Tattoo artist Sean Herman was born moving. It took him a over a decade to settle and once he did, he decided he wanted to experience life and got involved in a myriad of movements and projects that shaped who he is today. From ministry to punk rock to anarchism, the one constant for this gypsy is positivity and the art of creation. Tattooing became a love early on, and is stronger in him now more than ever. Though he works from a private studio in San Diego, California, Sean still wanders the land, tattooing, making friends, and doing high fives.
The following interview consists of InkedNation user submitted questions.
Fgiovannitti: Does your mom know you're running around all over the country probably killing brain cells and touching girls' boobs?
Sean Herman: I actually don't touch girls boobs, maybe the girlfriend (if she let's me). The rumor around town is that I'm gay. Maybe we should continue that rumor so I don't get hit-on by scary women anymore.
Tiedyedcorset: You seem to be working and traveling all the time. At your young age, how do you handle the stress of being such a popular and in demand artist? Do you have time to relax and enjoy a social life?
SH: It's difficult. I know, that sounds ridiculous. I get to travel the world, see amazing things, and hang out with great people, so it sounds like I'm complaining about having the dream job but I'm not. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But because of the past two years of constant going, I had to get my life back in order. There are some things that do matter more to me than tattoos, and I had to keep my eyes focused on that. The bond you get to make with a client is far better than any picture you could get of the tattoo. And the bond you have with those you love is the strongest of 'em.
Mrchen: Who are your current influences?
SH: For me, after the past two years, I've realized that my friends are my biggest influences. I have some friends down in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama that are amazing. My friend CW owns a shop down there called Royal Street Tattoo. He and my other friend Pony (who works there) were the ones who taught me how to do more traditional tattooing. My friend Gabe at Hula Moon in Pensacola also was a huge contributor in teaching how to tattoo more like that. I'm very fortunate to have amazing people that I get to call friends. Josh Woodkowski (Woods) has always been a huge influence on me. He's one of my closest friends and one of the few people in this world that I trust. Sitting around, drawing with them, learning -- it's awesome. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Mrchen: You have done a lot of color portraits and color scary faces [and] recently you have done some wicked nice traditional. Will we see some black and grey or more traditional?
SH: I really try not to think about it. A lot of artists will have plans, ya know? Like, they will have a secret weapon of tattooing that they are going to pull out and amaze everyone. I'm not like that. I try to go with art that I want to do, and that the client wants to have. Sometimes the client will ask for something outside of what I normally do, and that will totally change up everything and start something new. People have told me that my work seems to go in cycles. There was the scary face one, the crazy color one, the teeth border one, and so on. I don't really mean to do that; I think it just happens from working so much. I get infatuated with certain things, do them for a minute, and then move on. You have to move on to be constantly growing, which is vital. So who knows what will happen next? I sure don't.
Mrchen: Will we be able to catch you at your new California studio or will you continue to travel heavily?
SH: Both. I'm going to be traveling quite a bit still, but you will be able to catch me in my down time at the studio. I'll be in Europe quite a bit and Canada, so hopefully anyone wanting to get tattooed, can. I do all my appointment booking through MySpace. I put my tour schedule up and book from there. I am taking appointments for the San Diego studio, though.
Brandonbond: What would you say are the major things that have changed in your life since you did your first guest spot at All or Nothing?
SH: Wow, well, a lot. I was a completely different person when I got to All or Nothing. For that first six months or so that I was there, I was very naive and eager. I walked around with a notebook, writing down every single thing that everyone would say. Then I would go home and study the notes, like college. It's funny; I recently found all those notes when I was cleaning out my house to move. Reading them over was cool, I think I learned even more again.
When I came and worked there I was very wide-eyed and thought that my focus was suppose to be in one certain direction. So I concentrated all my efforts in that direction, and in effect, lost a lot more than I could have imagined. I got divorced and almost had a serious mental breakdown. These were no one's fault but my own. I put myself in that position, being a workaholic and not listening to friends. I then began to realize that if I'm going to be doing this, I have to get on a track that is mine and no one else. At that point, my art completely changed. I started tattooing the way I wanted to, not caring about what other people were doing or saying about it.
I got back heavily involved in my first love of anarchism and activism. I started traveling, camping and experiencing. I realized that there is more to life than living in a box and putting out product, and I've only got so long to experience it. I decided that none of it matters in the end. Fame, money -- it all burns away and holds absolutely no value. I fell back in love with life, and every aspect of it. And that brought me where I am today, being a traveling gypsy that probably hugs people too much.
Brandonbond: Tell us about your new private studio.
SH: My friend Craig Driscoll gave me a call when he heard I was moving to San Diego and I was very excited to even hear from him. He asked if I wanted to be part of a collective he was doing and we talked for a few hours about it and it was right up my alley. We're trying to do more environmentally friendly things and be more socially conscious. I'll only be working there for a limited amount of time and then, like a gypsy, I will be gone. The circus will be leaving town. But, it'll be an awesome experience that I can't wait to start. It's going to be a very chill atmosphere, just me and the client. We'll talk, listen to music, and get tattooed. I can't wait.
Brandonbond: What would you say to a younger artist who may be struggling, stagnant, or frustrated that he is not growing as fast as you did?
SH: I would say get your priorities straight. What matters first is what's most important to you, i.e. family, friends. Don't lose sight of what makes you who are or what is really important. Fame, money and all that crap will burn away. Focus on your clients and keeping a strong relationship with them. If you have all of those things, you will truly be happy. From there your art will grow. Be focused on your own personal growth and don't focus on those around you. Don't copy someone because you think it will get you ahead. Create your own style. Create your own art. That's what we're here to do.
Brandonbond: Do you still enjoy tattooing?
SH: I love tattooing now more than ever. Now that I have my priorities straight, I'm loving every second of it. I'm truly happy. Sitting down with a client, working together on a piece, it's awesome. I'm making myself take days off for other things, to stay focused. That way, when I come back to tattooing, I'm always into it.
Jman: Have you tattooed any Suicide Girls ? If so, how many and do you remember their name ?
SH: Yeah, I have. I'm friends with several SGs. Quinne is a very good friend of mine who I've used as a reference quite a bit early on. She's a sweet girl who helped me out a lot. It's kinda something I've gone away from now though, tattooing SGs on people. I've also tattooed Luscious, Derby, and few others... They are all really nice girls. It's always cool meeting people who really care about what your tattooing on them and showing it to everyone.
Sterilesteve: What is your favorite style?
SH: I don't really have a favorite style. To be honest I just love doing tattoos that the client loves. The client's excitement is really what makes it. That constantly challenges my work and what I do. I love whatever style is challenging me and causing me to work harder. Creation is an amazing thing that I love doing in any capacity.
Sterilesteve: What other mediums do you work in?
SH: I've dabbled with chalk pastels but to be honest, I don't know much about that stuff. I grew up poor and would just draw on butcher paper with Bic pens so I really have no formal art training. But I love photography, landscape photos in particular, and I'm trying to learn more about painting. I'm hopefully going to spend some time with my friend Jeff Gogue in Oregon and finally learn something about painting.
Sterilesteve: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
SH: I don't really think that far ahead. If we're all around 10 years from now, I just want to be happy. The route it's going, we might not be, if we don't change things.
Sterilesteve: What would you change about the tattoo industry?
SH: I wish there was more respect in general. There was a time when tattooers showed more respect to each other and the industry and I wish we were still like that. I loved tattooing when I was younger because it's an art that we get to partake in that's been around since the advent of man, basically. It's been passed down from generation to generation; it's an amazing thing. The fact that we get to do it is awesome. I wish everyone remembered that and focused more on that than talking shit. We're in this together.
Sterilesteve: Do you have a motto, favorite quote, or a bit of wisdom to leave us with?
SH: "Your life, it's good to the last drop."
The following interview consists of InkedNation user submitted questions.
Fgiovannitti: Does your mom know you're running around all over the country probably killing brain cells and touching girls' boobs?
Sean Herman: I actually don't touch girls boobs, maybe the girlfriend (if she let's me). The rumor around town is that I'm gay. Maybe we should continue that rumor so I don't get hit-on by scary women anymore.
Tiedyedcorset: You seem to be working and traveling all the time. At your young age, how do you handle the stress of being such a popular and in demand artist? Do you have time to relax and enjoy a social life?
SH: It's difficult. I know, that sounds ridiculous. I get to travel the world, see amazing things, and hang out with great people, so it sounds like I'm complaining about having the dream job but I'm not. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But because of the past two years of constant going, I had to get my life back in order. There are some things that do matter more to me than tattoos, and I had to keep my eyes focused on that. The bond you get to make with a client is far better than any picture you could get of the tattoo. And the bond you have with those you love is the strongest of 'em.
Mrchen: Who are your current influences?
SH: For me, after the past two years, I've realized that my friends are my biggest influences. I have some friends down in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama that are amazing. My friend CW owns a shop down there called Royal Street Tattoo. He and my other friend Pony (who works there) were the ones who taught me how to do more traditional tattooing. My friend Gabe at Hula Moon in Pensacola also was a huge contributor in teaching how to tattoo more like that. I'm very fortunate to have amazing people that I get to call friends. Josh Woodkowski (Woods) has always been a huge influence on me. He's one of my closest friends and one of the few people in this world that I trust. Sitting around, drawing with them, learning -- it's awesome. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Mrchen: You have done a lot of color portraits and color scary faces [and] recently you have done some wicked nice traditional. Will we see some black and grey or more traditional?
SH: I really try not to think about it. A lot of artists will have plans, ya know? Like, they will have a secret weapon of tattooing that they are going to pull out and amaze everyone. I'm not like that. I try to go with art that I want to do, and that the client wants to have. Sometimes the client will ask for something outside of what I normally do, and that will totally change up everything and start something new. People have told me that my work seems to go in cycles. There was the scary face one, the crazy color one, the teeth border one, and so on. I don't really mean to do that; I think it just happens from working so much. I get infatuated with certain things, do them for a minute, and then move on. You have to move on to be constantly growing, which is vital. So who knows what will happen next? I sure don't.
Mrchen: Will we be able to catch you at your new California studio or will you continue to travel heavily?
SH: Both. I'm going to be traveling quite a bit still, but you will be able to catch me in my down time at the studio. I'll be in Europe quite a bit and Canada, so hopefully anyone wanting to get tattooed, can. I do all my appointment booking through MySpace. I put my tour schedule up and book from there. I am taking appointments for the San Diego studio, though.
Brandonbond: What would you say are the major things that have changed in your life since you did your first guest spot at All or Nothing?
SH: Wow, well, a lot. I was a completely different person when I got to All or Nothing. For that first six months or so that I was there, I was very naive and eager. I walked around with a notebook, writing down every single thing that everyone would say. Then I would go home and study the notes, like college. It's funny; I recently found all those notes when I was cleaning out my house to move. Reading them over was cool, I think I learned even more again.
When I came and worked there I was very wide-eyed and thought that my focus was suppose to be in one certain direction. So I concentrated all my efforts in that direction, and in effect, lost a lot more than I could have imagined. I got divorced and almost had a serious mental breakdown. These were no one's fault but my own. I put myself in that position, being a workaholic and not listening to friends. I then began to realize that if I'm going to be doing this, I have to get on a track that is mine and no one else. At that point, my art completely changed. I started tattooing the way I wanted to, not caring about what other people were doing or saying about it.
I got back heavily involved in my first love of anarchism and activism. I started traveling, camping and experiencing. I realized that there is more to life than living in a box and putting out product, and I've only got so long to experience it. I decided that none of it matters in the end. Fame, money -- it all burns away and holds absolutely no value. I fell back in love with life, and every aspect of it. And that brought me where I am today, being a traveling gypsy that probably hugs people too much.
Brandonbond: Tell us about your new private studio.
SH: My friend Craig Driscoll gave me a call when he heard I was moving to San Diego and I was very excited to even hear from him. He asked if I wanted to be part of a collective he was doing and we talked for a few hours about it and it was right up my alley. We're trying to do more environmentally friendly things and be more socially conscious. I'll only be working there for a limited amount of time and then, like a gypsy, I will be gone. The circus will be leaving town. But, it'll be an awesome experience that I can't wait to start. It's going to be a very chill atmosphere, just me and the client. We'll talk, listen to music, and get tattooed. I can't wait.
Brandonbond: What would you say to a younger artist who may be struggling, stagnant, or frustrated that he is not growing as fast as you did?
SH: I would say get your priorities straight. What matters first is what's most important to you, i.e. family, friends. Don't lose sight of what makes you who are or what is really important. Fame, money and all that crap will burn away. Focus on your clients and keeping a strong relationship with them. If you have all of those things, you will truly be happy. From there your art will grow. Be focused on your own personal growth and don't focus on those around you. Don't copy someone because you think it will get you ahead. Create your own style. Create your own art. That's what we're here to do.
Brandonbond: Do you still enjoy tattooing?
SH: I love tattooing now more than ever. Now that I have my priorities straight, I'm loving every second of it. I'm truly happy. Sitting down with a client, working together on a piece, it's awesome. I'm making myself take days off for other things, to stay focused. That way, when I come back to tattooing, I'm always into it.
Jman: Have you tattooed any Suicide Girls ? If so, how many and do you remember their name ?
SH: Yeah, I have. I'm friends with several SGs. Quinne is a very good friend of mine who I've used as a reference quite a bit early on. She's a sweet girl who helped me out a lot. It's kinda something I've gone away from now though, tattooing SGs on people. I've also tattooed Luscious, Derby, and few others... They are all really nice girls. It's always cool meeting people who really care about what your tattooing on them and showing it to everyone.
Sterilesteve: What is your favorite style?
SH: I don't really have a favorite style. To be honest I just love doing tattoos that the client loves. The client's excitement is really what makes it. That constantly challenges my work and what I do. I love whatever style is challenging me and causing me to work harder. Creation is an amazing thing that I love doing in any capacity.
Sterilesteve: What other mediums do you work in?
SH: I've dabbled with chalk pastels but to be honest, I don't know much about that stuff. I grew up poor and would just draw on butcher paper with Bic pens so I really have no formal art training. But I love photography, landscape photos in particular, and I'm trying to learn more about painting. I'm hopefully going to spend some time with my friend Jeff Gogue in Oregon and finally learn something about painting.
Sterilesteve: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
SH: I don't really think that far ahead. If we're all around 10 years from now, I just want to be happy. The route it's going, we might not be, if we don't change things.
Sterilesteve: What would you change about the tattoo industry?
SH: I wish there was more respect in general. There was a time when tattooers showed more respect to each other and the industry and I wish we were still like that. I loved tattooing when I was younger because it's an art that we get to partake in that's been around since the advent of man, basically. It's been passed down from generation to generation; it's an amazing thing. The fact that we get to do it is awesome. I wish everyone remembered that and focused more on that than talking shit. We're in this together.
Sterilesteve: Do you have a motto, favorite quote, or a bit of wisdom to leave us with?
SH: "Your life, it's good to the last drop."
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
addison:
speaking of Sean Herman, where the fuck is my shoe??? haha
thejuanupsman:
Interesting interview. He certainly does some beautiful work.