20 Questions with Darren Brass of Miami Ink
 by Justin August
 Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
 New York, NY
 Views: 13,066

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On the cool stretch of Washington Ave in South Beach Florida you will find the highly advertised Miami Ink. True, this parlor is a hot spot due to the years of TV advertising through the namesake show, but beneath its Hollywood allure, Miami Ink truly is one of my most favorite shops in the US.
I believe the attraction started when I heard of the shop being built. My current tattoo artist, James Hamilton told me of this to-be shop and gave me visions of true artists coming together to form a shop that wasn't just your average tattoo joint. After months of watching the construction take place, I saw what transformed into a real art studio, not some sleazy tramp stamp spring break butterfly tattoo parlor, but a real studio, with true artists and a space that beckons for a spot next to Warhol in the sands of time.

The hardwood floors stretch out over an open space that backs away from the mainstream (despite the popularity of the show). The art on the wall has an expression all its own and veers left from the pages of flash that you are accustomed to on most ink spots. And then, there are the artists that hold it all together. A collaboration of very unique styles brought from the likes of Darren Brass, Chris Garver and James Hamilton to name a few. There place in the community of South Beach is well placed and they even have a one of the most socially acclimated bars in the SOBE strip to go and share your pains of inking, Love Hate on 4th and Washington.
Above all it is the real humble down to earth attitude that is presented threw the artists there that make Miami Ink my most favorite tattoo parlor in the south east. And to show how humble they are, Darren Brass, resident tattoo artist and new father gave me a few minutes of his time to play 20 questions, and here is the list of questions and answers we went thru;
1) What is your favorite beer? DB- ""Wow, that actually stumped me, uh, I like Corona""

2) When did you realize you would be a tattoo artist? DB- ""When I was about 20, I was drawing tattoo's for lots of people and in art school and wondered what I was doing and realized I should be tattooing.""

3)Who did you apprentice under and at what shop? DB-""Lou Sciberras at Tattoos by Lou

4)What was your first paid tattoo? DB-""A strength Kanji""

5)What is the worst tattoo you have ever done? DB-""I don't do bad tattoos."" It's true I've seen them

6)What's the best advice you have ever receive in regards to tattooing? DB-""Keep it simple.""

7)What is your favorite tattoo style? DB-""Fusion, I don't like sticking to one thing really, I just like it to be big and bold graphics.""

8)Who has been your most favorite customer? DB-""Anyone one that walks in willing to listen, no attitude and someone who I can sit and have an intelligent conversation with while I tattoo them.""

9)So then who is your worst customer? DB-""The guy that walks in thinks he knows it all and try's to tell me how to do my job.""

10)What's a part of your job that annoys you? DB-""Dealing with ignorance.""

11)Are you tired of tattooing butterflies on the smalls of girls' backs? DB-""No, I'll tattoo butterflies all day any day and on anything or anyone.""

12)Who inspires you today in the art world? DB-""Really, it's the people around me, the guys I work with at the shop and all the visiting artists we have, those are the people I really respect.""

13)I heard you use to do graffiti art, when was the last time you graphed something illegally? DB-""About 6 years ago, it was the side of a freight train and it took way to long, I was rusty.""

14)What is a piece of advice you can give to the person seeking their first tattoo? DB-""Be aware! Aware of what you want the artists you're going to and be open to listen and take their advice.""

15)What do you think about people tattooing names on themselves? DB-""Well, I love script and lettering so I think it's awesome, plus I'll probably have to cover it up in 3 months so go big!""(many chuckles came from this answer)

16)What do you think about body modifications, implants scarring and extreme piercing? DB-""It's not my thing, but if you like it, run with it, it's a free country.""

17)Where do you see the future of tattooing? DB-""I just see it progressing thru the vision of the new artists coming out and the fusion of their techniques.""
18)When, if ever, will you retire? DB-""I hope to keep working to my dying day, I love what I do.""
19)What is a goal you have not accomplished yet? DB-""My first million.""

20)Finally, do you wish you could change anything in your life? DB-""Everything has happened for a reason , the good and the bad it's made me who I am and I am who I am, I also have a big can of spinach in my hand.""

Darren was a super easy going guy to talk to. It was pleasant hearing the coo's of a baby in the background, knowing that even a hard working guy keeps his family close, which in turn just shows the humility I was referring to that comes from the artists of Miami Ink."


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Last updated by Justin August - Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 -  New York, NY