A native of Valença, in the interior of Bahia, Wilker—artistically known as TOSH—first encountered art around the age of 12, while still in middle school. Drawing began as an experiment and soon gained new references through anime magazines and graffiti—influences that were particularly significant for someone growing up in a city of approximately 80,000 inhabitants in the early 2000s, a time when access to cultural and visual diversity was considerably more limited. What might have been a limitation ultimately contributed to something essential in his artistic journey: the development of a unique visual language. During high school at CEFET-BA (now IFBA, the Federal Institute of Bahia), he expanded this intuitive background with technical knowledge in geometric drawing and graphic design. During this period, he designed uniform layouts for local championships and experimented with various mediums and materials—ranging from oil painting and tile painting to customizing clothing with fabric paint—often incorporating graffiti-inspired elements. This blend of artistic expression and technical construction would later become a hallmark of his tattoo work: an approach that goes beyond the drawing itself to consider proportion, geometry, composition, visual flow, and the adaptation of art to the specific surface where it will be applied.At 19, his artistic output went on hiatus for a few years, only to resume later within Salvador’s underground scene. Between 2015 and 2017, he met Dimak, Nobre, and Diego SEI—MCs, graffiti artists, and tattooists who helped introduce him to two new creative realms: music and tattooing. Later, he joined a collective alongside local scene figures such as Baco Exu do Blues, Davi Nadier (Beirando Teto), and Dois Ás (Sincronia Primordial), among others. There, he explored music production and created instrumentals using samples from artists like Thelonious Monk, Hans Zimmer, and Muddy Waters, blending Brazilian elements—such as the sound of the *berimbau*—with the aesthetic of 1990s American boom-bap. During this period, he recorded a demo tape and collaborated with other artists. More than just a foray into a different medium, this experience broadened his understanding of rhythm, identity, contrast, and composition—principles that span various artistic expressions and would later find a place in his visual work as well.It was in this same context that he began to professionally develop another facet of his artistic journey: tattooing. While training as a tattoo artist, TOSH sought to deepen his knowledge by working with prominent professionals from the national and international scenes, participating in three in-person workshops: Realism with Camilo Tuero, Dotwork with Charly Sacler, and New Realism with Isaac Tocinho (the latter during his time at Tocinho Tattoo in 2020). His training with Camilo Tuero also encompassed knowledge extending beyond the artistic execution of tattooing itself; during the workshop, he attended two short courses led by qualified healthcare professionals—a nutritionist and a dermatologist—covering post-tattoo nutrition and proper aftercare. He now possesses solid experience across various styles, ranging from Traditional to original, signature designs. This versatility goes beyond merely reproducing different styles; it enables him to grasp the nuances of each artistic language and select the appropriate technical and visual elements for every specific project, anatomy, and concept. A tattoo exists beyond just paper or a screen. She becomes part of a body in motion.. Beyond artistic repertoire, the artist possesses knowledge of human anatomy and visual composition, applying these to create unique designs developed either digitally or freehand directly on the body. Factors such as proportion, direction, movement, negative space, readability from a distance, and integration with the body's natural lines are all considered during the composition process. The interplay between identity, technique, and anatomy defines a key characteristic of the work; these are not treated as separate elements but as fundamental components that, when connected, form a cohesive piece. The portfolio features designs marked by a light touch, anatomical fluidity, and originality, aiming to preserve both the unique character of each concept and the technical quality required for the design to remain visually effective after healing. The entire process utilizes professional-grade equipment and high-quality materials, selected not only for their performance during the procedure but also for the benefits they offer the client: greater precision, safety, and efficiency during execution, improved healing, and enhanced visual longevity of the finished tattoo.
WORKSHOPS:
Realism (In-person): (+ Comprehensive Biosafety Course and Post-procedure Nutrition) by Camilo Tuero Martínez (Peru) in 2016. Dotwork (In-person): during a residency at Morro Ink studio in Morro de São Paulo, by Charly Sacler (Argentina) in 2018. New Realism (In-person): (+ New Freehand Course, white ink application, black-and-grey saturation) by Isaac Tocinho (Brazil) in 2019.
STYLES::
Signature Style: Neo-Graphic (inspired by Indigenous patterns), New School, Custom Lettering (Calligraphy, Typography, and Gothic). Traditional: Fine Line, Realism, Oriental, Whip Shading, Blackwork, Lettering, New School, Old School, and others. Ornamental: Maori Tribal (Polynesian, Marquesan, Moko, and Samoan), Indian Ornamental, Dotwork, Tribal.Cover-Up: Tattoo cover-ups and reworks, Blackout. Aesthetic: Camouflage of blemishes and scars.
