Beyond Ink: Inside the Mind of Sacred Geometry Tattoo Artist Dillon Forte
- Hawk-IT Interviews
- Jul 31
- 16 min read
In this edition, we're honored to feature Dillon Forte, a Texas-based tattoo artist internationally recognized for his mastery of sacred geometry, blackwork, dotwork, and mandala tattooing. Known for creating intricate, large-scale designs that seamlessly complement the human body, Dillon has earned a reputation as one of the leading artists in contemporary geometric tattooing.
Throughout his career, Dillon has traveled the world, tattooing clients from all walks of life while continually exploring the connections between art, mathematics, nature, and spirituality. His work extends far beyond tattooing, reflecting a lifelong passion for creativity, architecture, photography, design, and entrepreneurship.
In this exclusive interview, Dillon shares the experiences that shaped his artistic journey, the philosophy behind sacred geometry, the creative process that defines his work, and his vision for the future of FORTE and modern tattooing. Join us as we explore the story behind one of today's most influential geometric tattoo artists.
Let's Begin!
Amit Ahuja: Before we dive into your career as a tattoo artist, we'd love to learn more about the person behind the artwork. Could you tell us about where you grew up, what your childhood was like, and the people or experiences that had the greatest influence on your life? Looking back today, how did those early years help shape your creativity, your values, and ultimately the artist you've become?
Dillon Forte: I was born in Santa Monica, California, into a family of artists, so creativity was always around me in some way. My mother is a romance novelist, and my father was a fashion photographer, and is now a financial astrologer and mathematician, so I grew up around a lot of different ways of seeing the world. I spent a lot of my childhood in Berkeley and Oakland, skateboarding, making art, being outside, and just trying to understand how things were built and connected.
Looking back, I think that environment had a huge impact on me before I even realized it. My family and the people around me valued creativity, curiosity, and being your own person, so I had permission early on to follow a different path. At 19, I got an apprenticeship at a small shop in Berkeley, and tattooing eventually became this vehicle for me to travel the world, meet people, and build a life around art. That path led me to opening my studio, Sri Yantra, in Oakland, and now I’m continuing to evolve creatively as I build out my private studio above the world-renowned Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice Beach.
Amit Ahuja: Art often begins long before it becomes a profession. What first drew you toward drawing, design, and creative expression as a young person? Was there a specific moment when you realized that creating art wasn't simply a hobby, but something you wanted to dedicate your life to?
Dillon Forte: I was always drawing, painting, skateboarding, or messing with some kind of creative idea when I was young. I grew up around art, so it never felt like this separate thing I had to discover — it was just kind of always there. I remember drawing little Jeeps as a kid, and my grandma would send them to car companies, which is funny looking back. I didn’t have one huge dramatic moment where I was like, “this is my life now,” but once I started tattooing and realized art could be my way to travel, meet people, build something, and keep chasing the things I was genuinely interested in, it became a lot bigger than a hobby.
Amit Ahuja: Tattooing has evolved tremendously over the years, but every artist has their own origin story. Can you take us back to when you first entered the tattoo industry? What were those early years like, what obstacles did you face while learning the craft, and what lessons from your apprenticeship continue to influence the way you work today?
Dillon Forte: The early years were definitely not easy. Tattooing is one of those crafts where you have to earn everything, and there’s no shortcut to putting in the hours. I had to learn the technical side, the discipline, the respect for the client, and also how to deal with the pressure of making something permanent on someone’s body. What stuck with me most is that tattooing is not just about being a good artist, it’s about patience, consistency, humility, and really respecting the craft.
Amit Ahuja: Your work has become synonymous with sacred geometry, blackwork, dotwork, and intricate mandalas. What first sparked your fascination with sacred geometry, and what was it about these mathematical patterns that resonated so deeply with you both artistically and personally?
Dillon Forte: Sacred geometry just made sense to me on a deeper level. I’m mostly known for contemporary sacred geometry, blackwork, and dot work tattooing, and I’ve always tried to create work that feels timeless, almost like it’s both primitive and futuristic at the same time. I’ve always been fascinated by patterns in nature, architecture, ancient cultures, and the mathematics behind the forms that seem to shape our reality and existence.
Artistically, geometry gave me a language that could be extremely precise, but still emotional, spiritual, and personal. To me, the message behind the work is really about interconnectedness and creating that feeling of wonder and awe. I think a lot of suffering comes from this false belief that we’re separate from everything, and these patterns can remind people of something deeper and more universal. My hope is that the work leaves a lasting impression, and maybe even creates a subtle kind of awakening that brings someone a sense of peace or tranquility.
Amit Ahuja: Many people admire the visual beauty of sacred geometry without fully understanding the philosophy behind it. From your perspective, what does sacred geometry truly represent? Why do you believe these ancient patterns continue to resonate with people across different cultures, beliefs, and generations?
Dillon Forte: To me, sacred geometry represents connection and order. It’s the idea that there are patterns and structures underneath everything, whether you’re looking at nature, the body, architecture, ancient temples, or the universe itself. These patterns show up across so many cultures because they point to something bigger than just design — they remind us that we’re part of something interconnected. I think people respond to sacred geometry because it feels familiar on a deeper level, even if they don’t fully know why. There’s a reason these mathematical relationships were used in sacred architecture, pyramids, cathedrals, temples, and spiritual symbols for so long. For me, the work is about creating that sense of wonder and maybe even helping people feel a little more connected, balanced, and at peace.
Amit Ahuja: One of the defining qualities of your work is the incredible level of precision required to execute complex geometric designs. Could you walk us through your creative process from the moment a client approaches you with an idea to the moment the finished tattoo is complete? How do you balance artistic freedom with the client's vision while ensuring every piece reflects the level of craftsmanship your work has become known for?
Dillon Forte: It usually starts with understanding the person and what they’re trying to express. Sometimes clients come in with a clear idea, and sometimes they just know the feeling they want the piece to have. From there I look at placement, body flow, scale, and how the design can live naturally on them. I always want the client to feel heard, but they’re also coming to me for my vision, so the best work happens when there’s trust and enough freedom for me to create something that really fits.
Amit Ahuja: One of the most recognizable aspects of your work is how naturally your geometric designs seem to complement the contours of the human body. When approaching a new project, how do you determine the placement, scale, and flow of a design so that it feels like it belongs to the individual rather than simply sitting on the skin? What factors do you consider to ensure the artwork remains visually balanced from every angle?
Dillon Forte: I try to look at the body as a whole, not just one flat piece of skin. The body already has its own geometry with movement, muscle structure, symmetry, asymmetry, and natural lines, so the design has to work with that instead of fighting against it. A lot of it comes down to placement first, where the tattoo is going, how the person moves, and what shapes are going to feel balanced on that part of the body.
From there, I think about scale, flow, and how the piece will read from different angles. A tattoo should feel like it belongs to that person, almost like it was always meant to be there. Especially with geometric work, if the placement or proportions are off, you feel it right away, so I try to make sure the piece works standing still, in motion, up close, from the side, and over time as it ages.
Amit Ahuja: Tattooing requires not only artistic ability but also tremendous responsibility. Every piece you create becomes a permanent part of someone's life and often carries deep personal meaning. How has carrying that responsibility shaped the way you communicate with clients, make artistic decisions, and approach your profession over the years?
Dillon Forte: That responsibility is huge, and I don’t take it lightly. People are trusting me with something that becomes part of their body and their story, so communication is a big part of it. At the end of the day, my clients choose what tattoos they want, and I’m there to help walk them through the process and make sure it becomes the best possible tattoo for them.
I try to be honest about what will work, what won’t, what placement makes the most sense, and how the piece will actually live on the body over time. Sometimes that means guiding someone toward a better scale or placement, or helping refine the idea so it feels stronger. Over the years, that has made me more thoughtful and more protective of the process, because the goal is always to create something they’re going to feel good about for a long time.
Amit Ahuja: You've tattooed clients from all walks of life, including well-known public figures. Without focusing solely on celebrity, what have those experiences taught you about trust, collaboration, and creating deeply personal artwork for individuals whose stories and life experiences may be very different from your own?
Dillon Forte: Tattooing well-known people teaches you pretty quickly that everyone is still just a person when they’re in the chair. Whether it’s a celebrity, athlete, musician, or someone from a totally different walk of life, the process still comes down to trust and being present with them. Thankfully, I don’t really get starstruck, so to me it’s another client, and I try to treat everyone like a friend while still taking the work really seriously.
I think the biggest thing is listening intentionally and keeping their needs as the top priority. You have to understand what they’re comfortable with, what they’re trying to express, and then create something that feels personal to them. The best collaborations happen when there’s mutual respect, clear communication, and they trust you to do what you do.
Amit Ahuja: Throughout your career, you've created countless intricate and meaningful tattoos, each with its own story and significance. Looking back, is there one piece you've designed and tattooed that stands out as your personal favorite? What made that particular piece so special to you, and what memories or emotions do you associate with creating it?
Dillon Forte: It’s hard to pick one favorite because different pieces stand out for different reasons. Some are special because of the design, some because of the person, and some because of where they happened. I’ve tattooed in some pretty wild places, from underwater in the Maldives to an ice cave in Alaska and even up near Mount Everest, so those experiences definitely stay with you.
That said, I’d probably say some of my favorite tattoos have been the full body suits. They’re massive pieces of art, and the collaboration is really intense and thorough, so it takes a strong relationship with the client and a lot of trust on both sides. Those kinds of tattoos leave a huge impact, and I definitely remember them as core memories in my career.
Amit Ahuja: Building a successful tattoo studio requires far more than artistic talent—it also demands vision, leadership, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset. FORTE has become much more than a place where people get tattooed; it's a thoughtfully designed space that reflects your passion for art, craftsmanship, nature, and meaningful experiences. What inspired you to create FORTE, and what has the journey of building and running your own business taught you about leadership, entrepreneurship, and balancing the creative side of being an artist with the responsibilities of owning and growing a successful company?
Dillon Forte: FORTE came from wanting to build something that felt like an extension of the work and the lifestyle around it. I didn’t want a typical tattoo shop environment, I wanted something more intentional, more connected to art, nature, design, and the whole experience. Running a business teaches you a lot because you can’t just be creative and hope everything works out. You have to lead, make decisions, take risks, manage people, and still protect the creative energy that made people care in the first place.
Amit Ahuja: Your studio in the Texas Hill Country feels like much more than a traditional tattoo shop. Surrounded by nature and intentionally designed to create a unique experience, it reflects a philosophy that extends beyond tattooing itself. What inspired you to create that environment, and why was it important for you to build a space where clients could connect not only with your artwork but also with the atmosphere and experience surrounding it?
Dillon Forte: Wimberley has this calm, grounded energy that really works for me. After traveling so much and tattooing in major cities and unusual places around the world, I wanted a home base that felt different. The studio gives clients a chance to slow down and experience the work in a more personal way. It’s not just walking into a busy shop, getting tattooed, and leaving, it’s more connected, more peaceful, and more in line with how I want the art to feel.
Amit Ahuja: Beyond tattooing, you've also explored fine art, entrepreneurship, and developing products and creative ventures. What motivates you to continue expanding beyond one discipline, and what excites you most about building something larger than a tattoo studio? As you continue to grow the FORTE brand, what long-term vision do you have for its future?
Dillon Forte: I’ve never really seen myself as only one thing. Tattooing is a huge part of who I am, but I’m also into painting, photography, design, products, architecture, fashion, technology, and just creating in general. Building FORTE into something bigger is exciting because it gives me room to explore all those worlds and connect them. Long term, I want it to be a real creative brand, not just a studio, but something that represents art, quality, lifestyle, and innovation.
Amit Ahuja: Nature appears to play a significant role in both your artwork and your personal philosophy. How has spending time in natural environments influenced the way you think, create, and connect with the deeper patterns that appear throughout your work? Are there particular places or experiences in nature that continue to inspire you today?
Dillon Forte: Nature is probably one of the biggest influences on my work. If you really look at plants, shells, mountains, rivers, stars, animals, everything has pattern, structure, rhythm, and geometry in it. Spending time in nature helps me reset and reminds me that the best designs usually already exist in some form around us. Places like Alaska, Bali, the desert, the ocean, and the Texas Hill Country all inspire me in different ways.
Amit Ahuja: Throughout your career you've traveled extensively and studied symbolism from different cultures and civilizations. How have those experiences expanded your understanding of art, spirituality, and humanity, and in what ways have they continued to influence both your creative process and your perspective on life?
Dillon Forte: Travel has opened my mind a lot. When you see ancient temples, pyramids, sacred spaces, old symbols, and how different cultures approach art and spirituality, you realize people have always been trying to understand the same big questions. Who are we, where do we come from, what connects us, what is meaningful? Those experiences definitely show up in my work, but they also remind me to stay humble because there is always more to learn.
Amit Ahuja: When you're not tattooing or working on creative projects, how do you like to spend your free time? What hobbies or interests help you disconnect from work, recharge creatively, and maintain a healthy balance between your personal life and professional career?
Dillon Forte: I like being outside, spending time with family, traveling, working on art, shooting photos, and just being in real life as much as possible. I’m always creating in some way, even when I’m not technically working, but I try to keep it natural. Sometimes it’s nature, sometimes it’s music, sometimes it’s being with people I love and not thinking about business for a minute. That balance is important because if you’re always pushing, you can lose the reason you started.
Amit Ahuja: Many artists find inspiration through activities outside of their profession. Are there any hobbies, passions, or interests—whether it's traveling, music, reading, meditation, outdoor adventures, or something completely unexpected—that have influenced the way you think, create, and approach your artwork?
Dillon Forte: Travel is a big one for me, for sure. Photography has also become really important because it helps me document my life and see things from a different perspective. I’m inspired by architecture, nature, ancient places, music, wellness, design, and anything that feels like it has intention behind it. All those things feed back into the tattooing, even if it’s not always obvious right away.
Amit Ahuja: Your work often blurs the line between tattooing and fine art. Do you see yourself primarily as a tattoo artist, a fine artist, a designer, or something that doesn't fit neatly into any single category? As your career has evolved, how has your own definition of yourself as an artist changed?
Dillon Forte: I don’t really think I fit neatly into one category, and I’m good with that. Tattooing is the foundation, but I see myself as an artist and creative person first. The medium can change — skin, canvas, photography, product design, whatever — but the vision is still connected. As I’ve grown, I’ve gotten more comfortable not needing to explain it too much and just letting the work speak.
Amit Ahuja: Every accomplished artist experience moments of doubt, creative burnout, or unexpected setbacks. Can you share a period in your career that truly tested you? Looking back, what did that experience teach you about perseverance, resilience, and the importance of continuing to evolve both personally and professionally?
Dillon Forte: There have definitely been times where I felt burned out or like I needed to rethink everything. When you put so much of yourself into the work, it can take a lot out of you, especially when you’re also running a business and trying to keep growing. Those moments taught me that you have to evolve or you’ll get stuck. Sometimes the hard seasons force you to get more honest about what you want, what you don’t want, and where your energy actually belongs.
Amit Ahuja: Social media has become an essential part of many artists' careers, but it can also create pressure to constantly produce content or follow trends. How do you stay authentic to your artistic vision while navigating an online world driven by algorithms, engagement, and instant gratification? What advice would you give to artists trying to remain true to themselves in today's digital landscape?
Dillon Forte: Social media is powerful, but it can mess with your head if you let it control you. I try to use it as a way to document my work, my life, my travels, and the real things I’m building, instead of chasing every trend. High-quality photography and video have helped a lot because it lets me share what I’m doing in a way that feels authentic. My advice would be don’t build your art around the algorithm, build something real and use the platforms to show people what you’re already about.
Amit Ahuja: Tattooing is an incredibly personal profession that allows you to meet people from every imaginable background, each bringing their own story, emotions, and reasons for getting tattooed. Has there ever been a client or experience that profoundly changed the way you viewed tattooing, human connection, or even life itself? What happened during that experience, and what lessons have you carried forward ever since?
Dillon Forte: There have been a lot of those moments. People come in with stories about loss, growth, healing, transformation, family, identity, and all kinds of things they’re carrying. You realize pretty fast that tattooing can be way more than decoration for a lot of people. It has taught me to listen better, be present, and respect the fact that sometimes the tattoo is marking something much bigger than the image itself.
Amit Ahuja: For aspiring tattoo artists who admire your work and hope to pursue geometric tattooing professionally, what advice would you give them about developing technical excellence while also finding an authentic artistic voice of their own? Looking back at your own journey, what do you wish someone had told you when you were first starting out?
Dillon Forte: Don’t rush it. Geometric tattooing takes a lot of patience, discipline, and respect for detail, and you can’t fake that. At the same time, don’t just copy what’s popular or what you see working for someone else. I wish someone told me earlier that the thing that makes you different is usually the thing you should lean into, even if it takes longer for people to understand it.
Amit Ahuja: Looking ahead over the next five to ten years, what goals or dreams remain on your horizon? Whether they're artistic, personal, or entrepreneurial, what continues to inspire and challenge you to keep evolving, and what are you most excited to accomplish next?
Dillon Forte: I want to keep expanding what FORTE can be. More art, more products, more creative collaborations, more travel, more projects that push the boundaries of where tattooing and design can go. I’m also interested in building things that last beyond just one appointment or one piece. What excites me most is continuing to evolve without losing the core of why I started, which is making meaningful work and living creatively.
Amit Ahuja: Finally, on a more personal note, who are three individuals who have had the greatest impact on your life? They could be family members, mentors, fellow artists, philosophers, or close friends. What lessons did each of them teach you, and how do those lessons continue to shape the person and artist you are today?
Dillon Forte: I’d say my family has had the biggest impact on me overall. They taught me creativity, loyalty, work ethic, and the importance of being present with the people you care about. I’ve also learned a lot from mentors and artists I’ve met along the way, especially people who showed me what it looks like to fully commit to your craft. And then there are friends and clients who have influenced me too, because sometimes people come into your life and remind you why the work matters.
Amit Ahuja: As we come to the end of our conversation, we'd like to leave our readers with something meaningful. Throughout your journey, you've built a career by following your own vision, embracing creativity, and continually evolving as both an artist and entrepreneur. Looking back on everything you've experienced, what message or advice would you like to share with aspiring artists, tattooists, and anyone striving to build a life that's authentic to who they are?
Dillon Forte: The biggest thing I’d say is stay true to yourself, even when it takes longer. It’s easy to get distracted by trends, other people’s opinions, money, social media, or what looks like the fast path. But if you build your life and your work around something real, something that actually means something to you, it’s going to last longer. Keep learning, keep evolving, stay humble, but don’t water yourself down just to make other people comfortable.
Amit Ahuja: As we conclude this edition of Hawk-IT Interviews, we'd like to thank Dillon Forte for sharing his journey, insights, and passion for his craft. His dedication to creativity, innovation, and meaningful artistry continues to inspire artists and enthusiasts around the world.
We hope you enjoyed this conversation and gained a deeper appreciation for the philosophy and craftsmanship behind Dillon's work. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next edition of Hawk-IT Interviews.
To explore more of Dillon Forte's work, creative projects, and latest updates, visit his official website and follow him on Instagram using the links below.
Dillon Forte Website:
Dillon Forte Instagram:
**All photos featured by Hawk-IT Media are courtesy of Dillon Forte and Diego Gamez.**
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