Dionne is a micro-realism tattoo artist currently based in Vancouver, Canada. Trained at an arts high school in South Korea, she has spent the last eight years tattooing in both Korea and Canada, and is known for tiny, hyper-detailed everyday objects and her playful smiley series.
I reached out to her for our interview series, and here are her answers along with photos of her tattoo work. You can follow her on Instagram at @dionne.tattoo.
1. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist and when did you start it as a career?
I have been passionate about art since childhood. I attended an arts high school in South Korea, where I developed my artistic foundation. Later, I moved to Canada and continued my high school education, which gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures and forms of artistic expression.
What particularly fascinated me was how tattoos in Canada were embraced not simply as decoration, but as a form of art that expresses personal identity and individual stories. This experience naturally sparked my interest in tattooing, and I eventually returned to Korea to begin my journey as a tattoo artist.
Since I started tattooing while I was still a student, becoming a tattoo artist was my first profession and remains the only career I have ever pursued. Over the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to continuously refining my technical skills and developing my own artistic identity.
2. What do you enjoy most about tattooing, and how did you get into micro-realism?
What I enjoy most about tattooing is recreating the textures, dimensions, and intricate details of real objects on the skin. I am particularly fascinated by the way light reflects off metallic surfaces, the delicate transparency of materials such as glass and plastic, and the depth created through highlights and shadows.
As I continued exploring ways to represent everyday objects as realistically as possible, I naturally developed my specialization in micro-realism.
3. How would you describe your approach to each tattoo?
I consider myself a perfectionist when it comes to my work. I believe that even the smallest detail can significantly influence the overall quality and atmosphere of a piece. For this reason, I devote considerable time and attention to every stage of the process, from developing the initial concept to completing the final tattoo.
Rather than simply reproducing a photograph, I focus on composition, balance, lighting, and contrast to ensure that each tattoo stands on its own as a complete work of art.
4. Tell us about your signature smiley series.
One of my signature concepts is my smiley series, which combines realistic objects with playful and positive imagery. I began developing this series with the intention of bringing a sense of happiness and positivity to people who see my work.
I enjoy introducing unexpected elements into realistic compositions, creating distinctive designs that reflect my own artistic perspective.
5. You have worked in both South Korea and Canada. How has that shaped your work?
Working in both South Korea and Canada has played an important role in shaping my approach to tattooing. Through my experiences, I have noticed that clients in Korea often gravitate toward visually beautiful and aesthetically refined designs, while clients in Canada tend to place greater emphasis on personal meaning, individuality, and originality.
Experiencing these different perspectives has taught me to consider not only the visual quality of a design but also the personal stories and identities behind it.
6. What does tattooing mean to you?
To me, tattooing is much more than simply placing an image on someone’s skin. A tattoo becomes a lasting part of a person’s life, and I approach that responsibility with great care and pride.
My goal is to create artwork that remains meaningful, visually compelling, and valuable to the person wearing it for years to come.
7. Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?
Looking ahead, I want to continue challenging myself, exploring new techniques, and expanding my artistic possibilities rather than limiting myself to a single approach. I hope to connect with more people through my work across Canada, the United States, and beyond.
Ultimately, my ambition is to build a distinctive artistic identity – one where people can recognize my work simply by looking at it, even without seeing my name.
8. Please share your social handles and how to reach out to get a tattoo?
You can find my latest work and booking information on Instagram at @dionne.tattoo. For bookings, please reach out through DM directly to her.