10 quesions with tattoo artist Azl

Our series of 10 questions with tattoo artists where we like to pay tribute to beloved tattoo veterans of our trade. Many old friends and some new ones! Thank you Azl for letting TattooNews catch up with you!

Your Name and / or artist name if applicable: Azl

Years tattooing: 13 

Years working in tattooing: 31

PLACE OF BUSINESS: MTL Tattoo

Your Instagram: @azlmtl

Your Website: https://www.mtltattoo.com/

1- How old were you when you got your first tattoo? Where did you get tattooed and who did it?

I was 16

Robert Benedetti

2- Did you have an apprenticeship? If yes, by whom and where? How long was it?

Yes. I was apprenticed under Dave Price who ran a shop called ALL STYLE tattoo in Hamilton,Ont.

I had been getting tattooed by him for a couple years and we hit it off right out the gate. I loved tattooing and grew up buying any tattoo magazine or biker mag that had tattoos in it. I studied these page by page formalizing myself with all the artists,  styles and soaked up like a sponge any info I could find about the tattoo world. I had always thought of tattooing but really had no idea how to go about it until one day during one of our many interesting conversations about tattoos Dave asked me if I wanted to tattoo and if so he would guide me, of course I wasn’t passing up that opportunity.

This was around late 93-94. It was just over a year long late nights after the shop had closed or when ever I could be there when he would have time for me.

Once he thought I was ready he let me tattoo him,  very stressful experience to say the least but I loved every minute of it, think that’s why LOVERBOY wrote that song! Hahaha

Thank you Dave for bringing me into this craft!

*(Side note) 

There is a longer version of this apprenticeship and story including me not tattooing for 20 years while I was a body modification artists and piercer and why I went back to tattooing which was my first love. If you want to know the story well ask we in person and if you’re lucky I’ll tell my story.

3- What are the top 3 things you like to tattoo?

Mandalas in dotwork. Ornamental style flowers and geometric trippy elements from geo patterns to slick oil black patterns

4- Do you like travelling and tattooing? Which conventions, guest spots were your favorites?

Absolutely! I am a convention junkie! I love travelling to do shows and do as many as I can each year, recently just finished my 50th convention.

I have done several guest spots which are a great way to get to know other artists and grow but I much more prefer the high paced stimulation of conventions. So much to see and things to inspire you over a 3 day period. I always come back extremely motivated. Mostly I like to walk around and check out other artist’s and how they position their clients for some spots on the body that I sometimes struggle with and wouldn’t you know? I always learn a new way that works for myself and my client.

My top three shows to do are;

N.I.X Toronto, since 98’

Winninpeg Tattoo show in August

St Johns Nl, hard one to get into but worth it when you do.

5- Who are some people you have collected from? Tattoo pilgrimages, have you ever travelled to get tattooed or have been tattooed at a convention? How far have you gone to get tattooed?  

I haven’t travelled to get tattooed as now I get tattooed by my peers in the game. I have been tattooed at at convention by Dave Knight back at N.I.X 99

I loved it as the time just goes by so much faster cause there is so much to look and people watching at shows is great while getting tattooed.

6- What was your last tattoo? Do you still get tattooed?

I’ll be getting tattooed until I die, it never ends, even when you think you’re done there comes a moment where man I feel like adding to this one or blacking out another spot so it is just a never ending journey.

My most recent tattoo was my leg, a big ornamental blast over by my buddy and highly talented artist ADZ.

I have some big works in the makings so I’ll be a walking scab for another year or two!

7- One of your favorite machines, current or past?

My DEKI IRONS from Italy is a go to for sure and my VLADBLAD liner from Russia, all around reliable machines.

Dotwork I use Bishop wands, packer and liner.

8- Where can we see and get tattooed by you this year? (Shop, guest spot, convention, etc.)

My home base is in Montréal at MTL TATTOO in the plateau so that is where I can be reached until I hit the road again in April 2026 for the Saskatoon show and Fredericton NB Freddy expo before the N.I.X Toronto and StJohns shows.

I’ll be a road warrior next year as I am looking to do a lot of shows and several back to back. 

9- Other than tattooing is there any other type of art you like to do? Do you have merchandise for sale and where can we purchase it? (Instagram, website, shows, etc.)

Yeah I like to play around with painting/stippling, linocuts to make prints and etching glass. I’ve been working on a few mirrors lately and should have them ready for viewing in the near future. I am also working on a new shirt design which will be available at the conventions next year.

I am also preparing some new prints in sml and large formats.

10- What are your interests outside of tattooing?

What do mean? What else is there, my world is tattoo 24/7.