Name: Jack Gallowtree
Age:25
Location:
Anywhere i hang my coat seen as I'm currently quite the gypsy
Day job (what pays the bills):
Wish I had a day job, that would make life much easier but then again I love my career as a tattooer even though it may take up all my time it still pays the bills.
What was growing up like for you?
Basically like a wide seesaw, huge ups with big downs. I could waffle on for ages about big issues in my life and shit but it would take up so much of the space and its not exactly something I want to get elaborate with. Basically until about 14 or 15 life sucked, then skating happened and all the friends that came with it and it got better then from about 20 its been bumpy but a good ride and now I'm getting to live.
Who is Jack Gallowtree?
I can't answer that because I have no idea who that guy is, never heard of him.
What inspires you the most?
The uncomfortable feeling that I could do better or I don't do enough which is created by my workaholic attitude mixed with a lack of confidence and seeing amazing work being produced by others around me. That's what pretty much drives me onward all the time. I think a good artist should always lack confidence and never be happy with their work otherwise how do you progress?
Who are some of your favourite artists, muses etc?
There's allot of different influences on my work with being Eckel, Tiny Miss Becca, The wizard bender that is Mr Erl, All the Ghost House guys, Emily Rose Murray From Australia, the Bullys that are Justin Harris and Bobby Johnson, Jeremy Hamilton and allot of the west coast style like some of the DBD crew and George Campise what always a huge influence from the start.
How would you describe your art?
Confused and Lost. I used to be so driven towards big pieces that were neo-traditional and that was always what I breathed as an artist but given how the public and my experiences were i ended up moving to traditional. The essence is the same just allot simpler which simplicity has always been a hard thing for me to grasp, I did this because of too many people being foolish due to the TV influence. They want these fancy pieces because of what they've seen on those awful 'reality' tattoo shows but don't want to pay. So you don't get to start or you do the line-work and then they go to a idiot tattooing in their kitchen. So I started doing traditional seen as its faster and cheaper and I can do it in one shot. This is what's lost me because I cant get back to the style I truly love now, and I'm almost relearning how I drew things.
You were recently featured in INKED Magazine. How was that experience and is it strange hearing people's reactions to it?
I wasn't in the magazine....yet (fingers crossed). I was posted on a few of their social networks though and seeing those likes and girls comments was crazy, I honestly don't understand it at all. It's such a foreign thing to me because all through school I was a nobody and even in terms of after then until this year not many have really showed attention and I'm not exactly the type to go chat a bird up because I expect to make myself look like an idiot. So yeah its baffling (and slightly creepy in terms of some comments) especially seen as I'm just some guy that goes to work to tattoo and then goes home.
Artist, Tattooer, Model, Man..How do you see yourself?
Never a model, it's just something I don't feel is me because its not a dominant thing in my life and a different world to mine so I cant really get the feeling of the connection in myself. Artist...in my own opinion isn't what I do, I see myself as a graphic designer, only because I think an artist is someone who's work has allot more technical skill and effort to it, Like the realistic tattooers are the ones I consider to be artists. Always a Tattooer always. As a man I just try and be the best I am able to be, As true to my word as possible and in the future be and create what I never had.
How do you spend most of your time?
Work, work, work pizza and beer, work a little bit of xbox and more work is pretty much it. If I'm not tattooing I'm painting, drawing, emails, site updating the majority of the time. It's only so I can get to a structure of good zen so I can feel like I'm able to relax and have more time for myself.
Who are some of the most important people in your life?
My Mum and my Nan are truly at the top of that list just because of how much they've done for me and how they always know the right things to say and the best way to listen. My Sister even though she probably doesn't think so at least I worry that's how she feels, I've just spent so much time away while she's grown up and i never go back home either so I don't get to do as much as I'd like to as a big brother. My best friend Giuseppe Allenza who I consider to be my brother more than anything, he's the family I chose. And of course my wonderful girlfriend, she definately has to be on that list for being the greatest thing that's happened to me in a long time.
What do you look for in the opposite sex and admire most?
No bullshit, just someone who is straight up and level headed as well as chilled out and easy going. These are the dealer sealers. I hate bullshit with a passion and I don't mean just lies, like making big deals outta stupid little things and even nothing at all. With everything in life when bullshit comes, I leave. Which is why I admire my girl so much, no stress, so laid back and understanding doesn't get jealous and crazy over social network comments and she knows how to party. Oh and her fruit basket has the best melons in it. Besides that the thing that gets me like a fly to a blue light is eyes, I'm a sucker for beautiful eyes.
Girls vs Women?
In the middle, women always seem like the office organised boring types but are sexy as hell because they're not young and silly. Girls party and are generally wild and more fun in my head but they are immature seeing as they're still in those first few years of pure freedom and independence. So a woman with all the fun of a girl still is always the way forward.
Tales of love & lust?
As I'm British and the worlds expectations are of a gentlemanly nature then I shan't kiss and tell because that wouldn't be a gentleman's conduct....but bitches be crazy.
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned in life so far?
You are the only one your can depend and trust on the full 100%, nothing ventured nothing gained but most importantly 'fuck it' those two words being my main motto, you have one chance so don't waste it if you wanna do it then do it.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Some Tattoo conventions and some guest spots, hopefully you'll see me successfully become a turncoat and go from red to blue. Hopefully if my time plan works out for the next ten years I'll eventually start building some bikes and machines. As for modelling I have no idea, I'm not much connected to the loop, I just go do my jobs and try to have as much fun as possible with those I'm working with. There's a campaign for the return of Hush Puppies which I think will surface in January, a shoot for Giahi with Rick Genest with a few different stories to them and maybe some things will happen as I spent more time state side hopefully. Oh and hopefully i'll get organised enough to start going to the gym.
Anything you'd like to say to your fans and the readers?
It trips me out to think there are people who would be considered fans, I'm just a normal guy. Fans make me think of celebrities, the term supporter is what I would see more suitable to anyone who appreciates what I do. If it wasn't for them then I wouldn't carry on down my chosen paths always trying to improve my work and paintings, getting the work I get offered as well as tattoo exposure and I wouldn't still be shooting. So thank-you for all the little pushes.
Where can we lurk you online?
I have no Idea most the people reading this probably have a much better idea than I do when it comes to anything modelling based. For all my own stuff there's www.jackgallowtree.com and other social networks, I mainly live on IG and Backspace though wherever you look just search my name and you can find me and what I'm doing.