Crushing On: Alma Proenca

This Q+A blog is all about the tattooer, ceramicist and iconic Alma Proenca as we celebrate her exclusive tattoo tee collaboration with Crushes

ROSE: Tell us, who are you and what do you do?

ALMA: I'm Alma Proenca, and I am a tattooer, ceramicist, among some other things. 

R: Has your style changed much, or what's the evolution of that Alma Proenca style?

A: I think it has, but it hasn't necessarily been purposeful. It's just been a natural progression, I think. I've always been really inspired by set imagery and certain artists.

And then I think just, like, working on that consistently and progressively getting better and then being inspired by other things as I've worked has just led to it evolving.

But it hasn't always been a conscious decision, if that makes sense. 

R: What would you describe your style as now?

A: I think a lot of it comes down to being immersed in tattooing. So when I started getting tattooed when I was 18, I was made aware of all these different artists. There's an artist, Rīhari Warnock, he's probably been my biggest inspiration. There were lots of birds and snakes and, like, high contrast, really dark pieces, and then I think it's just shifted from there. 

R: So you've kind of an iconic fashion it girl of New Zealand, if you ask me.

A: I don't believe that. (giggles) 

R: And so I suppose my question is like what is fashion and style to you?

A: In terms of me getting tattooed when I was a lot younger, it was quite heavily curated. I had an idea of exactly how I wanted everything to look and be laid out on my body and I would be really intensive in the design process.

But as soon as I started working at the shop, I put a lot more trust in the artist, which I do think is quite integral in getting tattooed.

That's just a personal opinion because I have no issue with clients being really specific because it's their body and they have every right to do that. But I think it's helpful for both parties if you're a bit if you're trusting.

R: So, you see tattoo and fashion and design as being, like, you're participating in the art that you admire.

A: Yeah. Totally. I think the way that I've approached getting tattooed for so long is just letting the person do what they want.

Sometimes within reason. But at least as of late, I've been like ‘here's maybe like a loose idea’ or ‘here's the place I wanna get tattooed’ and then you go do with it what you want.

And then when I'm designing tattoos, I appreciate freedom but guidelines like that are really helpful.

I think the collaborative part of tattooing is really nice because there are so many things I would never draw or think to draw, but it's a client's idea that makes that all come to life. Then I'm just kind of facilitating it by putting it together.

So that's really nice working with people.

R: And then what about style? What do you think? Is it connected?

A: I don't think it is in any way connected. Like, I am still figuring it out. I feel like I have been trying to find a personal style for a very long time when it comes to clothing.

But I think the older I'm getting and the more aware of my tattoos I am, the more simple I wanna dress. I like it to be unique, but I kinda like block colours and I like to be quite put together because the rest of me is so loud.

R: I saw a girl on TikTok and she's wearing a simple outfit and she had tattoos and I was like, wait, do people get tattoos because it makes the whole look come together? Like you've now got an edge so you can be simple or feminine in contrast?

A: Yeah, you're like immediately accessorised. 

I don't know if it's just me, but I can't wear necklaces or like 2 big earrings because I'm just like, ‘Oh my god it's like a visual vomit on my body.’ And I really just like New Zealand makers. I really like Wixii. I think Wixii is perfect for, like, simple, just quite elegant stuff. And I wear a lot of my flatmate Robbie’s clothes, which comes in handy. He's awesome.

R: So what do you summarise your tattoo style offering? 

A: I guess just like whatever I'm excited by at the time.

I've been having a horse moment for at least a year and a half. I think that stemmed from just trying to draw one one day and then realising I was capable of drawing a horse. They're really dynamic and muscly and you can play with the shading and then the wings are fun.

And so that's where that came from, I guess. Same with rats and dolphins. It's always like a mix of quite traditional tattooing imagery. There's tribal on that flash sheet and I really love things like that. Like, dark, solid, dynamic pieces and then some like, paired with something softer, I think, is quite lovely.

Contrast is nice.

R: Yeah, there's femme and there's masc and they're strong and ironic. Maybe the art is in the contrast?

A: Yeah. I think so.

But it's also, like, when you're creating a flash sheet the desired outcome is for it to be tattooed. The way that I work, anyway, it has to be kind of structured and uniform. So there's always that in the back of my mind too. In terms of like, you can't make things too detailed and can't put lines too close together typically because lines grow over time. So there's always kind of that in the back of my mind when I'm creating a flash sheet. I think like almost any other tattooer, as well, where they have to be translatable to being a tattoo. So I think when it shifts over to my ceramics I allow myself a bit more freedom because that's not a tattoo. It doesn't have to follow those rules it can just be what it is -- be a bit more fun and creative and loose.

R: Sounds like if I'm piecing it all together, whether you're getting a tattoo from someone or making ceramics or making a flash, it's all about the integrity of the art itself. It's really about like - a respect.

A: I would, yeah. Definitely, I would say 95% of the time. That's what it is. 

R: 5% is hustle? (giggles)

A: Yeah. I do feel like it wouldn't be very honest to say that it's all centered around respect and slowness because it's not, you know? I'm an artist and it's my job and sometimes I just have to do the exact image that someone wants. Sometimes I'm just an applicator, and that's okay too.

R: But everyone loves their time with you and loves the product. That's what they are saying on the streets.

A: That's really nice to hear. I try my best to provide that. I think some of it comes really naturally and it's also a product of the people that I'm tattooing. If they're receptive and kind and easy, then that comes really easily to me.

But if someone's nervous and anxious about the process, it's easy for me to jump in and try my best to make them feel at ease, I think.

Because it's such a massive part of it. When I was younger, if I was met with a vibe that made me feel gross, it really stuck with me because it's like something you're carrying with yourself permanently.

And as much as it's yours once you leave the shop and you've made that exchange, it's still like there is someone touching you in your intimate space and marking you for life. I think the very least we can do as tattooers is make our clients feel comfortable.

Which I hope I do across the board.

R: What do you think about t-shirts? 

A: Well, I think I kind of hate tattoo merch. (laughs) But I hate a certain brand of it where it is just like an AS Colour t-shirt with one print on the front and it's very like the stock standard.

R: So is the thing that interests you about this Crushes collab is the vintage deadstock element?

A: Yeah. It feels so thoughtful. I just love the ones that you did with Madi and Lucky Bellas as well. I just feel like all of the kind of Crushes merch that you've put out is really thoughtful and the fact that you put in all that effort to source these pieces of clothing.

I've had conversations with Zach just around effort. Just small little pieces of effort.

Like, if you are to get the same kind of blank that everyone else does, maybe replacing the tag. Or, printing your own kind of sizing on it and stuff, which is what my boss has just done. He's just made a run of green dyed t-shirts and he's gotten them all embroidered, which I feel like is a nice touch. I feel like if the effort is evident, it makes for a way nicer product that I wanna wear. It doesn't have to be flashy or anything, but just to see that someone's made that additional effort. 

That's really nice.

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SHOP ALMA PROENCA'S CRUSHES TATTOO TEE COLLABORATION HERE