[TAz]

INTERVIEW by e-mail with Kandyman Joe owner/artist at Pure Imagination Tattoos, Mount Pleasant Iowa...



1. AT WHAT POINT IN LIFE DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A
PROFESSIONAL TATTOO ARTIST?

I wanted to be tattooed since I was about 16. That
was back when I Iistened to the likes of Motley Crue,
G-n-R, Metallica, and had their fold out magazine
posters on the wall. It's cheesy, but I was inspired
into tattooing by Tommy Lee's classic Japanese style
sleeves. I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist at the
age of 22, when I got my first one from Mark Merchant
of Dallas, who currently owns and operates Nine Eyes
Studio.

2. DO YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL ART TRAINING?

Yes. I attended the University of North Texas for
Painting and Drawing. I left after about two and a
half years. I was pretty frustrated with the lack of
technical training in the painting classes. During
that time, I got my first modification, my septum
piercing. I went back to school later and got my
associates degree in art (from a different school).

Everything since has pretty much been a combination of
luck, serendipity, ambition, falling on my ass, and
rebuilding.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PEOPLE LEARNING TO TATTOO
BY TRIAL AND ERROR?

It's definitely a double-edged sword. I have had
both good mentors, bad mentors, and good mentors who
turned bad. And I know how hard it is to break into
this biz. There is certainly an amount of trial and
error, even with a teacher. I believe to get
anywhere, a newbie should surround themselves with the
best people. So, if someone wants it bad enough I
suggest looking for the best guidance. Then absorb as
much as you can, and be prepared to pay some dues.

4. WHATS YOUR TAKE ON TATTOO SCHOOLS AND INTERNET
TATTOO TRAINING?

BAD. PERIOD. I'm sure there are some great artists
that got a start a tattoo school. But overall, it's
hard enough to learn this biz much less doing it in a
meat grinder. Internet? Forget it. This profession
takes too much hands-on experience to try and learn it
sitting behind a computer. There are certainly some
helpful internet resources, but I leave it at just
that.

5. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF TATTOOING?

With my art, I tend to take a philosophy similar to
Bruce Lee's. He believed in approaching his martial
art in a manner of "a style of having no style." I
enjoy all genres from portraiture, American
traditional, twisted new-school, evil, and Japanese.
Being able to switch up and flow helps keep me
mentally sharp and fresh. That is the part of the
challenge of tattooing I enjoy most.

6. WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES IN THE TATTOO WORLD?

This list is seriously too long. I'll just say I've
studied my art history, tattoo history, predecessors,
and contemporaries extensively. My shop's reference
catalog is huge! Its funny, I'll have artists at the
shop ask, "who's a good reference for this design?"
Then I'll rattle off six or seven names from the
'straight' art world and the tattoo world. Elvis
Crocker taught me how to tattoo. He is by far one of
my best friends and the biggest creative influence.

7. ARE THERE ANY TATTOOS YOU REFUSE TO DO?(
FACES,HANDS ETC)

No. It's not my job to tell someone what he or she
want, or don't want. I WILL try to help folks make an
informed decision before getting a potentially racist
design or a girlfriend's name. Then I'll take every
measure to make the design as good as possible.
Seriously though, most folks that would want racist
work, can't afford my studio anyway. They'll go down
the street to sombody that'll do ink 'em for twenty
bucks and a six-pack. I'll see them in a few years
when they want it covered!

As for hands and faces, I usually wont tattoo them
unless the person requesting it is already heavily
modified. That is my filter for someone who knows
exactly what he or she is getting into.


8. ANY SUBJECT MATTER YOU WILL NOT DO?

I prefer not to do racist or bigoted subjects. I will
tattoo Native-American and Hindu symbols that are
often mistaken for being racist. I do them ONLY if the
person is knowledgeable about the true meaning behind
them, and the problems with wearing such a design.

9. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE WANTING TO ENTER
THE BUSINESS/ART OF TATTOOING?

I partially agree with John Shaw's take on this,
"DON'T." My opinion is the market is already over
saturated with hacks. Don't try to get in, unless you
REALLY have something good to bring to the table.

10. IN YOUR OPINION WHERE IS THE ART OF TATTOOING
HEADED?

I believe its taking the road of the comic book
companies in the 70's through 90's. They became over
saturated with cheap, low quality, mass production
rags. And the public grew tired of them. Then, they
had to readjust by offering higher quality art and
stories. The hardcore fans didn't mind paying a buck
for a graphic novel, instead of a quarter for a
newsprint rag.

11. DO YOU FORSEE ANY MAJOR CHANGES IN TATTOOING IN
THE NEAR FUTURE?

Hopefully hacks that don't give a **** about anything
but volume and their bottom line go under.

12. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON SUPPLIERS WHO SELL TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WHO WILL SELL ONLY
TO LICENSED PROFESSIONALS?

Well, It's hard to find companies that really have a
great product who have the time to weed out the pros
and the scratchers. I try and take a bit of personal
responsibility by not leaving supplier info lying
around the shop. If someone is resourceful enough,
they'll find the info anyway. I just try not to do
businesses that sell low quality cheap products or
so-called 'complete' tattoo kits. If a company sells
machines for 30 bucks, I probably wont even consider
them for machines, even though I know I can put the
right **** on them to make them work.

13. WHATS YOUR TAKE ON NON-TATTOOING SHOP OWNERS?

I'm skeptical about most non-tattooing shop owners.
There is a handful of non-artist owners that have
given back to the tattoo world, more than they have
taken. I have respect for non-artist owners who love
the art like that, but not the corporate jerks looking
for a big payday.

14. WHATS YOUR OPINION ON PREMADE TATTOONEEDLES AS
OPPOSED TO THOSE HAND MADE IN STUDIO?

I think either works well. I feel its important for
an artist to know HOW to build their own, and why some
hand built configurations work better in some
circumstances.

15. YOUR OPINION ON USING DISPOSABLE TUBES?

I don't use them because they're not heavy enough and
hurt my hands after a couple hours of tattooing.
Also, I think plastic tubes are prone to flaws in
manufacturing or wear down after prolonged use on a
piece. As far as safety, I think there is a bit of
over-paranoia used in promoting disposable tubes. I
feel steel tubes are perfectly safe, like surgeon's or
dentist's tools, if properly cleaned and autoclaved
before use. In fact, I've had many doctor and nurse
practitioner clients who say we go way above and
beyond their own office's standards.

16. ANY SHOP NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

Yes! Pure Imagination will be traveling to Dallas for
the "Hopped Up '07" Tattoo and car show. Dates for
our double booth at the show are April 21-23. 3809
Grand Ave. Dallas, TX. Also, we would like to welcome
our newest up and coming full time artist, Nathan
Stickley.




17. WHAT MUSIC INSPIRES YOU?

Mostly music with pagan themes, from Tool to Fleetwood
Mac. World music, like James Asher, keeps me
open-minded in life and creatively. Later at night,
I like some types of metal. The driving energy helps
carry me through the last bit of the workday.

18. DO YOU FEEL THAT OLD SCHOOL WAYS ARE STILL
RELEVANT?

Some are. I think the 'quantity over quality'
mentality is going by the wayside, which is good. I
feel one of the most important things getting lost in
this business, is respect. Too many young artists
aren't learning the old-school respect of their
predecessors. In some ways, things are being made too
easy for the "new crop". Tattoo schools and Tattoo
'reality' TV doesn't help this trend. I think the
old-school concept of respect can translate into how
well the tattoo client is treated. I want to puke
when I see tattooists with rock-star egos.

19. WHATS YOUR OPINION ON FLASH ART AS OPPOSED TO
CUSTOM TATTOOING?

Flash has, and always will have, its place. I'm glad
to see better and better art in the available flash.
The tricky part is the intimidation factor of bigger
and better art, but we keep chipping away at it! We
prefer to do custom art every time. We mostly use
flash as a visual reference for communicating ideas
with a client. Sometimes a client insists on getting
it done, "just like I see it." So we do it the way
they want, and do it good. I try to keep great flash
up, and steer shoppers toward custom work.
Occasionally it's nice to get a break from the stress
of custom creation, and refresh on the basics.

20.WILL YOU GUYS BE ATTENDING TAzFEST THIS YEAR?

It's a little too early to say yet! I plan the travel
schedule about 2 or 3 months in advance. But we did
have a great time in '06!

(HAD TO SNEAK THAT ONE IN!)

www.kandymanjoe.com
www.pureimaginationtattoos.com

Thanks so much for your time and sincerity Joe!

[TCE]

I still love that crankshaft piece!!

[FallenKing]

Amazing interview, thanks for sharing.
KMJ I'm glad to see an artist succeeding with his/her art.

I know Taz has a few other interviews lined up. Now I can't wait for the next one!.

[TAz]

I'm on it boss!

[MissMel]

Neat interview !! My husband is as his boss puts it is "old School" training. He has to learn to make his machines and other things before he is allowed to tatoo, even though he has tattood before. Really great interview though and awsome picture !

[Jaded]

I really enjoyed that. It's amazing how much i have learned about tattoos and tattooing in the few months i have been really reading up since getting my tattoo. i really appreciate the chance to read things like this. It's alway interesting to read about the amazing work you guys do.
thanks Joe and TAz