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English Johnny Tattoo ArtistIts really nice when you discover a artist that is both kind AND talented. But when you find anr artist that is undiscovered, does killer tattoos and is nice too. Well, that´s like finding the Holy Grail, or proving it doesnt exist. What ever floats your boat. What floats my boat, both in good and in bad, are 2 things. One. Artist that shows that they have skills to provide you with a great art reproduction piece, and being able to rock the skin with original designs. That to me is a artist with a capital A. Well, dont get me wrong. Of course you are a artist if you dont do a reproduction of the Mona Lisa, but can make something that equals to it, or just makes people go "Huh? Whatta...". But hey, im a capitalist. I want it all. Too bad nice ones usually have something that doesnt make them a capitalist, so I cant exploit them. They have a soul. Two. When people dont see when someone has a soul. Damn capitalists! They go where they can get the tattoos fast, so they dont have to mingle and talk to strangers. Spagettimonster forbid, they could learn something about themselfs and the world. And they really dont care if the craftmanship is high end and good. Nope. They just want to show it to people in there annual "Look at me in my patio with my wifebeater sporting this ink that cost as much as this beer that im holding fest". It doesnt matter to most people if they got it from some butcher at a basement, it just matters that...that. I dont know what matters to them! Because thank you Jeebus, im not one of them. And newer will be. Thats why I am happy to find out people who are nice, good and undiscovered. Well, its not nice that they are undiscovered. But because they are, I can write. And I like it because im a capitalist... But Jonny isnt. Hes got soul. And hes isnt in it for a quick buck. And after you have read this, you can decide for yourself. Are you a capitalist, or do you have a soul.
Pyrrhus Darwin Castello: When did you get the tattoo bug, and who or what gave it to you?
Jonathan aka English Jonny: I never really saw myself as a tattoo artist. Nor as a child had any interest in tattoos, as no one I knew or family had them. But throughout life art has always been my drive and has given me the most attention. So naturally it was the type of thing I was eventually going to pursue. I was the kind of child that always was drawing, sculpting, sewing, and painting. Throughout high school I drew several designs for friends that intended to have them tattooed. From high school I went on to Graphic design. I did graphic design for 5 years professionally until I grew bored of the repetition and the lack of creative freedom. It was at this point I saw an old friend from high school that brought to my attention that he had a design I drew up done as a full back piece. He recommended that I give tattooing a try. So bored with my current job I did some internet research and set off to find someone to mentor me.
PDC: Why did you choose tattoos as your artistic outlet? And who was your so called mentor?
EJ: Tattooing to me is the perfect job. Its a job where I can draw all day and express my views on artistic ideas to those seeking my service. Most people when they come in have a general idea but cannot draw out what they're envisioning. Its my job to connect and provide as close as possible, their vision of a tattoo with my own influence and expression. When looking to get into tattooing, everyone I called was rude and arrogant. Telling me to tattoo people and bring in pics to show them what I could do. I asked, well what kind of equipment should I use. And got the response "the kind of equipment you should use you can't get cause your not a tattoo artist".
Eventually I found Dan Collins at Bluz Tattooz in Waterford Michigan, who was kind enough to have me come in with my art portfolio for a chance at a position. Besides the fact that I wore Khakis and a dress shirt and had no tattoos my art portfolio was thankfully enough to get me in. The most memorable thing while learning to tattoo was stepping into a full blood borne pathogen class where everyone was sleeved pierced and wearing mostly grunge clothes. I was the guy who was clean-cut dressed up with no work or piercing at all. .
PDC: How long have you been tattooing?
EJ: Just over 4 years now. Time flies so much when your having fun.
PDC: Where do you work right now and who do you work with?
EJ: Right now I work at and own Black Ball tattoo's founded by my good friend Gentleman Jim (Jim Skaya). I currently work with artist Gentleman Jim, piercer nicknamed Fathead, which he has had since high school, Jordan my apprentice, and counter help Jeremy Long.
PDC: What type of work gets you excited? Or what would you like to try more?
EJ: I Like it when someone comes in with a piece that challenges me. Something colorful. The best tattoos are the ones where im given free range on what I can do. But how often do those come along? Hopefully in the future I'll get to push my limits more.
PDC: I hope so too. Im curious, who do you have work your self and who would you like to have work from?
EJ: The only work I have on myself is a small tattoo on my lower leg and a black light tattoo on my forearm. During my apprenticeship I was told " if Im going to tattoo Im going to have to know what it feels like to get one". So I went ahead and did the first tattoo on myself. Eventually I'd like to get work done from each of the guys that have taught me. Along with a couple of the big names I'd like to watch and learn from. Currently I haven't gotten any more then the first tattoos I did on me while starting. Eventually I'd like a half sleeve or a full back. But when it comes to drawing up a design for myself . I tend to like it for a day or two until I can pick it apart and I'am unsatisfied with it. Like all the tattoos I do, imp happy for at most a couple of days until I see what more I could do with it. I think its going to be a while until I get some work. But when I do its going to be all out. Go big or go home.
PDC: Well, you not being satisfied with the work, means to me that you are constantly evolving. And that is a good thing of course. Speaking of evolving, which artists, in any field of art, are in your eyes that type of artists that you would like to be some day. And why?
EJ: Jesus........ there's so many artist I look up to and admire. As for the big names. Nikko, Sean Herman, Jimmy Litwalk. All amazing artists that know how to lay it. I look up to those guys for their color and realism and raw talent and skill they have. As for local artists we have some greats in Michigan that aren't out there as much as they should be. Matt Hockaday was a guy I worked with at the first parlor I worked at. He's a hell of a artist for pretty much any medium. Dan Collins, Perry Stratton, and most importantly Jim Skaja who's whole life's been Tattooing. Jims a guy I admire alot because he understands the hardships and breaks tattooing can present people. He taught about tattoo parlor politics, about people, and pretty much everything I know about black and gray tattooing. Along with tattooing, Jims took years working on a Black and gray ink wash system that's makes black and gray pieces a heck of allot easier. I guess the thing about me is I'm VERY grateful to everyone that's helped me out along the way, including customers and co-workers. Maybe that's why they keep coming back.?
PDC: Propably so. More personal question next. As tattoo culture to me is about more than just putting pictures in the skin. Its about social skills and being not afraid to let people feel deeply when they are with you. So, I would like to know what does your soul look like? Besides skills and letting people know when they have done good, what more do you have inside that makes the clients come back for more?
EJ: I think one thing that my clients like is my bluntness. If they want something I don't feel would look good, I let them know. I try to compromise as much as possible while giving them something they really like. Im the guy whose as honest as possible about the design they're going to get. Im the kind of guy that that when someone isn't sure about something tells them to take a couple of days to think about it. Id rather someone wait instead of getting something on an impulse.
PDC: What does future hold up for Jonathan? What it wont?
EJ: I hope the future looks bright. My life's going to be dedicated to progressing as much as I can, artistically and spiritually. Ill keep on finding better people to look up to and surpass. Hopefully. ……… Hopefully life gives time the opportunity to continue what im doing. Currently other than tattooing I draw Flash for Cherry Creek under the name English Jonny. But always looking for other artistic endeavors.
PDC: I hope you will get all that you deserve. Thank you Jonny.
EJ: Thank you :)
Name: Jonathan aka English Jonny
Studio: Black Ball Tattoo
Address: Midland, Michigan, USA
English Johnny's TattooNOW Page
www.myspace.com/blackballtattoo
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