INKEDblog takes you beneath the skin of today's tattoo culture. Our mission is to celebrate tattooing as a modern art form which incorporates art, fashion, style, and pop culture. While paying homage and respect to the past, we look to present a contemporary take on the present and future of skin art. getinked@inkedblog.com

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INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo John INKEDblog Interviews Cara, the “Tattooed Teacher” INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo Artist Paul Jamison INKEDblog Interviews Aspiring Tattoo Artist Rob Marston INKEDblog Interviews Artist Michael Hyman October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 To receive InkedBlog posts by email each day, enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Monday  Dec 19, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo Artist Nate Parrish

Nate’s a Seattle-based artist with a genuine affinity for Japanese tats and the history that comes with. The bonus? He’s an extremely talented guy. Yet he’s also humble enough to cop to a difficulty with Celtic work and honest enough to send that work elsewhere. And for a guy who runs a one-man tat studio, passing on business of any sort is no small gesture. All of which makes Nate an ink slinger y’all should be happy to get to know.

--- Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: When did your love for tattooing begin?

Nate: Like any kid, I was fascinated by tattoos at an early age. When I got my 1st tattoo at 17 I was already interested in the application & craft itself. I was lucky enough to find a good artist who didn't mind talking while he worked, so I hammered him with questions. When I decided it was what I wanted to do, I couldn't stop thinking about it...I literally stayed awake thinking about tattooing & talked about it constantly. Drawing's the most important part of tattooing, I've done that all my life.

INKEDblog: I checked out your paintings and your tat work. Really great stuff. What is it about the traditional Japanese designs that appeals to you so much?

Nate: Thanks, everything I do comes from somewhere else. Japan's where good tattoos started, centuries ago. We all know tattooing can be found worldwide, but when you compare flowing Japanese bodysuits to more primitive designs being done at the time by Islanders, Indians, & everyone else...it seems clear that Japanese woodblock designs work well in skin. It has to do with technique too; that hand-pushed style has a quality that isn't duplicated even by modern machine. It's more advanced than the hammer-and-chisel method used in Borneo or whatever. I also dig traditional Western-type tattoos, which were heavily influenced by Asian design.

INKEDblog: Is there a tat style that you won't go near -- one that doesn't interest you as an artist?

Nate: I'm terrible at Celtic. To me, it's like tattooing barcodes...very technical & anal. My heritage is Celtic, but I've never had much interest in the art. Their animal designs are great, & there's folks who can do knot work really well, but for me it feels limited, not loose. Every style has limits, but I'd rather send Celtic work to someone who loves it.

INKEDblog: You're working out of Seattle. Is the tat community tight out there? What I mean is, is it a small world where all the artists sort of inspire each other? Or are we talking cutthroat competition?

Nate: I'm not a competitive person. Seattle's mellow. It's one of the tattoo capitals, but the downside is there's a s--- load of shops. Same as anywhere...and I contribute to the problem by having a shop myself. Customers tend to have a know-it-all attitude & want to design their own tattoos, which is usually disastrous. So basically, everyone's an artist, or thinks they are. Tattooers get along mostly. Many shops run multiple locations & most have 5 or 8 artists. It's crazy. I might be the only one-man shop in the city.

INKEDblog: How far would you like to take your tattooing? What is your ink dream, if you will?

Nate: I'm not sure anyone's capable of taking it further than it's been taken. I'm happy working within the parameters of what works. I don't have dreams about tattoos. I'm mostly interested in drawing & sleep deprivation. I want to learn more & get more done.

For more on Nate’s work, check out his site www.nateparrish.com

Thursday  Dec 15, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo John

Tattoo John’s been inking for a good long time. And amen to that. He’s seen a lot of changes in the industry, and he’s got some great stories to boot. He’s a true original, and he was kind enough to take some time recently and talk to me about where he got his start, his favorite tat styles, and yup…even his haunted shop. Let’s get old school…

– Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: You've been tattooing for 34 years --where'd it all begin for you?

Tattoo John: I STARTED TATTOOING WHEN I WAS 16. I WAS WORKING AT CHOPPER SHOP HERE IN SAN JOSE AS A GOFER. I DROPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE. I HAD GOTTEN A COUPLE OF TATTOOS AND WAS FASCINATED BY IT. I BUILT MY FIRST TATTOO MACHINE WHILE WORKING AT THE CHOP SHOP. I BUILT A RACK TO HOLD MY GUNS THAT I STILL USE TO THIS DAY. I PRACTICED ON BIKERS, DRUNKS, PUNKS,WHORES, DRUG ADDICTS, WINOS… SAME CREW I WORK ON NOW. JUST KIDDING. THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH PROGRAM PAID ME TO TAKE A SMALL ENGINE COURSE SO I COULD WORK ON MOTORCYCLES. I USED THE MONEY TO OPEN MY FIRST TATTOO SHOP IN REDWOOD CITY. IT’S BETWEEN SAN JOSE AND SAN FRANCISCO. SINCE THEN I’VE HAD SHOPS IN SAN CARLOS ,SAN MATEO,SANTA CLARA BUT MOST OF IT HERE IN SAN JOSE. SAN JOSE’S OLDEST TATTOO BUSINESS…OVER 25 YRS.

INKEDblog: After all this time, what keeps it fresh for you...in other words, what keeps you going? Does surrounding yourself with younger artists help fuel the fire?

Tattoo John: TATTOOING IS WHAT I DO. ITS ME. TATTOOING MADE ME SOMEBODY I’M TATTOO JOHN. THE COMPETITION KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES. IT’S AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE PUT ON THEMSELVES NOW DAYS. SOMEDAYS ARE GOLD DAYS WHERE EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT. OTHER DAY ARE LEAD WHERE NOTHING GOES RIGHT.

INKEDblog: What changes have you seen in the tattoo scene over the years? Do you ever find yourself longing for the good ole days, before the whole ink thing blew up and turned into a phenomenon of sorts?

Tattoo John: THINGS HAVE CHANGED WITH THE CUSTOMERS NOW [THAT] THEY’VE GOT MORE MONEY. NOW DAYS WE DONT WORK ON DRUNKS OR STONED PEOPLE. IN THE OLD DAYS THEY ALL WERE HIGH…ME TOO…THAT WAS PART OF THE LIFE STYLE. I’VE BEEN STRAIGHT FOR 14 YRS. BUT SOMETIMES LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE CITY STREETS ARE EMPTY, I MISS THOSE ALL NIGHT TATTOO SESSIONS – SEEIN’ THE SUN COME UP WHILE YOU’RE STILL TATTING AWAY.

INKEDblog: Tell me a little about the shop. I read on your site that you only take walk-ins. No appointments? Why go that route?

Tattoo John: MY SHOP IS STILL A STREET SHOP, A REAL TATTOO SHOP. THE REASON I DON’T DO APPOINTMENTS IS SOME OF MY CUSTOMERS ARE FLAKY. THEY HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLE MAKING THEIR MIND UP LET ALONE KEEPING AN APPOINTMENT A COUPLE OF DAYS AWAY. PLUS, I LIKE TO JUST SAY F--- IT AND TAKE OFF [ON] MY BIKE AND GO RIDING FOR THE DAY. NO APPOINTMENTS, NO PROBLEMS.

INKEDblog: I ask a lot of tat artists this question, and they tend to not wanna offend potential customers so they say, "oh, I like doing all kinds of tattoos." I don't really buy it. And I have this gut feeling you'll tell it like it is: what style of tattooing speaks to you most? And is it important for you to dig the particular piece you're putting on someone?

Tattoo John: I LIKE DOING PAUL BOOTH STYLE WORK -- MOSTLY BLACK AND GRAY. I LOVE FLAMES. ILL BE IN THE BACK ROOM AND SOMEONE WILL ASK WHAT SHOULD I ADD TO THIS AND WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING I’LL YELL OUT, “FLAMES!” AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY GO FOR IT. MAYBE I SHOULD YELL OUT TURDS AND SEE IF THEY’D GO FOR IT. I LIKE DOING SMALL OVERPRICED TATTOOS; I DO THIS FOR A LIVING REMEMBER. I LIKE DOING LARGER TATTS THAT TAKE HOURS, MAKE MY MONEY AND LET EVERYBODY ELSE DEAL WITH THE OTHER CUSTOMERS.

INKEDblog: And finally, I have to ask...where'd you guys get the hearse [that is parked in front of the shop]?

Tattoo John: THE HEARSE BELONGS TO DANNY, ONE OF THOSE YOUNG GUNS. HE BOUGHT IT FROM A LOCAL MORTUARY, [AND IT] CAME WITH SPIRITS. DID U KNOW THE SHOP IS HAUNTED BY THE SPIRIT OF AN INDIAN FRIEND WHO SPENT 15 YRS HANGING OUT AT THE SHOP? HE PASSED AWAY 2 YEARS AGO, BUT HE HASN’T LEFT YET. BUT THAT’S ANOTHER STORY.

Check out Tattoo John’s tat work and shop at www.SANJOSETATTOO.NET

Monday  Dec 05, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Cara, the “Tattooed Teacher”

"Cara’s got some major ink – 18 tats to be exact. And she ain’t stoppin’ there. The really cool part? She’s also an NYC school teacher. If only my teachers had rocked that hard, I might have actually gone to class. Cara recently took some time to talk with me about her ink and the reactions she’s gotten on the job. What she has to say is definitely worth a read, no doubt. "

– Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: You got your first tat at 16...what was the occassion?

Cara: My best friend and I were the "bad ass" kinda Catholic school girls that hung with these skeevy dudes that knew how to tattoo so we decided to get tattooed in her boyfriend's bedroom one day. I sat backwards on a chair and held onto a baseball bat while they smoked cigarettes and watched me get my "sweet tribal" which was oh so cool in ‘96. It was above my ass and I thought I was the hottest with my new tatt and Jnco's. (I have since covered it). I got the whole tattoo and I was pretty proud because when it came to be my friend's turn she got 2 lines and then chickened out.

INKEDblog: Which is your favorite piece?

Cara: My favorite tattoo so far would have to be my chest/shoulders. I think it's the prettiest and I was able to take part in the design. I have a star/flower theme so this one incorporates the two.

INKEDblog: And now you're addicted! I sort of love to hear that -- I mean, considering the addictions out there...an ink addiction ain't that bad...and makes for some amazing art. What inspires you to choose a certain design?

Cara: The majority of my tattoos are flowers and stars. I really like them. I have stars and flowers all throughout my apt and my classroom. I have a few tattoos that don’t fit the theme, but eventually I will become a botanical garden.

INKEDblog: “The Tattooed Teacher” -- that's some nickname. What do your students think about your tattoos? Do you think it changes they way they perceive you in the classroom?

Cara: Only a few of my tattoos show when I go to work. Some of my students have made comments about it but I just pretend that they're seeing things or deny having a tattoo. They giggle and I call them crazy. It's cute. Tattoos are becoming so common now that it's not THAT big of a deal to them. I still run a tight ship and they see me as their teacher and not some tattooed freak. One time I had a tattoo that got infected. I had to walk with a cane. So when my students asked what happened I didn’t want them to know that I had an infected tattoo. Instead, I told them that I fell into the bear pit at the Bronx Zoo and got bit by a bear cub. By the end of the day the whole school thought I was bitten.

INKEDblog: The principal [of your school] and the superintendent...what are their worries about the ink? Do you sense an unfair bias towards you because of your tats.

Cara: My principal is very conservative and I was worried that she would give me sh-- for having tattoos. Legally she can't. When I first got hired she noticed a tattoo when I bent over and reminded me to keep it covered. Since then I have proven to her that I do my job well and now she loves me. I feel as though I might have changed her opinion on tattooed people or at least broke the stereotype. She's never had anything bad to say about the ones that show, but she almost had a heart attack when I showed her my chest and back. I keep those covered at work and surprisingly enough, she has actually made me show a few of my superiors. She has me show them after they observe me doing a lesson. I usually get the "great lesson and oh my, what pretty tattoos" response. Which makes me think that they're thinking... "wow a tattooed person can actually do a great job"

One time in the teacher's lounge the topic of tattoos came up. I was fairly new at the school and didn’t’ know everyone. This particular day none of my tatts were visible. A teacher started going on about people with tattoos. He called them lowlifes and said that they never amount to anything. He said that people with tattoos are idiots because they can’t get a career and all they do is drink and listen to "that punk rock music". I kept my mouth shut and just listened to his opinions and then I asked him what made him feel that way and he could only say that he would never get a tattoo so he doesn’t get it. I simply said that I know several people in various professions that are covered in tattoos, showed him some of mine, said I wasn’t stupid or a low life and then walked out of the teacher's room. He now kisses my ass.

INKEDblog: If you had to give up getting ink to keep on teaching...would it be a no-brainer or a difficult decision?

Cara: At this point I have plenty of space left so I think that I will be getting tattooed for awhile. However, I don’t like cluttered tattoos so I place them strategically enough so that they're not taking over each other or highly visible. Do I want half sleeves? Sure do.. but I work in an unairconditioned classroom and having to wear long sleeves in sept and june would just kill me. I am addicted, I do love tattoos but I'm also highly educated and far from stupid. I'm not gonna lose my job because I want to decorate myself more. That’s why I will one day find that rockstar husband that will support me so that I can be covered! Ha. Yeah right.

Tuesday  Nov 29, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo Artist Paul Jamison

Paul Jamison tattoos the bad ass crew from TV’s “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” On top of that, he was cool enough to take some time out and talk to us. Enough said.

... Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: Do you remember when and how your love for tattoos [and tattooing] started?

Paul: I always hung out with the older crazy f---ers in my neighborhood and went to punk rock and metal shows when I was young. Everybody I saw had tattoos and I guess it just rubbed off on me. As for doing tattoos... I saw tattooing as a way to do what I want, instead of building new homes and doing remodels. I was tired of destroying my body and wanted to find something that would make me more money without killing myself.

INKEDblog: From checking out the photos of you work, I want to describe your tattooing aesthetic as traditional with a modern edge. Is it important for you to keep your work rooted in tradition?

Paul: First off, I hate traditional tattoos. I don't think I have a traditional bone in my body. I would describe my work as realistic more than anything else. I really like to do black and grey stuff. I also like to do fish. So maybe my style is more "Modern Realistic.” I don't root myself in anything. I just do what I do.

INKEDblog: How did you get hooked up with Leland and the crew from Dog The Bounty Hunter?

Paul: I lived in Hawaii on the island of Oahu for 3 years. I worked at Tiki Tattoo in Waikiki for a little over 2 years before moving back home to the South Bay. Leland came into the shop one night and said he wanted some work done. Since then, I've become good friends with the whole Chapman family and I have tattooed 4 of them now including Leland, Dwayne Lee, Baby Lisa, and Youngblood (Tim). I still tattoo them when they come to Los Angeles so check out the 3rd season for some new work. I love that show!!!!!

INKEDblog: You're also a musician and an actor, but is it safe to say that no matter where you're at with your band or the acting gigs, that you'll always find the time and desire to tattoo?

Paul: Yeah, I play bass in ORPHANED TO HATRED (OTH). I have also been an extra in a few things. THE BIG BOUNCE being the latest film I was in. Sure, even with all the touring and movie s---, I still love tattooing. I almost crave tattooing sometimes. Kind of like a need to stay creative I guess.

INKEDblog: Better experience: Giving ink or receiving ink?

Paul: Of course getting ink, just not the pain. No pain, No gain I always say.

Check out Paul’s tat work at www.tattoopaul.com

Wednesday  Nov 23, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Aspiring Tattoo Artist Rob Marston

Where do young artists go to find tattoo apprenticeships? How does the industry get out of its own way and insure that aspiring ink slingers -- the ones with great respect for tattooing; the one’s who are truly willing to put in the hours, months, years of learning required – find generous and knowledgeable tat mentors? They’re good questions. And Rob here would kinda like some answers. He’s got the drive and the skills. All he’s looking for now is someone to take him under his/her wing and push him to be the best tat artist he can possibly be. Sounds like a pretty reasonable request to me.

-- Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: Let's start with, where are you from?

Rob: I am originally from Maine. More specifically a little mill-town called Rumford. I moved to San Francisco for art school and am currently "taking a semester off," which I'm sure will undoubtedly turn into not returning.

INKEDblog: When did you realize you had something artistic in ya that you really wanted to get out there?

Rob: Both my twin brother and I have always been artists, whether it be web-design, painting, animation, automotive, music, etc. When I was young I was selected to be in an advanced, "gifted & talented" art class, and have taken special advanced classes ever since. In high school I skipped ahead three art courses and excelled in both photography and graphic arts. I scored a 3 out of a possible 5 on an advanced placement studio art college exam my junior year, the best grade of the entire school matched only by my brother. Since about the age of 16 I was constantly being told I had a more design-oriented style, proficient with lettering and shading. Eventually my style was interpreted as a sort of "tattoo style" illustration. I began than designing tattoos for friends, yet, due to my age, I was still unable to get any of my own - let alone create them! It was then my thirst to eliminate that middle-man (the tattoo artists) and get it all done myself began!

INKEDblog: Why tattoos? What about the form speaks to you?

Rob: Tattoos aren't really huge where I'm from, which is strange. There were and still [are] a lot of skulls, American flags, and tribal arm-bands (no offense anyone!) in my area, not a lot of great artwork and color. It wasn't until old-school sleeves and tradition Japanese boy-suits became more popular in the Northeast that tattoos really excited me! Seeing portraits you swear were done with chalk & charcoal, or vibrant colors and photo-realistic drop shadows! After I turned 18 I was able to get some ink of my own! I instantly fell in love with the feeling, the "tattoo shop" atmosphere, the entire process! It looked as complex as surgery but as intense as anything I had ever seen! I could go on and on about why I love it, but I'd be writing forever!

INKEDblog: You've been inking on melons and friends...but you really want an apprenticeship to take your art to the next level? You say you sense resistance from those you've approached [about a tat apprenticeship]. Any sense as to why?

Rob: I've been inking for about five months now, and I think I've been making some great progress. I still remember obliterating that practice skin! Cutting melon after melon until I got a hang of holding that thing steady. Since than I've been offered quite a lot of money, from people who actually know what I can do - which is nice. Good to know people like my stuff! I want an apprenticeship because I want to learn more. I want to clean, organize, trace flash, get lunch, walk the dogs, etc. I think shops are awesome and fun to be in -- that’s a small part of why too. Really I just wanna learn more about technique, answer some un-answered questions, put in the time and pay my dues! I think I draw good now, but I wanna draw better - always improve. Plus, I think someone who's been on the job for a while can streamline my process, show me how to do things better and faster! I'm still very humble. I've produced some pretty good work thus far, but I don't call myself a tattoo artist and I rarely seek clients. I'm already turning people down who just want some work for the sake of getting some work. I wanna make art I'm proud to say is mine, ya know. I think the resistance I've encountered is because I am not taken seriously. They're probably approached everyday by some kid who thinks it would be cool to "work there." I've tried every approach, asking while being tattooed, calling, even mailing letters! Nothing seems to work! I also think it may have something to do with flooding the pool. By taking on an apprentice they’re only creating an artist who will eventually take away from their business, their paycheck! Nobody wants that. But, instead I look at it as creating an artist who might be able to offer a style or influence they cannot [and] and insuring that the future of tattoo will be in the hands of great artists who share their beliefs.

INKEDblog: What are the main things you're looking for in a tattoo mentor?

Rob: I want someone who produces good work, that's definitely a start. Someone who's maybe been around, worked a few places, knows what it takes. Someone who's friendly and still likes the "working with people" part of the job. I want someone who isn't going to take me for granted, someone who will help me refine my skills so I can say, yah - he/she taught me everything I know! I want someone who will tell me how it is and not mess around. I understand that this takes time, lots of time, but I still wanna get down to business. If an artist tells me to put down the machine until he sees fit, then that's how it's going to be. I'm a very hard worker, and having me around, even if it's to answer the phones, wouldn't be a bad thing. Basically to me, it's about the art. I want to do this the right way. I think when a master tattooer takes on an apprentice he/she is saying, "Hey, I want to make sure the future of tattoo art is secure, it’s always done with precision and attention to detail. I want to keep this thing going, the right way."

INKEDblog: Where do you want to ultimately take your art? How far?

Rob: I would eventually like to own a shop. Hand-pick some really great artists and open a nice place! I'd love to travel too, do some work in Europe or Asia, and get some good work done too! Just be known, ya know. And, who knows...maybe some day take on an apprentice of my own.

If you’d like to contact Rob, he can be reached at robmarston@hotmail.com

Wednesday  Nov 16, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Artist Michael Hyman

Seattle-based artist Michael Hyman knows what it’s like to sit for a tattoo. He’s got a few. He also has some firsthand experience utilizing the body as canvas. The big difference between his art and tattooing: the ink he slings stays up on the surface. Michael is a body painter. He’s been on the receiving end of the tat gun and the other side of the paintbrush. I recently asked him to compare the two forms.

–Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: The body painting you do is a unique take on the body art movement. When did you start?

Michael: My first experience with body painting was around six years ago. I did some painting for an underground fashion show, although it was fairly tame compared to what I do now. [I’ve done] it occasionally since then, but really swung into much more active body painting a year or so ago.

INKEDblog: What about it [body painting] speaks to you?

Michael: The human body is an amazing canvas. I really like working with such an organic form. It is quite different than what I do on linen or cotton canvas... the level of detail and technique is different. But I like having a living, breathing, moving form to work with, and each person has different curves to interact with. It is also enjoyable to work with a canvas that thinks and talks. I also like that few people do it. The people I have painted have all been very excited about the work and often wish they could go to work 'dressed' that way. I would love to do a show sometime with just body painting in it, or maybe with a set of my paintings and body painted models walking around.

I also like the indirect nature of the displayed work, in that it is a picture of a painting on a person, so there is kind of a cascade of actions. I have paintings of people and paintings on people. When I do the body painted political cartoons, I like that I have a message about my distaste for conservative Republicans that is on a form that they would of course hate as well – a naked woman! Oh dear! And I love seeing the moment when people realize what they are looking at. They always start by looking at the cartoon and trying to figure out
what I'm saying. And then there is that uncomfortable 'oh' look that they get.

INKEDblog: You have several tattoos, so you know what it's like to sit for permanent ink...can you compare the patience and stillness required for tattooing to that required in body painting.

Michael: They are pretty similar. Body painting can take several hours to do. But there are some big differences in that the subject is completely naked, and the initial coverage is much faster. Like with tattooing, my models also often zone out during the process. Sometimes they lie down so they can sleep since it is very relaxing. I find getting a tattoo to be similar. Something about it is just so relaxing and can initiate a trance like state.

With body painting though it is much easier for a model to move, change positions, or take a break. And I can start over if I want without penalty. And there is no blood...

One difference though is that someone with no skill or clue can body paint someone. The result will most likely be lousy, but it doesn't take any skill to get some paint or liquid latex and slap it on someone. (Removing the liquid latex though... that is a different story.) Of course, that isn't creating a work of art. I would hope that most tattoo artists have skill and a clue.

INKEDblog: Tattooing is a very intimate art form between artist and canvas...do you feel that full body painting goes a step further in the intimacy direction?

Michael: I find that I get to know my models very well. They become friends during the process, in part because they are often initially nervous, and in part because it is a very transformative process. I haven't found that same level of camaraderie to form with the artists that have tattooed me. Body painting also is complete coverage, so it naturally starts out a bit more intimate. I find though that my models very quickly lose any feeling of vulnerability, and then become very curious and excited about what I am doing.

Like tattooing, though, it is addictive. All of my models want to come back to do it again. Sometimes they send pictures of themselves painted to their parents or to friends, which is pretty cool.

On the opposite side, I would really like to work with tattooed/pierced models for some of my paintings. I've done things such as put tattoos on Barbie dolls in some of my paintings, since I think a pierced/tattooed Barbie is a great idea, but I haven't worked with any models who have a lot of skin art. It would be a fun challenge to work the tattoo into the painting, since it would be a work within a work, and I also really like how tattoos look and enjoy hanging out with fellow decorated people.

INKEDblog: Ever get done with a body painted piece and wish it wouldn't just wash off? It must be kind of heartbreaking in way do know that all of that paint and ink is gonna eventually hit the shower floor?

Michael: Yes, there have been several pieces like that. One piece I did a week before the model was getting married. I chose a floral theme to go with the occasion, and then put in mirror fragments reflecting different parts of her. It was a cool piece. I wished she could show up that way to her bridal party but, of course, that would be a bit much for the guests I guess.

I painted some people for the Fremont Parade in Seattle, in which there are a lot of painted people who bike, known as the nude bikers. That was exciting, because my 'pieces' were on show for the whole day, and even got written up on someone's blog as being very cool. When I finished them they walked outside my studio, wearing only their artwork, and it was great seeing the look on the face of someone who was standing outside. The girls were very excited to have their picture taken with him... although not as excited as he was. To make the story better, the man was the CEO of a company one of the women wanted to work for. So she sent him her resume with the photo of them together attached. I'm sure that got attention.

Anyway, the women for the parade wore their art all day long, and reported that they had a lot of people photograph them, were treated to many free beers in bars, and even had their photo taken with some friendly police officers. They said they were very sad to remove the paint.

INKEDblog: You dig tattoos and you're a talented visual artist, why not consider tattooing as a possible forum or career move?

Michael: I would love to. In fact, I have wanted to learn how to tattoo for many years, but I just don't have any idea how to get started! At one point I thought about buying a gun off of E-bay and just trying it out on myself until I got the hang of it. I had some friends who volunteered to be models as well. It does seem like a form though where it would be good to get some pointers from someone who knows what they are doing since they don't erase too easily. Any of your readers want to show me how?

INKEDblog: You're a sculptor, photographer and painter...does any of your own work crossover and inspire you in terms of getting a new tattoo?

Michael: That's a really interesting question, because it never has. Perhaps because when I create artwork it exorcises whatever I am trying to work through or convey. Art is a very personal, emotional experience for me, and very cathartic. The tattoos I get are similar in that nature...they are very personal and have a lot of meaning to me. I think each form is its own experience with its own journey, and perhaps that is why there hasn't been a cross over.

Although, the black light body painting I've done has made me interested in getting a black light tattoo. But the artists I've gone to have all been skeptical about doing so since the inks are new and they aren't sure how they take. I will probably get one sometime though because I like the way it is yet another transformation. I sometimes make black light or glow in the dark paint and use it in my paintings and sculptures, so I like the idea of having that on my body. I would prefer a glow in the dark tattoo to a black light one, but I haven't seen any glow in the dark inks for skin.

Check out Michael’s dynamic artwork at www.habit.com

Friday  Nov 11, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Up-and-Coming Tattoo Artist Julie Bellew

The coolest perk of writing for INKEDblog is that I get paid in coffee. Coffee BEANS actually. Well…okay, that’s the second coolest perk. The first is this: I get to meet some pretty incredible people. And whether they’re artists or aficionados, I’m honored to be on the receiving end of their tat stories. Meeting Julie really drove that home for me. She’s been inking for a year.5, and I feel lucky to have caught up with her just as she’s taking her art to the next level. Her passion for, and commitment to, tattooing is awesomely contagious. She’s eager to learn; she’s dedicated to her current and future clients; and most of all, she’s totally completely rad. For all those reasons and more, Julie embodies what each and every one of us should hope for in a rising tattoo artist.

– Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: Your love for tattooing -- where did it start? What was your first tat?

Julie: I have loved tattoos ever since I can remember. I've always been drawn to them and always thought they were attractive and beautiful and thought people with tattoos seemed way more interesting. I've always been an artist, and have also been drawing since I can remember. I really started getting into tattoos and noticing them and wanting them in middle school, at probably 12 or 13. I actually attempted to tattoo myself and my boyfriend by using a sewing needle and pen ink!!! I didn't understand anything about it then, or how dumb that was to do. I just really wanted to get tattoos and give tattoos. I actually used to draw on myself with Bic pens, trying to see what I'd look like with various tattoos in different spots, and I can remember actually going to school with those designs, wanting people to think I had tattoos because I thought they were so cool. I can remember doing a really complicated forearm piece that took me a good 2 hours or so the night before school, and it stayed so well I just went to school with it and fooled everyone. I didn't actually get my first real tattoo until I was 16. It was from a friend of mine, who apparently used to work at a real studio, but was tattooing out of someone's house. I saw him tattooing my friend there and begged him to tattoo me, and he did. I wanted a tattoo so bad that I didn't really even care what it was. He had just done a Celtic piece on my friend, and had a Celtic artwork book there, so I just flipped through it and chose an arm band, and had him put it on me. I really regret it now, because it's crooked and the lines suck and I don't particularly like arm band tattoos, so I'm going to get it covered as soon as possible. But at the time I thought it was awesome. I only paid him $10 for it!

INKEDblog: Is there a spiritual aspect to the tattoo process that resonates with you?

Julie: Oh yes...it's really intense at times, and I can only feel lucky and blessed to be able to share such an amazing experience with other people, and honored that they would choose me to alter their body in such a dramatic, permanent and painful way. I see it as a rite of passage for a lot of people, and it's amazing to see the process of them going through it, especially when it's particularly painful. It's a weird position to be in, trying to soothe and care for the client, yet at the same time inflicting pain on them, which sometimes is comparable to torture. I feel that tattooing can be a very Zen-like, out of body experience - both while getting tattooed and also for the person giving it. I zone out and completely lose myself to the process, and quite often won't be aware of anything around me. For the client, the intense pain and also the boredom of having to hold still for so long in uncomfortable positions leaves most people no other choice than to escape their body and mind and simply exist, because that's all they can do. A lot of people will space out and lose complete track of time - which is another thing - time seems quite warped when giving or receiving a tattoo. It can either go really, really fast, or very, very slow - never in between, it seems to me.

INKEDblog: You’re just starting to work with the tat gun. I've heard of beginning artists practicing on everything from their friends to melons. But you chose to ink yourself. Why? What does that particular piece mean to you?

Julie: I actually started tattooing grapefruits before anything else. Just to get used to the machine. I did that for a few weeks, working from just practicing lines and circles at first, to eventually free handing complicated pictures. Once I felt like I mastered that process, I moved on to my friends. I was doing on average 2 tattoos a day, getting me through my apprenticeship in 4 months. I had always wanted to tattoo myself, and was advised to from a lot of tattoo artists. I wanted to for a few different reasons. I wanted to feel what getting tattooed by myself felt like so I could understand what my clients were feeling. I also wanted to do it as sort of a spiritual type of experience, or rather a very intimate and unique experience with myself. Going through all that and overcoming all the obstacles was important to me. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and overcome the pain and adrenaline and uncomfortable positions I had to get into to do it. So many people told me to at least try it, but said it was so hard that I probably would have to have someone else finish it. Well, I'm the type of person that likes to prove things to myself and others, and I knew that I'd be able to do it. And not only did I do it, but I chose an extremely large piece because I wanted it to be more difficult, to be more of a trial, and also just because I love big tattoos. The whole thing took me about 3 hours just for the outline, and I have at least 3 more sessions left before it's done. I will also be tattooing my toes, feet, and my other leg in the near future. I chose a flash design from an old tattoo magazine, done by an unknown artist. I just was flipping through it and saw the design and loved it so much, and it seemed to symbolize a lot that I was going through at the time. The girl's face has a look of confusion and even fear, and there's a spider web (symbolizing for me having been trapped for so long in a web of my own), and there's a knife stuck through her head, and she's decapitated, and immobilized. I was going through a separation from a 7 1/2 year marriage, and was paralyzed by fear and pain and uncertainty, and [I] saw a lot of symbolism in that particular design. I was just drawn to it, and had to get it.

INKEDblog: What has the self-tat process been like for ya?

Julie: I love tattooing myself. It's such a crazy experience. Unfortunately, due to the impossibility of getting a good solid stretch with only one hand, and lack of a stable base, I feel I can only tattoo my legs and feet properly. I chose my shin because there's not a lot of skin to stretch, and it would be a lot easier to get at then the back of my leg. The first 5 minutes of tattooing myself was very difficult, and I almost thought I couldn’t do it. I just sat there, with the machine in my hand, ready to go, and my heart was beating so fast, and my adrenaline was pumping and I kept hesitating. I would put the needle up to my skin and just felt that first initial “buzzy” vibration on my skin and just a prick of pain, and I pulled back like 2 or 3 times before I was actually able to go into myself. The pain was so much worse than having someone else tattoo me that I was actually surprised by it, and for the first few lines I was not going deep enough to make a good, dark line. The pain totally got in the way of the normal tattooing process, because when I'm tattooing someone, I've developed the knowledge to just "know" how deep to go in a particular area. But when tattooing yourself, the pain gets in the way and makes you not want to go deep enough. It took me about 5 minutes to get over that, and be able to go in deep enough. I had to go over my initial lines a couple of times, as well as a few others throughout the rest of the tattoo, especially in painful areas like the foot and ankles. I hadn't been taught how to tattoo properly yet, so I actually did the whole outline with a 14 round shader, and my machine wasn't properly tuned or set up. I have to go over the outline now with a smaller needle group to tighten it up, because you can't get very solid lines with shaders, especially big ones. I also ended up scarring myself slightly because I overcompensated for the pain and going in too shallow and actually overworked my skin in a few spots.

INKEDblog: What are your dream goals in terms of tattooing? Where, and how far, would you like to take it?

Julie: I want to make a career out of this and someday own my own studio. I want to take it as far as I can, and get as good as I can as quickly as possible. I try to be like a sponge, and just soak up as much knowledge I can, wherever I can, from whoever will teach me. I have only been tattooing for about a year and a half, and have so much to learn. Tattooing is a very complicated, detailed profession and you need to have a very patient, open mind and attitude. I feel that I will never stop learning and growing, and tattooing will be a lifetime commitment and learning experience for me. I'm very excited about my future and just want to try to stay in a good place and not ever get ahead of myself or egotistical, and never forget that ultimately the client is the most important thing to consider, and to not let my wants and needs get in the way of theirs. I'm not in it to hustle, I'm in it for the art, and to satisfy my passion for this art, and to make people happy with the way I've altered their body.

Friday  Nov 04, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Tattoo Artist Monica Henk

Interview with Tattoo Artist Monica Henk

Monica’s my hero. How could she not be? Her tattoos and paintings are dark and stunning; she’s got a great sense of humor; she even models and sells her own line of g-strings. H-E-R-O. I first met Monica three years ago when she was inking at Sacred Tattoo in NYC. It was love at first sight – platonic respect-your-art love. (She’s married to fellow tattoo artist Dan Henk.) Recently, she was gracious enough to take some time out and talk with INKEDblog.

–Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: You're originally from Colombia. You moved to the U.S. six years ago. What made you decide to make the move? Was it to pursue your art?

Monica: Well I got out of school, and I decided to go to the university which I didn’t pass the test for. A little disappointed, the opportunity to travel to the US showed up. I didn't think twice. The tattoo industry in Colombia wasn't as developed so I didn't think I could make this my career. It was a different world over here....So I wouldn't say I moved here to pursue my art – I called [it] destiny.

INKEDblog: Your style I suppose could be described as beautifully macabre. Do you remember where and when your love and fascination with that style first began?

Monica: When I got here and realized how big an Artist could make it I started buying tattoo magazines [and] going to conventions. And the scary/realistic tattoos always struck [me] more, not just because they look cool and all, but the skill that the artist had to have became a challenge for me.

INKEDblog: You and Dan [Henk] -- two tat artists under one roof. Do you guys push each other to grow as artists? Or, be honest, you're just too busy competing with each other.

Monica: We definitely are growing together in tattooing. I think his art skill I will never be able to reach. I love the fact that I do what my husband does. We are always asking opinions on each other’s work and all that fun stuff.

INKEDblog: I read some time ago that you were studying art at the New School was it? Why was it important for you to go back to school? It seems to me a lot of younger tat artists have college degrees in the visual arts. It's like this new breed of ink slingers. And the things they can do on the skin are outstanding. Do you need a degree nowadays just to compete in the tat world?

Monica: I went to school seeking more knowledge of anatomy, perspective and skill. To tell you the truth I hated it. I didn't find what I was looking for. I got better instruction at home with Dan. I don't think to make it big in this business you need to go to school -- I think you need to have ART SKILLS and good ones.

INKEDblog: I love your paintings. “Su Corazon” is an amazing self-portrait and I dig that it was done in tattoo ink. Which is more fun for ya, painting or tattooing?

Monica: I love both for different facts....Tattooing: unless you are doing a butterfly or a tribal arm band, is fun because somebody out there is walking with a piece of your art that [you] have created and that is a huge satisfaction for me. Painting: you can do anything you want without hearing someone in pain or telling you that they don't like red [and that] they looove pink.

They are both art and craft.

INKEDblog: The eye -- you've got it branded on your hand and tattooed huge on your chest...can you tell me a little about the significance of that symbol to you?

Monica: It comes from high school. It comes from a pair of friends -- it was our symbol and with time it became more serious: "..... observe, look.... there is more to see, than what you see..."

INKEDblog: Dude, you're modeling and selling your own thongs on your website! Nice! How hot is that?

Monica: I say exploit everything you can to the max. The average lifetime of a female in America is 75-80 years old -- I got a good half of a century to produce :)

INKEDblog: So, the way I figure it, if people know what's good for them they'll stop by and see ya for some ink. Where are ya working now?

Monica: I split my time between two shops: Cliff's Tattoo in Centereach, Long Island (NY) and Pure Body Arts in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (NY)

Check out Monica’s awesome tats, paintings, and underwear at www.monhenk.com

Wednesday  Oct 19, 2005

INKEDBlog Profile: Sami Hajar

Sami Hajar
29
Editor/Photographer
NYC

INKEDblog: What was your first tattoo?

Sami: Chinese Character meaning dragon.

INKEDblog: What’s your favorite tattoo?

Sami: I have the name ‘Betty’ in script. It means a lot to me because Betty is my grandma’s name.

INKEDblog: What's the lamest tat you've ever seen?

Sami: I saw some kid with the Jeep logo once…

INKEDblog: Next tattoo?

Sami: I plan on finishing my arm one of these days.

Wednesday  Oct 12, 2005

INKEDblog Interview - "Nick"

Nick
22
Fashion Designer
Toronto

INKEDblog: What's your favorite tattoo?

Nick: The green snowflake behind my ear. Atomic winter!”

INKEDblog: Why'd you get it?

Nick: My best friend used to include them in all of her paintings and I just wanted to have it on me.”

INKEDblog: What was your first tattoo?

Nick: Oh embarrass much! A star on the back of my neck. I was a raver and 16 years old. Need I say more?”

INKEDblog: How many tat's do you have?

Nick: 5 and a half-sleeve.

INKEDblog: What's the worst tattoo you've ever seen?

Nick: Oh man, I’ve seen a lot of bad tattoos – dolphins on ankles, crooked nautical stars, home poked things... but I really do hate tribal the most.

INKEDblog: What do your tat's signify to you?

Nick: Some of them have meaning, like childhood stuff, but most of them are really just things I think are rad.

INKEDblog: What's the meaning behind your latest piece (your half sleeve)?

Nick: I love the art nouveau style. There are a lot of significant meanings to the swan. Beautiful and dangerous; the swan dress; but mostly I like it because of ugly duckling syndrome.

INKEDblog: How long did it take you to think of the design?

Nick: I asked my tattoo artist (who happens to be my best friend) if she would draw out a swan half-sleeve for me. Two days later, I saw the drawing and fell in love.

INKEDblog: In 30 years when you look at all your ink, how do you think you'll feel?

Nick: I think I'll remember good times from when I was young.

INKEDblog: Anything that you'll regret?

Nick: I doubt it. They're just part of my skin.

INKEDblog: What are you getting next?

Nick: I’m either extending the half-sleeve or outlining the Holy Grail for my chest… I haven't really decided yet.

Monday  Oct 10, 2005

An Interview with Tattoo Artist Laura Bennett

Ah, Napa Valley: wine, sun, polo-shirt-wearing yuppies, and tattoos! That’s right, there’s ink in wine country thanks to one amazing woman – the artist/owner of Flying Colors Tattoo, Laura Bennett. Lucky me got the chance to chat with her via e-mail about her passion for tats and her reasons for opening Napa’s first and only tattoo studio. And she even called me Dahling. I admit it, I’m crushing … Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: Your love for ink started where?

Laura: In high school there seemed to be a lot of injuries that needed casts. Since I wasn't busy going to class or doing schoolwork I would draw on the broken arms and legs; elaborate murals in Sharpie pen that would always be cut off when the bone healed. "What? You let him cut through my Rick Wakeman keyboard?"

A kid at my school had a mustache (all the ID you needed in the 70s to get a tattoo) and he came to school with a lady on his forearm with a snake wrapping around like it was holding her on. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I'm sure I had seen some kind of WWII blob on somebody's dad, but it was like the first time I was ever aware of a tattoo. I decided then that I wanted to be a tattoo artist when I grew up. I'm still waiting to grow up, but on my next birthday I will have been tattooing for a living for
14 years.

INKEDblog: You apprenticed under Dirty Harry? Can you tell me a little about what that time in your life was like?

Laura: I married someone who thought tattoos were only for the drunks, sailors and cheap women. "No wife of mine is going to spend her time in a tattoo shop!" (He's right, no wife of his does.) I was working as a Sign Language interpreter at the local high school; unhappily married; feeling rebellious. I went to Berkeley with a friend one day and we got tattoos. I was 29. Before the first little thing was done (a Saturn you could cover with a quarter for my Saturn return) I was already planning and plotting how I was going to be tattooed without him flipping out. I asked C.W. Eldridge (Tattoo Archive, Berkeley) how to be a tattoo artist. He told me that I should draw tattoos, and then draw some more and take my work around and ask for an apprenticeship. Being a woman in 1990, married mom with two kids, everyone that talked to me said NO. "Go home and raise your kids, this isn't for women to do." For two years and one divorce I searched for someone to teach me. There were women in the industry, but nowhere close [to] enough for me to know about them. Chuck Eldridge gave me the best advice, and it's what I pass on to other youngsters that want in: Do NOT try to learn to tattoo by tattooing your friends in your garage. Get an apprenticeship--this can't be figured out by yourself without a lot of unsightly mistakes that will be covered up by the very people you want to hire you. Scratching will poison your name.

Harry said I was good, but he was tired of taking apprentices that weren’t really committed. I spent my rent money on a kit from Huck Spaulding and showed up with it and told him if he didn't teach me how to use it my kids and I would be on the street. He let me start the next day. I will always bless his name, he gave me my in to this business. I've had apprentices that don't acknowledge where they started, and I think that's the height of ingratitude.

INKEDblog: Can you take me through the evolution of your shop?

Laura: I was pregnant with my second husband and my third child and I just couldn't do the commute to Tattoos Unlimited any more. That husband helped me start Flying Colors when all I had was a couple of machines, a desk and some Scotch tape. I was at my first location for almost twelve years before I moved to this newer, nicer spot.

INKEDblog: Napa Valley's first and only tattoo parlor; you must get some...um....interesting clients, right? And at the same time your business must stand out. Is it hard at times?

Laura: Oh, I'm not a "parlor" Dahling...I'm a studio. This is Napa after all, and don't we all have our noses in the air? The city hadn't ever even dealt with an application from a tattoo artist before I came along, and I just sort of slipped under the radar. I think that ANY shop gets an interesting clientele, the people who get tattoos are interesting! When I used to go watch ex-husband number one get in trouble in child-support court I would play a game called "Have I tattooed more people on this side of the bar or that?"

Depending on the judge or the bailiff that day it could go either way. I was not the Tattoo Lady when I moved here, and I didn't realize how difficult it would be. I just smile at the tattoo haters, and know that at least one of their friends or loved ones wears my mark.

INKEDblog: Can you speak to the connection between your study of tarot and your tattooing?

Laura: Tarot and Sign Language are all about visual meaning. Tarot encompasses every facet of the human experience, both mundane and profound. All the flowers, colors, water...the list could go on and on, it all has meaning. The number of stars around your moon can mean something. I google flower meanings to add depth to a tattoo. I have tattooed on myself: Bluebells (humility), begonia (beware), and dogwood flowers (love undiminished by adversity). I always look for ways to slide in something significant, even if hidden.

INKEDblog: What's an ideal artistic connection for you, between you and the client I mean?

Laura: My best connections are with people who have a story to tell. Their tattoos embrace or proclaim something that is important to them, and they only have half an idea of how to do that. It's the tuning in and listening that enables me to do what I do. Other than logos or simple things like stars, I design every tattoo for the person who will wear it, and I don't re-use stencils unless it's a piece that a group of people want to do together.

Many of my closest friends started out as clients, and it's through talking and getting to know the person, sharing personal details of our lives and loves, that I get to know who they really are. I have a place in my tribe; I celebrate with them, mark their grief, claim their beauty. Often someone will say to me "I can't believe I told you all of that." or "We have so much in common!" [And] almost every sitting ends with a hug. I feel honored and connected to many of my people, or, I tattoo a butterfly with tribal right above their crack, or another piece of solid black tribal. (even those are designed for each individual.)

Tattooing is my favorite thing to do, it's what I'd do for fun after work if I had to get a JOB.

Visit Laura and the Flying Colors site at www.flyingcolorstattoo.com

Thursday  Oct 06, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews... Logan

INKEDblog: What's your favorite tattoo?

Logan: The one I don’t have yet, or my forearms. I got it as therapy, and to piss off the boyfriend I just broke up with. As part of getting back at him, I treated myself to two better tattoos than he couldn’t afford. It was great therapy.

INKEDblog: How many tatt's do you have?

Logan: 15, but some became parts of others so I guess more like 13.

INKEDblog: What's the worst tattoo you've ever seen?

Logan: On my best friend. He’s from Kentucky (that’s an important disclaimer). He has the classic panther on the upper arm, with the claws digging into his skin. It reminds me of those 80’s coffee tables with the black panther under the glass.”

INKEDblog: What do your tat's signify to you?

Logan: Originally, they meant nothing. Then people ask you all the time, so you either make up a story, or you start getting tattoos that mean something. Now they are all about the cycle of life.

INKEDblog: In 30 years when you look at all your ink, how do you think you'll feel?

Logan: In 30 years I won’t know I have tattoos.

INKEDblog: Are there any that you'll regret?

Logan: I hate people asking me what they mean at the most random places, like grocery stores. I did regret getting a Cristal Connars signature on my arm, but then I realized how awesome it was.

INKEDblog: What are you getting next?

Logan: Lots of removal… and a bigger back piece.

Monday  Oct 03, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews DG Wilson

INKEDblog: I read on your website that you got a full ride at Pratt to study visual art. You were selected from a talent search. What made you decide to attend Pratt? And did you know going in that tattooing would become such a major part of your life?

DG: I took part in a National Talent Search for the scholarship program offered by Pratt. I decided to try out for many scholarships and had a choice to make….. As soon as I walked onto the campus of Pratt (after visiting a few others) I knew that was where I was supposed to go. Destiny? Intuition? I was attracted to the way that the campus was a tiny island of Nature – the grass, trees, squirrels etc. – adrift in a sea of concrete. NYC is unparalleled in the opportunity department, so I decided to stay. I remember growing up knowing that I was going to be an artist, hoping I would be a household name in fact. But I was not clear on the form of art that I wanted to [pursue]… I wanted an art job or career that would enable me to make money, but I had absolutely no concept that I was going to go into tattoos, not at all. Tattoos were a dirty subject in my home growing up. [My] father wanted to have a tattoo all his life, but his wife would never ever let him even entertain the notion. [She’d say,] "The day you come home with a tattoo is the day we get divorced." (I ended up tattooing him. They are still married.) As soon as I graduated college I made up my mind to either "sink or swim." I wanted to avoid the trap of getting a day job to pay the bills [while putting] my own art to the side. No, I wanted to be independent and strike out on my own. Rent came up again in my small sublet apartment and I really started knuckling down. I remembered a tattoo shop I had been in once when I was a kid. There was art all over the walls. Today I know it as flash art… so there I was holding my head in my hands crying about money and then I thought, "Hey, someone had to draw those designs. Maybe I can sell some to a shop." I looked in the Yellow Pages and the only shop listed at that time was a Tattoo Supply Distributor. I contacted Wes Woods at Unimax and set up an interview. I showed him my little portfolio which included some "tattoo" drawings I did just for the interview. Wes loved my work because it didn't look like the tired Flash art that had been around for a million years. We made a deal of $5.00 bucks a page of designs. That night I was charged with energy and immediately went back and set up working. The following week I had ten pages drawn up….It was a series of art that I still feel today is the most incredible, varied and healing work I have ever done. There was a whole "cleansing" thing about the work and the way that I worked to achieve the deeply subconscious imagery. For the next two years I continued drawing up flash for Wes, but at his pace of 10 pages a week. Finally [when Wes] hadn't been in town for four weeks, I took advantage of a few lessons…and tattooed a lady’s butt with her husband’s name…..The lady complimented my work and called to thank me. That’s when [Wes and I] decided that it was time for me to go out on my own. Another year later, I opened up my own shop in Brooklyn and have not looked back since.

INKEDblog: I get the sense that you love working with your clients to really individualize the work. You only do custom tattooing. And you even work with your customers in terms of their budget. I read that you enjoy giving your art out into the world and having it breathe and exist. I think that's amazing, but does that philosophy ever make it hard for you to make a living tattooing?

DG: The philosophy that I am currently aspiring towards is one of "God Provides." Basically, I don't advertise, I don't do much of anything beyond tattooing and relying on the work. Certainly with more money and time there might be a greater turnout each day, but I am fully occupied these days. A few tattoos a day are good; however, the flow is not up to me, but God. Some days I'll do a bunch and others none at all. In that respect I don't make a lot of money, hell most times it feels like none at all. Since I can't work on the customer flow and I don't want to ram tattoos or my art down anyone's throat, I rely on the Universe to send me customers. Furthermore, I don't know how to price my tattoos. If I go by other shops then my customers would not come. If I went by the prices of others with comparable work, then the number drops even more. I'd rather tattoo and give regular people celebrity with their art than cater to the rich. Basically I have a minimum and everything else is "God given talent, pay as much as you can." I do more work, but make a bit less money this way. I don't mind at this time because I am doing a public service in a way by making Brooklyn look better.

INKEDblog: Tell me what's special about working in Brooklyn. Sounds like you are very tied to the community both in terms of the teaching you do and the murals you donate. How important is it, and why, for you to spread art to kids who may not otherwise be exposed to it?

DG: I like Brooklyn. If you can make it here then anywhere else is just that much easier. The people here are sharp. They taught me a few tricks about negotiation, that is for sure. But there is a sense of culture here more than elsewhere, even in Manhattan, because each neighborhood is smaller and more exposed. The spread of good art is important in a huge number of ways. Art is the expression of the artist in most cases. In tattooing it is the opposite: I am the tool that puts the expression of the customer on them [so they can] communicate to the world. Artists build societies and…their art is their expression of the world. As Picasso put it, "Art is the Lies that expose the truth." But in today's world… museums and galleries do not actively promote their art to the young in the hopes of creating art lovers. No, they teach to those that are already interested and to the schools that have enough finances. With my murals I am trying to excite people by showing them art in their every day life. Paintings in a gallery or home gallery are viewed frequently. The owners can experience how a subject will change appearance by way of colors, shapes and their mental interpretation of the art from day to day, hour to hour, with the changing light. Us regular people that don't even have the time to go into a museum can witness these aspects of art on our way to work each day if they are in a public mural.

INKEDblog: You are a painter, you draw & sketch, you tattoo, and you do some amazing work with Bonsai. Which of these, which visual medium, is closest to your heart and why? Or are they much too intertwined to rate them like that?

DG: To me things are compartmentalized. Painting is for fun and future profit. Drawing gets concepts of mine out quickly to others. Tattooing pays the bills. At the same time I constantly mix several [art forms] to get something out of it for myself. For example: I will put up my paintings in my tattoo shop to expose people to art, but I don't expect to sell them. I will do drawings for the customers to show them that I understand what they want in a tattoo. The Bonsai has been a hobby for almost twenty years. I only guide the tree, God does everything else. I just try not to get in the way.

Check out DG’s site for more information and photos of his work http://www.masterpiecestattoos.com/

Friday  Sep 23, 2005

LANE TUROWSKI - International Man of Ink

From the land of cheese and light beer hails a very special artist — one who can’t leave his zip code without being chased down by friends and fans begging him to do some work. Lane Turowski may be based in Wisconsin right now, but when I met up with him during his short stay in Williamsburg here in New York, he may as well have been a resident because kids "in the know" were ringing his phone off the hook trying to catch him before he headed back to the Midwest.

Turowski is well-known for his use of thick lines, and he prefers to do large pieces like the neck to mid-calf Asian inspired back piece he was working on before he left town. However, the day that I met him he was doing a smaller tattoo – a pair of scissors on a forearm as a favor for one of his friends.

“I try extremely hard not to do pieces I don’t feel good about, and I will totally just put someone off if the design doesn’t feel good. I never want to do anything half assed.”

At 17, Lane got his first tattoo and tried to get an apprenticeship but kept hitting dead ends when the guy who was going to start teaching him moved to Philly. He went to art school after that, and started teaching himself. Turowski has gotten very skilled at doing portraits; I saw for myself by just flipping through his book the insanely accurate and realistic replications of everyone from Janis Joplin to family members to fairies that he’s done.

“I don’t really have a favorite style, I like to keep it all mixed up. Lately I’ve been into Asian style tattoos but that’s just now. I don’t ever want to get bored with what I’m doing.”

Turowski will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean to move to the UK this winter, and he’ll be bringing his impressive artistry with him. Catch him there if you can. You can track him down in Milwaukee , or somewhere in between before then.

LANE TUROWSKI @ THE ADAMBOMB GALLERY
2028 N. Martin Luther King Dr
Milwaukee, WI
414.276.2662

Thursday  Sep 22, 2005

Invisible NYC - An Interview with The Dennings

A renowned tattoo artist with over fifteen years of experience. A contemporary art curator who has worked in some of the city’s most prestigious galleries. Get them under one roof and you have a partnership to reckon with. Oh, and they’re married too. Troy and Jesse Lee Denning are the husband and wife team behind one of New York City’s most dynamic and unique art spaces, Invisible NYC. Founded by the couple in Spring 2005, Invisible is part tattoo studio, part art gallery, and the combination is nothing short of thrilling. Located on Orchard Street in the East Village, Invisible is home to cutting-edge tattoos and an ever-evolving exhibition of some of the hippest art around. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to talk with Troy and Jesse, via e-mail, about walking away from what’s safe and blazing your own trail.

... Justin Pelegano

INKEDblog: Troy, right before you came to NYC you were tattooing in San Francisco. Any major differences between the two cities in terms of tattoo culture? What made you decide to make the switch?

Troy: I wanted to put myself to the test, as far as sacrificing a lot of the creature comforts and luxuries I took for granted in California. To start from scratch and develop something stronger than before, as well as exposing myself to a new environment to draw inspiration from; I truly believe that all roads lead to New York.

INKEDblog: Before you and Jesse founded Invisible NYC, you were working at New York Adorned. Including yourself, some big name tattoo artists have passed through those doors – i.e. Kaz, Chris O’Donnell, Mike Rubendall. Sounds like a one-stop shop if you want exposure to some of the best ink slingers around. Was it hard to leave?

Troy: It’s actually a lot more exciting on paper to see all the big names lined up next to each other than to actually work together. Not that I didn't appreciate the time I spent there, and I'm certainly glad that I got to work with them. I love those guys, and their work is some of the best, but the whole time I was there I was pretty frustrated by a lot of things that I would have been doing differently if I'd had more of a say in how things were run. And looking back I probably made a few people pretty miserable along the way. It was my time to go. To be honest, at Invisible I was a bit nervous that I might slack off since my work was not under the same scrutiny as before. But now I realize that it’s just the opposite, and the shop’s reputation as well as my position as a mentor and leader of my crew is riding on me putting everything I have into each piece, and I absolutely cannot fail.

INKEDblog: Can you walk me through the evolution of Invisible NYC. It’s a great space and an awesome concept.

Jesse: I think both of us had been working really hard for other people, and we finally wanted to work (even harder) for something that was uniquely our own. We were disillusioned with many aspects of our particular professions and wanted to take what we loved about our work and leave behind what we hated. It was an idea we had tossed around and reinvented many times. We never had a definite time line for when we would do it, we just knew it would eventually happen when the time was right. Then this great space on Orchard St. literally fell unexpectedly in our laps and we jumped on it, gave our notice to our respective jobs, and jumped in feet first. The rest is now history.

INKEDblog: How tough is it to get a new tattoo studio off the ground (especially here in New York)?

Troy: Let’s just say I'm glad it’s over. I did everything legit from the start as opposed to opening up and handling problems once they arise. I would call some pretty well known friends of mine for advice and they would be like, "What's an s-corp?" [or] “You’re getting insurance?" That kind of stuff. As far as being a launch pad for the Invisible empire, I think it will definitely be much easier next time. I know what to expect.

INKEDblog: Jesse, what factors lead into your decision to show a particular artist in the gallery space? Does the exhibit have to be tattoo related?

Jesse: I have been working with artists for a long time, many are friends. Thus, I have constantly been scouting young, unrepresented artists whose work I like, as I knew that this was a venture Troy and I were eventually going to pursue. So when we finally decided to go ahead and open the studio I started to contact artists whose work I thought would fit in with the young, urban vibe of Invisible. I choose art that I like. I'm not trying to cater to a specific buyer or trend of the moment in the art world. It is important for me to also choose work that is accessible and intriguing to all and not just the art elite.

Most of the artists have a "street" or urban and somewhat spiritual sensibility which complements the tattoo side of the studio. However, the art is never directly tattoo related, i.e. we don't have exhibits of "flash" or stereotypical tattoo motifs. That's just not my aesthetic or goal. We wanted to truly be an art gallery AND a tattoo studio, not a tattoo studio with a little gallery in the front or a gallery with a tattoo studio tucked away in the back. We take both sides very seriously. My exhibitions are all laboriously installed and conceived. I don't have any staff so it's up to me with the help of the artist to do the mailings, the press releases, the installations, etc - and the artists are all incredibly dedicated to their work. They are amazing.

I never specifically thought about what art would go well with the tattoo side of Invisible, but it seemed to work out that they have thus far gone together really nicely, and I think will continue to do so. Yes, there are some tattoo artists who will be exhibiting in the gallery, but it's the art that they create that drew me to them not the fact that they are tattooers. The imagery in some of the tattooers’ art may reference tattoo themes but the works stand on their own.

I actually prefer for the gallery space to be a separate realm. It’s cool to watch people come in who don't know it's a tattoo studio and [they] begin to look at the art and then suddenly hear the buzzing from the tattoo area, go peek around the divider and see a large, shirtless man getting a snake tattooed on his back. It's definitely interesting and at times comical. Actually having the two parts together has brought customers that were there getting tattoos to the gallery and [they] have ended up purchasing quite a bit of art - and vice versa! It's such a great space, there is nothing else like it, and I'm really proud of it! Off topic I think we are also a lot more approachable and welcoming than most galleries and tattoo studios one visits - that was something that always really bothered me about both types of spaces.

INKEDblog: You guys obviously dig working together, right?

Jesse: It can be tough. We can both be stubborn and opinionated and it's hard not to take things personally when it's your mate as opposed to a co-worker critiquing something you did. But our aesthetic, humor, and work ethic are very similar, and our goal is the success of Invisible. So it works. It's also nice going home together after a long and fulfilling day and talking about what went right and what we need to work on. We understand what the other is talking about since we are directly involved.

Overall it's been a really positive experience working together. I think we've actually gotten to know each other even better. Our work world during the day is also very separate from each other so it's not like we are on top of each other all day - we get our space to do our own thing.

INKEDblog: Invisible NYC opened its doors in Spring 2005. Looking down the line, what are your hopes for the space and the business?

The Dennings: More business and press for sure. The buzz is starting but we really want to be an established "go-to" destination for great art and amazing tattoos - as well as a fantastic overall experience when visiting the space. And we are hoping to eventually expand.

Visit the Invisible NYC site at www.troydenningtattoo.com

Thursday  Aug 11, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Jarrett DeMartino

"Ok, I'll admit, when I was a teenager, I listened to Suicidal Tendencies about a zillion times a day. The chorus of "all I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi..." came out of my mouth anytime I drank the carbonate beverage.

So when I moved to Venice, CA, I couldn’t help wondering what it must have been like when the 'Suies' were running wild in the streets of Venice. Well, I won’t ever know first hand, but I can imagine those times by talking to ST Tattooist, Jarrett DeMartino. ST Tattoo is the Tattoo shop originally started by Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir of the Suicidal Tendencies and tattooist Jason Brown.

Although not originally a Venice man, Jarrett seems to have the same spirit of those times. Jarrett started his artistic pursuits at the School of Visual Arts in New York and then honed his tattoo skills at Murder Ink Tattoo in Queens. Two years ago, Jarrett moved to California and picked up his trade again at the infamous Venice ST Tattoo shop. Jarrett has been able to consistently merge East Coast and West Coast styles and find his niche here in Venice.

To see more of Jarrett, go to: http://www.Bloodshovel.com"

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you get into the tattooing field?

Jarrett: My mother is an artist and my father is a musician. They had no work, but some of their friends did. From a kid's perspective, I thought having a picture in your skin was fascinating. I tattooed myself at 13 (that went over real well), went to the School of Visual Arts in NYC at 18, and that's where I met my mentor "Bee" Cortes. He took me under his wing and opened up a world to me that has let me do things that I never imagined. This I do not take for granted.

INKEDblog: So, what makes a tattoo "good"?

Jarrett: Everything from it just being drawn right - composition, proportion, light source, traditional formulas followed-then tweaked. Unless you are doing a one point style tattoo the body is part of the art too. The body's lines and curves should be complimented by the art and vise-versa. They should all flow as one. Finally the way it's applied will determine how it looks forever. It should be smooth to the touch with no holidays in the ink.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Jarrett: The best part about being a tattoo artist is the people that you are able to meet, and the traveling opportunities that come as a result, which results in meeting more people.....

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Jarrett: My favorite tattoo of all time is whatever I am working on at the time. That's not a cop out on the question. I believe the journey is the destination. So with that said, its what you are doing at that moment is what counts. Yesterday was yesterday.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Jarrett: My thought on that is why are they competing? I think people that are hung up on this have a stick up their ass. You need classic traditions to make new ones. Who want's to reinvent the wheel? Art is art. Either you're going to love something, or you're gonna think it's shit. Just get your reference together, don't bite too hard and draw. Just like shut up and skate.

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Tuesday  Aug 09, 2005

Rae Schwarz and Jessica Lund talk Tats, Pagans, and Snoopy Dances…

One of best resources on the internet for information about tattoos is Rae Schwarz's Body Art collumn for Bella Online. Recently INKEDblog contributor Jessica Lund sat down with Rae to talk Tats, Pagans, and Snoopy Dances…

Jessica Lund: Hey Rae, good morning! Tell me about you and tattooing.

Rae Schwarz: Actually, I'm not a tattooist. I seem to get that a lot.

Jessica: Oops.

Rae: I'm an enthusiast or collector, as they say in the tattoo world. And a writer.

Jessica: I read your columns and you seem to specialize in some really interesting tattoo ideas.

Rae: Well, I've been crazy about tattooing and body art in general for about 20+ years now, so I just keep learning what I can and passing it on.

Jessica: Your stories are remarkable... Did you ever consider tattooing, or has writing always been your focus?

Rae: If I had any drawing talent, I would be tattooing.

Jessica: Yeah... I hear ya! What was your first tattoo?

Rae: My first tattoo was the Japanese kanji "koto" which means "to be different" when I was 21 years old. I had already had a few episodes of drawing on myself in junior high, and in high school I used some of the first temp tattoo products too, so really, my interest is the ink in general. The Japanese style is one of many traditional forms of skin art that I like.

Jessica: What is your favorite tattoo that you have?

Rae: I love them all, but presently, I'm really into what was the most recently work I had done, which is some symbology and designs on my chest. On the left side is the plant 'honesty' and an old Coptic design, right side is the sign for 'quinta essentia' and peacock feathers.

Jessica: What does this tattoo mean for you?

Rae: It's part of my spirituality. The left side is how I take in energy and the right is about how I put it out into the world.

Jessica: Nice. Do you write pieces other than on tattoos for Bella?

Rae: I'm also their Pagan topic editor. Recently, I’ve been exploring the holiday Lughnasadh, the first harvest festival is July 31st, so I've got articles on that. Plus I'm working on the review of a documentary about people who still worship the old Greek gods in Greece, and the conflicts they get into. It's like the Christian/Pagan conflicts in the US.

Jessica: Can INKEDblog readers find this info at Bellaonline?

Rae: The Body Art topic can be found here and my Pagan-oriented writing is here. Actually, Bella has over 400 topics covered, all mostly written by women, so there's a lot of everything to be found.
However… At body art, the readers seem to want a lot on movies and celebs. The pagans don't seem to care about celebrities, LOL.....

Jessica: Ug., I never write on celebrity tats...

Rae: Ha! Every time Britney Spears gets another tattoo with a mistake in it, I do a Snoopy dance.

Jessica: Double HA!!! I’d like to see that! You’re cracking me up, girl! So I heard you get a ton of emails with questions about piercing and healing- are most of them similar??

Rae: Yes. About 90% of what I'm getting are nose piercing questions. People think they are a casual piercing, but healing cartilage can be tough. I got so many (questions), I wrote an eBook that sells pretty steadily.

Jessica: What are the main problems people experience with piercing (and how the heck can readers buy your book)?

Rae: The main problem is that cartilage piercings have a great inclination to form 'keloids' which is a type of raised scar tissue. It winds up looking like a bump, right next to the piercing.

Jessica: Eww, Bummer,. What do you do about it?

Rae: Well, they are sort of hard to deal with. I had a few on my ears (nearly cartilage piercings) and I managed to shrink them down to nothing with tea tree oil. That's in the book, btw..... which is available on Bellaonline.com and costs just $2.95.

Jessica: Excellent! So, any last words of wisdom for INKEDblog readers?

Rae: Take as much time as you need to think about the design and if you are ready, before getting tattooed. It makes me sad when people email me and they are unhappy with, or worse, they hate their tattoos.

Jessica: I agree. Thanks so much Rae- I'll keep reading your stuff and I bet a lot of INKEDblog readers will too!

Rae: Thanks!

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Monday  Aug 08, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Todo

"It is safe to say that tattoo artist Todo has a pretty decent lifestyle. When he's not tattooing in his private studio south of Atlanta, he's touring and tattooing with members of Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy Osbourne, No Doubt, Sarah McLachlan, Kottonmouth Kings, ICP, Poison, Stone Temple Pilots, and Ministry. As if that isn’t enough to keep one man busy, he's also an accomplished airbrush artist and illustrator.

Take a look at Todo's website, www.artbytodo.com, under the celebrity section and it looks like you are flipping through an old issue of Cream or Circus magazine."

... Logan Hicks

INKEDblog: How'd you first get into tattooing?

Todo: Tattooing has been a positive attraction visually and mentally since the 70's. I didn't turn to skin art for a career choice 'till 1985 when I then seeked an apprenticeship.

INKEDblog: What's the strangest request you've ever had for a tattoo?

Todo: I got to say since my career got going I've met some very strange and interesting people. I have a bunch of strange request including one gentlemen that wanted his whole bottom lip tattooed Pink. At first I had to think about it but it had its purpose in a cosmetic sense. I was asked to do this to cover a pigment discoloration on his lip. After a few sittings the spots where gone and this guy didn't stop coming to me, he wanted it done every 6 months even if it needed it or not. " I think the guy started to like the feeling or something, OUCH "..

INKEDblog: What makes a tattoo good?

Todo: Good tattoos are ones that aren't rushed, hardly bleed at all, Have smooth gradients and crisp line work, Last is quick healing time with hardily no or little scabbing.

INKEDblog: What are the best and worst things about being a tattoo artist?

Todo: I love being a skin artist because it opens doors to the worlds of music, travel, and independence. Plus connecting with people spiritually and making a lot of friends. Working on the weekends and working for someone besides yourself.

INKEDblog: Describe your favorite tattoo of all time?

Todo: My favorite tattoo would be my Chrome sexy Robot girl holding a shield and sword that originally is a painting by Sorayama.

INKEDblog: What's your thoughts on Old School vs. New School styles?

Todo: Hmmm... without Old there would be no New. As for the styles Old vs. New, I love both since I came into the tattoo world during the 80's I saw the transition happen. Some where successful some got there hands broke..lol

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Friday  Aug 05, 2005

INKEDblog Interviews Albie Rock

"Albie Rock is someone that understands that tattoos don’t save the world. Sticking ink into someone’s arm doesn’t make you the cool guy, nor smarter, more attractive or worldly. Albie's outlook is one that could be shared by more tattooists, but unfortunately isn’t. In a profession where it is easy to become insulated by people who constantly boost your ego, he has managed to remain humble about his profession and talent.

In between his tattooing at ‘All or Nothing Tattoo’ in Georgia and White Mountain in New Hampshire, INKEDblog caught up with Albie to get his take on a few questions.

For more info on the world of Albie Rock, includin