Inspired by Guns N’ Roses to start tattooing.
For students and apprentices: this interview with guest mentor Sanel Valles from the spark of “November Rain” to the quiet ritual of cover-ups, Sanel charts a path where memory, anatomy, and light guide every design. In this interview, the Orpheus Tattoo founder shares how tattoos heal, how strangers become family, and how his “ST” symbol keeps his creative fire alive.
Is there a song that you feel encapsulates your artistic voice—one you’d even wear as a tattoo?
A: Yes—“November Rain.” It brings back the best memories with my father and brothers. Back then, nothing felt happier than hearing that song with all of them around me.
Gatherings and stories among strangers who become family.
Can you recall a moment at a convention or in your studio when a tattoo brought two strangers together?
A: Yes. In 2010 at Roseland NYC, I tattooed an older gentleman named Dave who chose me because he liked my work. He came back every year, even visited me wherever I was staying to bring food and talk. I saw him about three more times after I moved to the U.S. in 2015, but then I lost track of him.
Healing tattoo
What has been your most human intervention, when tattooing became an act of personal healing?
A: As I said before, there have been many—truly.
The studio’s nonverbal language
What welcome gesture or atmosphere creates that “family effect” for your clients?
A: The fact that Orpheus looks and feels like a home, not a store—that’s what people love.
Embodied dream
Your vision for the future: a documentary, an academy, an online community, or something new?
A: An academy would be ideal to leave my legacy—unless one of my children chooses to be a tattoo artist. If so, I’d want to pass that legacy to them.
Unscripted moments that move you.
Do you remember a spontaneous encounter with a client that changed a session’s course?
A: It happens a lot. Sometimes the client’s idea isn’t the best, and when they accept mine, the tattoo turns out better than expected—deeply satisfying.
History as myth in your work.
What symbol have you created that, without words, connects to a universal story of overcoming or rebirth?
A: My logo, “ST,” stands for Sanel Tattoos. Adopting that name keeps my artistic flame lit; when it starts to dim, I transform it into a new one. Each change is another rebirth for a new stage.
Precise and emotional
How do you hold emotion while staying clear and technically calm in tense moments?
A: By tattooing. In the worst times—grief or loss—tattooing calms me and gives me peace. It’s like meditation through the process; as I lay down the art, I come to understand life.
Reflecting on your role beyond the artist.
How do you define your current role: cultural ambassador, emotional storyteller, mentor, or something else?
A: A bit of all of them—but above all, a lover of the art of tattooing.
You read life in layers of ink.
What untold story did you discover in a client, and how did you help write the next chapter on their skin?
A: Beliefs—whether religious, cultural, or existential. Many stories aren’t spoken by the client; they’re revealed in their ideas and resonate with mine.
Ready for your next chapter in ink?
Follow @saneltattoos and book at Orpheus Tattoo the best tattoo shop in New Jersey.
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