Name: Jean-Philippe Burton
Age: 28
Location: Bruxelles, Belgium
What attracted you to tattooing?
I think it is the idea of doing or get something will stay forever.
How did you get into the industry?
I remember the first time I saw a tattoo, it was the arm of my friend's father. I was 6 or 7 years old. I was like "this is incredible". I was attracted because is something will stay forever! After that I started really looking into tattoos at around age 14 and then I got my first one at 16. After that I kept getting tattooed again and again...
Was it hard to find an apprenticeship?
Not really, the guy who taught me, Denis, from Little Tear Tattoo tattooed me for long time and he knew I was really interested about starting to tattoo and doing things the right way, so he offered teach me for one year. It was so rewarding and I learnt a lot. He was really good to me.
How many years have you been tattooing?
6 years
What inspires you?
Music, mythical creatures, animals, old Japanese print, maps, the sky, moon, sun, earth, and everything around those things.
Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
Korey Flatmo, Grime, Mike Dorsey, Matt Shamah, Ichibay, Theo Jack , Rudy Fritch and many more...
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Tormented, delicate, sacred.
What have you learned in your years in the industry?
Tattooing has helped me grow as an human being. There are bad and good things, like in every industry but I meet people every day and other artists. The industry has always been kind to me and full of positive energy.
What advice do you have to people considering careers in tattooing?
I'm still young in tattooing and the tattoo industry but I think we have a lot to learn from old artists and old guys from the industry. They were there before us all and everybody is unique and has something to teach to us. I try to keep that in mind.
What are some of the best things you have experienced as a result of your career?
Seeing a customer really happy with their tattoo is still something that touches me a lot. I feel like I've done a good thing. I've also met some really great people, and I owe them a lot. They have helped me to be better as a tattooist and a human being.
Where do you currently tattoo?
In Deuil Merveilleux Bruxelles, Belgium.
