Meet Dante (Deno) Adams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante (Deno) Adams.

Hi Dante, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Basically, 5 years ago, I was at a low point, I struggled with substance abuse and depression, I was unemployed, and decided to start tattooing as a way to pass time and learn a new skill.

Eventually, I moved into a house I turned into a studio and years later earned an apprenticeship with Johnny jinx. And now I get to tattoo and make art as a career, coming from nothing but the clothes on my back to where I am now is my greatest achievement

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Tattooing is definitely not an easy skill to learn.

I didn’t know how to draw before I started tattooing I copied other artists and made little changes to learn how to move my machine, I was self-taught my first five years so I still do touchups from my learning process to this day, there were times when I was broke and relied on the people close to me for support.

However in the end the dedication to the art is what gave me everything I have today from my home to my sense of self and independence.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a custom tattoo artist, I create permanent art to help people see something pretty in the world, I’m mainly a Blackwork artist meaning I use black inks and hardly a grey wash.

Every now and again, I enjoy doing colorwork, especially if it’s anime, or comic-related. It’s harder to find clientele for permanent art like that, however, if I could do nothing but anime and comic tattoos Blackwork or color for the entirety of my career I would be grateful. I’d say I’m most proud of my Blackwork with stipple shading or my anime full-color work. Because I like anime art and I have more “feminine” interests than the average male tattooer, I love using pinks and light colors, as well as Sanrio and kawaii designs.

I think being self-taught the majority of my learning and my focus on creating a comfortable entertaining place for my clients is what sets me apart. Some of my clients have told me they’ve gone to other artists who were great but they didn’t receive the care and interest in their art because the artist wasn’t interested in the subject the way I am in my art.

I research new things I’m tattooing especially cultural tattoos. Because we always have something to learn and the more educated you are on the subject the more likely it is to be accurate.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as reaching goals you’ve set for yourself and understanding that there is no “Top of The Totem Pole.” As an artist, nothing is ever perfect but you can always be closer so I’ve translated that into every aspect of my life.

It’s important to recognize and enjoy little successes because sometimes as humans we set goals for ourselves unrealistically high.

Pricing:

• Prices for black and grey work typically start around $150 for palm-size shaded work.
• Our shop minimum is $50 so anything 3×3 or smaller with light or no shading typically is a steal!
• Piercings $35 including mill certified implant grade titanium.
• Colorwork for bigger pieces usually starts at around $170.

Contact Info:

• Email: dadams6642@gmail.com
• Website: http://brokenclovertattoo.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/prettyink_tattoos?r=nametag

Image Credits
Carlos Silvestre Lopez