FROM BARE SKIN TO STUNNING ARTWORK

Tattoos are everywhere but despite their ubiquitousness, you always notice when you see a really good one: the clean lines, the genuine artwork, the clever positioning, the message. Tattoo artist Richard McGee has seen it all. For almost 25 years now he has dedicated his life to a mission of perfecting his craft, finding new inspiration and creating images that last, impress and have a deeper meaning. He now divides his time between his studio in the US and Bulgaria, where he is happy to raise a kid.

When and why did you decide to become a tattoo artist?

I have always been interested in art and I was very much into skateboarding and subculture in the United States when I was young. For college, I went to art school where I started getting tattooed. In 1994 I graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking and sculpture.

After several years working with lamp and furniture design, as well as faux finishing, I wanted more and more to try my hand at tattooing. It was the year 2000 when I made the commitment to tattooing as a full time career. It's been a blessing every step of the way allowing me to travel the world doing what I love and meeting so many wonderful people along the way. In 2005 I started my own custom shop – Anonymous Tattoo – in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. It has been the best decision I ever made and has allowed me and my family to have a very comfortable and flexible life.

What was the most difficult thing that you had to learn while you were honing your art?

Patience and discipline. Both with the art of tattooing and people. Many people have a misconception of this craft – if you want to be a good tattoo artist you need to spend hours doing research, exploring imagery, understanding historical and stylistic context, symbols, etc. It takes time to create a unique artwork according to something which is in someone's head, but also which is well designed, accurate in symbolic imagery or realism and also coordinated with the anatomy of the part of the body where the tattoo is going to be applied. And then there is the actual application – it takes patience and focus. Fortunately I still love art so it never gets boring.

To what extent do you connect to your clients while creating their tattoos?

Being a tattoo artist is sometimes like being a therapist. First you have to understand the client's idea of what they want. A lot of my work is custom so someone comes up with an idea and I have to articulate it on paper. Some are very personal, some are very vague. So there's a back and forth where you have to understand a person to create something custom for them which speaks to their imagination and taste.

The interaction with the clients is as different as the individual. Some talk, some don't, some have to have a friend. I work on some big pieces which can take a long time to complete. So, yes I do connect to those clients where I am sitting for 4 to 6 hours with someone for multiple sessions in a private setting – you develop relationships with good people from all walks of life being united through tattooing sharing the pain and the pleasure of the process.

Of course there are those people who do not want to talk, and some who talk too much. You always have to be cordial and not lose focus of what you are doing.

What is your favorite type of imagery or style? Do you prefer certain types of work?

My tastes have evolved over the years – there's so much out there and the beauty of the craft is that the imagination is boundless. In terms of style I like illustrative black and grey work. I always say a flower day is a good day. So I welcome floral work as well as sacred geometry or a combination of the two. Animals, nature, birds – I am open. I have enjoyed doing color work, as well as architectural pieces. But geometric patterns and natural elements in black and gray are currently my favorite.

Have ever said "No" to a client and why?

I have said "No" to many people in 23 years. Having young art school kids wanting a custom drawing that they made which was awful on paper and would be an even bigger mess as a tattoo, for example. As an artist I know they are going to hate that art in two years and it will not age well. I also refuse to tattoo racist or hate related text and imagery. Not because I am judging the client but because hopefully he may not feel that way at some point and then he is branded with an image which makes a very negative statement.

What brings you to Bulgaria and why do you work here?

My girlfriend in the US was from Bulgaria and eventually we married and decided to try out Europe with Bulgaria as a home base. We began coming here in 2007 and then had a child here, and here we are more than a decade later. I still travel back to the US for my business a few times a year, and we spend our summers there. I love many things about Bulgaria and it offers a good quality of life. It's been great for raising a kid and for exploring Europe and Asia.

In terms of work, the tattoo culture is very different from that in the US and the price point is different, too. I do work when I am here, mostly on custom repeat clients. I welcome anyone who wants something original, who has good energy and wants a professional, clean and long lasting tattoo.

+359 899 496 199

www.anonymoustattoo.com

Instagram: ricky_anonymoustattoo