BAW: What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?

Artist: Ive always drawn since I was child, as I got my late teens I started doing painting , and started selling  my work, then I began doing exterior murals, for resturants ect. But I still wanted to try more areas of art, and one night I was in Alabama at a freinds get together, and I was drawing at a table. There were a few bikers there and they noticed  my art on the paper and decided they'ed have me try my hand at tattooing them. Well I was pretty young and unfamiliar with tattooing all together , but they insisted and made a make shift needle wrapped in thread and a small bottle on india ink and away I went, tattooing a the back shoulder's  of  a few persistant bikers . Well I returned to Florida and a few years later after learning more about tattooing decided I really enjoyed it.

 

BAW: Who are your influences?

Artist: Well through my experiences I've met a few amazing artists,

  Dee Whitcomb was a big inspiration to me with his custom style , and detail. 

 and an old freind from Hollywood Florida I was lucky enough to work with named "Boon',

 

BAW: What is your favorite style of work?

Artist: I like realistic looking pieces,  and I prefer doing custom design. I'd rather design somthing you saw in dream then somthing you'd choose off a wall.

 

BAW: Tell us about your first Tattoo experience?

Artist: Well my first experience doing them, is in the above paragraph ,and also  what made me become a tattooist.

But as far as on work my self , I do my own work, so my experience with that was good  ;)

 

BAW: What is your favorite piece you own?

Artist: It would be my leg piece , it begins on the top of my foot and goes up my leg to just under my knee. On my foot is a Cherokee peace pipe , the smoke from the pipe goes up my leg and turns to a wolf and above that an Indian Skull in full headress. I designed it as well as did the work.   

 

BAW: What is your most memorable Tattoo given and why?

Artist: It would have to be the dragon backpiece I did on my younger brother.

Because it was the first piece I ever entered at an Expo , and was awarded for my first year competing.

 

BAW: Is there a part of the body you won't Tattoo and why?

Artist: Yeah I'm not into doing gential tattoo work at all, lol

that old joke of  "I want a tattoo of a hundred dollar bill" , never dies.

 

BAW: Do you support supply co. that sells to the public?

Artist: I use a few but Yes, alot of them do.

 

BAW: Do you feel there now should be mandatory schooling for soon to be tattoo artists?

Artist: No and yes ,

  I feel it would benefit the tattooing industry to have more skilled artists applying the tattoos. Who have training and know how to properly clean there equipment and sterilize the work area and instruments.

I think that some people have damaged the tattooing reputation, by really poor knowledge of what there doing.

 I think apprenticing is currentley the best training. 

 

BAW: Do you feel Tattooing has changed over the years, and if so why?

Artist: Yea its becoming like fast food chains , rush in rush out...

In a few shops I've worked in , it was that way and I feel it loses a lot of the creativeness artist could be investing if they weren't so hurried.

 

BAW: Do you think it is important to do as many conventions and shows as possible?

Artist: I like doing conventions and Expos and I do feel a lot can be learned from them. Being exposed to so many other artists from different places and observing the way they work is good . And competing in them definitely encourages others to create some very beautiful work.

 

BAW: What advise can you give to someone who is starting or

looking to get into the tattoo business?

Artist:  Know how to draw Please !!!!!

And learn from someone whose got experience and a good reputation.

 

BAW: What could you say to someone who has had a bad first experience?

Artist: I'll do my best fix it .

 

BAW: Since you have started what changes have you seen in the industry?

Artist: I've seen more recognition of female artists.

 

BAW: How do you feel about apprenticeships?

Artist: I think there useful and needed, I have had the experience of training a young man, who went on to opening his own shop and he was an impressive artist.  

 

BAW: Where do you think the Tattoo Industry is going today?  Do you think it is getting better or worse?

Artist: I think it getting better, more attention is being paid to sterilization and cleanliness, and it is getting more acceptance in society in general.  

 

BAW: Please share any other comments or views or questions to the public you might have.

Artist: