interview with Matthew James
Hello Matthew James! Thank you so
much for
taking the time to do this interview. Please start by telling us
something about yourself and your beginnings. What inspired you to
start tattoing? To be creative! Tattooing is simply another medium, far
from the money making and 'industry', it is mark making at a very
personal level. As my journey proceeded so did my critique of why
tattooing made sense to me, it became more of a regular process. But
it's been a balance of travel, writing, drawing along the way.
Q: Was it hard to learn the basics? Did anyone help
you?
A: I came from a self taught background, for the first few years I
was tattooing in a squat in the UK. I dropped out of an art university,
then I traveled to Australia, then to America and Europe beginning
to work in the tattoo shops. I did this for about nine years.
Visiting every museum and art gallery I could come by, studying the
'masters', especially in Europe. I attended art classes, technical
drawing seminars, live drawing. I painted graffiti, I learnt air
brushing, but mostly simply sketching things around me on my
travels, pencil and paper is the easiest medium to travel with. It
was/is always in my bag.
The understanding of the technique, the skin type, and yes tattoo ink is
very important. I've used the same bng pigments for ten years. It's
easier to build and adapt muscle memory when using the same
products, machines etc, giving more head space to focus on design.
There are lots of rules in tattooing that I believe must be adhered
to. We must do our best to guarantee the longevity of our designs,
understanding exactly how our designs will age and 'hold' is exactly
what being a professional tattoo artist is all about. It's so
complicated, but studying, asking questions, learning and
application is the key.
Q: What really makes your style special, is the fact that every tattoo is
unique. Every design is like a dream recall, a
beautiful mix of many images in one... with a bit dark,
emotional vibe too. At least, that's how I see them. I'm fascinated.
A: Thank you very much! My process for designing always starts with a sketch, a loose
charcoal, to explore flow and very basic composition.
Finding ways to direct the eye and focus. I use many reference
points when actually tattooing, trying to utilize every technique I
can in the process, but leaving enough out to give clarity and
balance.
Q: Do you negotiate with your clients? Do
you accept refference images?
A:
It's very important to work with the client to give them something
personal, as we know people get tattooed for a number of reasons, so
every tattoo should be unique. I don't have a format when I
design and I have no interest in pursuing one. I believe that
creative individuality was never conceived in the shadows of routine
but is found in the beauty of expression and experiment!
Q: What details or "last touch ups" are the most challenging
to work on?
A: The last touch ups for me wait until the tattoo is healed, giving a few
months for the design to really settle in and then taking time to
check, step back, squint your eyes and decide what needs darkening
and maybe refining. We are not printers and nobody is perfect. We
can only do our best to remain professional. We should all love seeing our tattoos age!
Q: All black & gray, would you experiment
with color?
A: Yeah, I've experimented a lot with color over the years. I still
dabble on occasion, I just prefer how black and grey looks over the
years. This is in no disrespect to color tattooing, it's just my
preference. I dream in black and grey!
Q: You also paint a lot. I love it. Your paintings remind
me of your tattoo style.
A: I always seem to be changing my art supplies, I think its
important to experiment, but like tattooing there is a side to
the artwork which is more of a craft. Such as certain types of
charcoal and pencil that mix well with each other, or certain
paints/mediums that mix well together. Deciding which to use is what
makes our art unique. There are endless online resources available
now to research products, but I prefer to try as
many products as I can, and learn what's best for me. The process to
me is everything and I know I will be happier with my process if I
explore every angle, balancing my frustration with content. We have
to do paintings we aren't happy with to understand why we like the
ones we do. The secret is how to know what we really like, see
through what is expected of us as artists and use our creativity to
actually be truly creative!
Q: You meet a lot of people every day, you
listen to their stories while doing their tattoo,
did you learn something about life from them?
A: Yeah, it's very personal! Now, spending
multiple days sittings with clients, you have the opportunity to
really get to know people. However I leave it up to them. I try to
treat everyone with equal respect, that I expect towards me.
Everyone is an individual, so I create space for that. My studio
isn't a tattoo factory. If clients want to chat, ask questions,
watch a movie, I'm fine with it. I try and go into every tattoo
knowing how much of a big deal it is for strangers to trust people
based on their portfolio and rarely about their character and
personality. So I let them be in control.
Q: So the tattoo is done... Any favorite client's reaction?
A: My tattoo sessions are always very long and very exhausting, for
both of us. So you definitely see people at their extremes of their
emotions! It's always great to see clients see the final piece in
the mirror. What a great job I've got!
Q: Where are you located?
A: I have recently opened a private studio in the Mendip Hills about
30 minutes drive from Bristol in the U.K. It is a private studio
attached to a beautiful space with self contained flats for
clients/guests to stay in and several other workshop spaces. All
hand built into an old quarry on top of a beautiful hill with far
stretching views. The studio is completely hand built, oak framed
structure with glass sides to take advantage of the views. It's a
very peaceful place to get tattooed, with close enough links to
Bristol which is an awesome small city. I'm so happy to finally
offer a space to get tattooed, in that I want to work in myself.
Q: How long clients wait for their appointment?
A:
I usually book up only three months in advance due to travel and
conventions, priority, but space still comes up.
People can just email for enquiries through my website. My assistant
will get back to you. My webpage is www.matthewjamestattoo.com
Q: What's biggest mistake when it comes to progress? What
the new artists should know before they start tattooing?
A: I'm fully encourage anyone who wants to have creative jobs
such as tattooing. I believe the hardest thing to try and teach
people is to simply think for themselves! Try to question
everything! See through everyone else's processes and be proud of
your own! Which is hard with the bombardment from social media and
modern day culture to work work work! Having a good portfolio,
making money etc. won't mean anything without truly enjoying the
process of getting there. Balancing the frustration with enjoyment,
and recognising one can't exist with the other is the key. The
secret is balance! Your greatest teacher is your last mistake!