|
BAW:
What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
Artist:
When I was eighteen, I saw an add in the paper for a desk person at a
local tattoo studio in North Conway, NH called White Mountain Tattoo.
I showed up at 9 am, realized that they didn't open until noon, came
back then, interviewed with the apprentice, and wasn't
hired, They did hire a guy that lived in the same building as I
did who just didn't work out. He mentioned that they were going to
hire me in the first place since I had experience with the arts, but
they wanted a male initially, since the shop was dominated by females.
BAW:
Who are your influences?
Artist:
There are so many but Sailor Jerry, Horiyoshi III, Trevor Marshall,
Markus Kuhn, Eric Merrill, Kore Flatmo, Guy Aitchison, Corey Kruger,
Matthew Amey, people that I've worked with such as Luc Zietek, Justin
Kopec, Mulysa Mahem, Joe Boo, Adam Mazza, Gale Mosman, Natan Lin, and
everyone else. Truly I'm inspired by everything around me how
despite how cheesy it might sound.
BAW:
What is your favorite style of work?
Artist:
I enjoy bold and bright color work and black and gray in the style of
fantasy art, floral, Japanese, realism, wildlife, portraits, and pin
ups. I enjoy traditional and Polynesian art, too.
BAW:
Tell us about your first Tattoo experience?
Artist:
My first tattoo was done on an apprentice after the first week I started
working at White Mountain Tattoo. The apprentice asked me if I
wanted to stay late and help her with a tattoo she was going to do on
herself. I accepted the request and helped her with the piece,
mostly by stretching the area. I was too afraid to do any
outlining, but I worked in some of the color. The next day Gale
Mosman, the owner, found out and threatened both of our jobs because of
it. I had no idea that was wrong for us to do unsupervised since
the mores and norms of the tattoo world weren't apparent to me then.
It wasn't until a year later that I worked on another person.
BAW:
What is your favorite piece you own?
Artist:
It is difficult to answer that question since it changes everyday.
Today my favorite is my right chest panel by Eric Merrill.
BAW:
What is your most memorable Tattoo given and why?
Artist:
Well fresh in my memory is yesterdays tattoo. Sometimes my mind is
so worn out from tattooing that it's difficult to even remember what I
did the day before yesterday. I strive to improve with every piece
that I do. I try to approach them as equally important.
BAW:
Is there a part of the body you won't Tattoo and why?
Artist:
As long as I feel comfortable with a person, I'll tattoo them almost
anywhere. In more awkward places, I require meeting them in person
and consulting first. If I don't think they have other intentions
besides getting tattooed and they know exactly what they want, I'll
usually do it.
BAW:
Do you support supply co. that sells to the public?
Artist:
Well I don't usually buy from them since their prices aren't that great
and I don't believe the quality is as good as companies who don't.
I don't think tattoo equipment should be so easily accessible to the
public fooling them that tattooing is something someone with out proper
training should be doing as a hobby, but I do think that underground
tattooing will never stop. So these companies could be saving some
lives by offering safe and sterile equipment to the public.
However, it can't save them from giving or getting bad tattoos that
might scar and look terrible.
BAW:
Do you feel there now should be mandatory schooling for soon to be
tattoo artists?
Artist:
A Blood Borne Pathogens, First Aid, CPR, and skin course should be
required. For art education, I don't believe that this can only be
done through formal schooling such as college, however, I think that all
artisans should continue to educate themselves. I've taken some
college art courses, but more often I've attended art groups and taken
private lessons from professional artists.
BAW:
Do you feel Tattooing has changed over the years, and if so why?
Artist:
Of course tattooing is so much more popular presently than in the past
and that had made several changes. The art is legal in most states
and towns now. The ACLU has made it illegal to ban tattooing.
More fine artist are in the field pushing the limits and accomplishing
beautiful masterpieces in the skin. Still there are many tattooist out
there that don't know how to draw or mix colors. Most of the
mysticism and mystery is gone within the field. The field is no
longer serving only sailors and bikers. People of every shape,
size, religion, sex, and culture are getting tattooed now.
BAW:
Do you think it is important to do as many conventions and shows
as possible?
Artist:
It's important to interact and share ideas with other artists, but this
can be done without doing the shows. I don't think that some
producers are as selective in choosing their artists for shows, and
they'll let anyone in since numerous shows these days aren't even put on
by tattooist or someone who can judge a good tattoo from a bad one.
Presently there are so many shows that you can find at least one or two
in weekend around the world. Producers want to make the large sum
of money off of conventions. However, most shows are still tons of fun.
It's easily accessible to making new connections, sharing information
with other artisans, and trading art.
BAW: What advice can you give to someone who is starting or looking to
get into the tattoo business?
Artist:
My suggestion is to create a portfolio that is mind-blowing to show to a
tattoo artist or many whose work you look up to. A fine art
college education goes a long way. Cover yourself with extensive
tattoo work and brush up on the history of the field. Also let go
of the ego, and brush up on your ass kissing. Always be nice,
polite, and courteous when approaching a possible mentor. Make
sure you're motivated, open to learning, and professional.
BAW:
What could you say to someone who has had a bad first experience?
Artist:
I would ask why they felt as if they had a bad experience, but assume it
would be one or two things - the artist had a bad attitude and made the
person uncomfortable and/or the tattoo came out horribly. To avoid these
circumstances, first make sure the craftsman does great work by viewing
their portfolio or seeing many pieces of theirs in person. Look
for clean, crisp lines and solid, smooth shading or color. Second,
make sure you can get along with them or have some kind of connection
with them. There are some amazing artist out there that have bad
attitudes, and they don't deserve your money since there are also so
many other fantastic creators out there nowadays with good attitudes.
Third, ask to observe the studio including the area where tattooing is
executed and the autoclave location. Make sure that the autoclave
is spore tested monthly, and the studio appears clean and well lit.
BAW:
Since you have started what changes have you seen in the industry?
Artist:
Besides the answer in response to a previous question, more inks and
supply companies are out there, there are a zillion shops opening up,
more shows, more fabulous artists, and more bad ones. The public
is sporting more extensive work such as sleeves and back pieces, and
custom artists are more plentiful. More people in the craft are
using the cutting edge methods within the craft, and the best possible
methods of cleanliness and sterilization. More shops out there are
very professional, and are run like regular companies. I'd like to say
the "tattitude", tattoo artist attitude that is usually
present due to a huge ego whether they are good or not, is waning away.
Or at least more people are getting tatted by nice people that are great
artists.
BAW:
How do you feel about apprenticeships?
Artist:
They are integral parts of the learning experience. There needs to
be more traditional apprenticeships where people aren't just thrown the
machine and are set free to tattoo. The mentor must solidly
believe that their student will benefit the field and not hinder the
progress of the craft. Apprentices need to be around the process
for a long period of time before they begin tattooing and should start
off with small pieces and work up to big pieces over the years.
They should always be supervised by their mentors until their teachers
truly believes that they are ready to create a solid tattoo on their own. It's
very important that one who takes on an apprentice is a master tattooist
with several years of professional experience and knowledge under their
belt in order to mold another person into a good tattooer. They
also need to be admirable teachers.
BAW:
Where do you think the Tattoo Industry is going today? Do
you think it is getting better or worse?
Artist:
Well it seems like there will always be ups and downs in every industry.
Right now I believe that the business is a little saturated.
Tattoos are very trendy right now, and so many folks want to hop on the
wave of the business. A lot of people want to capitalize on the
movement and open up shops whether or not they can actually tattoo.
I've seen people open up shops with minimal experience when they should
be apprentices themselves. Massachusetts has just legalized
tattooing five years ago, hence, you see allot of it here. However, the
saturation can make the business very competitive pushing tattooist to
continuously better their work. People are completely dedicated to
this art out there that want to take it to the next level. Fine
artists are picking up the trade, and there's infinite amounts of talent
out there. People are developing better inks and products to heal
tattoos. The public is more well informed about the industry nowadays.
You can watch several television programs that feature tattooing, and
most stars and celebrity boast many tattoos. The number of
people that are sporting extensive work is rising rapidly. The
business is flourishing including at the shop where I work.
BAW: Please share any other comments or views
or questions to the public you
might have.
Artist: My opinions are constantly changing
everyday, yet I can be stubborn.
|
