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Dan Plumley Interview 12-26-06 |
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Q. What type of art background do you have?
D.P.
Well, I've always loved art. My mom was crafty and my father was into custom woodworking and construction so I believe that's where I developed the ability to use my hands. But it was around age 7 that I drew this picture of a bird and my mom didn't believe me. My twin brother re-drew what we had shown her to prove it to her. I think it was the initial support of my parents pushing it by just telling us we were more talented than the norm. From then on out I spent my life being an artist. High school came and I did a lot of shows. The competitions made a good impression on some of the teachers and I ended up at the American Academy of Art where I spent 3 years and am now currently in and out of, when my kids will allow it (ha). I am currently working on my fine arts degree.
 Q. When and why did you start tattooing?
D.P.
Well to tell you the truth, I never had the dream to become a tattoo artist. I just wanted to be an artist. I had my forearm tattooed when I turned 18. I drew the tattoo design and the owner of the shop was impressed and offered me an apprenticeship. At 18, it seemed like it would be a cool job and an art oriented job as well. My apprenticeship showed me that there were no boundaries in the tattoo world. That idea was placed in my mind in the beginning of my eager career and I went with that notion and here I am today.
Q. What type of traveling have you done and what do you have planned for '07?
D.P.
  I've worked in Illinois, Vegas, Florida, as well as the Calgary Tattoo Convention in Canada where I won best realistic tattoo for a Sin City leg piece. I also went to Rhode Island and tattooed the tattooist from Ink Bomb. We both sat a grueling 10 to 12 hours. I am looking to do a few Cali conventions and as many others as I can. Hopefully more guest spots too, we'll have to see. At 24 I've got some time to harness my skills and push to put my name out there.
Q. How picky are you with clients?
D.P.
Not too picky, just as long as they understand my procedures and why I manipulate the medium the way that I do. I enjoy not limiting myself, as well as the customer and still being able to wow him in the end. If they want solid artistic tattooing then I want to tattoo them no matter how picky they are.
Q. Let's hear about one of your inspirations that has lasted years and about another that is new.
D.P.
Well, besides my twin brother, whom I've always had positive competition with and constant inspiration from, the renascence period of course. I am drawn to fine arts and the skill and manipulation of artists of that time. My new inspirations are from people like Sergio Sanchez, a tattooist-turned college art professor.
Q. Any tattoos in particular that you would like to do when you are out at Off the Map?
D.P.
Yeah. Everything. Portraits, organics/bio, and just pimp-ass illustrative tattoos.
Email Dan Plumley
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