Check out Aaron Coleman’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Coleman.

Aaron, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Been tattooing in Mesa at immaculate Tattoo for 20 years this December tattooing in the valley for 25 years. We do it all at immaculate but specialize in traditional Americana and Japanese tattoos. I inherited the shop from my first boss Jim Watson from artistic skin design and have been here ever since our shop has been a tattoo shop for over 35 years and prior to that it was a church. I think we have one of the most interesting lived in unique Tattoo shops in the valley with layers of original art. Sometimes you move a picture and find something from years ago behind it. We have designs from the floor to ceiling and a huge amount of original art from Tattooer’s and artists from around the world.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I fell into tattooing through a lot of underground art via punk rock and skateboarding. I was heavily influenced by underground comics and poster art of the 60s and lowbrow art in the 90s guys like R.K.sloane and Robert Williams .the punk rock scene also was a huge influence. The Tattooer’s who influenced me the most are probably Bob Roberts from LA and many of my contemporaries and friends who work from time to time at the shop from all over. We usually have guest artists from all over every month. As far as my own personal work I do my best to give my customers a solid clean tattoo, I think my work is rooted solidly in a traditional Americana style that doesn’t fall prey to trend. I also enjoy doing a cartoon style rooted in the Americana vein, as well as Japanese tattooing in a western style. I’ve produced and sell several books of my designs and am currently working on a new one to commemorate our 20 year anniversary. I feel flash is important because tattoos are fugitive but good flash will be tattooed long after the Tattooer is gone.

The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
I think if you have it in you it’s going to come out! If it’s what you want to do you’ll find a way. As far as art goes I think drawing and painting is akin to learning a language the more you practice the more fluent you become and it takes a lot of time and effort. As far as tattooing goes that’s a different animal it’s a trade you have to be taught and learn correctly how to do it , it takes years and the trade has become over saturated with Tattooer’s and Tattoo shops, I mean you can visibly see the amount of Tattoo shops in every neighborhood in every town. This has diminished demand and the average person will go to a more inexperienced Tattooer mainly because of their budget! If you are going to pursue this trade do it with respect, charge accordingly and work with solid professional Tattooer’s, do your best every day and if you’re trying that hard money will not be an issue if this is right for you!!

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
There’s a lot of my stuff online and on Instagram (clam13) coming in the shop is the best way. We are open 7 days a week from 12-8.

Contact Info:

• Address: Immaculate tattoo 1454 W Main St #1 Mesa AZ 85201
• Website: Wwwimmaculatetattoo.com
• Phone: 4806684940
• Email: immaculatetattoo@hotmail.com
• Instagram: Clam13
• Facebook: Aaron Coleman
• Twitter: Clmn13

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