NATHAN
Artist Interviews
Nate
Q: How, when and where did you start tattooing?
A: Actually it was all just kind of handed to me. I had been coming up to Dark Water to get tattooed for about six months and one night Kyle Berg called me and asked me if I wanted a job. Obviously I said yes and within two weeks I moved up here and never looked back. I’ve only been tattooing for a short while but I’m learning more every day. I have to admit that I have an unbelievable opportunity here and I have taken full advantage of that. I’m learning from five of the best artists and best people that I could imagine.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: As a younger kid all of my artistic inspiration came from traditional artists that did the typical sailor jerry flash. Even at 13 and 14 I was intrigued by tattooing so I started drawing the things I saw in magazines and online. My focus and inspiration has changed greatly since moving to Chicago though because I saw a side of tattooing outside of traditional. Aside from big names I am honestly most influenced and inspired by the artists I work with everyday.
Q: How do you prepare for custom tattoos?
A: It’s really important to me that when I’m designing a custom piece, that the client walks me through every step of it. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I know what I want, I just don’t know how to draw it or explain it.” My goal is that every client walks out the door with exactly what they wanted to the best of my ability.
Q: What needles do you prefer using?
A: I am most comfortable with 7 round liners and 7 mags. Because of my traditional roots I really enjoy doing pieces with thick outlines and heavy contrast.
Q: Who are you biggest influences in the industry?
A: My biggest influences are Robert Hernandez (http://www.rhernandeztattoos.com/), Mike Devries (http://www.mdtattoos.com/), and Angel Pavel (http://www.myspace.com/pavelangel). They have all reached a milestone in tattooing that I feel no one else has achieved to their extent. They are the artists that, to me, are transforming tattooing from a stereotypical biker/criminal trademark to a socially accepted artistic expression.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In ten years I want to be the best! haha…but seriously, I want to be pushing myself as hard as I am now and bettering my work on a daily basis. Tattooing is a constant learning experience. Obviously I have the dream of being married with a house and kids, but from a professional standpoint I want to be the one that people in my shoes now, look up to and are influenced by.
Q: What do you think makes you stand out in the industry?
A: I think the first thing anyone notices about me is how young I am. I can honestly say that I don’t know any other 19 year old tattoo artists. I am in a position to be very good at what I do at a very young age, and I plan to do just that.
Q: What’s the best thing about being a tattoo artist?
A: I don’t know that I can answer that in a short paragraph…haha. What’s not great about being a tattoo artist?! I get up every day excited to go to work. I work with and meet some of the most amazing people every day. I can’t ask for much more.
Q: Why did you choose to become a tattoo artist?
A: I’ve wanted to tattoo since I was 13. I don’t know what it was, but something about it just grabbed my attention at such a young age. Tattooing is really the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I was always the kid in high school that sat in the back and sketched ALL DAY LONG. I was never big on school or the idea of college. I knew what I wanted to do, I went for it, and I finally made it.