interview with tattoo artist Owen Paulls
Hello Owen Paulls! Thank you so much for taking the
time to do this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself,
how long have you been tattooing? What inspired you? I’ve been tattooing a little over four years now. When I started
my apprenticeship, I had been playing music and designing artwork
for various bands, with a lot of those being influenced from the
tattoo world. I think it really was just a matter of time before I
made the transition to tattooing as a career.
Q: Was it hard to learn? What do you think about tattoo
apprenticeship?
A: Apprenticeships are great, as long as your mentor has your best
interests at heart! There’s far too many shop owners now who are
looking for free labor. Finding an artist who agrees to teach you is
one thing, but finding an artist who has the ability to teach is much more valuable. A little more searching perhaps but in
the long run, it will pay off.
Q: I love your style, it's very unique. Would you define it?
A: Thank you so much! I’m happy to be tattooing in this style, it’s
a bonus for me that is appreciated! I feel like it is important to
have an identity. I’ve always just called myself a realism artist. I love doing both the
Disney pieces and realism work, I’d hate to have to choose one or
the other. Disney realistic black and grey? I guess that would be
too much of a mouthful, so let’s just say Disneyism?!
Q: Tattooing is not an easy skill to learn. Do you also
learn about skin tones and skin reaction? How important is that?
A: Having a good knowledge of what is achievable on each type of
skin tone definitely helps me in my preparation for a tattoo. I know
that the darker the skin tone, the higher the contrast has to be.
Any flat grey tones I want to use may not last the test of time, so
I try to use skin gaps in these areas for darker skin. Being
English, I tend to tattoo a lot more lighter skin tone, but I
believe everybody has the right to get a tattoo, as long as I feel I
can execute it well.
Q: How do you feel about the tattoo scene
now? Do you see progress? What are some of the new techniques you
implement?
A: Tattooing is definitely in its romantic period right now. So many
artists experimenting and creating beautiful pieces. I like to
design my tattoos straight onto a photo of the arm so that it fits
the space the best. I also adjust for the wrap of the arm
slightly. This helps the design to stay level on a curved surface.
It’s not a new technique but one I think overlooked at the moment.
The other thing I think helps my pieces is the details. Using
both a hard and soft edge for foreground and background.
Q: How important is to experiment?
A: I did experiment a little the first couple of years. It took a
while for me to feel comfortable in realistic tattooing, so in the
beginning I’d take what I could from traditional styles and painters
that I liked, to try to recreate my digital work on skin etc. I wanted
to have a good knowledge of tattooing, no matter how basic,
before I pushed into the realistic Disney world. I’m so glad I took
my time.
Q: How important is
the good communication with the clients?
A: It's very important. Being primarily a Disney or cartoon artist,
I get to know a lot more happy stories behind the tattoos than
unhappy. They mostly involve customers commemorating a happy time in
their childhood or a moment shared with their families. Of course
there is the occasional story of commemorating a lost loved one, but
I feel like the time has passed for just a name and a date tattoo. I
want to try and discuss imagery that provokes a positive emotion
with my customer and help to turn a sad memory into a celebration of
life. No matter the reason, every customer is treated with the same
level of respect and patience.
Q: What do you like the most about your job?
A: I think
what I cherish most is having a job where artistic license is the
name of the game! I try to focus purely on the positives when they
happen and not to dwell too much on the negative. It can be easy to
forget to enjoy life, because otherwise, why are we here?!
Q: Winter is probably the best time to get a tattoo, but
many want to book in the summer. Your advice?
A: SUN LOTION. SUN SCREEN. NO FAKE TAN!!!!
There are
times when a customer will have just got back from or are just about
to go on holiday somewhere hot and I'll have to reschedule their
appointment. Unfortunately sun damaged skin can look normal on the
surface, or a little darker than usual, but I like to make my
customers aware that is still damaged under the surface. This
means that when the tan fades, usually this can mean a faded tattoo.
Look after your skin people!!!
Q: What would you say to someone who want to start tattooing?
A: I'm a goal oriented person. It’s how I work best. My advice would
be make a 5, 10 and 15 year goal list and stick to it! It’s not
impossible to get exactly where you need to get to. As long as you
are willing to take the rough with the smooth and really study your
craft. I feel like I still have a long way to go before I’m happy
with my goal list but I’m on track to make my 5 year and I can’t
wait for the 10 year mark!