Thank's goes out to mister Burrows for letting me do one for this great site :)
ps. My last name naturally aint Peace ;)
Keep it up. You have a good site!
Name
Jonathan Pinfield-Wells
Tag
English Jonny
Age
25
Sex
Male
Location
Black Ball Tattoo, Midland Michigan, USA
Day job
Epidermis decor / ink injection technician
Preferred medium
Skin, oil, then good old pencil and paper
Favourite artist
Paul Acker and Nikko
You have just come back from Screamfest Horror Convention that was held in Florida. How did it go?
Screamfest was great. Being my first convention I couldn't have asked to go with better people. I shared a booth with Marc Draven the host who's friendly and knowledgeable about the biz. Got to meet a couple of the great names out there such as Sean Herman, Paul Acker, Josh Woods and Darren white. Watching and learning from them hopefully gives me something to apply and think about when doing future pieces. Hopefully my apprentice who came along for the ride picked something up too. I know he's an admirer of a lot of the work done there.
How did you land the spot?
Once I found out about the event I couldn't help but try out for it. I landed the spot because of a jackal piece I did a few months back. I'm glad there are people out there that like my work as much as they do. Marc saw the piece and invited me there pretty much off the bat.
This was your first convention. Was it like you had imagined?
It was better. What more could you ask for? A booked day of tattooing. Pool parties, meeting famous people, and meeting those artists you admire and look up to so much.
In which tattoo shops would you like to guest spot at?
Too many to name really. The ultimate would be All or Nothing or Off the Map, then there's Nate Beavers shop I-45, umm… maybe one day Nick Baxter's place. Pipe dreams mostly. But maybe one day. Any shop really with artists that I can learn something from.
You aren't heavily tattooed yourself. Have you had any comments about it?
I always get asked "so where's your tattoos" my general response is "what tattoos?" I think a lot of the people that come in like the fact that I don't look like a tattooist. They think it seems more professional, to see someone in it for the art form. No doubt I want to get tattooed some day (other then the small one I have). I just haven't found something I want permanently yet. When I do decide to go off the deep end. It'll be from the greats I look up to the most.
What are the difficulties you deal with being a tattoo artist?
The main difficulty I have to deal with is the plain fact that you cannot please everyone no matter how hard you try. There are always going to be those few people you cannot connect with or satisfy either because they are too impatient or not the clientele you appeal to.
What kind of worries do you have being a tattooist?
My main worry as a tattoo artist in this booming industry is that I wont be able to step up to the plate in time. Generally in any industry its popular for some time then dies away until years again down the road. Im hoping with all the great artists emerging in the industry the greats will fade out through retirement and the next generation steps up. I hope the boom stays around for sometime and people get the notoriety they deserve.
How much do you think hype affects the public perception of what good art is?
I'd like to think hype doesn't effect the public perception of good art. But it does. People should be able to see what good art is. And im not saying where the good art is coming from but I sure as hell can refer people that come in to at least a dozen good shops in the Michigan area. Instead you see a lot of the shops popping up with "hype" and not meeting the standards expected.
Have you seen the outstanding new show called Tattoo Wars that is on TLC?
I've heard a lot of good things about it. But with work and life I don't really get the time id like to watch it. I'm hoping they bring out a DVD set of the series that way I can watch it if I get down time at the shop.
How has being a tattoo artist changed you as a person?
I think it's rounded me out as a person. I'm more personable with people, open minded and can pretty much respect all aspects of life and social groupings of people.
How do you hope you affect your clients with your work?
I hope my clients have a great experience when they come in for ink. We're all friendly, click well and do good work. So im hoping when people come in and experience us, leave with their good tattoo or piercing and good positive thoughts and reflections about tattoo parlors.
What keeps you from stagnating with your work?
I guess the thing with me is that my work is NEVER good enough. There's always going to be people out there better than me that I can look up to. As long as im looking upwards hopefully my tattooing doesn't flat line on me. Also a large amount comes from people pushing me, giving constructive criticism, and outside ideas they throw into the mix.
What has been your best creation to date?
I d have to say my best/favorite creation to date is probably the clown I did at screamfest. It turned out pretty good. Being as nervous as I was being around all the great artists' im glad I didn't buckle under the pressure. It wasn't until after a day or two there, I realized there wasnt any pressure and that those artists are there doing the same thing I am. Just doing your thing. Other then the clown I think one of my all-time favorite pieces ive done is the dark crystal piece. Who doesn't like dark crystal?
In which one of your tattoos would you like to live?
I guess if I were to live in a world of a tattoo or art style it would be a Salvador Dali piece. Id imagine if I ever came out of that world id have a million new creative ideas.
Does an artists personality have to show in there work in order for them to become great?
If you can't look at a tattoo and feel the artist I think it's just a tattoo and not an art piece. It's the artists in the industry that's really pushing the limits. I think every "artist" has their own style and it's good to see that in the art.
Your parents are Catholic. How do they view your tattooing career and the work that you do that is mostly horror/fantasy at this point?
Well my parents aren't really catholic. Just while they were bringing me up. Right now im not quite sure where there beliefs lie. I guess all they wanted was to provide a good moral upbringing for me. When I first got into tattooing they were a bit Leary, but as time went on and they saw how happy I was and how my art was progressing they were ok with it. My parents are really open minded and easy to get along with
How do your children view your tattooing? Or the images that you tattoo.
Well my children are 4 and 2. So they dont really have many thoughts on it. My oldest likes tattoos in general. Im hoping that growing up around it will round them out a bit. I think in alot of conservative families children grow up with a negative viewpoint towards tattoos or tattooed people. You see it over and over when a first timer comes into the parlor to look into it and at first they seem intimidated. Getting a tattoo should be as open and as comfortable as walking into an art gallery or coffee shop. Humm..... not sure about the coffee shop thing but in general you should feel comfortable when going to purchase a piece of art that youll be displaying for the rest of your life.
What's the attraction of tattoos?
I think what attracted me to tattooing was the plain and simple fact that people would let me be creative and put it on them permanently. There is not a greater honor I could have as an artist.
What's your favorite soup?
Clam chowder. Mmmmmmm
What makes you happy?
Working late. . . . And doing something different.
What makes you sad?
Not getting time to paint
Last book you read?
Celestine prophecy. Definitely a must read.
Movie you watched?
Resident Evil Extinction. The story line kink of sucked. But the end was kinda nice. Who wouldn't want to find a whole room full of Alice's?
Cd you bought?
I probably haven't bought a cd since high school honestly. I can't even remember what it was
Dream you dreamt?
I have so many dreams its ridiculous. I once had a dream I was driving a school bus full of plants and herbs, when a bunch of Germans hijacked it and took us to a green house to unload them. But somehow during the unloading I was able to escape from my binds and rejack the bus myself. So I am hauling down a dirt rd with the Germans on tail when all of a sudden 3 twisters suck em up. I pull over to let them pass, which they do. I notice a stream with pink otters swimming in it. So I throw in little pieces of gum for them. As the gum sinks the otters dive down and nab it up. But in the stream there is pink otter that's young and unable to dive down and get it. So I blow a bubble in the gum so it floats and toss it in. And the dream ends. Usually every night I dream 2-3 dreams in which I can remember in full detail. I've dozens of them to tell.
Wish you made?
As lame as it is I'm always wishing to successful at what I do.
Superhero you would like to be?
Well I took that test that was zipping around myspace and based on my answers I came out to be a superman. Not really into super heros much. Although I am a big fan of Spawn.
Tattoo that blew your mind?
NIKKO's work blows my mind. The freakin Dracula with the razorblade is nuts.
What have you planned for the year 2008?
In 2008 im really gonna try get around as much as possible. Im hoping to hit up alot of conventions, guest spots, and work on improving my ability as much as possible.
Thank you
I think the thanks is coming from me here. Thanks for taking an interest in me.
Interview - Petri Peace 17/11/07
06 Dec 2007, 00:09
06 Dec 2007, 03:07
Well done on both sides:)
06 Dec 2007, 07:10
Thank you PDC was fun. And now even more exiting. Im honored :D
EJ
www.myspace.com/blackballtattoo
EJ
www.myspace.com/blackballtattoo
06 Dec 2007, 15:26
I am lucky enough to have some of Jon's work on me, none as elaborate as some of the pieces I have seen, but great nonetheless. I am glad to see he has the opportunity to get out there and show people what he can do; his personality and talent make the entire tattoo experience great. I look forward to continuing to mutilate (and I use that term in the best sense possible) my body at BlackBall, via both ink and piercings.