Sunday, October 30, 2011

Featured Tattoo Artist | Ian 'Bugsy' Christensen

Photo by Nicole Reed


Name: BUGSY
Age: 28
Location: Born in Traralgon
but living Melbourne. 




 
What attracted you to tattooing?

WHEN I FIRST GOT A TATTOO, TWO DAYS AFTER I TURNED 18 EVERYTHING CHANGED FOR ME. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ATMOSPHERE OF A TATTOO SHOP. I WAS AMAZED THAT THERE WAS A JOB THAT YOU COULD DRESS HOW YOU WANTED, PLAY COOL MUSIC AND PEOPLE WOULD COME IN A LET YOU DRAW ON THEM. BEING IN A TATTOO SHOP IS STILL MY FAVOURITE PLACE AND THE PEOPLE I'VE MET THROUGH ALL THIS IS STILL THE BEST PART OF THIS JOB FOR ME.


 
How did you get into the industry?

I HUNG OUT AT VOODOO INK IN ST KILDA AND THE OWNER AT THE TIME ASH, GAVE ME A CHANCE TO LEARN TO TATTOO. I ENDED UP STAYING THERE FOR 3 YEARS BEFORE MOVING ON. IT WAS A GREAT STREET SHOP AND I LEARNT LOTS ABOUT DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC AND HOW TO TATTOO FAST AND SOLID.




Was it hard to find an apprenticeship?

I WAS LUCKY TEN YEARS AGO IT WAS SLIGHTLY LESS POPULAR. I STARTED JUST A FEW YEARS BEFORE MYSPACE WHICH I THINK CHANGED TATTOOING THE MOST... NOW I HAVE ABOUT 1000 "FRIENDS" THAT TATTOO APPARENTLY.



How many years have you been tattooing?

TEN YEARS.




What inspires you?

OTHER TATTOOERS, PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY THIS AND THAT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY ITS TATTOOERS THAT GIVE ME THE MOST INSPIRATION AND PUSH ME TO BETTER MY SELF TATTOO WISE.




Who are your favourite tattoo artists?

JOHN ENTWISTLE, CHAD KOEPLINGER, JESS SWAFFER, CHRIS CLEAN, STACEY ANNE, MIKE WILSON, DERIK SNODGRASS, DUNCAN X AND ALL THE USUAL ONES!!



How would you describe your tattoo style?

I JUST DO OLD LOOKING STRONG TATTOOS SOMETIMES WITH A LITTLE BIT OF DETAIL.



What have you learned in your years in the industry?

I'M JUST HAPPY TO TATTOO PEOPLE. NEW TATTOOERS ARE FAR TOO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE IMAGE IS AND IF ITS A "COOL" IDEA.... YOU SHOULD JUST BE HAPPY TO TATTOO AND AFTER A FEW YEARS IF YOUR GOOD AND HONEST THE "COOLER " TATTOOS WILL COME. I JUST HATE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT SCRIPT OR TRIBAL.... ALL MY HEROES IN TATTOOING LIKE CHAD KOEPLINGER AND MIKE ENTWHISTLE DO WALK INS AND NEVER COMPLAIN!  



What advice do you have to people considering careers in tattooing?

GET TATTOOED AND STOP COPYING SMITH STREET.




What are some of the best things you have experienced as a result of your career?
SO MANY THINGS.  TRAVEL, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE HAVE ALL BEEN CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO TATTOOING. I LOVE THIS JOB AND ALWAYS WILL.



Where do you currently tattoo?

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE WORKING AT THIRD EYE TATTOO MELBOURNE.