A Journey into the World of Writing with Carlotta Castellini

Carlotta Castellini, born in 1995, is an artist, tattooist, painter, and street artist. Her style is unmistakable—bold, colorful, and unforgettable. From tattoos to graffiti, Castellini, known on Instagram as @hot.hearts, does everything with passion. We met her in her studio, where she shared how her love for street art was born and how it naturally led to her career in tattooing.

«If before I was much more focused on an intimate and personal artistic approach, discovering the world of writing opened up a different way of conceiving what I wanted to communicate through my work. And what I wanted to convey was enthusiasm and energy—something that could no longer be defined by the black and white of my early photographs but that, increasingly, had to be action».

But how does one develop such a passion? Where does it start? And, more importantly, how do you find yourself part of a community of writers? Castellini responds: «The way I discovered writing is truly a love story. I got to know it thanks to the guy I was dating a few years ago, who introduced me to this world in the most unexpected way. It was a universe that captivated me endlessly. And even though that relationship ended, my connection to writing only became an even stronger force—an unstoppable drive».

Her style, as is evident, is highly distinctive—whether in street art, painting, or tattoos.
«Walls allowed me to express myself, to represent myself according to my mood, to say what I wanted to say. The common thread in my approach to writing, from paintings to tattoos, is definitely the desire to be recognizable. What I’m aiming for now is a simplification of both the method and the design—a balance between aesthetics and functionality».

In the constant search for balance—something not always easy to achieve in the creative world—Castellini has found the perfect synthesis in tattooing. «Using the hand-poking technique without electricity, for me, less is always more. It simplifies my designs and speeds up my work».

Another key aspect that fascinated us during our conversation with Castellini was the sense of community. «For me, the community was essential because writing generates an unexpected, contagious enthusiasm that brings many people together. The people I used to go painting with eventually became my first tattoo clients. Whether it’s about precision in line work or the distance from the canvas, the similarities between writing and tattooing are endless» continues Castellini.

However, the world of writing is not all smooth sailing. Castellini recalls an unpleasant episode in which some of her graffiti were vandalized. She also emphasizes a broader challenge: «It’s still a male-dominated world, and generally, when men see a woman, they’re not exactly thrilled. They might be more interested in looking at her because she has a nice ass, but not because they recognize her talent. But you can’t let the first obstacles or the first harsh words bring you down—because, in the end, haters always go after talented people, never those with no skill at all».