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BAW:
What made you want to become a Tattoo artist
Artist: I
received my first inking at 21 from a guy I met in the city he did home
made tats as a hussle. I thought I bet I could do a better job myself. made
a gun drew a pic on my leg and went to town it wasn't bad. from there my
obsession started. this was in 1996 there were no tattoo shops Indiana
yet.
BAW:
Who are your influences?
Artist: really
for me real professionals were not a reality for me. In the
magazines people like Paul Booth and Guy Atchison were not even
real .its like they were in some sort of realm I would never be. I
always have been influenced by local artist I knew and shared tips and
tattooed on me. To see them become real artist with real talent. hats probably
my biggest driving force. to allot of them around here its some sort of
local popularity contest.
BAW:
What is your favorite style of work?
Artist: My
customers seem to be drawn to my color work bright) I give the credit
for that to (moms millennium) and the 7 needle mag. but im obsessed w
black and gray basically the imitated prison style smoke and skulls. I
think that's just the old mettallica head in me lol
BAW:
Tell us about your first Tattoo experience?
Artist
like I said I was 21 and upstairs apartment in the city this guy named
Buff took a tribal I drew out and drilled me it looks pretty good today.
BAW:
What is your favorite piece you own?
Artist: my
back right arm and around my elbow is all smoke and skulls I love it.
BAW:
What is your most memorable Tattoo given and why?
Artist: I
had another Tattoo artist I admired his work for years and some what
jealous actually came over to my place we talked shit for a couple of
hours and then he asked me so what do you feel like tattooing on me. I
just smiled and got the machine ready.
BAW:
Is there a part of the body you won't Tattoo and why?
Artist: Not
really but we all know there's some areas that just suck!
BAW:
Do you support supply co. that sells to the public?
Artist
If it wasn't for Wes Wood at Unimax I wouldn't be were I am today.
BAW:
Do you feel there now should be mandatory schooling for soon to be
tattoo artists?
Artist: Not
so much on the art aspect as much as Mandatory education of sterilization, and
blood born pathogens, cross contamination. Im from a small town in red
neckville Indiana (don't get me wrong these people are proud to be
rednecks) and they also love tattoos .tattoo shops and apprenticeships
were not even heard of around here 5 years ago. We Tattooed on
each other. That's just the way it was.
Until
this year the closest place you could buy a tattoo magazine was 20 miles
away.
BAW:
Do you feel Tattooing has changed over the years, and if so why?
Artist: I
see allot of haters out there and allot of over egoed over fortunate
brats that do nothing but bad mouth everybody else. at least in the last
five years there seems to be a set standard set by the industry and the
people who tattoo in it .I think they are heading in the right direction. Thanks
to all the ole Timers reminding all these new ego maniacs were they come
from and that they would be nothing if some one wouldn't have helped
them.
BAW:
Do you think it is important to do as many conventions and shows as
possible?
Artist: I
tattoo for a.b.a.t.e. of Indiana I do Bike shows and rally's for them
all summer. But have not done a "show or convention" But plan
to this summer.
For
those who don't know abate stands for American bikers aimed toward
education)
BAW:
What advise can you give to someone who is starting or
looking
to get into the tattoo business?
Artist: find
a tattoo artist you like and trust and get an apprenticeship but make
sure its the artist in you and not fallen for the culture.
BAW:
What could you say to someone who has had a bad first experience?
Artist: Its
hard to say Quit been a sissy and give it another try .Make sure the
next time you Know the artist and his work. my cousin jimmy does some
pretty good stuff in his basement) doesn't work.
BAW:
Since you have started what changes have you seen in the industry?
Artist: well
there seems to be a shop on every corner in the city. the tattoo doesn't
seem so taboo
BAW:
How do you feel about apprenticeships?
Artist: I
feel any artist serious enough to wanna tattoo should seriously look for
an apprenticeship its for there own good. Not to mention threes so much
to learn you stuff that just you cant just teach yourself.
BAW:
Where do you think the Tattoo Industry is going today? Do you
think it is getting better or worse?
Artist: right
now there seems to be some sort of war with supply companies misleading
several people into buying crap equipment selling thousand dollar beginner
kits with out the mention of sterilization. The word industry
seems to bother me when it kinda seems like an all for himself kinda atmosphere. its
either that are I haven't met the right people yet.
BAW:
If there was something you could change in this industry what would it
be and why?
Artist: I
don't know .I don't claim to know it all even though I have my
complaints. Im not sure my Ideas are fro the good or not some one with a
better understanding of the whole picture could probably teach me a
couple of things
BAW:
Please share any other comments or views or questions to the public you
might have.
Artist: I love to Tattoo and imp damn lucky to do
it for a living (I love it) if your gonna Tattoo do it for the passion
and for the sake of body art. and when im to old to tattoo I hope im
still in the business somehow.
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