Hello Mr.Mesías!
Honestly, It’s an honor to talk with you! Your such an inspiring person. Seems like your very passionate in all you do. Your art really speaks about your skills, your talent and your dedication.
Graffiti Artist, Illustrator and Character Designer, so many creative lines of the big painting. Awesome!!!
In the very beginning, let’s start with some basics…
Q: What made you to become an artist? Did you have an artistic background growing up?
A: I always enjoyed drawing most of all… during class while growing up in school or in my spare time. I was always fond of creating stories and characters and was always very inspired by sci - fi and action animated movies and tv shows. None of the stories ever really made it though though, but it was a real fun way of spending my childhood. Growing up I wasn’t much of a social person, rather spent my time watching tv, drawing or just hanging in my room.
Q: What kind of art interested you at the time?
A: As for now I’ve become really interested in all sorts of non-traditional art, from tattooing, illustration, street art, design, etc. It thrills me how this forms of expression have become each time more and more grounded, and how even though they don’t emerge from a formal academic artistic environment, they develop themselves as personal ways of connecting with one self and other people on a deep personal level.
Q: Do you have any role models, people you admire?
A: Many! I admire everyone who isn’t afraid to follow their goals, even when they are completely apart from the life your family or society expects you to live. Anyone who is passionate and shows dedication to what they do, and work hard every day to be even better I consider to be worth admiring.
Q: To be a creative person means to be open minder, educated, fun, well balanced etc. At least for me… What is creativity for you?
A: It’s always been a debate within my social and working circles. I come from a design formation, and the talk about creativity was an every-day-meal. For me a creative person is someone who knows how to translate all sorts of external and internal references into a new way of doing things. Our needs as humans are, and have always been the same, creativity blooms not in the fact that you respond to these needs, but in the way you do it, the way you connect with other people while providing them with entertainment, or questioning their reality, or helping to improve their day-to-day.
Talking about your graffiti art is a pleasure…
Q: Your style is full with many interesting characters, many colorful 3D compositions, perhaps even more great stories behind all those creations. How can you describe your style?
A: Talking about my work always comes as a bit of a challenge… maybe because I don’t usually question myself that much when I do it. I try to think in ways to connect with other people’s reality, and even when that doesn’t really shows sometimes, is just because I’m making a more personal statement about someone or about some fact. I base my work on trying to show reality, and my own environment as it is perceived by my, through the glass of my own mind. In this process many things come in action, influences from a lifetime of geeky movie watching, to current lines of work that inspire me
Hello Mr.Gutti!
To be honest, it’s a real pleasure to make an interview with you. I’m pretty sure that your unique style inspire a lot of people out there. You seem to be very dedicated and passionate artist.
In the very beginning of this interview, let’s start with some basic info about you…
Q: How did you get started tattooing?
A: I was interested in art since I was a child. I was watching movies of martial arts, and then I saw a tattoo on a fighter for the first time. I immediately started to work on some drawings and cartoons then I get my first tattoo done at age of 15. Until I got 21, I bought my first machine and start practice.
Q: Did you have an artistic background growing up?
A: I don’t. I’m a graduated architect from the national university of Colombia, but I prefer to follow my passion, rather than my education. Back in the day, that was a big problem for my family, but right now I have an important support from them.
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: I’ve been tattooing for about 5 years, but in full time I’ve been doing this for around 3 years.
Q: Did you have a formal apprenticeship? If so, with who?
A: Well I don’t know if that was a formal apprenticeship, a friend of mine thought me how to set up my machine, how a tattoo machine works, how to apply colors, and how to be clean, after that a lot of artist has gave some tips. But, I think that the most of the skills that I have in this moment was discovered by my full time research in pictures from other artist that I really admire, and figuring out what they did on their work, and how it serves me to find my own style.
Q: There are lots of tattoo styles that you do. How you get inspired?
A: Well in Colombia, you must be versatile, you can be good in some styles but you have to know the most of the tattoo styles. I like to use references, not copy, that’s not honest to clients and un respectful with other artists’ work. I like to keep an eye on other great artists working on their style that I don’t know completely, but I really like to put my point of view and my signature in every tattoo I do.
Q: Portraits are maybe the most remarkable designs in your portfolio. Do you remember when the impression for this kind of work first began?
A: I think my interest in realistic tattoos, started when I saw for the first time a tattoo by Mike DeVries, and Nikko Hurtado. They are awesome artists and probably the two of the most representative for this kind of work.
Q: What is most challenging in doing some photo-realistic piece?
A: I think the most challenging portrait that I’ve ever done was my first one lol, but after that one, two portraits that I recently did, one of Geronimo an apache chief and the other one from George Crook an army general that caught Geronimo, the client brought me a grey scale references and he wanted me to do it in color, it was a big challenge to make the interpretation.
Hello Matt!
I’m very happy that I got the chance to make an interview with you. Honestly, I’m a huge fan of your art. It seems like there is even more than just a talent …
In the very beginning of this interview, please feel free to tell us more about your starts in this job, your first experiences etc…
Q: When did you start doing tattoos? What made you to become a tattoo artist?
A: I started tattooing around 8 years ago, I was 18 at the time and was sick of the work I was doing. I knew what I wanted to do, so I took the plunge and committed to tattooing.
Q: Why tattoo artist? Did you have an artistic background growing up?
A: My Dad was also a tattooer so I had always wanted to do it, I had an obsession with tattoo from a very young age. I had a pretty artistic background in a sense, my dad passed away when I was young but I still loved art and tattoos. I spent a lot of my life drawing and painting. My older sister, Bonnie, was also an artist so we used to draw together a lot when we were young.
Q: Whant kind of art interested you at that time?
A: When I first started tattooing I was into every kind of art I saw! I found inspiration in all kinds of things and still do. I think this is very important if you want to truly make the most of it and progress as your own artist.
Q: Do you have any influences or people you admire?
A: Too many to list… haha! Some of my favorite artists from the start were Paul Booth, Robert Hernandez, Fillip Leu, then from there the tattoo artists just started popping up all over the place. To this day I still find new tattooers and painters that blow my mind!!
Q: Some people say that it is possible to be self though artist. What are your thoughts about this?
A: I think it’s possible, although I think (with the odd exception) you will never reach your full potential. The more you watch what other tattooers are doing and get tattooed by others the more you will learn about how it works. I like to think I learn something from every artist I meet good and bad, you know what I mean?
Q: Artists are constantly making some changes in their style, technically and artistically. How has your work developed through the years?
A: I tattooed flash for around 4 years, and then I started working towards doing realism work. From there I have tried lots of things, sometimes to stay busy you have to do all kinds of tattoos! I think this has helped my tattoos become what they are. I still don’t think I have found something I feel I want to call my “style” every tattoo I do I approach differently.
Q: Through your portfolio I can see a lot of custom tattoos. In which designs you find most creative freedom?
A: Some tattoos that are not portraits but are realistic are the most free for me. I love when a customer says “I want you to do something e.g. a skull but do it any color you want!” 9 times out of 10 when this happens, their tattoo will end up 100 shades of pinks and purples ha-ha…
Q: Maybe the most impressive think about your work is the color shading in layers. Seems like there is 3d work in some of them. What can you say that is the most difficult in doing some color piece?
A: I guess so, most of the time its not intentional, it just happens when the photo to start with has that 3d look to it. The most difficult for me is to not over do it. I get so carried away with colors as I do a lot of black and grey, so when I do color its generally loud.
Q:Can you tell me little about the making process, how did you corporate the client’s idea with your own?
A: I like my customers to give me a guideline to follow. I will then come back to them with images I think will work best, and work from there to make a compromise if I need to. Normally they just let me do my thing though.
Have you ever ask yourself what kind of art describe your personality? What kind of colors describe your emotions, reactions, conclusions? Are you able to find yourself in the whole palette?
Knowing yourself is like a basic info during your art journey.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Look at where you stand in your life currently. Look at everything about yourself and examine them thoroughly. Are there aspects of yourself which you dislike? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually? Is there anything that you wish is different about yourself? If so, what is that? What can you do? Can you change? Write it down.
Next, examine yourself again in the same areas and look for the aspects which you like. What do you like about yourself? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually? Abilities? Beliefs? What have people complemented you on before? What were some of your greatest accomplishments that you are proud of? When were the times when you felt really proud of something you have done? Write them down.
Now, look at your dislikes and your likes. Realize that your dislikes are part of what contributed you to becoming the person you are today. Without them, the other parts of you which you like wouldn’t have existed. Love who you are right now, unconditionally. While you can work on addressing those dislikes and improving yourself, you need to start off from a point where you already unequivocally love who you are right now. Improving yourself will just make you love yourself even more.
Try to play with the watercolors and find the “perfect” image of yourself. Accomplish the next goals and enjoy the ending.
Hello Mr.Timar! To be honest, it’s a real pleasure to make an interview with you. I’m pretty sure that your unique style inspire a lot of people out there. You seem to be very dedicated and passionate artist.
In the very beginning of this interview, let’s start with some basic info about you…
Q:What made you to become a tattoo artist?
A: In my family all of us have a little bit of artistic skill. In the high school i was learning enginery..you can imagine how its interested me..My older sister had a friend who was owner of a tattoo shop in Budapest. I allowed to watching him all day long. I had no money for a machine. For that I went to work whole summer into a construction. Saved money, bought my very first tattoo machine and started on friends.
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: I’ve been tattooing 12 years.
Q: Do you have any influences, like role models?
A: Once if you visit Budapest you will see..all the buildings, the architecture are awesome.
Q: Some people say that it is possible to be self though artist. What are your thoughts about this? How did you learn the tattoo skills?
A: Basics can learn everyone if he have a good mentor. After a while learning is not enough, than comes the creativity and the talent.
Q: Looking at your portfolio is a great way to get inspired. There are lots of tattoo styles that you do. Is there any favorite?
A: No I do everything. I wanna be a style( :
Q: Portraits are maybe the most remarkable designs in your portfolio. Do you remember when the impression for this kind of work first began?
A: I did my first portrait in 2003. I was so excided..sweating …
Q: What is most challenging in doing some photo-realistic piece?
A: Put something plus into it.
Q: Nowadays, people are coming up with many creative ideas for a tattoo. What was the most bizarre request ever that you can share with us?
A: Two “W” on the butt for a guy. It was a “WOW”, I hope you understand it..( :
Q: Is there any “dream piece” undone yet?
A: A mark ryden arm sleeve…
Q: What are the most interesting experiences with the customers?
A: I have the skill to opening people. I have clients like bank director, but a murder as well. I’m really like if they throw theirs masks away and being a children for a session, without learned roles.
Q: So many customers, drawings in your life, what keeps you permanently creative?
A safe background, what only a real woman can give.
Q: Being artist could be little tricky. What is the best lesson that you’ve learned from you art journey?
A: “You will be what you think you able to be. Your fate is your own responsibility.”
Q: They said” The real artist is never fully satisfied ” There is always something new to accomplish, discover, something new to do etc…
A: You should ask my clients from my “just 5 minutes more “sentence…sometimes its an hour. A good tattoo is never finished!
Q: What are your goals, or things that you might want to accomplish in the next few years?
A: I wish that the tattoo society find back to the roots and will be again familiar like before!
Hello Tim Orth!
In the very beginning of this interview, please feel free to tell us more about your starts in this job, your first experiences etc…
1.Have you always been interested in art? When you were a child, did you envision yourself working as an artist (or tattoo artist) when you grew up?
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in art, rather anything where I could be creative. I started drawing seriously around 5 or 6 years old. When my parents realized my interest and saw promise in my ability, they put me in private art lessons. I had some sort of art training from that point until I dropped out of college. IronicallyI don’t think that the thought of me being an artist by profession ever crossed my mind. Not until it had already happened.
2.When did you start doing tattoos?
Professionally or unprofessionally? HA! Unprofessionally when I was about 12 or 13 I think. I did a little hand poked tattoo on my leg to see what it was like. After that it was a little while before I tattooed again. I think I was 16. And again, I tattooed myself. I finally tattooed someone else when I was 18. I was working out of my apartment (hardly)when opportunity presented itself and I started my apprenticeship at what was Omni Tattoo then, now named Leviticus.
3.Did you have an artistic background growing?
Very much so. I was exposed to many different types of art very early on. My parents were both teachers and did a very good job in providing me the opportunities to further my education in art. From sumi-e painting to foam rubber puppets, I learned many diverse mediums.
4.Whant kind of art interested you in your beginnings?
I was interested in all kinds of art. A lot of the same art I am interested in now, just with a different hopefully more educated approach and understanding. I was into a broad spectrum of art, 2d, 3d, media, installation… anything that I found interesting or profound.
Pinup models have represented many different cultural values over the past 100 years. Some of them have become sex symbols, art muses and “exapmle” of beauty.
Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable, whose poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.s during World War II. Other pin-ups were artwork, often depicting idealized versions of what some thought a particularly beautiful or attractive woman should look like. An early example of the latter type was the Gibson girl, drawn by Charles Dana Gibson. The genre also gave rise to several well-known artists specializing in the field, including Earle K. Bergey, Enoch Bolles, Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, George Petty, and numerous notable artists, such as Rolf Armstrong and Art Frahm.
Notable contemporary pin-up artists include Elias Chatzoudis, Armando Huerta, and Chuck Bauman. Another is popular Pin-Up Artist Olivia De Berardinis who is most famous for her Pin-Up Art of Bettie Page and her pieces in the earlier editions of Playboy.
Today, Pin up girls are symbol for fashion, sexuality, girlie fragility and extravagance. One of the most famous tattooed pin up model is Sabina Kelley. Born in 5 March in Ventura, Ca. She owns a tattoo shop called Staytrue Tattoo in Las Vegas.
“I started off as a professional dancer. I was in a ballet company for a few years and then ended up being a Las Vegas showgirl, in Jublilee at Ballys Hotel. Being a Showgirl required many photo shoots and appearances, so I found something I was really good at, and liked besides just dancing. I was already a rockabilly girl before I began modeling. One day I was asked to Model for the cover of CK Deluxe, and I did. Everything snowballed from there, and now I am what I am today.”
Sabina’s style inspires lots of girls and aspiring models. Her full tattooed body is just another proof that tattooed women can be beautiful and sensual while inking is just a passion and a great self-expression.
Pinup models have represented many different cultural values over the past 100 years. Some of them have become sex symbols, art muses and “exapmle” of beauty.
Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable, whose poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.s during World War II. Other pin-ups were artwork, often depicting idealized versions of what some thought a particularly beautiful or attractive woman should look like. An early example of the latter type was the Gibson girl, drawn by Charles Dana Gibson. The genre also gave rise to several well-known artists specializing in the field, including Earle K. Bergey, Enoch Bolles, Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, George Petty, and numerous notable artists, such as Rolf Armstrong and Art Frahm.
Notable contemporary pin-up artists include Elias Chatzoudis, Armando Huerta, and Chuck Bauman. Another is popular Pin-Up Artist Olivia De Berardinis who is most famous for her Pin-Up Art of Bettie Page and her pieces in the earlier editions of Playboy.
Today, Pin up girls are symbol for fashion, sexuality, girlie fragility and extravagance. One of the most famous tattooed pin up model is Sabina Kelley. Born in 5 March in Ventura, Ca. She owns a tattoo shop called Staytrue Tattoo in Las Vegas.
“I started off as a professional dancer. I was in a ballet company for a few years and then ended up being a Las Vegas showgirl, in Jublilee at Ballys Hotel. Being a Showgirl required many photo shoots and appearances, so I found something I was really good at, and liked besides just dancing. I was already a rockabilly girl before I began modeling. One day I was asked to Model for the cover of CK Deluxe, and I did. Everything snowballed from there, and now I am what I am today.”
Sabina’s style inspires lots of girls and aspiring models. Her full tattooed body is just another proof that tattooed women can be beautiful and sensual while inking is just a passion and a great self-expression.
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When it comes to Jinxi Caddel, you probably think of the coolest person on the whole tattoo industry!
Probably one of the most positive and intelligent people I’ve ever know…
Jinxi is know mostly by her book projects such as “Cranial Visions”, “Tattoo Prodigies”, and ” Let’s be Realistic” collaborated with many great artists, including Mike DeVries.
But that’s not all. Her style is very unique and very interesting. Seeing her full tattooed body makes you want to get a tattoo!
Something from her:
“Hi there. I’m Jinxi.
I live in Southern California with Steve, my husband of 20 years, and our three amazing kids: Brynn, Shea and Aidan. As vegans and freethinkers, our family is committed to cruelty-free living and rational thinking.
Once upon a time, we lived through two crazy weeks of filming for the television show Wife Swap, where all sorts of drama ensued.
Though many moons ago I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology, today I am in the business of word slinging. I have co-written and edited six tattoo-related books for Memento Publishing, and currently serve as editor and senior writer for Tattooist Art Magazine. “
You can check her at www.jinxiboo.com
“L.A. Ink” tattoo artist Kat Von D has been constantly surprising us with her talents. From tattoos to creating her fragrances, or ever makeup line and now she is showing off her skills as a fashion designer.
Kat tell us an amazing story about her life growing up, her poor
family that didn’t have a great financial power, so she had to learn how to do certain things herself, things such as sewing.
Kat Von D started to sew her own clothes during her teenager years and this with the help of her mother who had a penchant for sewing. Kat Von D started since then developing her own style, influenced by the Punk Rock music genre and this influence can be seen in her upcoming fashion line.
Her talent and creativity are something special. Her fashion line maintains a perfect balance between femininity and sort of Gothic fashion style. Lots of unique designs, femine note in almost every creation where the black color dominate.
She described her life style as “Mi Vida Loca” as we can see on her back tattoo. So she consider her fashion line as another way to express herself in many different ways.
You can check out her clothing line at
http://www.katvond.net
www.rock-rebel.com
www.katvondlosangeles.com
http://www.highvoltagetattoo.com
