Interviews
As I entered Ishakmeister’s shop, Saint’s Touch, he was tattooing a British lady named Nicole Drinkwater. She flew in from Dubai and was getting a tattoo on her calf, The London Eye. After a while of laughing with her and the guys, I handed her my poetry books, to a confused chuckle, much to my surprise. After reading my name she expressed that her mom was married to a man with the same name, we were all quite impressed.
It all started in Crossroads of World of Warcraft, where I first met Andreas Ishak, better known by his online moniker, “Ishakmeister.” That chance encounter was the spark for a chain of events that would take me across continents and forge friendships that have transcended the digital realm.
After meeting Andreas, I connected with Sebastian Hyyrynen, or “Apansmiley,” another digital friend, also residing from Sweden. Our conversations quickly grew from in-game strategy to real-life possibilities, and it was Apansmiley who extended an incredible invitation: a place to stay if I ever visited Sweden. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I took the leap and made the journey.
The adventure didn’t stop there. Joining us was Marcus, aka “Krakenwagen,” another friend from Apan’s circle. Together, we embarked on a trip, from Stockholm to Gothenburg. The randomness and spontaneity that brought us together online carried seamlessly into the real world.
In Gothenburg, we met up with Andreas Ishak once again—not just as a gamer, but at his natural habitat, Saint’s Touch, where he’s the resident ink slinger, and an internationally renowned tattoo artist. Sitting down with him in his element, surrounded by the tools of his trade and the buzz of his craft, we caught a glimpse of the passion and dedication that have made him exceptional in his field.
In this short interview, Andreas reflects on his journey to becoming a tattoo artist, sharing what drew him to this art form and the inspirations that drive him to create greatness.