Doesn't it just seem that tattoos n Metal should go hand in hand! Dusty Neal isone hell of a tattoo artist, and he was kind enough to take some time out of hisbusy schedule to answer a few questions for MelindA.How did you originally know that you wanted to do tattoos?It stemmed from getting tattooed and always knowing that I wanted to create artfor a living. It was my junior year of college that I started tothink about pursuingtattooing, and by the time I finished college I was tattooing full-time. I evenskipped my graduation ceremony to tattoot hat day. I love tattooing and I can'tever imagine myself not doing it.The tattoo industry probably had to change a lot what with aids, and other issues,how do you feel that affected things?Well, things are certainly different than they were in the 40's and 50's, but somuch of it is for the best. An awareness of blood-borne pathogens and possiblerisks that come with tattooing is a good thing. It encourages a stronger healthregulation in the industry and a better environment for both tattooists and clients.What was your very first tattoo, how did it feel, who did it, and what does it meanto you?It was a solid black "x" over my heart. It is a straight-edge tattoo, something that Istill live by, even at 25. Straight-edge is something I have always been proud ofand taken seriously in a personal way. I could never regret that tattoo.Sounds like you found a permanent home at Donny Manco's New RepublicTattoo?Permanent in Fort Wayne at least. My wife and I have plans of maybe relocatingto a bigger city within a few years. She's working on a master'sdegree and wants to move for her PHD, and I am planning on going back toschool for a MFA in Painting. I do love working at New Republic though.Donny, Nate, Fred, and Zeke are all my best friends and really good-hearted,hard-working, talented people. There is such a great ethic at theshop and everyone is always on the same wavelength. It's crazy how good itreally is.What is the weirdest tattoo you have ever done? What about the little DebbieSnack Cake girl, that’s just a little weird for a tattoo!?ha ha! I really can't ever think of an answer to this question whenever people ask.Everyone's tattoo always has some sort of purpose for them,and I guess their view always rubs off on me. You have to be empathetic tounderstand what people want and to give them what they want. Thelittle Debbie tattoo was so much fun to do! That guy was so cool, and he simplyloves Little Debbie snack cakes! That was the whole reason he got it.You have done a lot of tattoos for bands, what Metal bands have you done, andwhat really sticks out in your mind about those tattoos?To name a couple,I have done work for Eighteen Visions, Gorelord, the DevilWears Prada, and Underminded. Fred Diablo of Gorelord is such a greatperson. He loves American cinema and mostly all of his tattoos stem from that.He is now a great friend of mine and we're planning a trip for meto go to Norway in the future to tattoo him even more! Everyone in EighteenVisions are amazingly hospitable and generous. It created friendshipsthat still exist and they help me out however they can. Mick Deth and Trevor havedone so much for me. As for their tattoos, Mick always wantsthe craziest, most brutal stuff he can think of. The last time I tattooed him was inMichigan the night before a hatebreed show, and I tattooedbroken heart-shaped skull on his hand. That one was really cool.You also do some very nice work in the way of paintings as well, please tell usabout that?I have always loved painting. As I stated earlier, I plan on going back for an MFAin painting, and I'm currently working every minute outsidethe shop on a wholeheap of new work. I have about 10 or so new ones finished now, but I'm workingto get about 20+, then the plan is to start getting into some galleries again.continued next page....
Leave a Comment