Meet Azora De Filippis | Tattoo Artist & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Azora De Filippis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Azora, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been drawn to creating, it’s just how I’ve expressed myself for as long as I can remember. Art was the one thing that felt natural to me, whether it was painting, drawing, or eventually tattooing. Pursuing a creative field wasn’t really a choice as much as it was the only thing that made sense. It gives me a way to tell stories, connect with people, and leave behind something lasting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is all about connection and storytelling. Whether it’s through tattooing or painting, I’ve always wanted my work to carry emotion and feel personal to whoever is experiencing it. What sets me apart is that I pull from both fine arts and tattooing; I studied, learned how to sketch properly, and practiced painting (acrylic and oil painting) before moving into tattooing. As a result, a lot of my designs carry that painterly, detailed influence.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. I faced doubt, financial struggles, and moments where I questioned if I was good enough to continue. But every challenge forced me to push harder, refine my craft, and stay committed to the bigger picture. I learned to see failure and struggle as part of the process, not a reason to quit.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that true growth comes from discomfort. You can’t improve by staying comfortable, you grow by taking risks, learning from mistakes, and pushing through setbacks.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is that it’s not just about tattoos or paintings, it’s about creating something lasting, meaningful, and true to who I am. My art is deeply personal, but it’s also collaborative. I love when clients bring me their ideas and I get to transform them into something that feels like them while still carrying my style.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting Toronto, we’d start with lunch at Gyubee before going through Kensington Market to check out the shops, jewelry stores, and cafés. For dinner, we’d hit up Miss Likklemore’s or Conejo Negro, two of my favourite spots in the city for dinner and good spicy margaritas.

On another night, we’d probably head to Trinity Bellwoods for the sunset before going to the Ossington Strip to check out the bars and restaurants. Maybe even go to King Street and hit a couple of clubs (44 and Lavelle is usually where I’d go).

During the week, we could make a stop at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario), watch the moonrise over Lake Ontario, and maybe take a ferry out to the Toronto Islands for a beach day. Go Place Spa would be nice too. That way the week has a balance of art, relaxation, good food, and parties.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shoutout goes to my mom, Lorella. She’s the one who first introduced me to art and sparked that creative side in me from the beginning. Without her, I don’t think I would’ve had the same foundation or confidence to chase art the way I did. Beyond that, I’d also shout out my loving family, close friends and former partner for always believing in me, even during the times I doubted myself, and the mentors and artists I’ve looked up to in the tattoo community who pushed me to keep growing.

Website: https://azoraangelinaart.com

Instagram: azoratattoos

Other: TikTok @azoratattoos

Image Credits
Azora De Filippis
&
Tenika @teekaysphotos