INTERVIEW WITH Teneile Napoli | Garage Ink Manor | Australia 19/06/2012
Q: When did you start doing tattoos? What made you to become
a tattoo artist?
A: I was 18 when I did my very first tattoo but have been around the
industry since I was 16. I pottered in and out of my apprentice till
I was 22and it was then that I can say I decided that tattooing was
what I truly wanted to do.
Q: Why tattoo artist?
A: I have always been an illustrator since I could pick up a pencil.
And I also have a diploma in visual arts and new media; creating has
always been my escape. And I sort of fell into tattooing I would
never have thought about it if I had not have been asked by Shane to
be his apprentice.
Q: What kind of art interested you at that time?
A: I was obsessed with Victor Portugal, Paul Booth and Boris, their
work was out of this world to me! And that has not changed in me I
just have a lot more people that I have added to my list but yeah...
those guys are God!
Q: Do you have any influences?
A: As previous question those guys! And I’d like to add my whole
crew at Garage Ink, they inspire me every day! Also Crispy Lennox,
Fabian DeGaillande, Miss Nikko, Jeff Gogue, Nikko Hurtado, George
Mavridis, Wendy Pham and so many more!
Q: Some people say that it is possible to be self though
artist. What are your thoughts about this?
A: I could say I am self-taught using the tips I've learnt along the
way taking in and trying new things, always learning and growing as
an artist. I feel I’ve taken as much from artists that are gifted
artistically than I have from mechanical artist they are both
incredibly important aspects of the learning process.
Q: Artists are constantly making some changes in their
style, technically and artistically. How has your work developed
over the years?
A: As above he he he and the passion I have for art - its my life.
All I can say is every tattoo I create or drawing I do I want it to
be better than the last otherwise I feel as though I’m not
progressing.
Q: I can see a lot of custom tattoos.
In which designs you find most creative freedom?
A: All of them nowadays! My clients give me a concept and I develop
it in my own style.
Q: I can see a lot of face-expression in almost every
tattoo. Do you consider
this type of work as your specialty?
A: The human emotion is something that is the hardest to express not
only in words but also in art. I love that people believe my work
has an element of emotion to it. I enjoy portraits because
normally they are very important to the person whether it’s their
children or someone they have lost. It is a very emotional thing in
itself, but I would have to say that dark fantasy and the dark
recesses in the sexual side of the human soul is my favorite thing
to create.
Q: What kind of tattoos people like the most?
A: Mainly I get what I specialize in so is pretty broad but for me I
do a lot of ladies! And portraits.
Q: Would you say that there are some tattoo trends out there?
A: For sure, people like a comfort zone and if everyone is doing it,
it must be ok. But in the same token they're getting it because
there are some images that are timeless e.g. roses, women, religious
art, script.
Q: To be a good-looking tattoo artist, I guess is a great
start to be well know, or I'm wrong? How people react on you?
A: I don’t believe I’m good looking lol the ladies that work for me
now they're good looking! But we are just a bunch of bogans loving
life and enjoy having a laugh. lol
Q: What are the most interesting experiences with the
customers?
A: Meeting them and all the different life experiences I hear about.
Q: In the past few years, there are many tattoo artists
trying to develop a unique style. What people should expect from you?
A: Not to sure. I’ve always had my style tweaking and changing as I
progress but soon I thing I’m going to come back to my roots the
more creative freedom my clients give me the closer I get to
creeping in my creepy side he he I’m a pervert!
Q: Art could be a great influence on someone's personality.
What is the best lesson that you've learned from your tattoo
journey?
A: Everything!
Q: In a few words, what are the most important things that every
single artist should know in order to become successful and
respected?
A: Never really thought of myself in that category, but if I could
say the way I've walked my career so far is be open to learn, be
open to fuck up and take criticism. I never not listen to criticism
being picked on as an artist from every angle has been a big part of
what makes me grow; I want to fix what they perceive is my weakness.
Always grow, always learning, forever being inspired and creating
new friends. Travel. And never take the fact that you have the best
job in the world for granted! Hard work and dedication. I could go
on and on oh and eat chicken salt everyday!
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Olivia - Garage Ink Management
Web: www.garageink.com.au
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