We met this artist who is madly in love with Pink Floyd and works at both ‘Six Bullets Tattoo’ in London and ‘Exile Tattoo’ in Leigh-on-sea. And we discovered that…
Thomas, let’s start with an easy question: how did you become a tattoo artist?
For me it was a natural progression. I was and still am a graffiti artist and used to carry my sketchbook wherever I went. Whilst at work one day a colleague informed me there was an apprenticeship available at a local studio. So on my lunch break I went there with my sketchbook and got a seven day trial.
I went back to work and immediately quit my job as it felt right and I never looked back! I think that my commitment showed them I was serious about it and the rest was history. Looking back now I had always been into tattoos, I got my first tattoo at 15 and my elder brother and cousins had a lot of work done that I was always super interested in from an artistic perspective.
I really like your dark style something between horror, science fiction, lots of black, explosions of green colours and a hint of surrealism. What is the secret of your subjects?
I would say they are all subject matters that I’m super into outside of tattooing. Taking a lot of inspiration from being such a horror and sci-fi movie fan. My favourite types of horror films have clowns and vampires, hence the use of a lot of that imagery in my work. Most of the time I base my horror pieces on a certain emotion which then connects with a certain image.
Where does all this love for colours come from?
For the sci-fi side of things I can honestly say that comes from DMT art. In fact I recently completed a back piece that connects to the client’s arm and chest with the new colour palette I’m trying out, the greens and blues that you mentioned.
Over time I’m going to introduce much more colour in my Black and Grey work and in the horror pieces too!
I love to work dark and with lots of black so to create tattoos with heavy contrasts and that hold over time, tattoos that’ll last and look just as good from far away as they do up close.
Is there absolute artistic freedom for you with regard to the customer or are your projects discussed step by step?
I do a consultation for every piece. Of course I would prefer to do this in person but depending on where the client is from, sometimes that’s hard. Especially if they’re from overseas, so I adapt this for each client’s needs. I’ve learned over the years that even with free reign pieces, especially focusing on horror, a client’s idea of which particular style of horror he/she prefers, may differ.
For example a client may think they just want a vampire, but there is much more than that, is the mouth closed, or no blood etc. Those little things I like to iron out beforehand so that I can both manage the clients’ expectations and create something perfect for them. That way we can fully focus on the sessions. With the client then more comfortable with the overall experience.
So in answer to my question…
I would say that it’s both! (laughs) The further I get into my career the more I would like to focus on pieces that really inspire both myself and the client. I’m lucky enough and super grateful that most of my clients come to me for a specific style that I feel I’ve put my mark on and is instantly recognisable. However I am more than happy to take on clients’ ideas. Very recently a client came to me with an idea for a double hand piece; we went back and forth during the consultation as I had my speculations but it worked out perfectly! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I find that if the client has a too specific idea then in my opinion it’s very hard for me to recreate exactly what a client has in mind without allowing me my creative freedom. After all, we all have different ideas of what XYZ looks like.
Do you like music? Do you get inspiration listening to certain records?
Music is a huge inspiration for both me and my work! It plays such a big part in my day to day life. While I’m setting up my station I have a routine and playlist, music totally changes the feeling in the room. I’m the biggest Pink Floyd fan, specifically the ‘Pulse’ album. It puts my mind in the right place and sets me up for my day. I also work very long hours so it also helps me get through a session.
I was brought up on an array of music, from Pink Floyd to Frank Zappa. From Yes to Black Sabbath.
Nowadays when I’m working I find whatever music I put on will either help the client get through the session easier. But the wrong songs will make it worse. So I try to pick the more chilled out vibe whilst tattooing, if I could play Pink Floyd all day long I would!
Besides being a tattoo artist I would imagine you also as a graphic-designer for album covers…
It’s funny you say that about album covers, one of my clients is a musician and we recently spoke about doing some designs for his band’s next album which would be super cool! Who knows maybe my dreams will come true. Pink Floyd will get back together and David Gilmour will contact me personally to hire me to design their next album! Manifesting and putting that out in the universe!
Would you like to tell me about your two places of work, the ‘Six Bullets Tattoo’ in London and the ‘Exile Tattoo’ in Leigh-on-sea? It seems to me – looking at their respective Instagram pages – that they are two locations each with its own distinct character, right?
For sure! You’re right both studios are dear to my heart. ‘Six Bullets Tattoo’ (IG: @six_bullets_tattoo) is a private studio in London, formally known as ‘Kamil Tattoos’. I’ve worked there for 6 years now and I love how tucked away we are and how you can really focus on your work and stay till whatever time to get the piece completed. ‘Six Bullets Tattoo’ is a quiet environment not being a huge studio, it’s private despite being in the heart of London. This also means it’s much more accessible for my international clients because it’s so easy to get to London from anywhere in the world.
And about ‘Exile Tattoo’?
‘Exile’ (IG: @exiletattoo.leighonsea) is a street shop in Leigh-on-sea, a seaside town in Essex. For those non-English readers, if London was New York then Essex would be New Jersey. I’ve worked there for ten years and we’re all a big family. While I mainly focus on Realism, I like to be able to see other styles going on around me and I can always learn.
‘Exile Tattoo’ is a bit more of a street shop vibe with films playing, loud music and even a pool table to have a game with your client after a session!
I love the hustle and bustle of ‘Exile’ (IG: @exiletattoo.leighonsea) and the tranquility of ‘Six Bullets’ (IG: @six_bullets_tattoo). Working at both shops allows me to have the best of both worlds.
Do you like travelling as much as any tattoo artist on Earth?
I’m beyond grateful that tattooing has taken me to places I could have never dreamt of. I love travelling and being able to create art all over the world is something I could have only dreamt of. I came from an upbringing where I didn’t have the opportunity to go abroad till I was 17. So the second I got the travel while doing something I love, I jumped at the chance. It’s a great way to broaden your horizons, to see other countries, cultures different from your own and to see how artists tattoo around the world is one of my favourite things.
Do you have conventions already marked in your agenda or guest spots you particularly love to return?
For my travel plans this year, I have a bunch of conventions already booked for this year. The next few will be Milan, Paris and Brighton conventions. I’ll also be returning to Brussels and attending the New York tattoo convention. I’m actually hoping to spend more time in the United States this year. I do regular guests with ‘Yarson Tattoo’ (IG: @yarson_tattoo) in Aberdeen so I’ll be returning there more often this year.
If I could return to any place to tattoo it would be Venice, it’s absolutely magical there.
Tell me a dream of yours: a tattoo that no customer has ever asked but that you would love to do?
As a huge H.R Giger fan, one of my dream tattoos would be a body suit based on Giger’s surrealistic sci-fi imagery that flows perfectly on the shape of the body but with my classic dark horror spin. If someone emailed me about a “H.R. Giger tattoo project”, I’d probably travel to them literally tonight to start it!
And your last famous words are… ?
Hard work trumps talent. I’m a big believer in working as hard as you can, my work ethic is something I’m very proud of. And I really appreciate everyone who’s taken the time to read this!
