Recently we caught up with Sydney tatooist Stevie Edge.
Stevie is a straight up fucking wizard at what he does, and a cool as fuck dude! check out what he had to say!
First things first dude, thank you so much for your time, whats cracking?
For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
And thank you.
Man, just tattooing and drawing a lot.
I am a bit one dimensional…not much to tell haha. I tattoo, i go home, i draw and spend time with my girl, then i tattoo some more. If i have time, i paint. I do also like tv a lot. I hear it’s not cool to say that, but its true…when i draw, the tv is on!
What got you involved in art and tattooing originally?
I always loved drawing when i was a kid, so that was always there. When i first got into to tattoos was when i started getting involved in punk and hardcore…seeing a bunch of tattoos back in the day on those guys is what really got me into that. It was cool…i was just a kid who thought it was cool. That never left i guess!
I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in todays society, possibly even expected, what ‘s your take on that?
I think its good people can get a bunch of tattoos and not be treated badly, but in the same breath i will say i think it sucks too. That whole image that used to belong to being tattooed is kind of lost now. You have upper class middle aged women with tattoos on them, and………
actually, they pay me to tattoo them, i shouldn’t complain!
Only other shit thing about its acceptance is the rubbish tv shows the marketing machines keep spewing out.
Walk us through a day in your life.
I wake up at about 10, get washed up and turn my swag on(soulja boy referenece! haha) but seriously, get to the shop early (about 11 or so), do some drawing, then start my first tattoo at about 1pm, and stop at 8pm most days. Probably stop for a minute to eat something in the middle there. Go home, hang with my girl…watch some tv, listen to some music, eat, paint…whatever i feel at the time, and usually dont go to sleep till 2 or 3. then reapeat.
What other tattooists and artists are you into, both in Australia and abroad?
Man, the list could go forever.
Tattooers i can think of right now..
Chad Koeplinger, Matt Shamah, Bugsy, Steve Boltz, Jess Swaffer, Bert Krak, Eli Quinters, Daniel albrigo, thomas hooper, Nick Colella, Sean Harrison, Daniel Santoro…there are so many i know i could list more, but i will stop there…
10 years Straight Edge, much respect for that, what initially made you make the choice to go Straight Edge and turn Vegan?
Thank you. I got hold of my first earth crisis album, and reading those lyrics…nothing ever got to me more than that. It just clicked with me, and i knew it was the only way. Straight edge for me…is one thing that will always be there without doubt..its not something that can let you down. When all the people i knew were getting fucked up with drugs and all that shit, i had straight edge. It kept me. Veganism came with that also. I honestly don’t see any other way.
I’ve seen a few kids with Straight Edge tattoo’s beer in hand and possum eyed, what are your oppinions and thoughts on Straight Edge becoming another “scene” and grab for attention?
I think its fucked.
Why should people get a tattooed by you?
haha i think that question would be better answered by someone that has been tattooed by me a bunch! If someone likes what i do…come down and get tattooed i guess…There you go, if they like what i do, then they should get tattooed by me for that reason!
Favourite style to tattoo, and medium , apart from tattooing?
I like western traditional tattooing. I guess what i do may not be considered classic, but its based around traditional ideas. And the only other medium i use is watercolor and ink. I enjoy that a lot.
Where do you/what do you draw inspiration from as an artist?
Well, firstly, i don’t really consider myself an artist. i could never draw or paint a portrait or anything crazy like that. What i do is so simple, anyone could do it…i just got lucky that people want me to do it on them!
Other tattooers currently working, and of course all the old timers flash and stuff from way back.
What’s been going through your speakers of late?
Oh man, right now, a lot of rap and hip hop with a bit of everything else..
The Game, Young Jeezy, Nas, OG style, NWA Cage, Tech N9ne, Wu tang, Ghostface killa…
Then some, blink 182, band of horses, morrissey, buried alive, earth crisis, Glasvegas, pulling teeth, iron age…list could go on!
Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?
Tattooing for a living.
No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?
Some shocking tribal on the sketched out dudes neck…it was most messed up thing i have ever seen. The way it healed, and the design! Crazy stuff. All over his neck too!
Favourite place to kick it?
Home for sure.
What’s in your pockets right now?
Wallet, phone, keys. nothing special.
What are your views/oppinions on the World and Society today?
I wouldn’t even know where to start. I hate so many things about this world. Its pretty messed up. There are still enough small things that are good to give me some hope though. But generally to quote John Rambo “fuck the world”.
Advice to aspiring artists/tattooists?
If it doesn’t mean everything to you, don’t do it. If you are in it to get money, don’t do it. if you are in it to get laid, don’t do it. If it means everything to you, work your fingers to the bone, and maybe you will get there.
Word association, you know the deal, say the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the word.
Australia
Home.
Religion
Bad.
SXE
Forever.
Humanity
Weak.
Peace
Unattainable.
Freedom
Myth.
Tattooing
Life.
Art
Wank.
Life
Short.
Happiness
Striving.
Control
Important.
Space
I need it.
Stevie Says:
Thanks for reading this…if you want to see more of my work, you can check out: www.stevieedge.com
Thanks so much!!
Last words, shout outs?
I would have to first and foremost thank my girl Cassandra, because honestly, she puts up with a lot due to my tattooing, it is all consuming, and she does her very best to understand that! Without her, i know i wouldn’t even be close to where i am now with my work.
Also my peers in tattooing, some in particular who have encouraged and helped me directly or indirectly with what i do. without them, i am sure i would have given up a long time ago!
And last but not least…my customers. A few in specific who are so loyal, more than i could ever expect. Recommending me, giving people my card, coming and hanging out getting tattooed…you guys know who you are…thank you so much, I am forever grateful! x
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