Bez has turned quite a few heads during his short time tattooing and his Triple Six Studios in Sunderland has already become synonymous with jaw-dropping work. Bez is a keen advocate of Neuma’s pneumatic tattoo machines and if his tattooing is anything to go by, the Neuma may well be the future. We caught up with the northern prodigy to find out why he left the world of computer games and films to apply ink to skin… 

“I’ve been tattooing now for around about 18 months or so,” says Bez “but I’ve always had an interest in tattooing. I didn’t realise what was possible ‘til I came across Robert Hernandez’s work and it really opened my eyes to tattooing as an art form. Before tattooing I worked in the computer games industry as an art director for 15 years. I think having my fine arts and 3D background has really helped with the tattooing I want to bring more of the computer-planning side over to my tattooing.”

Tell us about your first tattoo…

Low at Northside did my first tattoo; it’s a dragon that I got around 9 years ago. I started quite late on with tattoos; I think I was around 24 when I got my first one and didn’t get another until I was 30. The good thing is I have lots of free space to plan my next one!

Would you say that tattooing came to you quite naturally?

It felt pretty natural to me and I tend not to think about the artwork being tattoos, so I tend to tattoo in much the same way as I paint or draw.

Did you get an apprenticeship or were you self-taught?

I’m self-taught, but I’m also a total knowledge freak and I did a lot of research into tattooing and hygiene before I began. I intend to do a fair bit of traveling and guest spots to learn as much as I possibly can from other artists to make up for my lack of an apprenticeship. I feel like I’m at the bottom of a life-long learning curve and I want to learn as much as possible from the massive pool of talent around the world.

Do you think an apprenticeship is the best way to learn?

Even though I didn’t do one my self I still think it’s the way to go. I was lucky but even still, I would have loved to have a mentor to steer me through all the pitfalls and pushed me in the right direction.

Have you worked any conventions?

I worked my first convention at Newcastle, which was a bit nerve wrecking working next to people like Woody and Jason Butcher, but I met lots of artists and the public seemed to like my work. This year I’m going to be busy working as many conventions as I can. I’m also going to be doing a few collaborative tattoos at several of them, which should be fun. I haven’t worked a convention abroad as of yet but I’ve had a few discussions about working a couple in the States. Of course, I would also love to do a couple in Europe.

Did you undertake any formal art training?

Not as such, but my art training is comprised of 15 years in the games and film industry, working on concept artwork and the 3D side of things, plus managing teams of artists. I helped to produce over 70 titles on nearly every format, working on titles like Need for Speed, Testdrive and Destruction Derby, working with some of the biggest companies from all over the world. I think that mixing with the incredible amount of talented people in those industries has had a massive influence on my work.

Who are the people that inspire you and influence your work?

I love the work of Robert Hernandez, Guy Aitchison, Aaron Cain, Filip Leu, NewSkoolKolectiv…the list is endless. I get blown away every time I open a magazine and see some of the talent out there. That’s what I love most about tattooing. But most of my other influences are from outside the tattoo world, Chet Zar being a particular favourite of mine. I still don’t think anyone has gotten close to Leonardo Da Vinci or Michelangelo for drawing the human form. I grew up reading comics so I always follow the work of artists like Glenn Fabry and Alex Ross. At the moment I’m really impressed with Shawn Barber’s oil work; that’s something I want to do more of this year.

How would you describe your tattooing style?

I honestly don’t think I have been tattooing long enough to develop my own style yet; I favour realism, horror and especially biomechanical work, but then some days it great to be working on a Japanese sleeve or something old school. I think that trying my hand at all sorts of different styles will help me eventually develop my own unique style.

Have you had a flood of would-be tattooists coming into the studio and asking for advice on getting a foot in the door?

I get a lot of requests about becoming a tattooist, but I tell them I don’t intend to have an apprentice anytime in the near future. Not until I feel like I have all the correct knowledge to pass on to someone. My advice to them is that they should draw, draw…and draw! Then knock on as many doors as possible; there are no short cuts. I find it funny the amount of people that come to me talking about wanting to be a tattooist and have never even held a paintbrush or owned a sketchbook.

Do you think the tattoo industry will one day reach a saturation point and become awash with mediocre work?

I don’t think we can have too many artists, as long as it means a better standard of art, although it seems people are looking at tattooing and thinking it’s this glamorous profession. When the truth is it’s not, it’s bloody hard work, but if they are willing to commit to it then I respect them for that.

Where do you draw the line on what you will and won’t tattoo?

I won’t do tribal or football badges or anything too offensive. Sunderland isn’t the biggest town but we do have a lot of tattoo studios and we each have our own niche. We all seem to get along and pass each other work depending on each other’s strengths. Plus with me being a Toon fan, the Sunderland lot doesn’t trust me to tattoo the Sunderland badge!

Can you describe your ideal customer?

Someone who wants to go big! I’m lucky that I seem to have a lot of customers that come with an open mind and are willing to try some thing different.

How do you relax?

Spending time with my wife and my young daughter as much as possible. Also I’m very into painting and fiddling with computers
or making little inventions.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…

Max (MacAndrews) and I were the first in the UK to totally switch over to the air-driven Neuma tattoo machines.

What prompted you to change over to them?

I switched to the Neuma setup about six months ago more through necessity than anything else. Even though I had only been using coil machines for a year or so I was having real problems with my wrists, plus I was attracted to the additional hygiene benefits. The great thing about the Neumas for me is their lack of weight and the fact they are totally autoclavable. But to me the biggest advantage is the fact I don’t have to think about the machine anymore; I just tattoo without the worry of the machine been out of tune and when I finish, it goes into the autoclave and it’s ready to go again.

They sound fantastic and the work you’ve done with them is astounding.

Cheers. I feel like I need to clear a few things up about the Neuma. They are not a shortcut to make you a better artist, as they function in much the same way as a traditional coil machine in regard to they still push needles into the skin. Carson Hill has come up with a system gives the artist one less thing to worry about and is a positive move forward in hygiene. Max MacAndrews’ Keystone is the UK distributor for Neuma and I will be doing some demos for them at a couple of the UK conventions.

Is there anything that currently worries you about the tattoo industry?

Yes, eBay! It seems within the last year or so it has spread like a disease and everybody is having a go. I found it really hard to get hold of equipment but now anyone can get it. The biggest problem is that most of them are doing it with out any research into hygiene or even the tattooing process itself. Legislation would be great and I think it’s the only way to stop companies like eBay. It seems to have gotten far too easy to get hold of dodgy tattoo gear and people see it as a way to make quick and easy cash. I have noticed that the some of the finer tattoo suppliers are now trying to make it more difficult and won’t sell unless they are from a registered studio.

Is there anybody you would like to thank for helping you over the years?

Max and Nat from OTT in Edinburgh; they have been a big help to me. Also Paul Naylor, Gerry Carnelly, The Hardy family and the two loons at CTS, and of course my wife Lisa and my daughter Millie.