New Creation Dermagraphic

Location

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I began my "art" career at the age of 21. I was working with custom car painters, and I needed to learn lettering for painting truck doors and signs. Then to compete properly, I needed to learn how to use an airbrush. Still not enough input; gold leaf, sandblasted signs, then airbrush murals, I spent two years "doing" the custom car circuit and airbrushing t-shirts, with one year of off-and-on painting for movie studios. At Paramount I worked painting sets for Star Trek 6 and for TV shows. All of this was fun, but I loved to pinstripe!

After fifteen years in the art game, I walked into a tattoo shop to get an estimate for covering-up a really dumb tattoo I received as a youngster. There I met Tom Slick, an old-fashioned tattoo guy. Tom introduced me to the world of tattooing ... I had plenty of tattoos, but never considered applying them! Early in 1992 Tom invited me into the profession. After a short apprenticeship I was in love with this new art form. I worked two years at Deluxe Tattoo in Portland, Oregon, where I had the good fortune to work with Terry Tweed, Christopher Conn, Laura Vida, and some other great artists. These people helped me shape an outlook on tattooing that I still have: To do the best possible job I can do for my clients, help make them comfortable about receiving their new art, and to know my limitations. If I think another artist is better suited for a particular style of tattooing, I'll refer them.

I did lots of traveling. Through Mr. Slick, I was introduced to Guy Martynuik, a veteran tattooist who owned a shop in Reno, Nevada, and also The Picture Machine in San Francisco. Guy was great! He would have me work in his Reno Shop, Body Graphics, but I could also "sit-in" at the San Francisco shop. My love for art, which was all but lost after fifteen years in paint, was now back in full swing.

Following the sun (it snows in Reno), I decided I wanted to settle somewhere. In my travels I happened on Ronita's shop, New Creation Tattoo, in Chico, California. After a summer stint in Reno, I was on my way back to Los Angeles to open my own shop, but after having visited the Chico/Paradise area, and discovering what a wonderful opportunity I had, I accepted Ronita's offer of work and friendship.

I love it here! I've lived in many places, but I want to stay here! Chico has everything I need: a drop-zone in Paradise for weekend skydives, and a clean, snazzy shop with a clientele just right for me. Nice people! People of all ages and types come in here. Salty old tattoo guys would tell me that "once you're in this biz long enough you start to dislike people and get mean!" Well, it hasn't happened to me yet! I love people!

I remember when I would go shopping for a tattoo. After walking into a couple of stinky places with mean old tattoo guys scaring everyone and making them uncomfortable, I hated the idea of going into the next one. So I know how people feel."

When someone comes in just to browse, or for their first tattoo ... man, some of these people are scared! I try to keep it light by saying things like "I'll be right with you, I just need to go mop up the blood and bone chips from the last guy!" No matter what I say though, once people find out I'm not a horrible monster, they start with the questions:

Does it hurt?
How much is a tattoo?
Do you have any?
What place on the body hurts the most?
Do you tattoo kids?
What is the strangest place you've ever tattooed somebody?

Being patient with people comes easily to me. At my station I keep lots of interesting things to look at. I have a collection of the weirdest post-cards I can find. It keeps their mind busy somehow. Some people like to sit quietly during the procedure, but most like to just hear someone talk. So ... I talk. And some I figure want to hear wild stories, or my history as a tattoo guy. I like to tell girls about the big tough guys that have passed-out, or how women have a higher threshold for pain than men."

Some of the things people say most often are "My mom is going to kill me", or "I can't believe I'm doing this". A favorite of mine is (after I've begun the tattoo) "Is this stuff sterile?"

Getting a tattoo is truly a unique experience: nervous and apprehensive at first, then real intense at the beginning, then once I've worked for a few minutes, relief that they are going to be able to get through it. And when it's finished... it's like they are high-as-a-kite and can't wait to show off their new toy!

People hate the sound of the machines, but I tell 'em: "I love it! That's the sound of my rent being paid!"

Tattoo's aren't for everyone. And each one is as unique as the person getting it. A tattoo reflects in your skin what is going on in your mind and heart. I once knew a guy who would occasionally come home with a new tattoo ... until finally his 4-year-old son, after inspecting himself thoroughly said: "How old will I be before I start getting tattoos?" He thought people just grew them!

Just think, if your inner person just rose up through your skin, as art ... what would it be? What would it tell others? Would you keep it hidden, or show it off?

I once read: "the difference between tattooed people and non-tattooed people is that tattooed people don't care if non-tattooed people are tattooed or not."

My next batch of bumper stickers will read: