Tattoo expo houston how to#

I distinctly remember this one girl getting a cupcake design and changing the size at least four times my legs got a good work out that day! Matt Houston, Private Studio, Vancouver, Canadaįor that month I would have to make all my stencils by hand and if the customer wanted to make changes we would have to walk four blocks to the library to reduce or enlarge designs. I remember one time my mentor had a disagreement with a fellow artist and removed EVERYTHING from the studio including the copier, the flash, the stencil machine all that remained were bare walls and an autoclave – nothing to be seen. It was the discipline that I needed at that time in my life.

Tattoo expo houston how to#

I would spend days taking machines apart and rebuilding them, making needles and constant pranks and laughs! It was the most exhilarating time, all walks of life would come through the studio doors from doors, drunks, doctors, police and thieves! You had to learn how to control and hold your own in confrontational situations. Matt Houston, Private Studio, Vancouver, Canada He also ensured I had a historical understanding of the art forms lineage as well as the technical aspects of the craft. We started with just drawing then he took me through all the key styles to understand what captures the essence of Tribal, Black and Grey, Biomechanical through to more disciplined subjects such as Traditional and Japanese. While giving me an education on a variety of subjects and styles. He pushed me to respect and understand the dynamics of drawing. He gave me a thorough apprenticeship and gave the teenage me the kick up the backside I needed. Who were your teachers and your references?Ī gentleman called Tony Palmer apprenticed me. Old-timely, classic, narrative, romantic. What adjectives would you use to describe your tattoos? I was juggling a job working in graphic design work, while apprenticing but the tattoo obsession had taken grip and eventually after 3 years of learning took the leap into tattooing fulltime! Matt Houston, Private Studio, Vancouver, Canada It was a busy walk-in shop and I was learning so much in such a short space of time every week. It was a rollercoaster for the two years that I was apprenticed but it was an amazing experience.

I came out with two swallows on my stomach and an apprenticeship! A long story short, I was supposed to go to enroll into Italian school but wandered into the tattoo shop to get a quote on an image I had designed. I have been tattooing for 15 years and am extremely grateful for having found it in such unforeseen circumstances. How long have you been doing this job and what is your background? I often wonder what his opinion would be of it now, with its widespread acceptance. He was a traditional Italian man who always regretted them a little, but in past times, tattoos carried a stronger stigma.

I distinctly remember my grandfather had some old wartime classic tattoos, I can still envision the anchor and eagle he had on his arm – he got them while serving in WW2. What was your first encounter with tattoos? We are a tight crew that enjoys adventuring and visiting historic buildings, getting outdoors and cultural exposure. I currently live in Vancouver, Canada, with my wife Renée and two children: Myla-Rose and Jude-Thorne. Both my parents are very creative, my mum works with predominantly glass and mosaics as well as dipping her hand in baking and sugar craft and my dad is a talented artist/painter. My name is Matthew Houston, born and raised in South London, England, in a mixed English Italian background. Hi Matthew, thank you for this interview! The first thing I’d like to ask is to introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit more about yourself: who is Matthew Houston – professionally and personally? He works in a private studio (that he defines as a “quiet sanctuary”) where he makes “old-timely, classic, narrative, romantic” tattoos… Let’s get to know him better! Matt Houston, Private Studio, Vancouver, Canada Born and raised in London, Matthew Houston is currently living in Vancouver (Canada).