Richard Warnock
Interview in 2009.
How do you introduce yourself for the first time? Nervously, I’m hesitant. That’s a hard out question aye. Politely, depends what the persons like. I just be myself, say my name…
What’s your deal? What do I do? Well I’m a tattooist now, at Powerhouse. I never really considered myself to be an artist, but I guess that’s what I’ve always done. Paint, draw, music, anything that relates to art.
What’s the story behind your involvement with tattooing? Heaps of people ask me this question; I get it at work all the time. So what’s my involvement?
Yea, what’s your story? The reason I’m tattooing is pretty much when I got my first tattoo the artist liked my work. When I was younger I went and asked Steve if I could have a job, and he told me to keep drawing. So that’s what I did, and got into it. Got tattoos, developed some of my own style. I reckon tattooing is the best form of art. There’s no other form of art that can make a client so thankful in a way. I love it and always want it to be my career. Steve and Fiona were my main inspiration and motivation. They’ve done more than I can ever thank them for to get me where I am now.
Anyone that doesn’t try to be like anyone else and just does their own thing inspires me. Originality inspires me. You’ve got to be yourself aye?
What’s your most treasured piece of work thus far? That one there (points to a large painted canvas on his wall) that big one. It depicts the last four or five years of my life.
Do you keep adding to it? Nope it doesn’t need adding to. Its weird, it was done four years ago but still means the exact same thing it did then, today.
So you’ve gone in a full circle with this work? Yes, in a good way. I mean, I did it, did all this other shit and now am back where I started and want to be. What I’ve done with my art and where it’s bought me is a treasure. Fifteen years ago I would never have seen myself as a tattooist, but now I can’t see myself as not. That’s my career and that’s all I want to do. Pretty much any work I’ve done on someone else is a treasure. Also any time I get a thank you back. When someone says it’s better than they expected or imagined, then yea.
So when you do work that someone else treasures, you treasure it? Yea, work that someone is grateful for.
Could you describe your style as an artist? My style is just myself I suppose. I’ve had a lot of influences and stuff. Every time someone sees my work they know I’ve done it. It’s recognisable, so I must have a style. I love detailed stuff, I love doing little nibbly bits and details. Fuck straight lines.
Steve definitely influences my tattooing, and not just because he’s my boss but because I admire his work. To do with art I’ve got to mention my dad.
What type of experience would a client of yours have? I don’t see any of my clients as clients. I see them as all individuals and guests. Any client of Powerhouse I could see on the street and know their name and know who they are. I like it to be a personal experience. I want the experience to exceed their expectations. To be comfortable. For them to walk out the door three times as happy as they were walking in. I hate seeing a nervous client; I like to make them not nervous. Just pretty much for them to be comfortable enough and happy enough to enjoy the experience. Best thing to hear from a client, no shit, is thank you. Tattooing someone I don’t see as a job myself. Someone else giving me his or her skin to tattoo is a privilege. I’m thankful of them. It shouldn’t be them saying thank you to me, I should be thanking them.
What’s next for you? What’s next? Where I am now, that’s what’s next. Six months ago I never thought id be where I am now, I’m way happier than I ever though I could be. I know exactly what I want, and it’s to be what I’m doing and to be where I am now.
What’s next is to keep going hard with my job. I’m in the best position possible for me. In five years time I see myself still doing what I’m doing now, still being myself, just better and be more skilled.
You can look at other people’s lives and take influence from it, but being you is the number one thing.
Do you have anything to say that hasn’t been asked? I’ve been given such an opportunity, but I’ve worked really hard to be where I am now. Something will always come up if you pursue what you want to do, and are confident and focused enough. Just be happy with the person you are and don’t try to be like anybody else. Once you find what you love to do, you never work a day in your life. I would rather be at work than be at home. When I’m at work that’s me. I’m doing this for others. I’m doing it to see other people happy. That’s why I do art. I don’t paint a picture for myself; I do it to make other people think. To give them some expression… Whether it’s happy, sad, angry, whatever.
If people want to see your stuff what’s the best way to see it? Just approach me I guess, I’m a nice guy. Just ask to see it.
