Kyle Cotterman is an award-winning artist who has been tattooing for three years and loves every minute of it, except for the kanji. He started his tattoo apprenticeship in Dayton, Ohio under Brian Benner. He is an awesome guy, and one of the most creative artists around, Cotterman says. He has done quite a few pieces on me including my full back and my side. Alongside St. Marq Agee, Brenner was part owner of New Breed Tattoo and it was there that Cotterman met Josh Carlton. I really wanted to learn how to do portrait work, so I had some of the best to teach me. St. Marq and Josh gave me a crash course on how to do a portrait, and I have been doing them ever since, Cotterman says. I try and get tattooed by people I want to learn from to help my tattooing... like Mike Devries, Nikko, Josh, and Dan Plumley. Today you can find Cotterman at one of two locations --Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or Kingsport, Tennessee -- at a shop he co-owns called Ink Revolution Studios. You can also catch him participating at various conventions around the country or look him up on his InkedNation profile here.
The following interview consists of InkedNation user submitted questions...
Fgiovannitti: I myself find it very enjoyable to do reproductions (photo and/or fine art) and I love to display them when I do, but it seems, after looking at your profile pictures on this site, that you rarely (if ever) do anything other than reproductions or modified reproductions. Can we expect to see more original artwork in the future or are you going to stick to reproductions?
Kyle Cotterman: I think I am going to try and expand to doing a little custom stuff, but I am just obsessed with realism. I always drew pictures of faces and landscapes as a kid, so I guess that is what I like doing on skin too. But just for the record, I will do custom stuff. It seems like I dont have a big request for stuff like that right now.
1dharma: I'd like to know who inspires you on a regular basis?
KC: There are too many people that inspire me. From tattoo artists, to painters, to sculptors and so much more. I think that anything can be an inspiration, depending how you look at it. As for tattoos go, I think I always look at Mike Devries work, Nikko, Nate Beavers, Mike Demasi, and people that do a lot of color portrait stuff.
1dharma: Also, which tattooists, if any, have you enjoyed the distinct pleasure of working with?
KC: Oh man, another question with so many answers I guess I would have to say Nate Beavers, Jeff Ensminger, John Montgomery, Josh Carlton, Brian Murphey, Monte, Ian White, Josh Cook, Brian Brenner, Justin Page, Sean Young, and the list goes on and on. I cant believe how many cool, down to earth, tattoo artists there are out there.
Heymister : What is the weirdest thing you've ever tattooed?
KC: It would have to be the cat skull, iPod-loading dock I did as a collaboration at the last Hell City tattoo convention. We tattooed him two days straight, five hours each day. Fun stuff.
Heymister : And what is the weirdest body part you've ever tattooed?
KC: I guess it would be the pinky toe. I did a small flower. It didnt heal well of course
Inkediniowa : Do you think that with tattoos becoming much more popular theses days that this will continue and become the norm? If so, what do you see as a possible reason for the growth in popularity?
KC: The art of tattooing has evolved. People are becoming more aware of the things you can do with a tattoo now a day. Twenty years ago this kind of artwork just didnt exist on skin. I think it has become a lot more mainstream and accepted as time goes on. I can only imagine what the future of tattooing will be like in another 20 years.
olive1979 : Do you have the freedom of doing your own design on most people. Or do they bring you a photo and you put your own creative touch on it?
KC: People pretty much give me an idea and I just run with it from there. Whether it be a portrait or something I draw myself, I always try to put something a little extra into it. I like exaggerating the colors of tattoos I do, so I think that creates a style in itself.
olive1979 : Have you ever just said no to an idea someone had and turned them away?
KC: Yeah, it happens. I try to reason with people, but some people are not made to think of tattoo ideas by themselves. That is why it is always wise to go to a shop with an idea, and not be afraid to let the artist have a little freedom on the design. That cool pot leaf tattoo you want now, might not be so cool in a year or so.
Bonebreakerj : Horimono, as you may know, is a Japanese tattooing. I recently saw a video on some of its work on National Geographic. Japanese artists, unlike us, use a paintbrush with over two-dozen needles, whereas we use specific machines. Do you think the Japanese horimono is better then what we have here? More painful? Maybe gives better results then a machine?
KC: Well, I use the electric tattooing method exclusively. I actually have never really heard of horimono I wonder if they do portraits with that?
sikrnu : I would like to know what type of art you were into before you started tattooing and if over the years you found this preference to change?
KC: Well, I love doing pencil drawings, but lately I have been painting with acrylic. I also pinstripe and used to do custom signs and lettering. Recently I have been painting digitally with a wacom tablet. Photoshop is the shit.
Uncleb : Uncle-B, InkedNation here. Readers want to know your opinion on what's better: two big boobs or four smaller ones?
KC: Oh man the question of the century. Well I guess it all depends on the circumstances. One girl or two? I dont think four boobs on one would be cool. But then again, the chick from total recall looked pretty good with three. I just dont know. Two big ones I guess.
Filthyrich : You do a lot of collaborations. Are there any artists you would love to get a chance to work a collaboration with ? Who?
KC: I would love to collaborate with people who are open minded on how a design can be executed. I think if I had a chance to collaborate with any one person, it would be Nikko. He is awesome.
Fowlerboi : I'd like to know, who inspired you to tattoo? And have you every done ultraviolet ink tattoos, and what where they?
KC: I was inspired mostly by my dad and his tattoos. He had a beautiful tattoo done by Brian Brenner of Dayton, Ohio, and it just blew my mind. I didnt know tattoos could look that good. My dad always had faith in me too, so that inspired me to never give up. Ultraviolet ink is lame. I dont even know why they make it. It always looks inconsistent from tattoos I have seen with this ink. Also, I hear a lot of people have bad reactions to it.
Jman: Please tell us about the shop you work at and your co-workers.
KC: Well, I am currently co-owner of INK REVOLUTION STUDIOS. We have two locations. One in Kingsport Tennessee, and one in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The guys I work with are just amazing people. They are like my family. Justin Page, Sean Young, Frank Prisco, Darby, Head, Bob the Collector.I couldnt ask for anything better. It is so much easier to work, when you really enjoy who you work with.
Jman : What are the top three tattoo conventions to attend in 2008?
KC: ARKANSAS INKSPLOSION, GEM CITY HEART ATTACK, HELL CITY. I am sure there are many more, but these are the ones I am looking forward to.
Jman : If you could give out the Oscar for the best movie of 2007, what would be your choice? Why?
KC: Another tough one. I liked 300, Superbad, Juno, Eastern Promises, Ratatouille, Hot Fuzz, and the list goes on. As for 2008, its RAMBO all the way
Jman: Have you ever tattooed a Suicide Girl?
KC: No, not yet
The following interview consists of InkedNation user submitted questions...
Fgiovannitti: I myself find it very enjoyable to do reproductions (photo and/or fine art) and I love to display them when I do, but it seems, after looking at your profile pictures on this site, that you rarely (if ever) do anything other than reproductions or modified reproductions. Can we expect to see more original artwork in the future or are you going to stick to reproductions?
Kyle Cotterman: I think I am going to try and expand to doing a little custom stuff, but I am just obsessed with realism. I always drew pictures of faces and landscapes as a kid, so I guess that is what I like doing on skin too. But just for the record, I will do custom stuff. It seems like I dont have a big request for stuff like that right now.
1dharma: I'd like to know who inspires you on a regular basis?
KC: There are too many people that inspire me. From tattoo artists, to painters, to sculptors and so much more. I think that anything can be an inspiration, depending how you look at it. As for tattoos go, I think I always look at Mike Devries work, Nikko, Nate Beavers, Mike Demasi, and people that do a lot of color portrait stuff.
1dharma: Also, which tattooists, if any, have you enjoyed the distinct pleasure of working with?
KC: Oh man, another question with so many answers I guess I would have to say Nate Beavers, Jeff Ensminger, John Montgomery, Josh Carlton, Brian Murphey, Monte, Ian White, Josh Cook, Brian Brenner, Justin Page, Sean Young, and the list goes on and on. I cant believe how many cool, down to earth, tattoo artists there are out there.
Heymister : What is the weirdest thing you've ever tattooed?
KC: It would have to be the cat skull, iPod-loading dock I did as a collaboration at the last Hell City tattoo convention. We tattooed him two days straight, five hours each day. Fun stuff.
Heymister : And what is the weirdest body part you've ever tattooed?
KC: I guess it would be the pinky toe. I did a small flower. It didnt heal well of course
Inkediniowa : Do you think that with tattoos becoming much more popular theses days that this will continue and become the norm? If so, what do you see as a possible reason for the growth in popularity?
KC: The art of tattooing has evolved. People are becoming more aware of the things you can do with a tattoo now a day. Twenty years ago this kind of artwork just didnt exist on skin. I think it has become a lot more mainstream and accepted as time goes on. I can only imagine what the future of tattooing will be like in another 20 years.
olive1979 : Do you have the freedom of doing your own design on most people. Or do they bring you a photo and you put your own creative touch on it?
KC: People pretty much give me an idea and I just run with it from there. Whether it be a portrait or something I draw myself, I always try to put something a little extra into it. I like exaggerating the colors of tattoos I do, so I think that creates a style in itself.
olive1979 : Have you ever just said no to an idea someone had and turned them away?
KC: Yeah, it happens. I try to reason with people, but some people are not made to think of tattoo ideas by themselves. That is why it is always wise to go to a shop with an idea, and not be afraid to let the artist have a little freedom on the design. That cool pot leaf tattoo you want now, might not be so cool in a year or so.
Bonebreakerj : Horimono, as you may know, is a Japanese tattooing. I recently saw a video on some of its work on National Geographic. Japanese artists, unlike us, use a paintbrush with over two-dozen needles, whereas we use specific machines. Do you think the Japanese horimono is better then what we have here? More painful? Maybe gives better results then a machine?
KC: Well, I use the electric tattooing method exclusively. I actually have never really heard of horimono I wonder if they do portraits with that?
sikrnu : I would like to know what type of art you were into before you started tattooing and if over the years you found this preference to change?
KC: Well, I love doing pencil drawings, but lately I have been painting with acrylic. I also pinstripe and used to do custom signs and lettering. Recently I have been painting digitally with a wacom tablet. Photoshop is the shit.
Uncleb : Uncle-B, InkedNation here. Readers want to know your opinion on what's better: two big boobs or four smaller ones?
KC: Oh man the question of the century. Well I guess it all depends on the circumstances. One girl or two? I dont think four boobs on one would be cool. But then again, the chick from total recall looked pretty good with three. I just dont know. Two big ones I guess.
Filthyrich : You do a lot of collaborations. Are there any artists you would love to get a chance to work a collaboration with ? Who?
KC: I would love to collaborate with people who are open minded on how a design can be executed. I think if I had a chance to collaborate with any one person, it would be Nikko. He is awesome.
Fowlerboi : I'd like to know, who inspired you to tattoo? And have you every done ultraviolet ink tattoos, and what where they?
KC: I was inspired mostly by my dad and his tattoos. He had a beautiful tattoo done by Brian Brenner of Dayton, Ohio, and it just blew my mind. I didnt know tattoos could look that good. My dad always had faith in me too, so that inspired me to never give up. Ultraviolet ink is lame. I dont even know why they make it. It always looks inconsistent from tattoos I have seen with this ink. Also, I hear a lot of people have bad reactions to it.
Jman: Please tell us about the shop you work at and your co-workers.
KC: Well, I am currently co-owner of INK REVOLUTION STUDIOS. We have two locations. One in Kingsport Tennessee, and one in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The guys I work with are just amazing people. They are like my family. Justin Page, Sean Young, Frank Prisco, Darby, Head, Bob the Collector.I couldnt ask for anything better. It is so much easier to work, when you really enjoy who you work with.
Jman : What are the top three tattoo conventions to attend in 2008?
KC: ARKANSAS INKSPLOSION, GEM CITY HEART ATTACK, HELL CITY. I am sure there are many more, but these are the ones I am looking forward to.
Jman : If you could give out the Oscar for the best movie of 2007, what would be your choice? Why?
KC: Another tough one. I liked 300, Superbad, Juno, Eastern Promises, Ratatouille, Hot Fuzz, and the list goes on. As for 2008, its RAMBO all the way
Jman: Have you ever tattooed a Suicide Girl?
KC: No, not yet
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
Vanessa said:
I love Kyle Cotterman. He's amazing.
He's tattooed me on someone's arm.
That is amazing.