Jeff Johnson Interview

For the newbies here, can you tell us what year you started to tattoo, and the short story? We're your parents supportive?

 My Parents were definitely supportive of me doing what I really wanted to do, but they had reservations about the stability until about 2 years in. However they were not so supportive about me being so tattooed.

How do you feel about tattooing being accepted into the mainstream culture?

I have mixed feelings about tattooing being so accepted by mainstream culture. On one hand I really like it because it has attracted artists that would have never been into tattooing, therefore helping the art form to evolve, and the fact that everyone these days wants to get tattooed is also helpful for the bank account. On the other hand  The popularity of tattooing has also influenced people to start tattooing that never should have.People buying internet tattoo kits and tattooing without proper training or respect  for the art form com damages the integrity that people who have dedicated their lives to tattooing have worked so hard for.

Do you feel tattooing is a Spiritual art?

For me tattooing is definitely a spiritual art. The sense of fulfillment when I complete a tattoo that I  am really happy about is an amazing feeling. To know I put everything I have into a tattoo and know that it came out the way I envisioned it,and know that the client is really happy with the art I have permanently put on their body gives me  great feeling  like everything is perfect at that moment of time.All lifes bullshit doesnt matter when Im tattooing, its me and the tattoo and thats it.

  This tattoo in particular carries with it alot of meaning to me. This is on my very good friend Wes. This tattoo is for his older brother Travis who was/is one of my altime best friends. He passed away about 3 years ago. Travis was a great guitar player and huge music lover, so we used the heart\treble\bass cleft to represent him. Me and Travis used to see the Grateful Dead play alot and were into the who;e psychedelic thing, hence the eyeballs\flower petals. I know Trav smiles everytime he looks down and sees that tattoo on his little brother and Im honored to be the one that got to put it on him.

Are there common mistakes that you would warn clients to avoid? Any of these lessons you learned yourself?

Common mistakes for clients to avoid- first and foremost- do not get a tattoo because you are getting a deal, it has been said a million times good tattoos arent cheap and cheap tattoos arent good. Second take time to pick an artist whos work you truly like. Dont settle for a subpar tattoo just because the tattooer is five minutes from your house, research artists and find one you truly like- not only is it good for you but its also good for the industry, setting a higher par artistically fro tattoo artists.

I hate to say it but this tattoo never got finished. The girl disappeared before I could get it done. It sucks but its something every tattooer has had to deal with at one time or another.  she gave me a list of flowers and told me to go crazy. We both really liked it but I guess life happened.

Any tips for collectors who are planning out their large tattoos?

I think most serious tattoo collectors know what they want- most importantly who they want to do their work. With the style of art Im influenced by flow of a large piece is definitely a biggee.

What types of clients do you tattoo?

I tattoo ALL kinds of people. I think that is one of the really cool things about this job,is the array of people you meet. As long as they are serious about tattoos I am more than happy to tattoo them!

This tattoo is pretty straight forward. The client wanted something to do with his bass guitar with flowers- something I tattoo alot of. So this is what I came up with.

What is the difference between being tattooed and being a tattoo collector.

To me the difference between being tattooed and being a tattoo collector is pretty simple. Being tattooed is walking into a shop and getting a tattoo from whoever is sitting behind the counter ready to tattoo you. A tattoo  collector is someone who carefully selects what artists they want to have tattoo them,and really lets that artist run with their idea and bring it to life using the artists vision.

How do you feel about having or giving tattoos in visible places? Hands, face, neck

I really like tattooing areas that will always be seen. You know that the world will always see the tattoo and it pushes you to put forth the effort to make the tattoo awesome. HAnd neck and face tattoos definitely arent for everyone tho. I love my hand and neck tattoos,but in certyain circles you will be judged its just a fact of life you have to deal with if you want to be that heavily tattooed.

    I did this tattooo at Mario barths wolrlds biggest tattoo convention in vegas a couple years ago. I did it on fellow tattooer and super pimp Nate Rossi.  I didnt work the 1st 2 days of the convention and flew in  to do this tattoo on sunday. I freehanded te drawing with sharpies and tattooed him for like 7 hours hes gnarly!

Have you ever been lasered?

I have been lasered once. I got lasered by a DR that really takes it easy. It was  painful but from what Ive seen my experience was very mild. I need to get a bunch more doe tho.

Well there you go folks, a quick interview with Jeff Johnson. Check out his site for his latest travel info. 

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