Art n Soul Tattoo New Zealand
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I first met Jody from Art n Soul Tattoo in San Franscisco on the tattoo convention.
It was the weekend Hurricane Kathrina hit New Orleans and since we where introduced by Anette LaRue from Electric Ladyland in NOLA, the mood was pretty worried. Hourly the news where getting worse and everyone was worried about home and the people left behind. Thankfully Annette´s shop and home wasn´t hid too hard and now, 2 1/2 years later, things are back to normal in the French Quarter.
I head to New Zealand in the cold, gray typical German Febuary weather.
After 30hrs on trains, planes and airports of different countries, getting off the plane is a welcome suprise: 28 degrees celsius and sun. Great. The drive along the coast is a winding road, passing green hills, a few houses (very few other cars) and the ocean. The ocean!
Art n Soul is located in the middle of downtown Whangerei, a small harbor town on the beginning of the Bay of Islands. The shop is a neat little guest-area and has a setup to acomadate up to 4 artists. It´s nice, bright, clean and most of all, friendly.
One day, after getting tattooed by Jody, I ask him a few questions. Here
goes:
When and why did you start to tattoo?
I started tattooing in the late 80s and did an apprentenceship with Jim Popps at Memphis Tattoo Company. I was doing music before and somehow one thing led to the other...
What is your favorit style?
The big three: Old Skool American, Tribal and Asian style.
Who is your favorit Artist?
Annette LaRue from Electric Ladyland... we worked together for a while and she is a great person and a great friend.
Which artist influenced you and how?
There are a lot of fantastic artists out there, but I´m with the artists that kept tattooing true and put getting the best work done and doing what they love above making the dollar.
Do you think tattooing is an art-form?
I think it is an artform and a craft. Foremost a craft thought.
Do you do other art as well?
Oh, I do a little bit of painting... its´s lower than Lowbrow thought!
(laughts)
Wich designs do you like?
I realy like the traditional images. However other designs can look great too, and it is a lot about flow and fit and making the design work on the place of the body.
Which design do you hate?
Taz and other stuff that is not well thought out.
What has been your stranges tattoo experience?
Working in the Uptown Electric Ladyland Tattoo Studio in New Orleand, USA...
What has been you best tattoo experience?
The best is always when a customer smiles when he leaves because he is so happy.
What was your worst tattoo experience?
Tattooing you! (laughts) No, just kidding... I think the most anoying are confused customers that don´t know what they want, dont think things throught and don´t want to listen to reason.
What do you think are the main differences between the US and New Zealand tattoo wise?
Everything between the two contries is some how the same, but 10% different.
The food, the clothes, and the tattooing. Tattooing is more of a lifestyle here and it is much more comon here to get tattooed. Everywhere you go there are tattooed people...
What holds the future for you?
Hopefully I will get to tattoo another 10 to 15 years, raise my kids and get to enjoy life...
Text: by Zoe Thorne
Pictures: by Zoe Thorne & Jody/ Art n Soul Tattoo New Zealand
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