Hello Arlo! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. It really means a lot having you here. Please start by telling us something about yourself and your beginnings. Was it hard to learn tattooing? How long took you to learn the basic skills? Yes, it most definitely was the hardest medium I have ever learned to express my art through. I would say it took me about a year to get down to the basics but I still feel like there is so much more to learn and definitely I do not feel like I have even come close to mastering this medium.

Q: Your style is really unique, every tattoo is like an illustrated story, so beautiful! You make a mix of realistic and surrealistic designs all in one piece... Tell me more the creative process.
A: Well, I typically start by browsing through my plethora of reference images to find some image that fits the direction of the client's interest. Then once I find some that appeals to me and that I feel goes along with the theme or direction my client is interested in I then piece the image together in a way that I feel is aesthetically pleasing.

Q: Arlo, all this time tattooing, must be a blast, instead of just countless hours of hard work. You created your own, recognizable style. It only takes a second to say, Oh, that must a tattoo done by Arlo! This is every artist's goal! What makes your style so special? :) Is it the technique?
A: Well, thank you! I feel honored that you feel that way about my work. It is definitely something every artist strives to achieve. Of course my style was built and influenced by many other artists that I have been exposed to throughout my career so I can't take full credit. :) It's extremely tough for me to say what makes my work so recognizable because I'm looking at these pieces and artwork for hours and hours, so I think that tends to interfere with the way that I perceive my work. I feel like when I first really started developing my own style is when I got my own artistic freedom and was able to start doing what I really wanted and not just what the client wanted. I have always been attracted and drawn to every imagery, something that incites a feeling of the unknown.

Q: Some people would probably say that your tattoos are a bit philosophical, like there is something more than just a tattoo design. Is there any hidden message in some of them?
A: Each is very different. Some have a lot of deep meaning, others are just an imagine that provoked an emotional response within myself and hoped would translate into a powerful piece that the viewer would feel the same about. The goal with the majority of my tattoos is to elicit a response of question, awe, and wonder similar to the feeling you used to have as a child first being introduced into this reality.

Q: Would you experiment with different styles?
A: Yes I would. I'm always looking to expand and try new things. I believe art is ever evolving and I personally would not like to find myself becoming complacent and doing the same style.

Q: You meet a lot of different people every day, telling you their life stories while the session. Did you learn something from your clients?
A: Yes, I learn and try to learn new things from every individual I encounter, not just clients. I would say I do get to know my clients on a more personal level because of how intimate the tattoo process is. I approach everyone with the same level of openness and feel that approaching people in this way forms stronger bonds which in turn contributes to the experience as a whole.

Q: Where are you located?
A: Currently I am located at Elysium Studio in Grand Junction, Colorado. I can be contacted at arlotattoos.com, on Instagram (@arlotattoos or @elysiumstudio), or on Facebook (Arlo Tattoos).

Q: Tattoo conventions and guest spots are a big part of your life. Any upcoming collaborations, projects?
A: I will be attending the London Tattoo Convention, Puerto Rico Tattoo Convention, and Viva La Tinta in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A: If I should give advice to the new artists it would be to set aside at least one day a week to do a tattoo that is an art piece or design that you want to do, even if it means you are not getting paid to do it, you are able to display the style of work you truly enjoy doing.