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Nate is changing the concept and vision of tattooing around the world
NAME: NATE BEAVERS
YEARS TATTOOING: 15
SHOP: EPOCH TATTOO
CITY: HOUSTON, TEXAS
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
I can remember being tattooed and nearly sleeved back in the late 80’s in
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While tattoos and tattooing was busy becoming chic and trendy in the 90’s and on, the next generation of masters were busy making their bones. Artists like Darcy Nutt, Guy Aitchison, Hannah Aitchison, Brad Fink, and Chris Blinston we’re busy working hard to hone their craft and build their names up. Building their names up only to now be sought and revered as some of the best and greatest tattooers in their métier. As such there was also a very quiet and shy tattooer grinding away slavishly as his work proves to anybody with a good enough eye to see it. And along with these above mentioned elite stands in my opinion the next Master Craftsman of his generation. His name, Nate Beavers from Epoch Tattoos in
To be sure, tattooing has never been more popular and socially acceptable than it is today. And as those tattooers and pioneers of tattooing like Cliff Raven, Greg James, Shige, and Don Ed Hardy paved the way for the new age of tattooers to ply their craft more easily, the torch too must pass from their hands on to the next generation of master craftsmen. With this torch comes new names, new faces, new techniques, new styles borne out of the old, and old knowledge to name just a few attributes that are being handed down by these veteran tattooers to their apprentices and fellow tattooers.
Nate Beavers has not only continued the tradition of great tattooing but has also continued to practice the philosophy and way of life these great artists live by. He’s as uncompromising, technically proficient, historically grounded, stylistically independent, and humble as are those artists that have made tattooing what it is today. His traits you can recognize by the steady discipline and work ethic that he instills in every unbelievably realistic piece no matter what the content. To be sure, Nate defies all logic to us laymen and fans of tattooing only to bring a new sense of excitement and urgency to tattooing. He has the ability to bring to animus of a face to life like I have never seen an artist do. And the eye for colors he has is in my opinion unmatched as of yet by anybody I’ve ever seen. With his talent comes the urgency to get tattooed by him as well. Suddenly waiting six months for an appointment doesn’t seem all that long considering that in six months we’ll be tattooed by him to forever wear that piece on you.
When I tell you Nate is changing the concept and vision of tattooing around the world it’s not from just my opinion this statement comes from. It’s from the host of 1st place accolades and awards by the various conventions and judges around the world that have themselves gauged his work as such. These nods from his peers and teachers alike line his walls as there’s no place on his wall for any 2nd place awards. And believe me when I tell you, he’s not fucking around either. To see his work is to understand the excitement of which I speak to you with. A work filled with all those characteristics I spoke of earlier only exemplified and brought to life once he’s done tattooing you. And at a speed I’ve never seen before considering all the work he puts in to each piece.
I’m always smugly satisfied upon meeting reported masters of any profession who possess the humility and soft spokeness that I look for to help my own schemas and constructs certify a master craftsman with. For the loud and ostentatious only prove to me that his or her skills and abilities he or she purportedly have are yet to become a stamp of his confidence and mastery in his profession. If that be true then, Nate is a true master thru and thru as his generosity with other tattooers in regards to instructing or helping them shape their craft proves this solely by his genuine motives to share his knowledge. And this confidence I have stamped on my entire chest as I’ve been lucky enough to be heavily tattooed by him. And in doing so I’ve learned a lesson or two about tattooing and about all those tattooers out there who lack the talent and ability that seems to come so natural to Nate. In any case I believe him to possess more than just talent and ability as his work will prove to you as well.
As part of these accompanying articles here on Nsayn Ink we often interview tattooers so as to learn a little about their background. Whether it be about tattooing or their own philosophy in life there’s always something to be seen and learned by them. Incidentally, Nate not being a big talker has spoken to us through his interview more than we could have hoped to achieve just by talking to him. And aside from this interview if you wish to talk to him yourself he’s constantly traveling around the world either tattooing or teaching. So keep track of him and hit him up. He’s as nice and humble as he is accomplished in tattooing, painting, and design. Here’s his interview in his own words.
How long have you been tattooing?
-15 years.
Can you describe your style to us?
- I do all styles. My own style has become mixing and combining different styles successfully, I have spent a lot of time studying each style so I can execute accomplishing them well.
What aspect of tattooing is a personal journey for you?
- Part of it is pushing the envelope and seeing how far I can go. A lot of it stemmed from people telling me that I can’t do what I can do now. I like to prove it to others, as well as myself that I can do it and do it well.
You’re an artist as well as a tattooer. Are you self-taught or did you apprentice?
- Self-taught but I have learned a lot of different things from different types of artists and mainly from traveling around the world.
Do you have any formal art education or training?
- I took art class in high school.
Who gave you your first start that you would thank if you could?
- Definitly Chris Blinston from Big Brain in
Besides tattooing what other mediums do you do?
- Digital art, gauche, graphite, scratch board, scarification.
Who are your favorite tattooers?
- Chris
What kind of art do you like?
- Romantiscism
Who are some of your favorite painters, artists, etc.?
- Peter Buegel, De Es, Tamar De Lempicka
What does it take to become a great tattooer? Not just good but beyond that?
- To separate yourself from everything else and focus only on tattooing.
What’s your definition of success?
- Success is getting to the point where you can pick and choose the design that you want to do. When every tattoo that you do is a good tattoo.
What does Integrity mean to you? Not just in tattooing but in general?
- Caring about what you do and how you do it.
What is Passion to you?
- Passion… is loving something to point of not being able to think about anything else. The willingness to sacrifice to take what you love to another level.
Do you believe in Love?
- Yes. Last year I would’ve told you no.
What’s sexy to you?
- What’s sexy to me aesthetically is high fashion and sexy shoes on a woman. Oh and eyes.
- In a persons characteristics well that would be being tough but having compassion when it’s necessary at the same time.
Is tattooing a lifestyle or a way of life?
- Way of life. I’m not in this for sheer look or for being cool.
What’s your favorite tattoo that you’ve done so far?
- This is very hard. Probably the severed dragon lady arm. (Pic will be attached) It was collaboration with Dominic Holmes. It pushes the limit on all aspects of tattooing.
When you’re working on a piece, what do you look for in regards to balancing the piece?
- Shape, composition. Make it fit the shape of the body and accentuate.
When you’re looking at your work or another tattooers work, what do you look for as to tell whether a piece is there yet? How do you judge it being finished or not, by what criteria?
- It depends on the piece but I think a piece needs background unless you want negative skin and the style. Full saturation and really areas where it’s needed. I wouldn’t call a piece without a background finished unless it’s traditional.
You help and teach tattooers around the world owing to the amount you travel. What does this do for you as an artist and as a man to help so many other artists get better?
- I get personal gratification. I don’t really do it for the money, I just really enjoy helping other artists get better in this industry.
Whether it’s art, education, painting, people, partying, how do you keep inspired each and every day? Or do you?
- Looking at tattoos that other people do and competition. Competition inspires me. Also, art night at the casa with family and friends.
Are you into boozing and chemistry?
- I don’t condone the use of drugs, however, I have done quite a bit of LSD when I was younger. I’ve been sober from drugs going on 7 years. I still have a few drinks when I go out with friends or enjoy wine at the house on art night but I don’t get crazy. Live your life how you want to live it. If it handicaps you in other areas of your life, that can’t be a good thing- rather it helps your art or not.
Do you have any regrets in your life?
- I regret ever having business partners. Do your research before writing a check or signing a contract.
What is the one thing or constant that you demand from yourself every day?
- Perseverance. I do not like to half ass anything. To be in that mindset and create something amazing every time, it takes a lot out of you. Sometimes I just don’t feel like tattooing. I go through phases of when I am really into tattooing and then there are times that I’m just not. Trying to maintain the drive and balance can be tough. Luckily, I perform well under pressure.
What do you attribute to your continued success as a tattooer, or artist, or person?
- Integrity, hard work. My morality and belief system keep me from screwing up and enables me to care about what I’m doing. As far as a person, all my lessons learned. That makes people who they are; every event in your life shapes who you become.
Are you where you want to be yet?
- No. I don’t think anyone ever gets to that point, and if they do, they might as well quit. No good artists ever get to a point where they think they can’t go farther.
What turns you off about people?
- Whiners- plain and simple. Also, people who think all tattoo artists are the same or generalize. Oh, and bad hygiene.
Are there any tattoos or designs you won’t do or people you wont tattoo?
- I have no interest whatsoever to tattoo anything offensive or with negative content.
As I get this stupid fucking question all the time, so I’ll pass it to you, maybe you could answer it. If you could go back 20 years and not ever get tattooed or have them removed instantly would you?
- I don’t regret all of them but I certainly regret some of them. I am in the process of getting laser removal from FadeFast.com based out of
What’s different about today’s culture compared to 10, 15, years ago when you were making your bones?
- Tribal armbands, tramp stamps & kanji. Thank God that’s changed.
I’ve noticed in the last 10 or so years tattooing has soared. Do you think that it was a fad that has now been sublimated and fully accepted by the main stream?
- It’s always come and gone as a fad. Now I think it’s just more acceptable to turn 18 and go get your navel pierced or your first tattoo. It seems as though the general masses have been desensitized.
Finally, where do you, Nate Beavers the tattooer and the person, want to be 10 years from now?
- Hopefully still tattooing and still up to date with what the latest tattoo trends are. I don’t want to become stale or too comfortable. And personally, hopefully living well with wife, kids, dog, and backyard- you know the American Dream.
Our thanks to Nate Beavers and his lovely wife Jolie for making this interview possible. Check out their profile here on GoNsayn.Com.