MAVERICK FAMILY ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Simeon Nelson
Hey Y’all! It’s February- the month of LOVE ❤️. What better way to show love than to that of our very own Maverick Family Artist for February!
We introduce to you… Simeon Nelson. Simeon lives in North Dakota and got his first tattoo when he was 16 years old using art he drew up himself! Not only is he an artist at Alchemist Tattoo in Bismarck ND, but Simeon is also an owner.
If you want to learn about some solid advice on how to maintain a positive mindset on social media, please keep reading- it is worth it!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?
I really love being able to support a smaller tattooer owned supply company. The recent addition of biodegradable products is a huge win as well.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?
I typically run Mavericks 5rl, 9 and 17 curved bug pin mags.
Though 7rl and 27CBM deserve an honorable mention though I use them less frequently.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST TATTOO EXPERIENCE ? HOW OLD WERE YOU? WHAT WAS IT OF AND WHO WAS THE ARTIST ?
My first tattoo experience was not super great haha. I convinced my dad to sign for me (I was 16) so I could get this ugly anarchy symbol I drew up myself. It was tattooed by an apprentice (though I wasn’t made aware of that fact) in a tiny town in ND.
TOP 3 ARTISTS YOU ADMIRE. CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION?
Mike Randazzo is not only creating amazing anime tattoos right now but is non-stop producing media, merch, and assembling a top notch team at his studio xsadfamx.
Derek Noble, His dark creepy pseudo traditional style is so unique. I’ve been following his work since seeing it in tattoo magazines like tattoo life etc.
I’m also big fans of Levi Murphy and Evin Pfaff (I don’t think I need to tell you who they are).
SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?
I can launch a 2 liter of Diet Cola 50ft into the air if the wind is right.
WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?
Kryptonite.
MAVERICK'S GOAL IS TO HELP OTHERS WHERE WE CAN. AS PART OF OUR 'GIVE BACK' PROGRAM, $1 FOR EVERY CARTRIDGE BOX SOLD GOES TOWARDS THIS PROGRAM WITH A CAP OF 1K MONTHLY. WE TRY TO TARGET FOOD, ART, AND MUSIC (FAM) BASED NONPROFITS OR THINGS RELATED TO THE TATTOO COMMUNITY AND ARTISTS (LIKE SPECIFIC GOFUNDME PAGES FOR ARTISTS). IS THERE A SPECIFIC ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN? FOR YOUR SPOTLIGHT MONTH WE ARE GOING TO DONATE MONEY FOR AN ORGANIZATION OF YOUR CHOICE. PLEASE PROVIDE THE WEBSITE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE CORRECT ORGANIZATION. WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION?
I couldn't come up with anything that is artist or tattooer associated. The local organization Dakota OutRight is a great resource for lgbtq kids in our area, I think they're worth supporting.
WHAT BOOK OR MOVIE WOULD YOU SAY EVERYONE SHOULD READ OR WATCH? WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT SPECIFIC ONE?
1984 by George Orwell will always be my favorite book, it’s a bit soul crushing.
WHICH STATE ARE YOU LOCATED? WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHY?
North Dakota. With no major cities and the brutal winters it’s not a popular place to visit or move to and I think that is one of its biggest strengths. It feels like a well kept secret, the summers are fantastic, it’s one of the safest places to live and grow little humans, and the economy never seems to falter.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH STRESS?
Stressful video games are my go-to. Something about games like Dark souls or Xcom or survival horror titles, really gets me away from any real world stress.
WITH HAVING TO PROMOTE YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET?
The more I can keep my activity on social media strictly about tattoos separate from my personal life the better. It’s too easy to let the success or lack of it affect your self worth and self esteem, if I treat it as just part of the job I feel like I have less of my mental well being invested in it.
Make sure to check out Simeon on social media:
IG: @self135
WEBSITE: alchemisttattoo