A New Voice in the Studio
We're very excited to announce that Aris has joined Felicidad Tattoo Studio as our seventh full-time resident artist. Aris moved to Darwin from Perth earlier this year, and after three months of guest spotting with us, the studio simply didn't feel right without him around — so we made it permanent.
Aris brings something genuinely different to our team. Where most artists specialise in either realism or illustrative work, Aris moves comfortably between both, and his background in traditional Balinese painting gives him an eye for ornamentation and detail that's hard to find anywhere in Australia.
Background and Training
Aris grew up in Ubud, Bali, and started painting traditional Balinese-style canvases under his grandfather when he was 12. By 17 he was selling work through local galleries, and at 20 he picked up a tattoo machine after watching a friend work in a nearby studio.
"I always wanted to paint on skin," Aris told us over coffee last week. "Canvas is beautiful but it's static. A tattoo lives, moves, changes with the person wearing it. It's a conversation, not just an object."
After six years running his own small studio in Seminyak, Aris moved to Perth in 2022 and spent two and a half years working with one of Western Australia's most respected realism studios, refining his black and grey technique and learning how to adapt his style to a very different client base.
Signature Styles and Favourite Subject Matter
Aris doesn't like being boxed into one category, but there are certain themes he returns to again and again:
Spiritual and Mythological Work
Hindu deities — Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, Durga — and Balinese spirit figures like Barong and Rangda are subjects Aris has been painting for most of his life. The iconography is second nature to him, and he has a personal library of reference material going back 20 years.
"When someone comes in for a Ganesha piece, they're usually just bringing a photo of a tattoo someone else did," Aris explains. "I like to go back to the source — the old paintings, the temple carvings, the stories — and build something that has the right weight behind it, not just a copy of a copy."
Ornamental Blackwork
The decorative borders, filigree, and mandala framing that Aris adds to his pieces are directly drawn from Balinese painting tradition. If you've ever wanted a large-scale piece with intricate, hand-drawn ornamentation around a central subject, Aris is the artist in our team you want to talk to.
Black and Grey Realism (Portraits and Wildlife)
During his Perth years, Aris developed a strong portrait and wildlife realism practice. His portrait style leans towards the cinematic — strong contrasts, dramatic lighting, and a focus on expression over photographic flatness.
Neo-Traditional and Illustrative
Aris has a lighter side too — bold neo-traditional animal pieces, illustrative nature scenes, and the occasional pop culture piece when he connects with the subject.
Working With Aris: What to Expect
Aris takes consultations seriously. If you book with him, expect your first meeting to run at least an hour. He'll want to understand:
- Why you want this piece and what it means to you
- What other work you have, and how the new piece fits in
- Your lifestyle, to make placement and practical suggestions
- Any reference material you've brought, even if it's just a feeling or a story
He's a fast draughtsman — most designs are ready within 48 hours of a consultation — but he won't start tattooing until you're completely happy with the drawing. If something feels off, he'd rather redraw it three times than tattoo something you'll have doubts about.
"My clients carry this forever," Aris says. "Rushing a drawing to save an hour or two is never worth it. I'd rather stay late, redo the design, and get it right the first time."
Booking Availability
Aris is currently taking bookings for late September and October. His waitlist is filling fast — we had 14 bookings come in during the first week we announced his guest spot, and we expect his October calendar to be mostly full within a month.
To book a consultation with Aris, send us an email with your concept, reference photos if you have them, and a few different dates that work for you. Consultations are free, and there's no obligation to book after.
Please join us in welcoming Aris to the team. We're looking forward to seeing all the incredible work he's going to do here, and we know you're going to love what he brings to the studio.