Larisa Ganzvind - who also goes by TT Ganz - is an incredible neo-traditional and romantic tattoo artist working out of her own studio, The Spiny Fox.
Based in the studio she set up along with her husband, social media expert and booking manager, Larisa’s work predominantly uses muted, natural ink tones and works in elements of Art Nouveau.
We spoke to Larisa about creating meaningful tattoos with soul, compromising on studio names, and how a simple act of parenting can set you up for a lifetime of tattoo art!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It’s hard to say exactly. I don’t think I had a clear image of who I wanted to become. But
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, and looking back, it feels like art has
always been quietly leading me forward. So, in a way, I think I’ve been walking this path
since I was a child, without even realising it.
How did you get into tattooing, and how long have you been doing it?
About ten years ago, I realised I wanted to try tattooing. I was lucky to find a really great
artist in my city who showed me the basics and from there, everything just took off.
Who supported you the most at the beginning of your career?
Probably my mum! She had the brilliant idea to sign me up for art classes when I was a
little kid. And of course, a big shoutout to my friends who were my very first models!
When did you open The Spiny Fox, and how did that happen?
We were coming back to Switzerland from the US and realised that travelling the world for
guest spots with a baby wasn’t exactly the most practical plan… So it was either: find an
amazing space, or move to Indonesia. Michael (my husband) came across this old art
gallery, showed it to me, and we both fell instantly in love.
Why did you name your studio The Spiny Fox?
That was a tricky one - we couldn’t agree at all! I wanted to mix two animals, and Mick was
into these dramatic place names like The Cathedral or something like that. In the
end, he picked Fox, I wanted Porcupine… and that’s how we ended up with The Spiny
Fox - spiny because of the porcupine’s spines!
What kind of elements do people usually ask you for in their tattoos?
People often come to me for botanical and floral designs, or animal pieces - especially
their pets. I love that, because it often carries a lot of meaning for them. I get to tell their
story through nature and detail, and that’s something I really enjoy.
How do you approach designing your tattoos?
Most of the time, I focus on composition - for me, that’s the most important part of the
design. The rest is pretty much what you’d expect: planning the layout, sketching,
working with colour, light, and shadow, then making adjustments as needed. The final step
is outlining.
How would you describe your style, and do you want to try other styles in the
future?
I’d describe my style as neo-traditional with a twist: bold lines, rich colours, and a touch of
Art Nouveau elegance. It’s where softness meets strength, with flowing compositions and
a love for nature. I used to do realism, but I stepped away from it as I didn’t feel free enough
creatively. This style gives me the freedom to fully express myself, so I’m not really
looking to explore anything else.
How do you choose your colours?
My palette is inspired by autumn tones. I always lean toward natural shades. I usually
stick to 3 or 4 main colours and their variations, and I try not to go beyond that. This
limited palette helps keep the design balanced and harmonious.
What does your perfect day in the studio look like?
A perfect day starts early, with a strong coffee, just me and my client. We’re ready to
spend the whole day working together on one project, fully focussed and connected!
What equipment and materials do you use?
I’m proudly sponsored by Radiant Color Ink - they’ve supported me since the very
beginning, and I’m truly grateful for their trust and consistency. Their pigments are
vibrant, long-lasting, and absolutely essential to my colour work.
I mainly use an FK Irons machine. It's reliable, precise, and works beautifully for my style. I
also use an Emalla machine when I need a different stroke, and their needles are part of
my regular setup, as I’m one of their sponsored artists as well.
From time to time, I also use EDGE cartridges. I tested them recently and really liked the
feeling and precision they offer.
For products during and after the session, I use Biotat, and for everything else - setup,
hygiene, accessories - Killer Ink has me fully covered.
Have you ever done collaborations? Is there someone you’d like to work with?
I’ve done a few collabs throughout my career, but the most recent and definitely my
favourite was with Krish Trece. I absolutely loved it! She’s an artist I truly admire. As for
future collabs, I don’t have anything planned, but I’m always open so feel free to hit me
up!
Any advice for building a social media presence?
Honestly? I have no clue - I don’t do any of that myself. Michael takes care of
everything: Instagram, bookings, online shop, guest spots, projects, collaborations… he’s the one behind the scenes making it all run smoothly. All I do is tattoo and create - he does the rest.
Every artist should have a partner like that; it’s a total game changer!
What advice would you give to apprentice tattoo artists?
In my opinion, it’s important not to focus only on tattooing and creating designs, but also
to spend time developing your overall drawing skills and understanding the fundamentals
of art. These days, I feel like a lot of tattoos are empty of real artistic intention: just copies
with no soul.
Which tattoo artists do you admire right now?
There are so many amazing artists around the world, it’s impossible to count them all but
my personal top three have stayed the same: Filouino, Hannah Flowers, and Krish Trece.
What are your favourite things to do outside of tattooing?
Outside of tattooing? I’m mostly busy raising my 2.5-year-old little tornado, travelling
when I can, and drinking way too much coffee!
How many tattoos do you have, and do you have a favourite?
I have quite a few tattoos, and most of them hold memories; they’re a part of me. I’m
really proud of them, and many of them are close to my heart.
What’s your favourite thing about the tattoo community?
The tattoo community is amazing. Years ago, I used to travel a lot, and thanks to this
community, I never felt alone. It’s like you stay connected, even when you’re thousands of
kilometres from home and speaking a different language.
Do you have any conventions or guest spots lined up for 2025 and beyond?
Right now I’ve hit pause on guest spots between my son, the shop and ongoing projects;
there’s just not enough hours in the day! But I’m hoping to be part of Gods of Ink in 2026,
and I’ll be in Bali for a month between January and February. So if you’ve got something
going on there… just drop me a message!
What does the future hold for you, your art, and your career?
I’d love to keep exploring art and grow my skills in illustration, especially when it comes to
expressing emotion through drawing. I’m starting a new training course soon, and I’m really
excited about it. Maybe one day I’ll share my knowledge and experiences with the next
generation of artists but for now, I’m still deep in my own learning journey.
One thing’s for sure: I’m not done evolving. Not even close…
Thanks to Larisa for this excellent chat on her experience in the industry, how she puts together her work, and what advice she has for other artists! Check out Larisa’s work on Instagram, seek out The Spiny Fox in Lausanne, and get one of these remarkable neo-traditional pieces for yourself.
