1989. The Berlin Wall had just fallen, the internet barely existed, and in Playa de Las Américas, something was beginning that's still going strong today. This is the story of how a Florentine artist ended up tattooing under the Canarian sun.
The beginning: Florence
It all started in the streets of Florence, a city where art isn't decoration — it's a way of life. There, surrounded by Renaissance echoes, the passion for drawing on skin was born. Tattooing in the 80s was still underground, almost clandestine. No schools, no Instagram. You learned by watching, practicing, making mistakes.
The move to Tenerife
In the early 90s, Tenerife was booming. Tourists from across Europe arrived seeking sun and sea. The opportunity was clear: an island with international clientele, perfect weather, and almost no professional tattoo studios.
In 1989, we opened our doors in Playa de Las Américas. Small space, basic equipment. But the quality of the work spoke for itself. Word of mouth. Tourists returning every year. Locals bringing their friends.
Three decades of evolution
Tattooing has changed enormously since then. Rotary machines replaced coil machines. Inks became safer, brighter. Styles exploded: from traditional to realism, from blackwork to fine line.
We've adapted to everything. We've embraced every advance. But one thing hasn't changed: the obsession with treating every tattoo as if it were our last.
The studio today
35 years later, we're still in the same spot. The space has grown, so has the team. But the philosophy remains: listen to the client, design something unique, execute it with precision.
We've tattooed three generations of some families. We've seen trends come and go. We've survived economic crises and pandemics. We're still here because we do our job well.
Written by Adriano
Founder of Lucifer Tattoo · Tattooing since 1989
Trained in Florence and Turin. +35 years experience.
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