MURKADO

When and how did you decide to become a tattoo artist? What did you do for work prior to becoming an artist?

• I knew I wanted to tattoo when I was a very young child, seeing the temporary tattoo dispensers at Burger Baron. At 13, I did my first tattoo and the rest is history. Prior to tattooing I worked as a bartender.

How long have you been tattooing for?

• I started doing stick and poke when I was about 13 years old. I would do them for my friends at parties and on the older punk guys that I hung around with at shows. So if one wants to count that, nearly 15 years -- although I totally sucked for most of that.

• These days, I’ve been tattooing full time for about two years.

Were you an apprentice at the beginning of your career?

• No, I spent years trying to figure it out on my own and doing tattoos out of wherever, just trying to clamber to develop some technical abilities.

• I was tattooing out of my painting studio in my university years and out my kitchen before that. I was taken on by my Mentor Jon Aubry about 3.5 or so years ago when my formal apprenticeship started.

• I was very lucky to link up with Jon as we have very similar ethics in regards to tattooing and I love him like a brother, which helped me develop as an artist far more in the couple years working with him, versus the decade of trying to figure it out solo.

How did you develop your style of tattooing? What do you know about its history?

• At this stage, I’d say I don’t have a particular style. I would probably argue it takes 5-10 years to really develop something you can say is your own.

• That being said, folks around town know me mostly for fine line tattooing, which was a style developed in California prisons in the 70’s, based around tattooing with guitar strings.

• This style was heavily influenced by the Chicano movements in Cali at the time, but ultimately came to the commercial tattoo market by the way of a shop called “Good Time Charlies”.

• This shop was owned by Ed Hardy and Charlie Cartwright at the time, but the technical aspects of the style are largely credited to the tattooers Freddy Negrete and Jack Rudy.

What shops have you worked at throughout your career?

• At this point, I have worked mostly at Bombshell Tattoo, though I did a few stints at a shop called Aztlan Tattoo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

What is something about being a tattoo artist that people may not know about?

• It isn’t always a fun gig, and it’s far less art-orientated than most people understand.

• At the end of the day, the skill in tattooing is just that, a skill. Like any craft, it takes a long time to develop and it requires a very high level of focus and dedication if you want to go for it as a career.

What is your working process like when someone pitches you an idea for a tattoo? How do you go about creating the final design?

• First off, I think, “Is this something my style will lend to? Am I interested in this project?” If the answer is yes, then I will begin sifting through all my reference sources for a base image to build from that I think is cool and the client will like.

• Afterwards, I get to drawing and see what I can make happen. I’ve always been quite orientated to drafting, so I like to redraw images up to 10 times if need be.

• That being said, I am trained as a high volume walk-in tattooer and am happy to work with whatever ideas, on the fly if need be. I only dive deep if the project requires research and drafting.

Have you ever refused a design idea from someone and vice versa? Are there any types of tattoos that you would refuse to do?

• I won’t do any hate symbols or anything like that. Or tattoos that are associated with gangs the client isn’t a part of.

• As far as refusals from clients -- I do it all the time if I don’t think I’m suited for the project, or if the client is too rigid in their parameters.

• I’m usually pretty accommodating though, so I can typically make stuff work for people. I only refuse big projects that are too specific in what they want, as I generally don’t have the energy to sink 15 hours of prep into a project my heart isn’t into.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out or is thinking about becoming a tattoo artist?

• I think my advice, past getting tattooed a lot and trying to find someone you like to apprentice under, is to understand what a tattooer is.

• In my mind, to be a good tattooer, one needs to understand the intersection of anthropology, design, art, and spirituality that comes with the job. It’s not quite as cut and dry as being someone who draws on people. There is a lot of history that needs to be understood and critiqued.

• We are at an interesting point in tattooing and to understand that an individual needs context.  Do a lot of research and really dive into the field, draw a lot and look at tons of art. If you really want it, you’ll get it. 

What are some types of designs that you enjoy doing or would like to try doing more of in the future?

• More Grateful Dead tattoos!  I always like the fun psychedelic stuff.

• As seriously as I take tattooing, I’m not a super serious guy and if I can have a fun day cracking jokes and doing some funny tattoos, I’m good!

• Monsters are sweet too. Never get sick of birds or roses. I’m easy; shoot me an email ;) 

Are there any tattoo artists out there that inspire you?

• So many! I’ll try to drop a few:

  • Ciara Havishya (@la_tigresse), April (@Jalapenospring), Nina Chwelos (@nina.chwelos), Jon Aubry (@seshjuanjon), Hookah Hermosa (@hookahhermosa), Tara Zep (@gud_vibrations), Dylan Homer (@weedwizard), Derrick Snodgrass (@oblivioussurroundings), Tamara Santibanez (@tamarasantibanez), Chance Oviatt (@fat_chanse_tattoo), and Nathan Kostechko (@nathan_kostechko). 

What motivated you to get tattooed in the first place?

• To look tough.

Do you remember what your first tattoo was?

•  I was 13 or 14, can’t remember. My best friend Malin tattooed my last name in Cyrillic on my leg with a sewing needle.

How many tattoos do you currently have?

•     I couldn’t even tell you. Probably like 60?

How do you decide on what type of tattoo design(s) to get prior to booking an appointment?

• I don’t really! Typically I'll either have a loose idea for the artist to work with or just say whatever will fill the spot. I tend to get tattooed by people whose art I love, so I typically am pretty mellow to get whatever.

Do any of your tattoos hold any personal meaning to you that you’d like to share?

• I got my face tattoo cause I was sad about something I lost, and wanted to commit myself to the tat game. In the immortal words of Mobb Deep “Ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks”. But don’t go tattin’ your face if you ain’t ready. 

What were some of the most painful spots to get tattooed for you?

•     Armpit. Hands down. By far one of the most painful experiences of my entire life. 

Has having tattoos had any impact in your personal life?

• I mean probably, but I haven’t noticed. I’m not too concerned about other folks' perceptions of me really. My mother wasn’t too keen on my face tattoo, but said she didn’t notice it for a whole week!