http://www.urbanink.com Latest Articles from Urbanink. en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 22:52:51 GMT Craig Bain Joseph (CBJ) is a well-recognized and respected London tattooist from Grenada, West Indies, who has built his reputation essentially through word of mouth and hard work. We caught up with Craig a year after his first Urban Ink feature in 2010, explaining how coming to study in the UK gave him more scope to experiment and progress as an artist.

I meet with CBJ at the Ink Lounge Tattoo Studio in Palmers Green, North London, where he has been working for the past nine months. It's very different from the set-up he had when I first interviewed him. The Ink Lounge is an open-plan studio - home to two other artists. CBJ's work space is decorated with hangings of his oil paintings, and his equipment is neatly positioned and maintained by his two apprentices, Jade and Henry.

We met a year ago when he was an international art student at Camberwell College of Art and Design and owner of The Tattoo Flat in Grenada. Limited resources at the time meant he struggled to continue his trade professionally in London, so he chose to tattoo for close friends at home. CBJ is now the most sought-after artist at the newly opened Ink Lounge, where his regular clients include Fazer and Tulisa from N-Dubz - a multi-million-selling British hip-hop group.

"London changed my life," says Craig. "When I first came here, I remember tattooing one guy, who then told his friends, who went on to tell theirs, and before I knew it, I had lots of people calling me. Now, I am working at an established studio with popular musicians wanting to get tattooed by me. I feel very blessed," Craig explains proudly.

It all started in 2005 when Craig opened a tattoo shop in Grenada. A self-taught artist, he introduced young people on the island to the world of body art, but the older generations were still skeptical about tattooing as a career path. It is easy to understand why CBJ feels that London - a capital that sees great importance in the arts - has opened his horizons and allowed him to progress as an artist. The growth of his client base in the UK has given him the ability to transfer more imaginative and experimental designs on daring clients.

"There isn't a major market for tattooing in Grenada - my clients tend to prefer simple tattoos. On the other hand, my UK clients come from wider backgrounds and cultures. From a tattoo perspective, it's interesting to work on a variety of skin types and complexions, which has drastically improved my shading techniques, and I often get asked for designs that push my limits as an artist."

This improvement has not gone unnoticed in his homeland, where he was named one of Grenada's youngest and most talented tattoo artists during his most recent visit. By featuring in a special program on local television, he was able to better introduce tattooing as a viable business to a wider audience - a positive step towards establishing this art form where the industry is still in its infancy.

Now that he is settled and working in a professional environment, CBJ is able to create a signature for himself as an artist. "I can do tribal and oriental designs, and can create just about anything, but I tend to prefer religious and symbolic designs."

CBJ struck me as a very deep individual who takes his trade to heart throughout the entire interview. "I'm not focused on money when I am with my clients; I am focused on what I am doing for them and how they are going to feel when I am finished. I view the designs that I transfer onto their skin as symbols of hope and faith for my clients because, to some, these might be a permanent tribute to someone that they have loved and lost, and thats why I love symbolic tattoos."

At the age of only 25, Craig Bain Joseph has achieved a lot as a result of his own hard work. He knows no limitations and has even bigger plans for the future. "I want my artist tag, CBJ, to be recognized internationally, and I would like to run several businesses that focus on the arts. I would also like to teach and share my skills with other young people interested in art and tattooing."

CBJ's passion for art, friendliness, and pride in his work explain why his loyal clientele continue to come back and spread the word. Despite the well-deserved compliments, he likes to stay focused and always sees room for improvement. "As an artist, I think that I've still got a lot to learn. There are a lot of amazing artists in the U.S. I look up to, like Jose Lopez for example, but I am improving every day and I strive to do my best so that, one day, hopefully, I can be known as the greatest amongst the greats."


Ink Lounge Tattoo Studio
310c Green Lanes
Palmers Green,
London, N13 5TW
Tel: 0203-4902-663
inklounge.co.uk

Images by Frederique Rapier (frederiquerapier.com)
Article by Kered Clement
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=453 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=453 Thu, 10 May 2012 10:59:52 GMT Allow us to introduce to you Aniya and Jason Jefferson. This fine couple was brought together by the lovely medium of body art. Aniya met Jason one day as she was searching for a new tat artist to add a little something to her growing collection. A few dozen tattoos later, the two fell in love and got hitched.

After a visit to the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia, the two realized that there were no black-owned tattoo shops anywhere in town, and so they set out to fill that void. Today, Aniya and Jason are the proud owners of Tatlyfe Studios. She manages the biz, while he takes care of the artistic needs of the shopa match made in tattoo heaven.


Jason

URBAN INK: How old were you when you first became interested in art?
Jason Jefferson: My first real interest in art that I can remember was around the age of eight, when I received a children's encyclopedia set and started drawing the pictures in full detail.

Did someone introduce you to art or did you pick it up on your own?
My mother was very influential; she paints poems on glass.

How did the transition to tattooing come about?
From watching a friend of mine get a bad tattoo in a guy's basement. Somehow the equipment became mine and I fixed the tattoo on my friend a little bit.

Did you go through a formal apprenticeship or are you a self-taught tattooist?
Sadly, I'm self-taught. I say sadly because I wasted so many years scratching - and it's not like I didn't try to get a formal apprenticeship - but all doors were slammed in my face because I really didn't have a strong art background that satisfied the shops I approached.

I see that you named a few artists who influenced you throughout the years, including Tony Olivias, Deano Cook, Jose Lopez, and Mister Cartoon. What skills and influences did you pick up from these artists?
Well, Tony Olivias has a shop in Atlanta called Sacred Heart Tattoo - and I wasnt even old enough to get a tattoo let alone do them - but his portfolio amazed me. Jose Lopez and Mister Cartoon, man, the hood loved me for real once I started biting their styles and I have no shame in that. I used their tattoos as study guides as what good tattoos should be - and because of that I'm successful today. Thanks to Jose and Mister Cartoon - if it really weren't for them I would still be in the basement tattooing! I must also give credit to Bob Tyrrell.

Have you ever met any of them?
I first met Jose Lopez at The Atlanta Tattoo Arts convention a couple of years ago. All I did was stare over his shoulder thinking to myself, "Wow!" My wife and I met Bob Tyrrell and Tony Olivias a few times at conventions. I've never met Deano Cook, but one day soon I hopefully will and get a chance to be taught something of substance.

Where were you tattooing before opening up Tatlyfe Studios?
Over the years I have worked at a few shops. In Atlanta, I worked at Body Tats & Piercing. Upon moving to Savannah I worked for two-and-a-half years at a shop called Beauty & The Beast.

Do you have any other artist in your shop or is it only you for right now?
Yeah, right now it's just me and my wife, until we meet an artist who impresses us.

Are you interested in having an apprentice?
I'm always interested in the right apprentice. First of all, it would have to be someone who has never tattooed at home before, has a passion for art, good attitude, and be able to put in 60-plus hours a week alongside me and my wife.

Not all, but most artists tend to find a specific style of tattooing and they stick with it. Looking through your work, I see that you have avoided pigeonholing yourself into a specific style. How have you managed to do so?
Good question. Glad you noticed. To answer that, it goes back to my influences - guys who I consider masters of the craft. Early on, I stuck to fine line black and grey, then color work became important because my clientele changed. Nowadays, so many artists influence me and make me work harder. I'm definitely my own worst critic and it takes a lot for me to be happy with a piece.

If you had to choose, which style of tattooing would you like to focus on more?
Man, you had to push me in the corner! Hands down it would be black and grey. A lot of times before I start a piece I ask myself, "What would Bob Tyrrell or Jose Lopez do?"

Do you prefer collaborating with your clients when designing a tattoo, or making custom pieces that are solely created by you?
Honestly, I do like the client to be clear in knowing just what they want, and once I start the design to just stand back.

I visited Savannah last year. I loved it! It has an artsy feel to it - not to mention, you have the Savannah College of Arts and Design. Do you sometimes get inspiration for your work from your surroundings?
Inspired? Yes, I was inspired to move and live the rest of my life here. It is beautiful. But inspiration - as far as tattooing - comes from within. We hope that next time you are here you stop in.

Will do! When you first opened your shop there weren't any black-owned shops - or tattoo artists in any shop for that matter - in your area. Do you feel it's difficult for tattooists of color to get started in certain parts of the world, or do you feel that its the same for everyone across the board?
In my opinion, it is definitely harder for blacks to be taken seriously in the tattoo industry, period.

Any tips for aspiring artists trying to break into the tat biz?
Have a strong art background and build it up by painting, drawing, and continuously developing your art skills. Never ever just buy a tattoo kit online and start tattooing at home.



Aniya

URBAN INK: What's a typical day like at Tatlyfe Studios?
Aniya Jefferson: We open at one pm. We work by appointment only, so the day is usually pretty smooth. If there aren't any appointments we will be on the street promoting ourselves and showing our faces.

Can you explain your role at the shop?
My number one role is to make Jason's life easy, as his job is the most important job in the building. I meet and greet all of our clients, make them feel comfortable, answer the phones, make all of the appointments, and take care of the paperwork involved before the actual tattoo design process with Jason begins. I also take care of the ordering, pre-interviewing procedures, cleaning, and marketing - anything else involved with running the business to the letter of the law.

You are known for being the first black-owned tattoo shop in Savannah, GA. Why do you believe there hadn't been a black-owned shop in town before you stepped on the scene?
Honestly, I don't know. We visited Savannah a few times before making it our home and we looked for a black-owned tattoo shop, but didn't see any. So, we are proud to be the first.

Did you meet any resistance - or was there any tension - from any of the neighboring shops or tat artists in the area when you first opened up shop?
No, not at all. We were visited by a few of the artists in the area and welcomed. Marcus Dove from Black Orchid stopped by to say welcome to the scene.

In your bio you stated that part of your job is to make sure that everyone gets a custom tattoo that fits their budget. I think that the price of tattoos is what keeps some folks from getting tatted more often. Is there any type of consideration on your part when pricing a piece for someone who may not necessarily have that much money for a tat?
Well, our slogan has always been, "Custom tattoos for any budget," so when someone comes into our shop the very first thing I ask them after giving them a warm greeting is, "What budget would you like to stay within?" This way, whatever amount of money they have I can alert Jason and he can design the piece to fit that budget. In today's economy everyone cannot afford a high-priced tattoo.

Jason worked on some of the tats you sport today. Can you talk to us about some of the more meaningful pieces he's done for you?
Wow! I have over 50 tattoos now! The majority of them are family related and skulls. I have a liking for skulls. I have a leg dedicated to our son who went through a phase of not listening so well. It is a custom brick wall with his initials and a phoenix over it along with the word, "Grace." This to me meant that God was covering him with grace, and the phoenix meaning he would rise to the top one day. I am proud to say today he is doing much better. I also have two serious pieces dedicated to my mom who had been diagnosed with sclerosis of the liver. One is a custom hourglass with her image inside as a skull. This represented when I first found out - it symbolized the "time" which she had left. I also have her portrait on my leg, which shows the image from which the skull was taken. Jason and I also have nine or ten twin tattoos (that are the same). We both have the name of our shop tattooed on us as well.


Photography by Noah Cole (UWish Photography)
Article by Emmanuel Urena

]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=448 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=448 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:19:04 GMT For almost ten years, residents and visitors of Memphis, TN, and surrounding areas have sought after artist Saint Ian Christopher - SIC for short - for his unique and highly detailed tattoos. Although he is continuously evolving, SIC's black and grey photorealism - as well as his color portraiture - has gained a lot of notoriety among many other professional tattoo artists in the mid-south.

As he works to develop himself and his tattooing through various genres of art, SIC says eventually he also would like to incorporate more biomechanics style in his pieces. "I noticed that most people only do one thing, and that's like their thing. I'm trying to do all of them and, hopefully, combine all of them. I look at other successful tattoo shops; like take Brandon Bond's for example. With All or Nothing in Atlanta, he has an artist for everything. Similar to what I'm doing with this one."

By "this one," SIC is referring to his newest brainchild, The Skull & Rose Tattoo Collective - his own shop seated in the heart of Downtown Memphis. Saint Ian, the businessman, says, "I chose to move downtown because I was bored. Downtown is like a whole new adventure, where I can start from scratch and create whole new tactics. Abstraction gives you a break from realism and allows you to appreciate it more. Sometimes, you have to take a break from a stagnant situation in order to reanalyze and formulate a solution."

Although still maintaining his other tattoo shop - Touch of Ink, located in East Memphis - SIC is now investing a large amount of his energy into making his vision for The Skull & Rose Tattoo Collective a reality. "If we're not painting, we're drawing. If not drawing, we're tattooing. If you're going to paint, just paint and get it out. Don't worry about making it perfect - just paint and get it done. So I've been going back and forth between being quick to get the idea out and making something dope that I'm really taking my time on."

Trying not to dive too deep into a conversation that could last for hours, Ian says this about a non-licensed, home-kitchen tattooist. "Basically, what you're saying is, I can take an artistic dumbass and teach him how to tattoo [in two weeks]."

He likens learning the craft of tattooing to riding a motorcycle, "You have to conceptualize what you're doing and see what you're doing before you just pick up and start doing. You have to physically see yourself doing the sh*t before you actually go out and do it. You can get around, but you'll fall - youll f*ck something up. It takes a long time just to pass through the 'not-f*cking-up-sh*t' stage. I don't see how you can learn even the basic fundamentals without professional instruction, time, patience, diligence, and a lot of heart."

The Skull & Rose Tattoo Collective
10 S. Second Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901-347-3854
Facebook.com/saintianchristopher
Twitter.com/saint_357

Article by Dez Ward
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=444 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=444 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:01:00 GMT Randall Croley El - known to most as Seven - is no stranger to the Urban Ink spotlight. Back in '07 - when we were barely off the ground - we had the pleasure of featuring Seven in our second issue (with Persia White on the cover). At the time, he was tattooing at a local shop called Skincraft Piercing & Tattoos in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Since then, Seven has opened up shop for himself - Seven Studio Design, in Cincinnati as well - and with ten years of tattooing under his belt, has developed his skills into the true work of art you see before your eyes.

URBAN INK: Since your last appearance in Urban Ink you've opened up your own shop. Can you tell us a little about Studio Seven Design?
Seven: I had been thinking of opening a place for quite some time, and this was the result of me feeling as though I were ready to go in business for myself. It's my first studio owned and run by myself. We handle the needs of any client - large, small, custom, or flash pieces. We try to hold onto the full tradition of tattooing, as well as grow with it.

What's the day-to-day like at your shop?
My days are usually pretty straightforward with a couple of appointments or one large one and a few walk-in clients. I spend time building tattoo machines, drawing, painting, advertising, and teaching my apprentice everything I know about tattooing. The setting is usually pretty peaceful with a couple visits from regular clients day-to-day. Like I said, we do cater to the walk-in traffic. However, we are forced to set appointments most of the time, which allows us to gather thoughts when it comes to designing great pieces for our clients.

Who are some of the artists that currently work at your shop?
At the present time, there is my apprentice Mreeuh (Maria) Chang and myself. It's very hard to find dependable tattoo artists who are serious about the craft. It seems that most great artists are already working somewhere. I'll be very patient with hiring someone simply because my shop name is on the line, and I'd only want to work next to those who are diehard tattooers, such as Mreeuh and myself. Other than us, we've had a couple guys do guest spots, such as Miya Bailey while on tour and his past apprentice, Corey Davis.

How would someone apply for an apprenticeship with you?
So many people are wanting to learn to tattoo these days. I think this new generation of tattooers don't understand that this is not a profession open to just anyone. A lot of them aren't in it for all the right reasons. Some think that this lifestyle is "rock star," and I guess it can be at times, but there's more hard work and appreciation for the craft as a whole that comes before learning to tattoo. Some of these things are the value of a good tattoo, making needles, building machines, drawing, etc. If I were to hire another person down the line, I want to see solid artwork (no tattoos) and a great appreciation for tattooing. By great appreciation I mean someone with some tattoos done by a professional artist. That lets me know that they have integrity.

Shop owners who are tattoo artists as well tend to struggle balancing both roles. How have you managed to keep your shop all about the art?
I know exactly what you mean. I've seen so many of my elder tattoo artists seem like business owners instead of tattoo artists. I think that comes from handling everything and wanting the younger artists to make some money and gain clientele. I think what helps me is staying on the front line, just like my apprentice and past employees. I was the "workhorse" where I came from. I simply refuse to let the "businessman" mentality take me over. I also keep in mind that tattooing and art are my escape from reality.

Most artists try to avoid pigeonholing themselves into one style of tattooing. I see by your portfolio that you're trying to keep yourself as diverse as possible. How have you managed to do so without cornering yourself into one style?
I've been tattooing for 10 years now and I still feel like I'm new to this compared to a lot of people. There are so many influences in art and in tattooing that push me to try different things and still develop what people may refer to as my style. I appreciate and love different styles of tattooing myself so, of course, I want to try some new things. Challenges are just as inspiring as they can be challenging. I tell people I do it all - traditional, portraits, custom, flash, etc.

Hypothetically speaking, if one day you do decide to put all of your attention on one style, which style would you prefer it to be?
Right now I am trying to do just that to an extent. I like realistic black and grey work, but I also like color. I've seen artists do highly realistic black and grey work, but balance it with bright elements in the background and foreground and vise versa. I have a few concepts for sleeves, back pieces, etc. that I need to finish and find clients for to create my new market. This is the type of work I'd like to be contacted for in the future or now to jump-start it.

It is recognized that, at times, colors tend to get muted on darker skin tones. I saw on your site a photo of a sick color portrait of a dog on dark skin. How do you approach tattoos on a person with dark skin?
The most important thing in color on darker skin is the use of black and contrast. I can't go into a "how to," but simply taking the time to think about what makes colors appear so bright. You must also figure out which brands of ink work best in general and those will work best on anyone, no matter the skin tone. My pigments are from a few different brands, not just one. Certain companies have great purples and not-so-good reds. Oh, and also I was always told that you can never have too much black, even in a color piece. If you understand what black does for creating different shades and tones, then this should make perfect sense.

Through some of my interviews for UI, people have expressed that tattoo artists of Black/Latino/Asian backgrounds are still struggling to gain respect and recognition in an industry that's dominated primarily by Caucasian artists. Then, there are those who believe it has nothing to do with race, but more so with the artist's skill. What are your thoughts about this?
Race plays a big part, but more importantly is the culture that you portray. We are quick to say race is the issue at a first glance and it may have been to an extent, but more importantly it's just who you are that matters.

When I was searching for jobs I was wearing big white Ts, gold fronts, Timberland boots, and a hoodie. I think culture played just as big of a role as race did, if not a bigger one. I simply didn't look the part. Now, a lot of things have grown on me, from music to piercings, and I think I look like a tattoo artist now; before I looked like a guy that did tattoos.

In your bio, you mentioned that you have met a lot of influential artists. Can you tell us who some of them were, and what you gained from your interactions with them?
I've traveled and tattooed across the country and have had a chance to meet hundreds of artists. I've become great friends with a few who have been great influences as well, really helping me with various aspects of tattooing. Randy Harris has been like a big brother to me since we met. He gave me a tip that has changed how I've tattooed ever since. I've done a couple guest spots at Tattoos By Randy and shared a booth or two at conventions with he and Lord Yatta. Dueler is another great guy. I think his story is simply amazing. Dueler has been tattooing for probably over 25 years in places around the world, I mean he has really embraced tattooing on a level where most of us will never get to. I had the pleasure of doing an awesome guest spot at One Stroke Tattoo with Derrick Verley and his crew in Queens, NY, recently. Other artists are Boog, Twig, Miya, Tuki, Gino, etc., and the list goes on. But these guys are ones who are doing what I want to and inspire me to do more and push further.

Do you think the widespread accessibility of knowledge and equipment to "wannabe" tattoo artists has helped or hurt the industry?
I think the availability of tattoo supplies has helped great artists get in the business, but also feed the bad ones. Keep in mind that "wannabes" [eventually] become. I think we have the ability to spread just as much safety information as supplies, though, and that should be a major focus. We need to create more safe tattoo awareness.

What advice would you offer up-and-coming tattooists?
I 'd say the best learning experience for any artist is getting tattooed. Other than that, drawing, painting, and other forms of art always help. Knowing your equipment is important also. You don't want to be among great tattoo artists, or seeking a job, referring to your equipment as a "tat gun." It's a tattoo machine! Maybe take some seminars, and of course bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and first aid courses.

Studio Seven Design
1416 Main St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-969-5355 (cell)
513-721-8282 (studio)
paisleydarts.com
twitter.com/studio7design
facebook.com/randallcroleyeltattoo

Article by Emmanuel Urena
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=440 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=440 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:05:18 GMT Christian Nguyen was born in 1975 in Geneva, Switzerland. Fascinated by tattoos from an early age, he developed his skills as a draftsman in school and got his first tattoo as a teenager. He began his professional career in 1992 and has never stopped since.

Nguyen's vast experience in the field, as well as his contacts and reputation, have taken him to Denmark, France, Holland, Japan and the United States--where he tattoos regularly. However, for several years now, he has been working in his own studio, Inkvaders, located in Geneva. With a broad fan-base all over Europe, the waiting time for an appointment can be well over a month.

The skilled ink-slinger has a varied and faithful group of customers of all ages and from all walks of life. He has even made a strong reputation for himself in the snowboard world. His customers include snowboard giants such as: Jules Raymond, Mick Deschenaux, Romain de Marchi, Tonton Holland and Trevor Andrew. His many trips, as well as his presence at numerous conventions, have allowed him to also have regular customers from the world of show business such as: Ceekay (La Coka Nostra, Skamdust), DJ Naughty J (NTM), John Otto (Limp Bizkit), and Trouble Andrew.

Nguyen's reputation has gone beyond the boundaries of tattoos and into the realm of illustration. His talent is widely recognized, and a number of important winter wear companies (Apo snowboard, Burton snowboard, Imperium snowboard, Ninthward skis, Tns industries, and also Vans) have requested his work. Even record labels have called upon Nguyen. He has illustrated both covers and designs for Ceekay Jones, House of Pain, La Coka Nostra, and The Vendetta. Another impressive line of projects Nguyen has ventured into have been his illustration works for events like the Belfort Tattoo Convention, and companies like Black Market, Nothing Changed Wear, and Sullen Clothing.

Even though he has all of these amazing ventures, Nguyen has a number of personal and important projects in the works, which include expanding his Geneva studio; participating in more tattoo conventions; and collaborating with street wear and street art in hopes of further developing his very own Inkvaders Wear--his street wear company created in 2008 with Graffiti Art and TV and media expert, Florien Cavalleri.

Aside from pursuing his professional career as a world-renowned tattoo artist, Nguyens ultimate goals are, first of all, to represent the worlds of tattoo, hip-hop, and hardcore cultures in the contemporary fashion industry. And to collaborate with groups like La Coka Nostra and artists like Robert Atkinson, Terry Ribera, and Greg Laraigne to create limited editions of artifacts--both clothing and print.

Inkvaders Studio
3, route de Drize--1227 Carouge--Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 301 34 84
Mobile phone: +41 (0)79 625 76 06
inkvaders@hotmail.com
www.inkvaders-tattoo.com

Article by Razor Leary
]]> http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=432 http://www.urbanink.com/article.php?aid=432 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:20:00 GMT