60 • SKIN DEEP MAGAZINE
I really admire their courage to work on a back piece at
the start of their career. I remember it took me at least 7
or 8 years of tattooing before attempting to do a proper
back piece. Tattooing was a lot more intimidating in the
past because information was not so readily available.
There weren’t enough books, nor did we have Facebook,
instagram or YouTube. And of course, when you tried to
google ‘tattoos’, you’d find mostly biker tats but very few
good references. I spent a lot of time in the library dig-
ging for books that I could use. It took me a very long time
to get my first back piece done. I just didn’t have enough
balls to do it at the start of my career.
Since you started, the material has changed. Which
technical improvements (machine, inks, etc.)
significantly increased the possibilities of doing
bodysuits?
The development of new machines played a big part
in the improvement of my tattooing. I started with coil
machines but now I use rotaries which are easier on my
hands. I wouldn’t say it’s more efficient than coils but
definitely lighter which makes it easier to work for longerhours (especially on body suits). The Bishop Fantom and
Swash Drive are my current favourites. It didn’t change
the way I work but it definitely helped in making tattoo-
ing more comfortable.
You have quite a collection of big works now. How
difficult is the way to achieve that for a tattooer?
I’m still at the early stages of my tattoo career. 19 years is
a very short time to have a good collection of body suits.
Maybe in 15 years I can accurately answer this question.
Hopefully by then I’d have a decent collection. But for
now, here’s what I can share with you. I wouldn’t say it
was difficult but it sure took a whole lot of effort and time.
I guess once you get into the Japanese style, the goal is to
tattoo body suits. So in 2007 or 2008 I decided to start a
few. I couldn’t find anyone willing to get an entire suit soIt feels like I’m just getting
started. I’m uncomfortable
with where I am because
I haven’t achieved some
personal goals