Below is our third, and final video from Jack Morton of Rethink Your Ink. In this installment, Jack talks about his ideal clients, his thoughts on soccer Mom’s, and the medical community lasering your tattoo work.
Take the time to watch this, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Jinxiboo recently interviewed Big Gus, a true powerhouse in the field of black and gray tattoo work. His soon to be released book, Black and Grey’s Finest, boasts an impressive list of contributing artists–you can easily see how it would take two years for this book to come into being.
To find out more about the book, as well as details on the art show and auction being held March 26th in San Pedro, CA to help raise money for Autism awareness, check out the full interview on Jinxiboo.com.
We had entirely too many pictures left over from our interview with Jim Sylvia.
Take a moment to gawk, and appreciate the killer work that Jim does.
We’re not going to beat around the bush. You’ve seen Jim Sylvia’s work on our site before, and you already what a talented artist he is. We recently sat down and spoke to Jim about art school, travel, tattoos, and his ’54 Chevy Bel Air.
When we asked whom you would like to see interviewed in the future, Ryan Mason happened to be mentioned at least 12 times. On this glorious Wednesday, the TattooSnob interview with Ryan is now live on Suicide Girls.
Ryan spoke with us about how he wound up being a tattoo artist in Portland, his views on tattooing vs. artistry, and why he doesn’t want to do your cat’s portrait.
If you’ve been at a convention in the recent past, I’m sure you passed Timmy B. at some point. Timmy has been hitting conventions non-stop, and when he’s not at a convention – it seems like he’s doing a guest spot.
We were able to get Timmy to slow down for just a second to answer some questions for us. See what Timmy has in store in the future in our interview now on Suicide Girls.
Since Kevin decided to play 20 questions with me for the sake of TattooSnob, I figured it was only fair I do the same to him.
If any of you have a amazing tiny dog like the one pictured below (or can show Kevin how to grow a real mustache) please let me know.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a pretty normal guy. I work a regular job, and try to keep busy in my off time. Between the site, hanging out with friends, riding my bike, and playing on the internet I usually manage to stay out of trouble. I try to go on a road trip every month or two to keep my sanity. The midwest can be a bear sometimes…
Most heavily tattooed people have at least one tattoo they’re embarrassed of – what’s yours?
Thankfully I didn’t get any of the tattoo’s that I wanted when I was 18, otherwise I would have my last name across my back, a pile of kanji crap on my arm, or some toxic UV ink on my hands. Instead, I did the college thing and didn’t get tattooed until I was 23 or so. By that time I was smart enough to really think about what I was getting, and whom was going to do it. While I might have a piece or two that I would do differently – overall, I’m extremely happy with what I have.
Tell us about your best & worst tattoo sessions . Naming names is not necessary, as I’d rather we not get blacklisted just yet.
My worst tattoo sessions are nothing horrid – they’re just convention stories. Laying across uncomfortable chairs, putting my tough guy face on, and swearing I’ll never get tattooed at a convention again. In hindsight, none of them were all that bad.
My best sessions have been due to the people around. Long sessions at Ink and Dagger Tattoo are always a good time, and it’s always good to catch up with old friends at Mothers Tattoo.
Biggest pet peeve in the tattoo world?
I think it’s the random guy that approaches me and says “Ahh, nice work man,” and then awkwardly waits for me to ask him about his work. A close second is the person who asks where they should go, and they then proceed to tell you how their tattoo best is so good… if they only want to get tattooed by him, why did they waste my time asking where they should go?
Who is the last person to tattoo you, and what was it?
At the Detroit Motor City Expo this year, Myke Chambers did this “Mom” tattoo on the my calf.
You seem pretty sure you won’t be tattooing your hands and neck for professional reasons. How do you feel about that?
I’m good with it. The ability to cover everything up is really important to be – even outside of work. It’s nice to avoid those “Oh, sick tats dude!” conversations and choose when and where people see what I’m sporting.
How do you think being visibly tattooed has effected you on a professional level?
I think it puts me two steps back. People see my work, and they assume the worst. They assume I’m irresponsible, unreliable, a possible drug addict, and I won’t bring any value to the table. In the long run, it ends up working out for me because I’m none of those things, so people are impressed.
Most people at my real job don’t understand the tattoo thing, and most people that live in the tattoo world don’t fully understand the real job thing. I try my best to keep them separated.
You still have some space to cover – anyone of note you plan to be tattooed by?
I have some appointments scheduled with Craig Moore of Mothers Tattoo later this year. He’s a low key guy that doesn’t get much exposure, but he kills it.
Any last words?
I just want to thank everyone for the support and help with the site. I never thought it would become what it has in a mere few months.
In an effort to share more about ourselves, Julene and I both answered some random questions. Hopefully this will help put a face to our names, and answer your questions about who exactly Tattoo Snob is.
I’ll go ahead and post Julene first, as she’s a little easier on the eyes than I am.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name’s Julene, I was raised in the midwest & I’ve wanted to get tattooed since I was 13. My internet addiction has been in full swing for over a decade, as a result have been spotted in more than a few places online. I’m sorta creepy (as I’m sure some people I’ve posted about on this site will tell you), I snort when I laugh, and I might be a catlady in training.
As far as you can recall, how did Tattoo Snob come about?
You’ve seen most of the tattoo blogs online. Sure, they post a ton of photos; most of those photos just so happen to also be of not-so-great tattoos. I think that quality work is not given anywhere near the level of attention & respect it deserves–especially when it’s coming from artists most tattoo enthusiasts have never heard of. Besides, I could only sit around smirking at the stuff other sites were posting for so long before leaping to action.
Describe your tattoo work.
I wouldn’t consider myself heavily tattooed, but I have more than a handful of tattoos. Some of it is better than the rest, but I’m pretty attached to most of what I’ve had done. I have a smattering of work on varying parts of my body, and I’m sure I’ll wind up covered someday.
I look back and think about tattoos I wanted to get when I was younger, and I’m thankful I never did. Do you have any of those? What are they?
Oh god, I have some doozies. When I was like 13-14 I was really into the rave scene (shut up, guys) and I was totally sure I should get PLUR as a tramp stamp. The only other tattoo I distinctly remember wanting at a young age I did wind up getting–characters from the comic book “Lenore” by Roman Dirge.
I have tattoos that I wish I hadn’t gotten, too. Like what appears to be a parrot hanging out with a bunch of pot leaves on my left arm. It was supposed to be a phoenix with Japanese maple leaves, but they’re green instead of red. Add in the negative space flames I have going on and it has new-skool stoner written all over it.
As the official Tattoo Snob grammar nazi, can you verify tattooing is indeed a real world?
First of all Kevin, I resent you comparing me to a Nazi. I prefer the term “slightly anal-retentive.” While I’m no Webster, I think it’s fair to say the word is just another verb – the act of giving a tattoo. So, yes.
I’ve been told someone has a tattoo of you… is this true? Can you elaborate on the story?
Once upon a time I tattooed a girls rack on my leg because seriously, they were too amazing to be real. (They are real, by the way. One lucky tattooist got a lot of “reference material” prior to doing the piece, he’ll side with me about their epicness, I think.) Anyway, she decided if I was going to tattoo her boobs on me that she should tattoo… me, on her. Topless, blue-skinned and dressed as a pirate no less.
I don’t think she’s finished the tattoo yet, but I’m curious to see it once it’s finished.
Biggest pet peeve in the tattoo world?
I have a handful. Among other tattooed people: playing the “I’m harder than you because I have my _____ tattooed” game or having someone ask about my work & hand me their artist’s card. Rude!
Among non-tattooed people: the need to touch, grab, or otherwise prod my tattoos. I’ve covered this in a blog post here on TattooSnob already, which you should read if you’re tired of your tattoos being touched uninvited.
Who is the last person to tattoo you, and what was it?
The last person to tattoo me was Brad Stevens–he did a sweet aviator lady on my leg.
You’ve been talking about getting your neck tattooed forever, why haven’t you taken the plunge?
To be honest, I don’t think I’m at a point in my adult life when I’m sure it won’t bite me in the ass professionally later on down the line. While I do have a specific idea (and artist) in mind, I figure unless I get hit by a bus my neck will still be there in five or six years. I don’t think throat/neck tattoos are something that should be taken lightly by the majority of people that consider getting them.
I know you have a tattoo wish list. What artists are on there?
The list is pretty long but off the top of my head I’d love to be tattooed by Russ Abbott, Jim Sylvia, Adam Barton, Seth Wood, and Ian Dana.
Following our review of Union Electric Tattoo, we still had more than a few questions for the talented Jim Sylvia. We had a chance to ask Jim some questions about his timeless style of tattooing, plans for 2010, and if you can catch his band on tour anytime soon. See all of his answers and more, on Suicide Girls.
