Maverick ZINE — Tattoo Culture, Art & Artist Stories

Read more

Happy April.. or should I say happy 4/20. 🥦

As you all know, Maverick began as a side hustle and quickly turned into a full time gig! Now we have been given the ability to show off amazing artists each month as a new side hustle of our own. We are so excited to have this opportunity to give you all an idea of what other types of creative outlets you can dive into while learning about some amazing people. 

This month we are showcasing a super talented artist from our hometown- VEGAS! From art prints, acrylic on wood, all the way to giant enamel pins let me introduce- Casey Weldon!

Please make sure to keep reading to see just how talented he is. ⬇️

And for my cat lovers out there... be ready for some awesomeness! 🐈‍⬛ 

 MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKET HERE (RAFFLE ENDS APRIL 30TH)

TWO WINNERS ($200 VALUE)

1 ART PRINT EACH

1 GIGANTIC ENAMEL PIN EACH

1 DRAWSTRING BAG EACH

2 PACKS OF MEOWY WOWIE STICKERS (13 CT EACH PACK) EACH

Do you have a full time gig or jobby job? 

Technically, I suppose I would classify the illustration and gallery side of my work as my ‘jobby job’, but I’m not sure Snoop’s father would agree with that.

Can you tell us a little about your creative outlet that you might consider a SIDE HUSTLE?

That would be the merch stuff, I think. While a lot of it is somewhat standard and affordable ways to offer art, like prints, stickers, puzzles, I try to get as creative with it as possible, like making the puzzles double sided of mirror image, make enamel pins that are gigantic and covered in glitter and glow in the dark, offer prints as die cut valentine cards in little valentine packs. Hopefully it keeps getting weirder. 

Anyone in particular that inspired you to move forward and  take your side hustle a little more seriously?  

I never really considered doing anything other than prints until Joey Nix, the owner of one of my favorite bars in Seattle - Jupiter, asked for vending machine sized art packs to sell at the bar. I made 3-4 types of mini print and sticker packs that I’ve been selling ever since, but have actually yet to give him any for the bar’s vending machine.

Do you think it’s important for artists to have multiple creative outlets?

Absolutely. I think creativity rarely confines itself to one type of media/expression. Trying your hand at other arts will likely expand the scope of your vision and the ability to realize it. Or you find out what you don’t like to do. I don’t care for interpretive dancing.

Do you have a creative outlet that you’d rather not turn into a side hustle? Something just for YOU that helps you escape or relax?

Yes, that would be music. I’ve made myself a tiny little band room where I can go play tiny little songs to myself and not have to worry about ever monetizing it because it is extremely hard to make money off of music, and also I am terrible.

Do you have a bigger picture or a vision of where your side hustle could take you?

I’ve often thought about combining forces with some artist friends and creating a kind of boutique of just our wares and not so much original art/prints. I know quite a few artists with a variety of skills in rarer mediums, and it would be so fun to offer like a ceramic or bronze item inspired by an artist who usually only paints in 2D. Not a super original idea, except there would be an emphasis on the artists working together in a very hands on way. It’s so easy to get a product made and have it sent to you, it would be great to have a real insolvent and learning experience in creating that product.

Any advice for artists that are interested in building up a new side biz or SIDE HUSTLE?

Print on demand fulfillment sites are everywhere now. You can easily upload an image to a site and have it turned into a shirt or a phone case or whatever. I think they are great when you are first exploring using your art for merchandise, and maybe even further down the line when their products are very specialized. However, I highly recommend trying to create a product yourself as much as possible. Get creative and weird, Even if you’re just making a sticker pack, try to make it standout from the packs that are offered by the big printers out there. If you’ve spent so much hard work making the art that you can really be proud of, do you really want to offer it on a low quality basic bitch coffee mug?

You have any Artists that have been truly inspiring and or helped you in any way?

Ken Harman at Spoke Art/Harman Projects, Mike Biggs and the whole Art Fart Night crew here in Vegas. The folks at Almost Amusing, Sticker Robot, Sticker Ninja, and Matt Midgely at Gallery Ergo.

You have any random knowledge to drop on us that could potentially inspire us to push forward and pursue our passions? 

I know a lot of miserable people, and I proudly call them my friends. Every single one of them that finally started paying more attention to the things they wanted to do for the peace of mind and paid less attention to making the money beyond necessity has ended up so much less miserable. It can be frustrating, but it’s a different frustration than traffic or jobby job shit. Its invigorating and it demands trying again and again until you get a result you are proud of. Those tiny achievements blossom into bigger ideas and wonders and dreams and it all has a stronger effect on the rest of your head than most of the things you can buy. Except mushrooms… I also recommend mushrooms.

HOW DO WE FIND YOU?

@CASEYWELDON

https://www.caseyweldonstore.com/

ALEX HAMILTON

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?

First off, you Always have all of the needles I use , in stock .I usually bought from multiple suppliers before switching to Maverick. You guys have solid, consistent products. I can tell that you guys are very passionate about your company and your brand. You always go the extra mile with everything. You guys are dependable and I feel well taken care of! Your packaging is cool. The shipping is the fasted I’ve had. And the notes and stickers are always awesome too! I’m super stoked to be part of the crew! ❤️ (We love you Alex!)

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

Tight 3s and 5s. 15 curved mag.

THE PENGUIN IS THE MAVERICK FOUNDER'S SPIRIT ANIMAL. WHAT'S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? & WHY?

Roadrunner! In Az we see them all the time. Hunting rattle snakes and lizards . They’re a raptor species , so they’re actually pretty brutal lol.

TOP 3 ARTISTS YOU ADMIRE. CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION?

My top 3 - Chris Primm @Primm - Bobby Johnson @glendalebully Those 2 are really close, but I’m constantly inspired by their drive and passion for crispy clean, super readable, bold tattoos. I’ve been getting tattooed by Chris for a couple years and we just started tattooing my entire back. Last but not least I Admire @RB.tattoo and his amazing efficiency and color saturation. He’s truly changing the game.

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

One time a 9 year old came in with grandma and was gonna have her sign off on him getting Tattooed . Grandma said she was ok with it because other 4th graders at his school were tattooed. We unfortunately had to turn him away.

IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE A BAND TO BEST DESCRIBE YOUR ARTWORK, WHICH BAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

“Squid” because it’s just , the right amount of weird.

IF YOU WERE TO WIN BEST TATTOOER IN THE WORLD WHO WOULD YOU THANK AND WHY?

Who would judge that! Lol Well , I would have to thank my parents for making me. Also, Kenny , Tony , Jake B , TA , and Mario for opening the doors for me .

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I was a Sax man in a jazz band once.

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Water color tats. I’m super grateful for them because in the beginning they helped me learn color but If I didn’t have to do another one that’d be cool too.

ANY PERSON THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR THE DAY?

My first thought was Pete Davidson . So I’m gonna go with that.

WHAT BOOK OR MOVIE WOULD YOU SAY EVERYONE SHOULD READ OR WATCH? WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT SPECIFIC ONE?

“Jobs” is a movie that inspired me. “ How does somebody know what they want if they haven’t even seen it?"

WHICH STATE ARE YOU LOCATED? WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHY?

Arizona. it’s the Wild West. Well, I’m from here. But everyone seems to be moving here so there must be something about it!

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

Scroll Pinterest.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH STRESS?

I need answers for this as well! Lol

DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE? DO YOU MIND SHARING?

My last day at my part time job before taking the Leap into full time tattooing. Scary , but exciting because I could finally give it my all.

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

Jack Mosher . If you know ,you know.

WITH HAVING TO PROMOTE YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET?

I stay positive because social media allows you to be who you want to be. You set your own tone and your own vibe. And people can take it or leave it a they choose. Social media is a beast tho for sure.

KEEP UP WITH ALEX:

https://www.instagram.com/_hamiltontattoo/

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

3LT, 5LT, 7R, 11r, 5M, 11M, 17M

THE PENGUIN IS THE MAVERICK FOUNDER'S SPIRIT ANIMAL. WHAT'S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?

Rabbit

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST TATTOO EXPERIENCE ? HOW OLD WERE YOU? WHAT WAS IT OF AND WHO WAS THE ARTIST ?

I was 18 and had to wait because my father made me.  He was going to be the one doing it. I was just starting out but was kind of cocky thinking I could tattoo better than him. So we had a Nautical star contest, spoiler alert he won, and mine is for ever blown out lines, and the green nice and bright haha! So I have a Nautical star tattoo as my first!

TOP 3 ARTISTS YOU ADMIRE. CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION?

As of right now Tim Biedron ( @onlythedeadaresmiling ) , Ian Bederman ( @wonkytiger ), Emmanuel Mendoza ( @sacred_crow), GG( @ggtattoos ).... Find myself wanting to spew out more. They give me inspiration of producing art that I wanna see for myself.

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

Not necessarily funny in the moment.. buuuttt. It was crazy none the less. Sister Jessica was tattooing a young lady, while I was tattooing next to her. The client started to lean back slowly as if she wasn't trying to mess her up.. turns out she was passing out, and slowly falling off the bed. Without hesitation, and with a running tattoo machine in my hand, I reached over to catch her by the shirt to slowly let her down. Was nuts to just think so quickly, and save this girl from a bruise I guess. 

IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE A BAND TO BEST DESCRIBE YOUR ARTWORK, WHICH BAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

Bring Me the Horizon why you may be wondering.. Well as a band they have taken a journey of being crazy grind core heavy, and then switch up sounds, and styles of direction to a point that it seems they don't care what people think and make what ever they want heavy or soft and anything in between. Also their sound reflect that I cannot stay in one lane.

IF YOU WERE TO WIN BEST TATTOOER IN THE WORLD WHO WOULD YOU THANK AND WHY?

My Mom & Dad cause no matter what they did everything they could to make sure I did what I wanted to do and discover things in my life without having to grow up to fast. 

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

Idk if its a talent but I ride a mean longboard, and test the boundaries of my balance without injuring myself.

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Cheese

ANY PERSON THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR THE DAY?

Jim Carey

WHAT BOOK OR MOVIE WOULD YOU SAY EVERYONE SHOULD READ OR WATCH? WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT SPECIFIC ONE?

The Power of Habit - You'll find yourself being aware of the fact that we all have habits, some deep, and some silly. Just that awareness you can do a better job breaking and making new habits. 

WHICH STATE ARE YOU LOCATED? WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHY?

Minnesota all the seasons, and the type of environment I live in very lush and full of life

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

I pray for Yezus you know Kanye West

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH STRESS?

Meditate.. Get your self back to the present and rest from your thoughts. Work with them not against them. We are human, everyone including me struggle with it and its easier said then done in some cases.

DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE? DO YOU MIND SHARING?

Think some of the best moments that change something are the smallest things, and sometimes without a big movie moment realization. A lot of small things seem to make the biggest changes. So no I don't have a moment that comes to mind off the top of the dome.

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

Idk.. I think the one that sticks out to me was Noah Moore. Think it was watching the processes of a guy making something.

WITH HAVING TO PROMOTE YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET?

Know that social media isn't the only tool and it is isn't the only way. Ask yourself the question (like Banjo, a tattooer I've met recently) "do they know you down the street of your own town? Is this a Yes or no? if not, then you got to start tattooing your local people.

All I am trying to say is.. don't be hard on yourself, its all the little piles of building that make a big pile. Stay consistent as best you can.