Name: Trevor Friedrich
Age: 29
Location: Orange, CA, USA
What attracted you to tattooing?
Ever since I was little I always wanted to be a tattoo artist.
How did you get into the industry?
I've been surrounded by it, from getting tattoos and having friends that tattoo.
Was it hard to find an apprenticeship?
I wanted nothing to do with that so I just bought everything myself and practiced on loyal friends that were already messes =)
How many years have you been tattooing?
About 5 or 6yrs now.
What inspires you?
Just about anything and everything whether it be good or bad. I try and use it as some sort of inspiration.
I get the most inspiration from art and music - not so much seeing other tattoo work.
Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
Nikko Hurtado, Jeff Gogue, Robert Hernandez, Carlos Torres.
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Mostly black and grey, high contrast, high fashion dark/artsy females.
Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
Nikko Hurtado, Jeff Gogue, Robert Hernandez, Carlos Torres.
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Mostly black and grey, high contrast, high fashion dark/artsy females.
What have you learned in your years in the industry?
Well I try to stay out of it as much as possible to keep everything focused on my art/hobby/passion rather than getting involved in any unwanted drama that comes with any type of scene.
What advice do you have to people considering careers in tattooing?
Don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't do something. Best advise I've ever received was from Nikko Hurtado who told me not to listen to anything anyone says to be "the right way to do something". What may work great for someone might be the worst thing for someone else so I try to figure things out on my own and observe as many techniques from other artists as I can and see what works best for me.
What are some of the best things you have experienced as a result of your career?
I was invited to Justin Bieber's house to tattoo him (def something I can tell my grand kids haha), met/tattooed Kristen Stewart and discovered she's a beautiful person on the inside as well as out. Being a tattoo artist and having access to the equipment I've been able to have some friends, family members, and idols (who aren't tattoo artists) tattoo me - Chris Corner from IAMX, Davey Havok of AFI, etc
Where do you currently tattoo?
A private studio in my house called the black flamingo in Orange, CA.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Research and save up to get tattoos by your favorite artists "it was free" doesn't change the fact that you have something shitty on you for the rest of your life - unless that's the look you are going for =)
