Resident Artist – Owner & Senior Artist
Styles:
- Black and grey realism
- Gothic / Dark Surrealism
- Blackwork
- Blackout
- Portraits
- Custom
Mark Weatherhead, our founder and visionary of award winning One For Sorrow Tattoo Studio in Shrewsbury. Mark brings over 15 years of experience to his work, with a traditional academic background in fine art, digital art, and photography, he seamlessly transitioned his skills into the world of tattooing. Specializing in black and grey realism, Gothic/Dark Surrealism, Blackwork, and portraits, Mark’s work is deeply influenced by his appreciation for the darker side of art and a passion for creating unique, collaborative pieces with his clients. He was taught and mentored by the renowned artist Tommy Lee Wendtner, and has spent years traveling and working in leading tattoo studios and conventions across Europe. Mark established his own studio in 2019, creating a space for like-minded artists and clients who appreciate the artistry and history of tattooing.
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Interview with Mark Weatherhead Tattoo Artist
So… Rewinding all the way to the start..How did it all begin?
I’ve always been creative, even as a child I was constantly drawing, painting, sculpting. Luckily I also have creative and supportive parents, my Dad would go bin diving to rescue pieces of Art that I had thrown away, after he died and I was clearing the house I found a whole folder of work he had kept hold of. Art and creativity of some kind has forever been a constant, its a necessity for me like breathing.
What got you interested specifically in tattooing?
I was intrigued by the craft early on, and it grew more especially as I explored music and saw people in bands with these full sleeves and crazy pieces of art like Kerry King of Slayer. Early on I was drawn to the darker side of the craft and I had to consume all I could find. Getting your foot in the door wasn’t as was as it is now. I was already lucky enough to be tattooed by Liorcifer at Last Rights, and soon after stumbled in to work by Tommy Lee Wendtner, we spoke online and I visited him to start a sleeve project with him in Cologne, Germany. I took my portfolio along and he saw something in my work, he opened up a studio and took me on to work in h’s studio to learn and has been a huge support and mentor ever since.
Your style is obviously predominantly black and grey, but how would YOU describe your style?
I pretty much exclusively work in black and grey. I was ridiculed by tutors in College and University for only having this limited palette, so it was never forced it was just natural that I gravitated towards black and grey. I do work in colour now and then, but I feel more at home with black and grey, it gives me more ability to explore, be spontaneous while while working which fits with the Automatic Drawing techniques taught by Tommy and surrealist styles that inspire me.
What or who is/are your key influences as an artist?
I naturally draw influence from anywhere not only art and tattooing; it could be brutalist architecture and ambient noises one minute, then wet plate photography or fashion designers the next. Anything with a genuine message, emotion, intent and depth speaks to me… or something with absolutely nothing to say, a black out sleeve or a tattoo of one well placed line if well executed with intention and thought, can have as much impact as a beautiful realistic portrait… I am intrigued by juxtaposition and contrast in classical, surrealism and also conceptual art, maybe someday I will find a way to amalgamate them in my own language.
What or who has influenced you the most?
If I was to list all my influences it would be an incredibly long list, a few key ones I guess would be : Joel Peter Witkin, H.R. Giger, Beksinski, Francis Bacon, David Cronenberg, H.P. Lovecraft, Paul Booth, Robert Hernandez, Tommy Lee Wendtner.
What is your favourite subject matter or style to tattoo?
I enjoy projects that are a true collaboration with the client the best, something that allows 2 minds to really work together and conceptualise a real piece of art with the freedom I need to create a tattoo that is truly unique.
You have spent years travelling and working in other countries and other studios, what would you say are the 3 most important things you have took from all this experience?
Be an empty cup… try to remain open minded, traveling is the best opportunity for us to learn, even the smallest thing can change how we live, work, or view life and death. If we are willing to learn, take in new ideas and other objectives.
We are not special, we are all pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Everyone has their own battles, understanding these is in fact liberating and allows us to live life freely with not concern of judgment.
Let go; somethings just aren’t for us as much as we feel we want them at the time; people, career ambitions, money, objects, even ideologies.
You also tattoo at conventions and festivals, what is your favourite place to work at outside OFS?
I have been lucky enough to tattoo in so many countries and all sorts of shows. At the moment I enjoy the smaller shows especially those in Norway, these tend to be mainly music festivals with small tattoo shows incorporated. They tend to only have around 10 – 15 Artists and over the past few years we have all become really close, there’s no ego, just all of us doing what we love enjoying the music and spending time together. Like how show’s used to be like, now its more about going there to win a trophy or something, I miss the purity and beauty tattoo shows used to have and its something we really should try to hold onto
Mentioning OFS we need to talk about your incredible studio…What made you set up the studio in the first place?
I moved back to the UK after my father passed away. The space was never born through ego, I wanted to create a space not just for tattooers but for people who love art in various forms, who have the same hunger to create and be part of this wonderful community. I guess it was my attempt to say thank you to the craft and give something back to tattooing in my own language.
It is clear OFS isn’t just another street shop or tattoo studio, it is filled with curios, oddities, taxidermy, art, antique furniture, and it’s high end. Its like a museum come historical home which has been fused with a tattoo studio. Was this always your vision? How do you view the studio and its purpose?
The whole studio is essentially a sigil, every aspect to the space has been carefully considered if you are able and willing to look closely. Its a space which allows the artists to guide the client through the experience not dragged through and crammed in like cattle, surrounded by blank walls, cheap pot plants or art by people who dont work there. Its a space to feel and be inspired.
Would you say OFS was a physical extension or manifestation of yourself?
It is definitely an extension on myself, it’s unique even though it has been inspired by many other places I have visited while traveling. Like with art creating and curating a space such as this, which is special in its own right, was an exhilarating challenge. The space spoke to us, we had to listen and engage with it not against it, the building was the client asking us to adorn it in our way.
The studio has been open now since June 2019 what are your favourite memories?
I think the opening was probably my favourite memory, I was so lucky to have some amazingly supportive friends who worked incredibly hard to get the space ready and really understood what I was trying to create. Also I was lucky enough to put together a group of Tattoo Artists to take part in an Art Fusion collaboration at the Telford Tattoo Freeze Convention. I really enjoy working with other artist/creatives or all kinds and collaborating on work together.
Why do you think some people are drawn to the darker side of life?
Why are people drawn to the pretty things? People just are I guess. However I do think in order for someone to be truly drawn to the darker side of life, a person needs to have more substance about them as it can be far more challenging and confronting than the shallow and safer aspects of life.
When you are not tattooing, what do you like to do?
As many Tattooers know its a very consuming job, when a tattooer says that it’s a lifestyle it really is as it is incredibly life consuming. That being said I don’t think many artist would really want to change it a great deal. When I am not tattooing or doing all the other behind the scenes tasks needed for the studio, I tend to lock myself away. I need time for myself to clear my mind and recharge so much of my pass time are things I can do alone, I enjoy drawing, painting and reading. I do like to go to concerts or visit galleries when I get the opportunity so I am not a total hermit.
Top 3 favourite things?
- Good Food
- Good Music
- Good Company
3 things that annoy you most?
- Apathy
- Ignorance
- Social Media
Finally, as an experienced artist, what advice would you give to anyone starting out tattooing or thinking about becoming a tattoo artist?
* GET OFF YOUR ASS… to even be considered as a potential apprentice, approach studios directly in person with your portfolio, this show that you are keen and proactive to pursue something you are passionate about. We get approached by people wishing to learn on a very regular basis and cold calling, messaging or emailing is seen as lazy, so it’s important that you show you are driven, serious and stand out.
* Work on building a strong artistic portfolio of hand drawn work, and again, taking this to studios in person rather than emailing.
* Get tattooed by an Artist whose work you like and who you wish to learn from, this way you can get figure out if it really is for you and make a start being committed to the lifestyle that comes with it. Research and familiarise yourself with the Artist and their work before approaching. This is also a great opportunity where you can ask questions and get to know each other, which goes a long way. Tattooing is a gift and a lot of investment for any artist who teaches properly. It’s a two way street, invest in the Artist and they will in you and your future career.
* Don’t look for a quick fix or an easy way in, the right and responsible way isn’t always the quickest. The journey of learning is one of the most fun and rewarding times in an Artists career.