Victor Mane has earned recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. The Spanish artist, born in 1983 in Almería, built his reputation through seven major European awards before establishing Minimal NYC in Brooklyn. Now organizers invite him to judge at prestigious tattoo conventions across the United States.
Mane developed his artistic foundation early. A self-taught talent, he was inspired by his father’s oil paintings, which gave him deep appreciation for art’s passion and precision. An important moment arrived when, at a young age, he spotted a tattoo on his uncle’s arm, revealing that skin could serve as a living canvas. Though he dreamed of tattooing at 18, Mane waited until he was 29 to pursue it professionally, allowing his skills to mature. Today, he channels this foundation into black and grey realism tattoos, a style that echoes the dramatic depth of Old Masters like Caravaggio, Velázquez, Picasso, and Peter Paul Rubens. His pieces blend historical techniques with personal expression.
His work reaches continents and conventions. Mane has competed in events across Europe and the US, including in Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, England, and New York. With seven prestigious awards earned over multiple years, his results speak for themselves. Ink On Sky recognized his talent in 2025, declaring him one of New York City’s premier artists.
From Competitor to Judge: An Unexpected Evolution
Mane’s competitive journey began in 2016 at the Seville Tattoo Convention, where a third-place finish in Color gave him confidence to continue. That same year, second place in Realism at the Estepona convention confirmed he was on the right track.
“I wasn’t thinking about winning everything,” he reflects. “I just wanted to get better with each piece.”
The breakthrough came in 2017 at Granada’s Graumfest, where he won first place in Realism and third place in Best of the Day that same weekend. The annual festival draws roughly 12,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors from 10 countries.
“2017 was when I realized I might actually be good at this,” Mane explains. “Winning in Granada changed how I saw my own work.”
2018 brought even bigger success. At the Inner Ink convention in the Netherlands, he won first place in Realism and then took Best of Show. “That weekend in Holland was surreal. I couldn’t believe they called my name for Best of Show.”
He closed out his competitive phase with second place in Realism at Seville, feeling like he’d accomplished what he set out to do.
“After 2018, I realized I wanted to focus more on creating than competing,” he says. “The awards were amazing, but building something lasting felt more important.”
Building Minimal NYC
That focus on creating led to Minimal NYC, founded in 2021 with two friends who shared his vision. The contemporary tattoo studio in Brooklyn emphasizes art, community, and personal expression.
“We spent months looking for the right space,” Mane recalls. “Brooklyn felt right because there’s this creative energy here that you don’t find everywhere. The neighborhood has artists, musicians, and people who understand what we’re trying to do.”
The studio serves as a space where art and community intersect, offering a unique experience for those seeking meaningful tattoos. Despite being relatively new, Minimal NYC has quickly become one of New York City’s most sought-after tattoo studios.
“The waiting list surprised us,” he admits. “We thought it would take years to build that kind of demand, but people responded to our approach immediately.”
The Spanish Connection
Mane’s success in Spanish conventions comes naturally. “Spain has this deep art culture – you grow up surrounded by it,” he explains. “When Spanish audiences see my work, they recognize the classical influences immediately. It’s not something I have to explain.”
His wins at Seville and Estepona conventions feel especially meaningful. “Winning at home is different. These are people who knew me before I was winning anything. To get recognition in Spain validated everything I’d been working toward.”
Technical Evolution
Over the years, Mane’s approach has evolved significantly. “Early on, I was trying to copy what I saw other artists doing,” he says. “Now I understand how to adapt classical painting techniques to tattooing.”
His specialization in black and grey realism stems from his study of Old Masters. “Caravaggio’s use of light and shadow translates perfectly to skin. When you understand how he created depth on canvas, you can recreate that effect with ink.”
The transition from competing to creating full-time has freed him creatively. “When you’re competing, you’re always thinking about what judges want to see. Now I focus on what the client’s story needs.”
The Judge Invitation
When convention organizers started asking Mane to judge, it felt natural. “They’d seen my work, knew my background, and thought I could offer good feedback to other artists,” he says.
This year, he served on panels at Villain Arts’ Houston Arts Tattoo Festival and will judge at their St. Louis festival, plus the Whiskey Throttle Fair in Pennsylvania.
“When I judge, I try to give the kind of feedback that would have helped me when I was starting out,” he says. “Artists improve when they understand what’s working in their pieces.”
Victor Mane’s path from Spanish studios to Brooklyn, from competitor to community builder, shows how artistic careers evolve naturally. His influence grows through genuine dedication to the craft and the people around it.
Richford Post 