Charting Her Course: Daniela Vasconcellos da Silva, A Captain of Ink and Sea

Not your typical tattoo artist, Daniela Vasconcellos da Silva blends her passion for both tattooing and sailing—two worlds that many wouldn’t think to combine. Her dedication to her craft led her to a significant milestone: becoming the first tattoo artist to earn a distinguished talent visa in Australia, a rare achievement in the industry. But her journey doesn’t stop there. She’s also the first female boat captain at one of Australia’s largest on-water events, proving that her fearless spirit knows no bounds, whether she’s mastering the craft of ink or steering through ocean waves.

With a passion for boxing and a deep love for the sea, Daniela brings a unique energy to both her art and her adventures. From running a successful tattoo studio to making waves in the boating world, she’s constantly pushing limits and breaking down barriers. Today, we dive into her incredible journey—both as a tattooist and a captain—learning what it takes to excel in two very different, yet equally demanding, industries.

1. What inspired you to pursue both tattooing and becoming a boat captain?

I was born an artist and tattooing happened naturally during my journey. I have been drawing since I was 2 years old and everyone at school normally was impressed with my skills in creating art. One day my Dad's friend showed me a tattoo gun and I fell in love and was very curious about it. I started to sell my exclusive drawings to a tattoo artist and he offered to teach me if I created customized art.

As an explorer and creative person, I dreamed of traveling around the world as I feel so connected with the ocean … A dream of mine was to have a boat one day. Fortunately, in 2020 when I was going to buy a motorhome I was scammed and lost all my money. I picked myself up because as you will learn, there is something about me: I never give up! So I found another one, but the owner was in a hurry to sell it and he sold it to me one day after we had talked. Luckily he offered me a boat for a very cheap price. I “accidentally” bought my boat and started learning by myself. After a few months, I started working in the industry until I became a commercial boat captain.

2. Earning a Distinguished Talent Visa in Australia as a tattoo artist is a huge accomplishment. How did you feel about that recognition?

I felt honored and blessed to open doors for more talented people and especially to change how society perceives TATTOOS, that it is definitely ART and can be used to heal people.

3. What challenges did you face as a pioneer female boat captain at Australia’s largest on-water event?

I faced so many challenges as unfortunately, society is sexist, especially in male-dominated industries like the maritime industry, tattooing, and boxing. As a female, people tried to diminish me and were prejudiced towards my accent. My very thick Latin woman’s, “Latina”, accent was always met with judgemental eyes, it definitely was not easy to prove myself and my capability, so being accepted and respected in the industry is a huge achievement.

I also had many people who opened doors for me and helped me as well, and I will never forget those people. Now I work on so many boats and also amongst many men (skippers) who recommend my service as a skipper.

4. Tattooing and boating seem like very different worlds. How do you balance these two passions in your life?

It's funny because tattoos and boats are closely correlated. Historically many people had their first contact with tattoos when encountering sailors at the beginning of the colonisation.

They are definitely very different worlds.

I basically have my own tattoo shop and I work by appointment only, so it makes it easier for me to work in different industries once I can plan my hours.

5. With your love for boxing, how do you think that discipline has influenced your career and mindset?

Boxing definitely helped me control my emotions, and that is very important in marine life, helping me to keep myself calm in challenging situations. Boxing has also helped me be more organized when I needed to be disciplined to keep to a specific diet and specific weight.

6. What do you enjoy most about tattooing, and how do you incorporate your style into your work?

I think what I most enjoy is the fact I can give life to ideas and make people feel good in their own skin.

I create the majority of the art I do, so my style is in each line I tattoo and the creativity I have to create unique drawings.