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NICK BAXTER
by Geoffrey Stephenson
Photos courtesy of Nick Baxter and Transcend Tattoo
From the October 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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Nick Baxter is a highly talented and esteemed artist
who currently works at Transcend Tattoo in
Branford, Conn. Baxter is a well-spoken, thoughtful
individual who often expresses his emotions and opinions
through art. You can find plenty of social and political
themes in Baxter’s work - whether it’s tattoos, paintings, or
writings. We were honored to ask Baxter a few questions
about his feelings towards tattooing, art, and life.
You were an artist before you became a tattoo artist. What made you want to get into the tattoo industry?
As I matured in my teens, and became exceedingly rebellious and interested
in all things counter-cultural and antagonistic to the norm, I
became more and more aware of tattoos as an art form. They were an
intriguing mode of self-expression because they were
potentially subversive to all the social and cultural
forces I felt were trying to control me. I also saw tattoo
artists being able to support themselves doing
something creative as a career, and largely on their
own terms. So for those reasons, I figured it was
another artistic medium that I should eventually try.
When I finally landed an apprenticeship at age 18 (after
starting to get heavily tattooed myself); I dropped out
of art school to pursue tattooing full time.
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Your work has a lot of realism in it. How
would you describe your style?
I find it really hard to classify my own style, but I usually
enjoy a fairly realistic, painterly and whenever
possible, highly conceptual style of tattoo art.
Presumably because this is more or less how my nontattoo
artwork looks. I try to get the two mediums to
complement each other as intuitively as possible, and
I'm always happy when I can get a tattoo to look like
my painting style.
Your recent paintings and photographs
deal with social and political themes. What
is the overall message that you are trying
to convey through your art?
Essentially what I'm trying to convey through my art
is a profound awe for the very concept of life, bewilderment
of the very concept of death, and a deep
sense of outrage and sadness at the destruction and
misery we have collectively brought upon ourselves and the
world. It's usually an attempt to question or dislodge the viewer's
sense of comfort with their perception of reality.
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Who are some of your influences, inside and outside of tattooing?
There are so many artists that I look up to or whose work I appreciate for one reason or another. It’s hard to form any kind of complete list, so just a portion of them I can think of right now are Salvador Dali, J.P. Witkin, Simen Johan, Mark Kessel, H.R. Giger, Guy Aitchison, Tim Hawkinson, Cindy Sherman, Richard Estes and all Photorealist painters, Charles Santarpia, Megan Merrell, Todd Schorr, Alex Grey, Caravaggio, Michaelangelo, Ron English, Eric White, Leonardo DaVinci, Russell Mills...
What are your thoughts on the current state of
tattooing? How do you feel about tattoo artists
emerging as a force in the fine art world?
I'm excited by all the technical and artistic advances in tattooing.
It seems like it's still in a huge growth stage for those things.
There is so much information and skill and opportunity out
there, it's both encouraging and humbling to be a part of.
Naturally, I think it's great that tattoo artists are becoming recognized
'fine artists' for their work both on and off of skin. I
think there are a bunch of tattooers in the world today who
should be considered legitimate, historically respected 'fine
artists' as far as the modern gallery and museum art world is
concerned. I'm all for breaking down those subcultural barriers,
but not in order to become the bad parts of what tattoo subculture
has justifiably rebelled against—there’s a fine line there.
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What's your favorite part about being a tattoo artist?
The freedom to control my own career, my own schedule, my
own life, and be creative on my own terms. Also to be able to
positively impact the lives of others by helping bring their visions
to life on their bodies—it can be a very meaningful and intimate
process sometimes. When it fulfills all of its potential, it’s
especially great to be a part of.
What do you like to do outside of tattooing?
Other art.As much as possible. Yet at the same time, I try
to be a decent,well-rounded human by doing lots of other
things and living fully. But it all eventually comes back to
being an artist—observing, experiencing, critiquing, and
creating.
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Any future plans or final comments?
Vegan. Straight Edge.Anarchy. Choice Theory. Get educated
(from all points of view) on what's really happening in
the world, get active and engaged in meaningful activities
with real people you care about. Fancy tattoos and shiny
possessions can only take you so far.
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For more information, go to www.nickbaxter.com.
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