Hello Michael Cloutier! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. It really means a lot having you here. Many people think that having good drawing skills is enough to start in this business. I bet learning the process is a lot more difficult. Was it hard for you? Did you have a mentor? Well, actually, I ended up being a tattoo artist by a random choice! Before being in this field, I was a photographer and an art director which ended up being very useful to gain knowledge in my process of becoming a tattoo artist. I’ve mostly worked as a freelancer Art director for brand-building agencies. After a couple years, I became more interested in the tattoo industry. It’s something I always liked, and once I started, I fell in love with it right away. Since I had already studied in art for few years, I already knew the basics of drawing and perspective etc. In a matter of fact, once you know that, if you want to become a tattoo artist, you have to learn about the hygiene, cross contamination, the blood born pathogen, everything related to the health care! And after that, it’s only learning a new tool to put your art together! Each medium is different and it should be treated differently.

If I had any mentor!? He wouldn’t say that he was my mentor he’s too humble for that haha! But Luka Lajoie gave me my first chance in the business. I am very inspired by his passion towards his art and his work ethic. He made me realize what kind of artist I wanted to be andhe was always open to answer every question I had. So in a way, he was kind of a mentor for me.

Q: What type of art do you like the most? Any favorite artists?
A: I don’t have any favorite type of art. I like all the facets of it! It can be music, photography, painting, graffiti, movies etc. But of course, there some artists that I look up to! In the beginning I was influenced by the wave of European artists with their graphic style and illustration that were completely unique from the stuff I was used to see. There are some specific artists in the industry that I totally admire. I would say Ad Pancho and Timur Lysenko who created their own signature style which is totally recognizable and unique! These people made me realize that I wanted to follow my own path to bring my personal vibe to my work. Besides that, I’d say that I get influenced by everybody I meet in one way or another.

Q: You have a very interesting style. I love the mix of black, gray and red ink, it's almost like a "signature" technique, amazing! How important is to experiment?
A: Thank you! Well I think that there will never be enough experimenting. Experimenting and trying new stuff are the basics to bring your art to a next level and never stop learning. Personally, every 3 months I want to start all over again and want to try new stuff and change everything. I think that’s what motivates me to never stop learning. The day that I will be in a comfort zone... cruising and doing the same thing over again, will probably be the day that I have to try something new ;)

Q: Tattoo realism is probably one of the most popular tattoo styles nowadays. Artists take it as challenge to learn, some fail, some master it and some are adding their own unique twist into it, including you. How would you call your style?
A: Thank you again! Well, I don’t really have a specific style. Some people describe my style as Trash Polka which was born in Germany by Buena Vista tattoo. Trash Polka had an influence on me but I’ve been influenced by a lot of different artists and different styles as well. I’m mixing a bit of all, to create my own unique style. I guess I’m just trying to be myself.

Q: On what details you spend a lot of time, while doing a portrat tattoo?
A: Doing portrait is time consuming! Every light, every details, nose, beard, eyes, lips, perspective etc. As to be on point! In the opposite way you may end up with a portrait that is denatured. For me the tricky part in doing a portrait is trying to simplify as much as possible without loosing the essence of the portrait and without removing important details, while keeping as much contrast. Let’s be honest, everything has to be time consuming! You have to put the same effort in a background than in a portrait or lining!

Q: Any favorite person you want to tattoo on someone's skin?
A: I don’t have any favorite person that I would want to tattoo on someone’s skin but I’m a fan of horror movies so anything related to that would be like a dream to me.

Q: Keeping a busy schedule can be hard at times, also traveling around the world for events like tattoo conventions. But I bet there's always something to learn from all those experiences. Do you agree?
A: For sure, at the beginning when you start to have a busy schedule, you make tons of errors like overbooking yourself haha! Living in a life when you can travel for work and have a busy schedule, you learn how to manage everything and make your life more organized. Each time I travel, I learn tons of things on how to manage my stuff, things related to tattoos, plus I get to meet incredible people and artists that made me reconsider everything about myself, like what I do and how I do it! I think that’s one of the things I cherish the most.

Q: Share some good memories from your travels.
A: I would say that a year ago I had the chance to travel to Germany in Zwickau for a tattoo convention hosted by Randy Englehard and his wife Janine! It was one of the most exciting, intimidating and growing experience I had in a while. In fact, that weekend I’ve met few of my biggest influencers in the tattoo industry and I’ve been able to see so much work that was just... Unbelievable! That made me come back home with the feeling of wanting to work so much more and to push myself way further then I was! The biggest things in this weekend that slap me in the face, was how welcoming the people were. Being able to exchange also with those people like if they were everyday friends was just wonderful and so nice!

Q: Your clients inspire you to grow even more?
A: I feel truly blessed for having the opportunity to be in contact with new people everyday and having the chance to get to know them on a deeper level as they sometimes share very personal memories with me. I want to add to this that I get to travel and meet people from all over the world which is amazing. They all help me or inspire me in a certain way to grow in my work or as a person. I have no words for this, it’s just priceless!

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: Draw, draw, draw, draw, and draw again! Try some new stuff, listen to different things! Painting seminar, tattoo seminar, art history, everything that can inspire you. Don’t try to skip some steps to go forward, each step is important! Put your mind into it and never stop learning, put all the effort you have to it. Don’t try to be a copy of the ones you like but get inspired by them and be yourself. Find your own way. The most important part... Enjoy it!! It’s one of the most unique and most beautiful job (if I can call it a job) you can have!