GALLERY
FREEHAND
Freehand means the design is drawn directly onto the body, pen to skin, in the studio, with you standing in front of the mirror.
It follows the muscles underneath. The movement of the body. The way the piece naturally belongs to you.
Mateus was one of the first tattooers in Portugal to bring this approach into fineline floral work, and continued pushing the language until it became something others began to explore too.
That’s why his pieces feel less like something placed on the body, and more like something that grew there.
It takes more time, yours and his. But it creates something that could never belong to anyone else.
VOICES
“I came to Sall Porto with a half-finished, mediocre sleeve that I had been unhappy with for almost four years. Mateus saw beyond what was there and transformed it into something I am now genuinely proud of.”
Sussi Thaysen · Google review
“I struggled to accept the changes my body had gone through post pregnancy. This tattoo has made me fall in love with my body again and feel beautiful from inside out. The placement and proportions of the flowers contour so beautifully to my body.”
Amy Huynh · Google review
“Getting a tattoo can be a nerve-wracking experience — after all, you are modifying your body in a permanent way — but Mateus was kind and patient, and checked in multiple times to make sure I was happy with the design and the placement.”
Anya Fasolyak · Google review
Check other reviews from my studio’s Google location:
SYMBOLISM
Nothing in nature stays the same.
Flowers bloom, wither, return and grow in different directions. The body does the same. We change with time, with what we experience, and with the people and places that shape us.
I see tattooing as a way of giving form to those changes.
Rather than assigning a fixed meaning to a flower, I want each piece to hold your meaning, something that belongs to a particular moment, feeling or transformation in your life.
The drawing is created directly around your body, allowing the composition to become part of it rather than simply sit on it.
A tattoo can be a reminder of where you came from, a celebration of where you are, or a symbol of where you are going.
ABOUT
I’m Mateus, a botanical tattoo artist and the founder of SALL Tattoo Society in Porto, Portugal.
For the past seven years, I’ve been exploring the relationship between botanical forms, anatomy and movement. A large part of my work is created freehand, allowing compositions to be drawn directly onto the body and shaped around the person carrying them.
But freehand is not a limitation of my work, it’s simply one of the ways I love to create. I’m equally interested in exploring different techniques, styles and possibilities when they serve the idea, the body and the story behind a project.
I don’t believe in creating the same tattoo twice. Every piece begins with a conversation and evolves through the relationship between the subject, the body and the moment.
Alongside tattooing, I also work as a mentor and educator. Through my online and in-person masterclasses, I’ve had the opportunity to teach more than 150 tattoo artists from different parts of the world, sharing not only my techniques, but the way I approach drawing, composition and the creative process.
For me, tattooing is about creating something that could only exist on who is carrying it.
1
first contact
Every project starts with a conversation. I personally read every inquiry and take the time to understand what you’re looking for.
2
DEVELOPING THE IDEA
We talk about your ideas, inspirations and what brought you to this project. This is where your story starts becoming a visual direction.
3
THE DESIGN
For larger freehand projects, I develop a preliminary sketch beforehand to establish the direction, composition and concept. We then meet through a video call so I can walk you through the idea and make sure we are aligned before the appointment.
For non-freehand projects, the same process applies, with the final composition prepared as a stencil to be applied on the day.
4
THE TATTOO
A full day, dedicated entirely to your piece.
With good music, small breaks and enough time to let the work develop naturally
5
THE HEALING
The process doesn’t end when you leave the studio.
You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions to guide you through the healing process, and I’ll personally check in with you around day three and again around week four to make sure everything is progressing as it should.
From the first conversation to the healed tattoo, every part of the process is intentional.
THE PROCESS
LOCATIONS
Porto · home studio
Most of the year, by appointment only.
New York · residencies
THREE TIMES A YEAR
Guest spots · A few cities a year
If you want me in yours,
say so in the inquiry.