auckland. After spending years in jobs I didn’t enjoy, I feel incredibly grateful that tattooing has become my profession. It’s something I genuinely love doing.
What drew you to the style that you specialise in?
When I first learned to tattoo, I was fascinated by realism and imagined that it would become my speciality. Fine line tattooing wasn’t really an established style at the time, and very small needles were mostly used to add details to larger tattoos.
When I returned to tattooing professionally in 2021, fine line had developed into a style of its own, and I was immediately drawn to how delicate and detailed it could be. I love creating clean, precise lines and using soft black and grey shading to give a design depth without making it feel too heavy. Fine line tattooing can be very technically challenging, and I enjoy that combination of precision and subtlety. Over time, I’ve developed my style around delicate fine line work, micro-realism and soft, detailed tattoos that flow naturally with the body.
What’s on your “one day I’ll tattoo this” wishlist?
I would love to do more micro-realistic pet portraits, particularly delicate portraits that capture the animal’s personality and the special connection they have with their person. I’d also love to create more large-scale fine line pieces that flow naturally with the body, perhaps a detailed dragon combined with florals, or a larger botanical composition wrapping around an arm or leg.
Another area I’m beginning to explore is colour tattooing. Black and grey will always be my main speciality, but I’m excited to keep developing my colour work and eventually create more realistic pieces in colour.
Do you have a favourite subject matter to tattoo?
Flora and fauna are definitely among my favourite subjects. I love tattooing animals, birds and flowers, particularly native New Zealand birds and botanicals. Since moving to New Zealand, I’ve had the opportunity to tattoo many native species, and I really enjoy learning about the meaning or personal connection they hold for each client.
More than any particular subject, I love creating tattoos that are meaningful to the person wearing them, whether they represent a loved one, a pet, a memory, a place or an important part of their identity. I’m especially drawn to tattoos that feel delicate but powerful, and I love turning someone’s story into a design that feels personal to them.
What do you get up to when you’re not tattooing?
When I’m not tattooing, I love exploring New Zealand and discovering new places with my partner. I’m a big foodie, so a lot of our adventures involve trying new restaurants, cafés and different kinds of food. I also love going for walks, visiting the beach, whether the weather is good or not, and spending time with our little dog, Ikki. She is almost 18 years old and made the move with us all the way from Argentina.
I’m usually doing something creative too. I enjoy drawing and painting with watercolours, and my latest hobby is making tiny animals and other handmade pieces with polymer clay. I also love shopping, having video calls with my family back in Argentina, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home watching TV and playing video games.
