OWEN PAULLS

Owen Paulls is an English black and grey artist specializing in animation portraits and surreal tattooing. Owen regularly works all over the world, attending conventions, guest spots, and teaching seminars on his specialized approach ⸺ Who/where do you get your inspiration from? I try to take in many different mediums to inspire my work, such as photography, digital art, and oil painting. If I’m away in a guest spot, one of my favorite things is to spend a day at a local museum or gallery, usually equipped with a sketchbook! ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) My advice would be to never settle for anything less than your perfect tattoo! Find your favorite artist, travel if needed, and make the whole thing an experience to remember! ⸺ What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? I had been designing tattoo-style clothing for a band I was playing in. This led to a few people asking about having the designs tattooed. I told myself that the next chance I got, I would get into an apprentice - ship so I could tattoo them myself! As soon as I was in the skin, I knew that it was all I wanted to do. I’m also left-handed, and any lefty who grew up writing in pen can attest to the fact that making a permanent mark that’s not smudged in any way is always amazing! ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Always think about what you can bring to the table. We are all artists who love to create, so let’s invent something new! If you are passionate about a style or a hobby, let it shine through your work. Present the most authentic identity to your tattoos as possible, and do it a lot! ⸺ What are the biggest challenges about working abroad and on guest spots? I think it’s extremely important to have an idea of what is going to heal well on the skin, no matter where you go. This might mean tailoring your tattoo design and application approach to suit the climate. For example, applying the correct level of saturation in a sunny climate or knowing how delicate the skin might be in a cooler climate. ✕