Addiction Tattoo: How old are you and where are you from how long have you been tattooing?

Dave Waugh: I just turned 38, and have been tattooing for about 12 years.

AT: When did you started tattooing and how it was?

DW: I started in the business in 1991, when the whole "new revolution" of tattooing was just beginning. When such artists as Guy Aitchison, Eddy Deutche and Philip Leu were getting some serious notoriety. This led to a whole new popularity in tattooing, as conventions became a more regular occurrence. I then began meeting the second generation of these types of guys, and we all together helped jump-start the whole "scene" again. I was lucky enough to enter the tattooing world just at the right time.

AT: What diference you from other tattoo artists?

DW: I don't really know…I have my own style I like to call "no-style". I just try to do every tattoo as best I can, and try to do as many different styles as possible. I work in a very busy street shop and also have many custom clients, so I need to be well versed in different styles to please everyone.

AT: Whats kind of tattoos do you like doing more?

DW: I enjoy doing the big custom tattoos just as much as doing the small simple ones. The big ones let me get out my artistic side and allow me to show off, but the small ones mean just as much to me in different ways. The small tattoos give the customer the same gratification as the big ones do, and they are a lot easier to do! I guess I enjoy seeing the happy looks on my clients faces when I'm done the tattoo. Big or small, it doesn't matter.

AT: Who are working with you in the studio, I know there are very amazing artist working with you... tell us about them and how it is working together Here at Jinx Proof, (www.jinxprooftattoos.com)

DW: We are open 7 days a week, so we have a full staff of great artists. Each one has their specialty, and working together is great. Eric Doyle is well versed in both Japanese and American traditional tattooing, as is his wife Susan Behney. They both come from the Texas area, where there is tons of tattoo history already. Grant Cobb is a fantastic portrait artist, and is always helpful when I have a question about a painting technique. Tony Morrell loves the traditional Japanese tattooing style, and has helped me many times in working out a layout for a sleeve or how to make a dragon's body flow just right. If I ever have a question on how to approach a certain drawing or technique to do shading a certain way, there is always someone there to help out. We help each other out all the time; it's a great working environment.

AT: Do you have a new flash collection? are you still designing cd covers? are you still in hot rod culuture?

DW: I haven't designed any new flash in many years, simply because there is so much available to everyone right now. The market is saturated, but it is still nice to hear from different people that they see my older flash hanging in different shops across the country. I have been trying to do more CD covers; they are a lot of fun! I recently finished up my first record album cover. Not a small CD, but a nice big vinyl record cover! It's awesome…it is something I have always wanted to do since I was a kid. Have my artwork on an actual record cover. Not too much into the hot rod culture anymore, but I tell you, I am really in love with the new 2005 Ford Mustangs…! They resemble the old 70's muscle car style…!

AT: Are you going to conventions? did you go to europe? tell us about Japan....

DW: No, I'm not doing many conventions anymore. Like I mentioned before, the market is over saturated with flash, conventions, etc. Especially in the USA, they aren't fun to go to anymore. I think the convention circuit reached it's peak back in the mid-late 90's. I have been to a few conventions in Europe as well as being there numerous times touring with my band Ironboss. Europe is awesome! Too much cigarette smoking, though…ha ha. -Whats the difference of working in USA I think it is more "commercial". Tattooing is so much in the public eye now over here, it's very commonplace. Many customers bring in different tattoo magazines and just want me to copy the picture sometimes. When I was overseas, it seemed to be a bit more lively and exciting. But again, it has been a few years since I've traveled, so I don't know how Europe is now.

AT: How did Japan influence on your tattooing?

DW: Japan was mind blowing. I learned and absorbed so much; I could have stayed for months. I feel like I only scratched the surface of an amazing culture, a culture I grew up dreaming about since I was a kid. I have always wanted to go there, I have collected Japanese toys since childhood…so it was a dream come true. Oh yeah, and the tattooing was cool too…ha ha! There were so many beautiful sights to take in; it would take me forever to describe it to you.

AT: Who are your tattoos from? what about your hands exeprience in Japan...

DW: I have collected many great tattoos from some amazing artists - probably over 50 people. I have 80% of my body tattooed, too many people to list. My hand tattoos are among my favorites, because they to me represent what my Japan experience was all about. They were done by Ton at Chopstick Tattoo in Osaka. I never wanted to get my hands tattooed before, but that trip has such a profound impact on me, I wanted something serious to remind me of it always. So what better place to get tattooed then on your hands, which you will always see?

AT: Which tattoo artist do you admire more?

DW: Scott Sylvia, Aaron Cain, Marcus Pacheco, Chris Trevino, Chris Garver, Mike Wilson, Jef whitehead, Grime, Guy Aitchison, Eddy Deutche, Philip Leu, Chris Conn are among just a few.

AT: How do you see tattoos in twenty year, what was the last thing you got amazed in tattooing?

DW: Hopefully tattooing will still be as popular then as it is now, but you know what I personally feel? I wish it would go back "underground" again. Sometimes I feel it is too accepted, and too commonplace. Some customers treat the whole tattoo experience like it is no big deal, just like getting a hair cut. Tattooing has almost lost its "outlaw" appeal, because now almost everyone has tattoos. People used to get tattoos to be different, now you are different if you have NO tattoos! But, I should not complain…I love to do tattoos, it has paid my rent for 12 years now! It's not even like a real job sometimes, because it is so much fun and has given me so much freedom in my life. I get amazed by new emerging tattoo artists ever day, sometimes it's hard to keep up with everything! -Tell us about a day in your life Very busy sometimes…I have a beautiful girlfriend named Dina whom I love spending time with, a great son named David who will soon graduate high school. I only work at Jinx Proof a few days a week, but it is a 10-hour day. When I am not working, I am usually trying to do something at home art wise…

AT: What about your band...

DW: ...and yes, then there is the band, which takes up the rest of my free time. We try to practice at least once a week, and then the weekends are spent playing shows. We all have busy schedules, but I have been playing bass in Ironboss for longer than I have been tattooing (16 years!!!) and I will never quit. We have so much fun, and have traveled so much because of it; I enjoy playing music too much to ever stop. Check out our website at www.ironboss.com and buy some of our CD's! ha ha…

AT: Are you considering coming to Southamerica?

DW: I would love to, because it is one of the places I have never been before. But I don't know when…maybe Ironboss will play there sometime in the near future? Playing in a band and doing tattoos for a living is great, because I can do both at the same time, and it could help pay for my trip! I will have to make a plan soon…!