TATTOO ARTIST FEATURE 

 COLLECTION ONE – ARTIST TWO 

 RAYMOND VOM 

WHAT FIRST PULLED YOU TOWARD TATTOOING, 
AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU KNEW THIS 
WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

WHAT FIRST PULLED YOU TOWARD TATTOOING, AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU KNEW THIS WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

I don't remember one thing being what pulled me into tattooing. Just a steady stream, a gradual roll towards it but from the moment I first saw a tattoo, I always thought they were cool. I've loved to draw for as long as I can remember but I didn't know how to make a living doing it so when I found out that normal people could become tattooists, I put all my effort into becoming one. It's funny to say now but when I was young, I thought people had their paths and tattooing was not something I imagined to ever be on mine. 

TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU WORK NOW.  THE STUDIO, THE CITY, AND THE SCENE AROUND YOU.

I run a studio in Sydney with my wife called Markd in Redfern. It's a suburb with a colourful history and when I was a teenager, it used to scare the hell out of me. Now it's a melting pot of rough, fancy and artistic. Anything could happen any day and I love the crazines

WHAT STYLES OR TECHNIQUES DO YOU SPECIALISE IN, AND WHAT DREW YOU TO THEM? 

I specialise in Black and Grey Realism. When I first started tattooing, it was drilled into our brains that whatever job walks through the door, you should be able to do it. I actually never wanted to be a realism artist, it just so happened that that's what kept coming through the door. my favourite thing about it is turning a flat, outlined stencil into a photo real image with texture, depth and lighting. Sometimes it feels like I'm doing a magic trick. 

IF SOMEONE HAD NEVER SEEN YOUR WORK, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT TO THEM? 

It's high contrast black and grey realistic imagery. I try to make it look as close to the real thing as possible and use my personal flare to create big pieces that fit the body nicely. 

WHAT INFLUENCES YOU MOST?

Excellence itself. I'm inspired by masters of their own craft, no matter the craft. I love seeing those that are obsessed with what they do and keep trying to reach new heights. Anyone who can shut out the noise of the outside world and make what they're doing their sole focus is in my books, close to godly. 

DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO JAPANESE CULTURE OR TATTOO HERITAGE?

Traditional Japanese tattoos are the first style I wanted to specialise in. Being Asian, I guess I've just always had an affinity for dragons, koi, tigers, foo dog etc. I just loved seeing the artwork that could make something so fierce also look aesthetic.

HOW HAS YOUR WORK CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED, AND WHAT PUSHED THOSE CHANGES?

Definitely. The sad truth of this career, if you love it and take it seriously, is that you'll never be as good as you want to be. I try to be happy with my work but never satisfied. The second I finish a piece, I know I can do it better. It used to bum me out but now I try to enjoy the journey.

WHEN YOU'RE TATTOOING SOMEONE, WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU BEYOND THE DESIGN ITSELF?

We deal with people. At the end of the day, if the client isn't happy with what I've done for them, it doesn't matter how happy I or anyone else is with the piece. There's no better feeling than going above someone's expectations and there might not be a worse feeling than disappointing a client. Communication is key.

TELL US ABOUT A TATTOO THAT MEANT SOMETHING DEEPLY TO YOU. WHAT WAS THE STORY BEHIND IT, AND WHY HAS IT STAYED WITH YOU?

When I was just starting in the industry, my bosses told me I was to charge an hourly rate of $150. One day I had a walk in and it was small koi, my lucky day, I loved doing them. This day, for whatever reason, I was slower than usual and in the end, it took me 4 hrs. I charged the client for the full time. I've underquoted so many jobs and been annoyed and angry that I wasn't getting what I was worth but I cannot remember one of those tattoos. 15 years later, I still think about that time I charged $600 for that little koi. It bothers me to this day. From then on, I've worked so hard to make my tattoos worth what the client is paying. Quality and efficiency are the priorities.

IF A READER TAKES JUST ONE THING AWAY FROM YOUR STORY, WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO BE?

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Know that tattooing is my favourite thing in the world. If you trust me with your skin, you'll get a piece of everything I am.