tattoo Interview with Ron Russo | Plymouth, Pennsylvania 21/11/2011
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: I have been tattooing close to 11 years.
Q: What got you into this business?
A: I have always been drawing since I could remember. I always enjoy
to create things and there's nothing better than a finished product
to be proud of. I guess the satisfaction of a finished painting or
tattoo is what keeps me going.
Q: Has anyone influenced you to became an artist?
A: My grandfather was a famous artist but I wouldn't say anyone has
influenced me to become an artist since I've always been inspired to
create myself since I could remember. There are many artists out
there who have driven me to work harder these days and a few that I
admire such as Bob Tyrell, Paul Acker, Dan Henk, Paul Booth, Tommy
Lee and many more who choose to produce darker horror art.
Q: Talking about your art is a real pleasure. Seems like you
are passionate about doing color tattoos. Most of them have strong
lines and great highlights.
Do you consider this style of work as your specialty?
A: Yes I definitely love to do more color. It seems that most of my
request are for color tattoos. I try to make everything as realistic
as possible but in my own style. Even though I do admire what a lot
of others are doing, I still try to keep everything I do my own. I
would say it's my specialty for sure. I do also enjoy working with
black and gray also from time to time. I think a lot of it depends
on the image. This is where I choose if it would be better either
color or black and gray.
Q: What is the most difficult part in doing
color tattoos?
A: Hmmmm, the most difficult. This is a tricky question. Id have to
say the most difficult is just starting the tattoo in general and
planning for me. I'm actually more comfortable once I start the
tattoo. I out lots of time into drawing and planning the tattoo,
sometimes even more time than it actually takes for me to tattoo it.
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: Well, I guess it started because I just wanted to create the most
craziest, evil, dark and disturbing images that I can but then I
started recreating a lot of famous monsters, zombies and then I was
like "Hey, I could tattoo this kid's grandma on him" So, I do a lot
of portraits also but I enjoy the horror side more than anything but
I also love to tattoo animals and wildlife too.
Q: In which designs you find most creative freedom? Like portraits,
cartoons etc?
A: Well, I don't do anything that is cartoonish in anyway. Too me
creative freedom is when the client says "here's my idea, do what
you want with it". Then I take it from there. I enjoy to draw a lot
of my own stuff anymore than just copying an image but id never turn
down a zombie or a leather face no matter how many times it has been
done before. It's the challenge of making it stand out amongst the
rest for me.
Q: What are the most interesting experiences with the
clients? Any funny stories to share?
A: I'm not sure what interesting experiences there are, too me
everyday is interesting. Most people I tattoo are regular clients
who are all very interesting too me. lol. I have fun with everyone I
tattoo. It's never a boring session!! I like to vibe with the client
and not hate what I'm doing, so to me having the client comfortable
with me tattooing them leads to interesting times when I can just be
myself, laugh and talk shit and create a bad ass tattoo. Pretty
interesting to me.
Q: Have you ever thought to change it and start doing
something different?
A: It doesn't even cross my mind to do anything different except to
get better at what I am doing now. Once in awhile I like to do Asian
style images from time to time. I've always admired what those guys
have been doing forever. Thumbs up to them!
Q: Art could be a great influence on someone's personality.
What is the best lesson that you've learned from you art journey?
A: Well I'd say my personality goes well with my art for sure.
Always looking to get it darker and morbid but then I'm tattooing
someone's dogs portrait, so it's all good. What I've learned from my
journey is that it's far from over and I need to dig in and get more
work done. The journey has just begun...Stay tuned.
Q: Tattoo industry has a huge progress, especially in the last
decade. There are many new tattoo artists coming up ... What advice
do you have for the new artists?
A: I'm not sure the industry has made huge progress. I'm sure if you
asked any of the real old timers about the industry today their
answer would be much different. I am glad to say that I started
tattooing pre-tv show B.S. My advice is work hard, enjoy creating,
don't be a rock star, be yourself, stay true to the art, earn as
much as possible, take seminars and don't be a d#ck rider. Put 110%
into it or don't bother.
My future plans are to really start painting a lot more. I have
conventions book this year in Liverpool and France which I am very
excited about. My website is Ron570.com and I have an open Facebook
page for everyone to view my work there. I would like to thank
Skin-Artists for this awesome interview!! RON570