SHOP TALK — Artist Spotlight

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.

VAN NAVA

Happy New Year everyone! 🍾 Did everyone enjoy their holiday season? Did you do anything crazy for the New Year?! I know the end of the year can be super busy for most of us but let’s all take a minute to enjoy the start of the new year and learn about this month’s spotlight artist. 

We would like to introduce one of Maverick’s newest Family artists, Van Nava. Van hales from Denver Colorado and has been professionally tattooing for 7 years now. Back in 2021 he opened up a private tattoo studio in downtown Denver with a good friend and fellow tattooer Tier Nguyen @Skvllhound. Van spends pretty much all of his time tattooing and when he finds some free time he likes to repair and refurbish Thermofax machines! “I’d say my art is heavily influenced by my background of oil painting mixed with my love of bold and saturated tattoos that are made to last.” Van has some amazing work and great responses in his interview.

Instagram: vanxtattoos

Tiktok: vanxtattoos

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?

I love Maverick’s high quality products and their personal touches on each order. I’m also happy to support Maverick as a company that gives back to the Tattoo community and charitable organizations that support the arts. 

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?

Artfromashes.org is an organization that is designed to help at-risk youth with self expression through art to help promote constructive development. I can definitely relate to the issues these kids are facing as I too had many of the same issues when I was young.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

I often use 7RL, 3RL, 9RS and 15CMBP for all my tattoos. 

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

My favorite movie was The Lion king as a toddler, so much so that my first words were “Squish Banana” 😹. My favorite animals from the movie were the hyenas which spawned my life long fascination with them. Petting a hyena is on my bucket list for sure! 

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

Believe it or not I got my first “Real Tattoo” when I was 14. It was a solid black star on my neck by a Tattooer who was an apprentice at the time. After this tattoo I became obsessed with the idea of tattooing. I will forever be grateful to him as he unknowingly introduced me to my life long passion.  

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

Aniela Dahlgren - I have been awe struck by her tattoos since the first time I saw them, all her work is bold and yet still painterly and soft. 

Justin Hartman - His work is beautifully composed, technical and calculated. He has been a huge inspiration of mine in tattooing. 

Bobby Johnson - Bobby’s tattoos are second to none in my opinion. All his projects have beautiful color schemes flow and amazing attention to detail. 

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

There’s too many moments to list. One of my favorite things about this career is the ability to share stories and jokes with my clients and coworkers.Tattoo shop antics are very unpredictable.

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

That’s a hard question. I guess I would just say any aggressive music because that’s what I want to listen to while I tattoo. 

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

I think if that ever happened I would finally be able to give myself a pat on the back. 

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I can forget people's names almost instantly after meeting them 😅

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

The sun! I’m very pale.

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

Gordon Ramsey! I'd get to eat the best foods when I want , be brutally honest and yell in a British accent. 

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

I think everyone should watch the movie Snatch just because it’s one of my favorites and the first movie to come to mind. 

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

I currently live in the Denver metro area in Colorado, I prefer Colorado because I feel as though people here are creatively open and are overall very friendly compared to other places I’ve lived. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

Ok this is pretty specific and weird but here we go … often right before I fall asleep I always picture how to position my feet on a skateboard to accomplish a predetermined trick. then I play out in my head what movements I would need to do in order to successfully land that trick. I don’t know why but I find this very calming. Although I have woken myself and my girlfriend up by kicking to try and do these tricks as I’m falling asleep. 

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

I’m the wrong person to ask about that, but I feel most at ease when I’m tattooing. For me all the stress of day to day life goes away when I’m tattooing and talking with my clients. 

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

Unfortunately I had some pretty traumatic experiences early in my childhood that drastically changed my outlook on life. Because of these events I was forced to mature quickly. Despite it all stemming from negative experiences I feel as though it motivates me to make positive decisions.

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

Probably Bobby Johnson, he is one of my favorite people and endlessly entertaining. 

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

Social media to me has just become so routine that it doesn’t really affect me negatively. Despite staying busy I always look forward to promoting new projects on social media because any chance to get the projects I work so hard on seen by new people is exciting to me. I also enjoy looking back at older posts on social media to see my progression. I tend to be my worst critic so looking back at my old work at least gives me a sense of accomplishment from where I was to where I am.

NOVEMBER BLOG- STEVE OKER

I hope ya’ll had a great Halloween! It's that time of year to get prepped and ready to go for the Holiday season approaching, love it or hate it, you gotta admit, the cooler weather and warm lattes turns any day into a great day to be alive :) 

Something else to celebrate is our November artist spotlight- Steve Oker. Steve has been tattooing since 2008, and spent most of his life fulfilling his artistic side through this form of expression. He grew up outside of Chicago but then made the decision to pack up and move to Florida! (talk about a fresh start- am I right?) Not only is he a father, but he strives to have a strong family focus- it shows through his studio Moth & Flame collective being co-owned by himself and his fiance Kayleigh. When Steve isn’t tattooing, he’s enjoying the outdoors and/or spending time with his family.

Keep reading below to learn more about Steve, you might be surprised at how much it will resonate with you. I’m sure a lot of us have a similar ‘before bed’ routine lol..I know I do. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?

I love that you guys are a small family owned operation. You don’t find that very often in tattooing anymore. The hand written cards you provide adds that extra love that is so often left out. Not only that, the quality and consistency of your products are top notch.

Be sure to check him out!

Website/Shop : https://www.mothandflameco.com 

Instagram: @steveokertattoos IG

Want to learn more about Steve? KEEP READING-

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

Truthfully I just want to make cool tattoos and stay busy. Social media is definitely bitter sweet. It’s best to not let it define who you are or take control of your life. It helps in connecting with people and providing inspiration, but it’s also very easy to hide behind.

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

My buddy Ryan @eternaltattooing. We met at a shop in Orlando that we worked together at. Dude has so much heart and is the life of any place you go to. 

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

There’s been a few. Biggest one was getting arrested when I was younger. I was at the lowest point in my life then. Positive to that was becoming a dad. Wouldn’t change it for the world. 

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

Weed 100% Can I say that? 🫣

Being out on the water is definitely second in line. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

Snack, which I know I shouldn’t. #dadbod4life 

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

Florida. It’s nice to not have to deal with snow, but damn does the humidity get spicy. 

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

Back to the Future. One of the greatest movies of all time. I’m also bias 😂

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

Travis Pastrana, despite all the broken bones I would prefer to not have that dude is living his life to the fullest. 

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

All things outdoors.

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

Money Origami 

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

I don’t know if I would ever get to this point, but if I did I would definitely have to thank my fiancé and my friends and family for always being there for me. Supporting me and driving me to be a better artist. 

Without them who knows where I would be in life. Probably an auto mechanic or something haha.

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

Honestly, this is another hard one.

I would have to say Dirty Heads is one of my go to bands. They always put me in the right mood and mindset when I’m creating art. 

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

Conventions, ALWAYS. There is never a full moment that’s for sure. Probably the most memorable one I have though was the Atlanta when we all went to the Clermont. If you know, you know 😂

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

This is such a tough one. The list of artists I admire is never ending. There are so many good artists. Just to name a few though: 

Chris Primm

Karlos Lloyd

Daniels Bauti 

Bobby Johnson 

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

Awful! I was in my apprenticeship at the time and my mentor made me and another apprentice trade tattoos. It was a cherry creek koi fish and I hated it the second he was done with it. I got it covered a couple weeks later. 

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

As cliche as it is, I've always had an affinity for tigers. A lot of times though I feel like I match up with a Panda 😂

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

Loose 9 liner paired up with a tight 3 or 5 liner and a curved 17 mag. 

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?

NRDC 

Act.nrdc.org

It’s so important for us to protect the planet we live on. We can either save it or destroy it. All living things depend on how we care for Earth.  Please see below to view the donation made on behalf of Steve Oker. 

OCTOBER BLOG- DAVE KOENIG

IT’S SPOOKY SEASON! ☠️ Get ready for the funky costumes and copious amounts of candy for the next month. And for some, the beginning of Christmas decorating… (if you’re that person, no judgment here). Something less spooky is our Artist Spotlight this month- Dave Koenig. As you can see from Dave’s responses, he has such a distinct sense of humor- I guess that explains his spirit animal (see below). All the way from Nebraska you can find Dave located at Tenth Sanctum Tattoos in Omaha. Not only does Dave have a long history of art itself, but teaching art was in his past also! His tattoo career began in 2001 and on his website you can find some other forms of art also, NFTs. With a past of artistic ability it is obvious that Dave is an inspiring tattoo artist and his work shows just how unique his abilities are. You definitely do not want to miss out on all of what Dave had to share below, including his movie recommendations as well as some great advice on maintaining a positive mindset.

Side note: visit his website to see some gorgeous prints- my personal fav is the OCTOPUS MERMAID. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?

Well first off is the quality of the product. I love the cartridges they make. They are easy to use and always consistent. Maverick seems to be an on-point organized business with people with good integrity. They are beyond accommodating and very personal. Every time I get a package from them there is a positive handwritten note and extra stickers and mints that accompany my product. And might I say I am a fan of their branding. Well done Maverick. In an industry fueled by high voltage energy drinks and angry skulls, it is a relief to side with the penguin.

Be sure to check him out!

Website: dkoenigart.com (LINKED) WEBSITE

Instagram: @davekoenigart (LINKED) INSTAGRAM

Want to learn more about Dave? KEEP READING-

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

If I ever doubt because of social media or really anything for that matter I just go back to the drawing board. Not figuratively but literally. Drawing is what got me to where I am. When I am drawing I lose time without wasting time. So I know that is what makes me happy. That is where I find peace. If I can make a few people happy by sharing what I do that is a bonus too. 

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

That is a hard one. I have met so many unique tattooers that I can’t pick one. I love it. They come in all shapes and sizes expressed in so many ways. I am fortunate to tattoo in a time with so many different personalities.

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

Most likely a rabbit. Or a clown. I don’t know why. They are the first things that came to mind. Generally, I go with the first thing that comes to mind. 

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

Nebraska. The people. They are nice. And they are tough

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

I have to win 2 games of chess against the computer. If I get too tired and start losing I will lower the difficulty level just to win 2 no matter how many losses. 

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

Jujitsu, and Nature. Everyone needs a physical release that frees them of their monkey mind and forces them to live in that moment. Everyone also needs to connect to nature, freeing them from the chaos and allowing them to breathe again.  

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

Every major catastrophe in my life leads to something great. I have had many. I just fail forward. There is no sense in dwelling on it. Just learn from it and proceed forward.  

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

Whoever fixed that contest.

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

I tattooed a guy's nipple off once. I was blacking out his nipple and had most of it done. He used to have it pierced and gaged so it had that larger nub to it. I was pulling up on it to tattoo the sides using a mag grouping and then pop. He didn’t even realize it just came off as he was talking to his friend. Holding it between my index finger and thumb I neatly set it on the tattoo tray. I got his attention and pointed to it. I told him he was welcome to it when we got done. It just laid there like a piece of sausage on a thin crust pizza. Kind of irks me out thinking about it. 

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

I would like to say the Bones of JR Jones or Aesop Rock. Just because I love to listen to them while I work. 

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

Jeff Gogue. Jeff is a highly regarded tattooer and painter for me. His work speaks for itself. But how he interprets tattooing, art, and life as a whole has molded me as an individual artist/tattooer. I am fortunate to call him a friend. 

Fibs would be another. By chance, I had the pleasure to share a booth with him at the San Diego tattoo convention that Bill Canales holds. He is a great guy and his work is phenomenal. No one can beat his compositions and use of tone. 

Then Christian Casas. He would be my 3rd. I don’t even know where to start with that guy. His work makes me want to quit tattooing as much as it inspires me to do better. Look these gentlemen up. 

26swordstattoo

Fibs_

Kasasink

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

I was 5 years old. It was the first and only time I met my grandfather Roland. He was a towering deep-voiced man that had 6 well-trained dogs that stood by him in full attention. I remembered his bellowing laugh as he picked me up. He had a skull on his arm accompanied by crosses of some sort on his hands. Later I found out they were gang tattoos from his rowdy past. 

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

5 curved bug pin mag. 3 tight liner. 13 curved bug pin mag, 27 curved bug pin mag

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? 

MENDING THE SACRED HOOP                

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I can do a great smeagol voice. 

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Alice in wonderland tattoos without a doubt. Everyone wants every single piece of subject matter from that story in their stupid tattoo. 

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

Oh, Harrison Ford. You know he lives in the mountains in a beautiful home. I bet he sips on coffee while sitting on his porch remembering how fucking badass he is. I mean the man was two of cinema's most influential badasses. Asides from Bruce Lee Indiana Jones and Han Solo taught me what it is to be a man.  

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

I have many books to recommend. But everyone asks about what literature you read. So I am going to go with the movie this time. And that movie is Snatch. It is the perfect balance of true gentleman grit and humor accompanied by witty responses I only wish I could deliver on the regular. I love how every character’s outcomes are directly related to their simple fuck ups.          

SEPTEMBER BLOG- MELISE HILL

Is it Fall yet? Well, almost.. but it is time to fall for our Maverick Family Artist for September! (haha I make myself laugh!) With a sense of humor that is like no other, let me introduce you to Melise Hill. She is from a small town in Ontario Canada where she began her tattoo career. After moving to the states in 2015, she started working at Ironclad Tattoo Co. directly out of Detroit, Michigan. Melise also just opened a private studio in the Great City of Detroit, CONGRATS! You can currently find her there today. Melise specializes in full color and illustrative work usually incorporating natural and botanical elements. Her personality is extremely relatable and she has some great advice on how to deal with stress. We’re so happy to share her interview with all of you, we know you’re going to love her work! 

Check out what Melise had to say about being part of the Maverick family below:

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MAVERICK?

I love how personal the interactions with Maverick have always felt. It doesn’t just feel like a brand, but more like friends. The communication is always quick and helpful, and of course, they make pretty solid needles!

Be sure to check her out!

Instagram/TIKTOK: @melisehilltattoo

Website: www.melisehill.com

Want to learn more about Melise? KEEP READING-

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

Social media is just a part of the job! I think as long as you can separate it from real life, it’s not too bad. There’s so much inspiring content on there, I just have to remind myself not to spend too much time scrolling!

WHO IS THE MOST UNIQUE TATTOOER YOU HAVE EVER MET?

Oh man, this whole industry is made up of unique characters! I’m going to go with my good friend, Kurt Ross. I’d definitely watch him on reality tv!

Ohhhh, probably something super basic like a golden retriever. Who doesn’t want to be a family dog?

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

I’m in Michigan. I haven’t been here that long and haven’t taken much time to explore the state, but I really do love the city of Detroit. There’s so much history and character here, and a strong sense of community, which is what drew me there in the first place. 

I grew up in the country though and I’d like to move back to Canada eventually, it was a great place to grow up. I really appreciate trees, water and open space. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING WEIRD YOU DO BEFORE BEDTIME?

Well, I just had a baby, so I’m sure I’m about to get into some weird baby bedtime rituals… I’ll keep you posted. 

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

If we’re talking specifically tattoo artist related, I think it’s important to have a life outside of tattooing. There can be a lot of pressure to be a certain way, or produce a certain quality of work and it can sometimes be overwhelming. So I think it’s helpful to have something else to be able to step away from all of that when it gets to be too much. 

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

Honestly, this whole pandemic has really changed my perspective on things. I used to be very busy all of the time and thought I had to do everything. Being forced to slow down has helped me to enjoy the moment a lot more and it’s a mindset I’ve maintained, even as life has started to pick back up.

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

So many people! My mentor, Kris Kani for taking me on as a scared little apprentice with hardly any tattoos, the guys at Ironclad for taking a chance on this rookie from a foreign country, and of course all of my amazing clients who have trusted me artistically and allowed my career to develop in the way it has. Wouldn’t be here without you guys!

WHAT ARE SOME FUNNY TATTOO MOMENTS YOU HAVE?

I don’t want to put anyone on blast here too bad! But I did have this client one time, as I finished up the tattoo, I looked down and realized that he’s peed all over the floor, and I was like, is that pee?! And he just looks at me like yeah? So? Like what, you don’t pee your pants every time you get tattooed?

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

Something with pretty, ethereal lyrics like the Shins. Although, my actual work playlist is more along the lines of Shania Twain and the Backstreet Boys. 

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

This changes fairly often, but most recently I’m really into an artist from the UK named Eli Gander or @eliluciitattoos on Instagram. She does these beautiful recreations of vintage botanical prints that end up healing in a way that looks painted on the skin. 

Kelsey Ellis or @honeybasiltattoos has been a big inspiration of mine for a while too! She has definitely perfected her style of illustrative botanical.Third, but always my biggest artistic inspiration is British painter, Jenny Saville. Her use of color and creating texture with paint never ceases to amaze me!

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

My first tattoo wasn’t until I was 19, moved away to college, and got my student loan. That’s what student loans are for, right? I got the Eiffel Tower on my side by a guy named Ralph at Perfect Image in London, Ontario. I was a really annoying client, you know, brought my own drawing and said it had to be exactly like I drew it, size and all. I think I’ve improved as a client since then. 

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPINGS TO USE FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

I use cartridges primarily for shading. It’s cool to work with a brand that offers such a variety, so even though the 13 mag is my go to, I dabble with any size 11-19, curved or flat. 

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?              

Not exactly art related, but an organization that’s personally dear to me. My sister has some developmental challenges and the Windsor Family Network has been a staple for my family as long as I can remember. They support families of children with disabilities. https://windsoressexfamnet.ca

SECRET HIDDEN TALENT? WHAT IS IT?

I’m really good at spelling, which has been helpful to have never made a spelling mistake on a tattoo!

WHAT IS YOUR KRYPTONITE?

Tequila shots …. gets me every time. 

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

Someone who was a professional at some sort of extreme sport like wingsuit flying or volcano surfing, you know, assuming I inherited their skills for the day too. 

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

I can’t come up with an answer for this one, sorry! My taste in books is more for entertainment rather than anything too moving or educational.