Rich Hadley

Posted on Wednesday, 4 November 2009 by Ben

Working at One Shot Charlies in Stourbridge in the U.K. Rich does some down right amazing Bold, simple and clean Western Traditional tattoos!

Check out what he had to say when i caught up with him recently.

Thank you for your time dude, whats been happening?

No problem. Just tattooing man! Preparing for some travelling! Im leaving sunny stoubridge for a few weeks to work in belgium

For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a tattooer from england. I work in a studio called One Shot Charlies, with Lee Pound. I mainly do western traditional style tattoos.

How did you first find out you had a talent for art and tattooing, at what point did you decide to persue it as a career?

As cliche as it sounds, ive been drawing since before I can remember. I started getting tattooed and hanging out at the local tattoo studio, and drawing more and more. I started getting more comfortable there and used to being around heavily tattooed people. After a while I was more confident with my drawing and approached them about a possible apprenticeship.

I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in today’s society, possibly even expected, obviously there being more people for you to tattoo is a good thing, but do you think there is a downside to it?

Yeah, all the scratchers that infest myspace. I dont like to bitch about tattooers, but with tattooing becoming more accepted and more popular, there has been the wave of people who think its going to be an easy ride – that think theyre going to make millions and be on tv even though they cant really draw.
Also its becoming easier and easier to purchase “starter kits” on the internet, which isnt a good thing for anyone.

How do you think certain “reality” tattoo shows on TV have effected tattooing on a broad scale?

I guess I have mixed opinions, but on the whole i think they have had a positive effect on the industry. They opened up alot of peoples eyes to good tattooing.

What other tattooists and artists are you into or influenced by?

Steve byrne, Chad koeplinger, Rudy Fritsch, Javi Rodriguez, Thomas Hooper, Jondix, Steve Boltz, Bert Krak, Eli Quinters, Todd Noble.. the list goes on!

Favourite style to tattoo, and medium to work with apart from tattooing?

I like to tattoo bold simple traditional, with bold lines and lots of heavy shading. Although recently Ive started tattooing more womens faces with more delicate shading.
And I guess watercolour and ink!

Where do you, or what do you draw inspiration from as an artist?

Im not sure really, I guess from good tattoos!

What’s been pumping through your speakers lately?

Polar bear club – chasing hamburg, converge – axe to fall, dead swans – sleepwalkers

Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?

Becoming a full time professional tattooer.

No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?

Haha! Hard to say man, i’ve seen so many sketchy tattoos. I saw a pretty rough “japanese sleeve” a few days ago.. That one was definately in my top 3.

What are your thoughts on the Tattoo scene in the U.K., compared to the rest of the world?

I havent had enough experience working abroad to comment on the rest of the worlds tattoo scene, but I think the UK scene is good. There are a lot of great young artists pushing the boundries and theres always someone keeping me on my toes.

Favourite place to kick it?

Amsterdam

What was your first tattoo, and who did it?

It was a black and grey greenman on my right forearm by a guy who worked in the studio I apprenticed at.

What’s in your pockets right now?

Change, cigarettes + a lighter

What are your views/opinions on the World and Society today?

I think they are both nice.

Name 5 things you couldn’t live without.

Tattoos
Cigarettes
Tea
Customers (I’d have no money)
Family

Advice to aspiring artists/tattooists?

Don’t buy a starter kit and don’t be a bullshit scratcher who posts their shit attempts at tattoos on the internet and gets all their friends to tell them how great they are.

If you weren’t tattooing you’d be…..

I have no idea man..I’d be totally lost

Anything in the mix or coming up that we should know about?

Yeah! Im doing a few guest spots over the winter, one in Norwich at Indigo on the 16th and 17th of October, then 19th to the 26th I’ll be at Siam Fiftyseven in Mons (Belgium)