Interview

[This interview from http://www.allornothingtattoo.com/]

Interview with Matt Heft of All Or Nothing Tattoo.

http://www.mattheft.com/
www.myspace.com/dirtgrinder
www.inkednation.com/mattheft
http://mattheft.blogspot.com/

How did you get into tattooing?
Matt Heft: My path with tattooing started long before I did. My Great Grandfather was Sailor Dan from Connecticut. He ran the Carnie circuit- Tattooing, wrestling, hustling. I didn’t even know this until I was already quite absorbed with tattooing. The only work I’ve seen of his is on my Gramps. This industry was paved by the sweat and blood of those before me and I give props to all those that gave so I can be here. Thank you. I come from a long line of artists. As a child I was constantly reprimanded for drawing all over myself in school. Now I Tattoo paint and draw. Art has always been supported in my family. It was a natural progression to move into the Tattoo industry. There’s a certain magic in tattooing, a certain relationship with the client that can’t be found anywhere else. I love it. I don’t want to do anything else in my life. I failed a couple of apprenticeships before I came to All Or Nothing. The first I won’t mention, because I don’t have anything good to say about it. I co-owned and apprenticed at a shop, The Golden Lotus, in Oneonta, NY. They’re great folks and still running strong. That didn’t work out for obvious reasons. My Momma told me never to be a quitter. So I regrouped, built a portfolio and was accepted into the family here at A.o.N.

What’s it like apprenticing at All Or Nothing Tattoo?
Matt Heft: It’s the most rewarding slavery I’ve ever had! I’ve had 2 apprenticeships before this one, and though I learned from those guys, It’s a world of difference here. Everything from business and promotion, to getting artistic and technical guidance from some of the most talented artists I’ve ever seen. This is what an apprenticeship is meant to be. These guys are great. As much as the image is Rock n’Roll, all there is here is family. You gotta work for it, of course. But the well of knowledge here is indispensable. This is the Ivy League of apprenticeships. I’ve learned art, business, and customer satisfaction from Brandon Bond. I regularly discuss design with Dave Tedder, Sean Herman and Bryan Reynolds. I’ve recently been learning about machine building from Tim Orth of Axis Irons. Cover ups and texturing from Jeff Paetzold. Color bombs courtesy of Josh Woods, and a bit of everything from Chris Vennekamp and J Ranno. It’s amazing. Every time I think I’ve met the hurdle, they show me the next plane ahead of me; these boys always produce. Without growth we’re nothing. All Or Nothing has taught me so much. I am indebted to how much they’ve taught me. Granted, there is a price for everything. I’ve been working 90+ hour weeks for over a year. I don’t take my day off; I work 7 days a week. I can count my days off in the last year on one hand. I’ve given up some of my greatest passions to do this. I’ve given everything to be able to do this. I will not quit. And one of these days I’ll have the time to make time again. Then again, the curse of the artist is never being satisfied, always needing to produce. So I guess we’ll see on that one…

Who are your biggest influences?
Matt Heft: I have no idea. I‘m a sponge. I Watch and learn and browse, absorb, then draw. I find the best work I can on every level; design, technical, innovative, classic, and study until my eyes are blurry. It’s like asking, “Who’s the best?” I don’t know. I know amazing artists. I know absolutely inspirational people. I’ve met people that make me want to be the best I can ever possibly be. People, both good and bad, that show me the way. Half these folks are family now. And the other half I couldn’t pick out of a crowd if my life depended on it. Sometimes it’s not important to be able to name off a shopping list of artists. Sometimes it’s better to just look. To watch the cherry blossoms fall. Maybe that’s an excuse of an answer. Tattooing is reaching amazing levels, levels we’ve never seen before. I’m fortunate to be learning from people pushing that envelope.

What do you bring to the tattoo community?
Matt Heft: Passion. Art. Life. I’m here to do what I do. I didn’t see this on TV and decide it was cool. It’s just what had to be. I’ve spent time finding the best I can learn from, so I can be the best I can be. I want to progress. To grow. I’m fortunate to be in a great environment to do so. Thank you all. Stay up.
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ALL OR NOTHING Tattoo studio, Body Piercing & Art Gallery Atlanta, GA