Page 33 - WATCH IT! - FW MAGAZINE 2018

life where I needed to make a change in career So you tattooed a banana. Can we ask why?
and lifestyle, and I am blessed to have met Kevin It’s a really awkward object to tattoo physically
Ward, who has helped me get one step closer to and a great exercise in dexterity by trying to
living my best life! tattoo as small as physically possible.

What makes Montreal so special for tattooing, What’s the most memorable tattoo you created?
in your opinion, and how does the city influence I did a Donald Duck tattoo with “Nice shoes, wanna
your work? duck?” around him. That was pretty wild and sweet!
Montreal has to be one of my favourite cities in the
world. It is inspiring in every sense. There is culture What does no one know about you?
here like no other city in Canada, maybe in North I have recently discovered the joys of being
America. I speak three languages a day most days, alone. Although I’m hyper-social as a person, I
and there is a cool event or show to go to any cherish my alone time.
night of the week (not that I have time these days
to go to anything). There are so many talented Do you regret any of your own tattoos?
tattoo artists and people in this city that it’s hard Yeah lol. Some of the ones I drew for myself when
to lose momentum once you find your niche. I was young. Now I can draw 10 times better.
Those kinda bum me out. Whatever. C’est la vie!
What are your favourite subjects to tattoo, and
how do you approach designing a custom piece? The Psych Ward sounds like a really intense
I love traditional tattoos and anything dotwork name for a shop. What’s the meaning behind it?
or blackwork related. Usually these days, people Kevin Ward is the owner, which is why it’s The NIXON.COM
have scavenged the Internet for images of what Psych Ward.
they want to get done and want exactly that. I
always make an effort to curve their ideas and put As a tattoo apprentice, do the other artists get
a bit of a fonzy spin on things, to make something you to do their dirty work? If so, what kind?
original or customized for the client. Something Ah, the guys at the shop are pretty good! We’re
they can be truly happy with, that is special and all trying to be the best we can be so, for the
custom for them but that I’m happy with too. most part, they’re there to build me up, not bring TEAM-DESIGNED AND CUSTOM-BUILT,
Although, at the end, tattooing is a service, and it me down.
really all comes down to what the client wants! I’m DUAL CHRONO / WATER RESISTANT PUSHERS / ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS / 5 YEAR BATTERY
down for whatever, though. Bring it on! At what point do you graduate to artist from IN COLL ABORATION WITH U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS.
apprentice? Is it based on hours tattooing?
Have you ever refused to tattoo a design on It’s kinda based on how quickly you are
someone? If so, what did they want tattooed? progressing. Like everything else in this life, you
Yeah, so far it hasn’t been the content matter. It’s get out of it what you put into it.
usually just the placement or a super intricate
design that I haven’t been comfortable with since What’s your favourite thing about tattooing? Is it
I’m still learning. I’m always careful to not bite off the stories from clients? The drawing? Producing
more than I can chew. your art on live canvas for the world to see?
I would say it’s the whole tattoo process: talking
Is there a tattoo artist(s) that inspires you? with clients, designing, and just setting up
There’s a lot, but I love anyone who does their my station. I have my own little booth and I’m READY FOR ANYTHING
thing their way but has a bit of traditional influence constantly pushing myself to improve my craft.
in one way or another. But I will mention Louis
MED-ASC504 $300 Loveless and Han Shinko for their aesthetics.
A1180001 $180
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