Though not much else goes into the selection process of choosing someone to tattoo you, most would argue, to be sure, there is indeed more criteria to be met. To be sure, there is much we can judge by their bodies of work alone but there are often other qualities that aren’t as easily seen by most that become translated in regards their personality, temperament, or level of craftsmanship that I believe also comes into play. And this is often done without any impressions made upon us by them or their personalities and individual characteristics. However, in some cases I’ve found, what I do begin to view as great ability, talent, or mastery can quickly become distorted by a bad impression made upon me once meeting them or having to bear an ego they shoulder that is greater than what actual talent and ability they really possess. Or by simply disregarding someone’s request in favor of doing what they want to do or doing what they feel the customer should do. And when it comes to their “too cool for skool attitude” I become suspicious of all that ensues in regards them and their work. What does this have to do with his ability? Everything, if you consider that tattooing is a lifelong journey that the greatest of these artists embark upon where the artistry and mastery of the craft alone is always the end in itself as much as is the vehicle by which it’s delivered by. And not where their pursuit of fame, notoriety, or ego occludes, truncates, or stagnate this said pursuit. Rather, some tattooers view it as the journey of a man’s life by which self discovery and personal growth are sought for as much as is the mastery of their craft that runs parallel with it. And that this knowledge, application, and experience will ultimately lend itself to the end result is of the utmost importance to you I assure you. And this of which I speak goes hand in hand with this choice. But whatever the reasons you choose to allow someone to put something on your body for the rest of your life is your business and no one else’s therefore, no concern of mine. However, for me, in light of their tattooing and this impression along with it comes a mastery and knowledge I look for not only in their tattooing but in a philosophy they possess as well. A philosophy that envelops all these elements and is thereby manifested in their over all work or the individual piece itself. And you can be rest assured by this that they don’t have to front on how “great” they are in order for me to see it. Instead their work speaks for itself. It speaks a language confluent in the way they walk, talk, and live. A language spoken with a humility, integrity, and a punctuation all their own. Tattooers whose craftsmanship and individual style’s own a signature only they can scribe. It’s here where it will become apparent at once that tattooing is a way of life for that artist and it will be evident by how they tattoo as well as how they treat people. After all, it is a very personal experience is it not. For this reason alone, I have let only one man tattoo me for the last twenty years who is not only one of the greatest tattooer’s out there today but a man who treats me and everyone else with such respect and kindness that one is quick to realize just how much of a master and consummate professional he truly is. For he encompasses everything you wouldn’t expect in a great tattooer and more, owing to today’s stereotypes of tattooers who are always seemingly portrayed as people on the fringes of society, or on the edge.
Upon meeting him, one is quickly disarmed by his reservedness in his demeanor and confidence in his focus as he displays all that he is in the very manner he speaks and commands the process by which he tattoos. They way he approaches you and the subject matter that goes into his every piece of work whose subjectivity is just as important to him as it is to you is one of his main concerns. It is how he tells the story you want told by your tattoo that he cares about as his tattooing narrates it. It’s what you want your tattoo to convey that’s just as important to him as is his mastery of tattooing to you. And it’s his profound knowledge and understanding of the art of tattooing that your paying for as well as an understanding by him that not every one is the same, nor is every tattoo. Neither is the process by which each person gets tattooed. As each person is different, so are all the variables that come into play thereby calling upon his trove of knowledge and experience to best fit each person’s particular needs. Though as unimportant as it seems now, I guarantee it won’t be once it sits on your skin for the rest of your life. Since I first began getting tattooed by him at the age of 18 he’s been more of a friend to me in just the few hours we’ve spent together than most people I’ve spent a lifetime knowing. And should you ever get the opportunity to meet or get tattooed by him you too will see just what it is I’m talking about. For this reason then, if not by his master craftsmanship alone, do I want you to see his work and hear the modesty with which he speaks. He is a man whose artistry is revered around the world as much as he is renowned due to his soft spokenness and generosity to other tattooers and apprentices who admire his work as much as we do. He is a master as far as I’m concerned and it’s been my privilege to know him as well as get tattooed by him. His name is Greg James and here are a few things I thought you should know about him and the discipline he’s come to know only as a way of life. In his own words…
How long have you been tattooing Greg? -I have been tattooing in Los Angeles for about 32 years.
How did you get into tattooing? -I started learning from my older brother Tennessee Dave when I was fifteen years old and started tattooing full time in 1976.
How long have you been at Sunset Strip Tattoo? -I started working at sunset in October 1985. Cliff Raven hired me and shortly thereafter Cliff sold the shop to Robert Benedetti who had been working for him for many years.
Are you self taught or did you apprentice under anyone? -My Brother Dave taught me the craft and Robert Benedetti helped me with my art skills.
Even now in your later years, after years of tattooing under your belt, how do you further your mastery of tattooing? -Tattooing is hard and you are always trying to polish your craft so I guess that is why I still love doing it ... It is still a Challenge to me after all these years of doing it.
What do you love the most about tattooing everyday? -I love the people and now that I have a style that people seek out, it makes it more special. I get to do what I like to do.
Who are some of the people or styles that have influenced your work the most over the years? -ALL the Japanese tattooing I have seen as well as Cliff Raven and Robert Benedetti. Those two had the most influence on my style.
What was the hardest thing for you to learn about tattooing that only you could teach yourself? -Patience and when to say NO to doing a tattoo or to a client.
What’s your favorite piece you’ve done or that has stood out the most in your career? -Every one seems to become a favorite because they are all different and special in their own right. You never do one tattoo exactly the same… they just keep evolving.
If you had to put it in words, how would you describe your style? -I would say it’s sort of a neo western Japanese.
How long did it take you to gain some mastery or maturity in tattooing? -It really takes about 10-12 years before you really understand what it is you are trying to do with tattooing.
What are some of the attributes you look for in your tattooing of a piece that gives the piece itself balance and over all harmony? -Body placement and craft in the work I think give it balance and the over all harmony.
What are some of the things you like to do when not tattooing? Do you pursue any hobbies such as building cars, or painting, etc? -I have a very full life with a wife and kids and I enjoy motorcycles and cars. I do paint but not much in the last few years ... tattooing has been very busy for me.
Have you noticed a change in society’s acceptance of tattoos in general over the past few years? Owing to you being so close to it, what’s your thought on this? -Tattooing is so mainstream right now I expect to see tattoo kits sold at Walmart any time soon.
What’s the best advice you can offer a tattooer starting out that maybe would have helped you back in the day when you started? -The best advice is to find someone you respect and try to apprentice with them and the second thing is to forget about tattooing. It is a hard way to make a living and a life sentence.
Other than tattooing, is there any career you would have liked to attempt? I would love to do stuff with computers or design.
GONSAYN would like to thank Greg James for his generosity in granting us this interview. To view all of Greg’s work or contact him, you can go to www.sunsetstriptattoo.com or view some of it in our NSAYN INK TAB.
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NAME: GREG JAMES
