Few tattoo artists have made the leap from art studies to a career in law enforcement like American tattoo artist Aaron Springs. Back to his first creative aspirations, the Texan is now having fun making beautiful pieces in a style at the crossroads of New School and realism.
Can you please give me a short presentation?
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1981, 40 years old. I grew up in Friendswood, TX. I’ve been messing around with art for as long as I can remember. I took as many art classes as I could throughout grade school, and participated in the Advanced Portfolio class throughout high school. I barely graduated Friendswood High School in 2000. After High School, I attended Otis School of Arts’ summer school program in Los Angeles, CA, but then returned to Texas shortly after to enroll at the Art Institute of Houston’s Animation program. After one quick semester, I dropped out due to lack of focus and discipline.
And then?
Shortly after my failed attempt at art school, I thought it would be best for me to set down art and go to work for a while. From 2001-2005 I held many jobs that lead me to only one strong conclusion: that I had a strong lack of discipline, commitment, and a real problem with authority. For whatever reason, I figured the best remedy for that would be to join the military or the police force.
Really?
Somewhere in the midst of my job disasters in 2003, I tried tattooing at a friend's shop in Pasadena inTexas. I wasn’t shown much, pretty much just how to hook up the machine and start zapping someone. I didn’t stick around the tattoo shop long. I can’t remember why. I bought a $100 tattoo kit out of a tattoo magazine and zapped my friends from time to time whenever they were brave enough. I even worked at a tattoo shop in Friendswood, in Texas (TattZoo) for a couple months before I decided to enrolled in the Police Academy.
Is that when you join the police?
In 2005, I enrolled in the Alvin Community College Police Academy, and also enrolled for my Associates in Business Management. After graduating the Police Academy I was hired by the Alvin Community College Police Department. I worked at the Police Department to help pay the bills while I finished my bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2011. I continued working as a Police Officer for the Alvin Community College Police Department until 2015.
What about tattooing?
In 2011, after college, I was unable to find a job and I asked my friend if I could come work back at TattZoo while I sorted things out. I always wanted to give my art another shot, so I figured I would while I was still relatively young. I have been working as hard as I can to catch up, and learn everything I can about tattooing. I have really enjoyed myself, and I finally feel like I have something I’d like to do for the rest of my life.
What are the graphic references you grew up with?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I was really into the comic book thing. I enjoyed making random little comic books, generally something with guns and big boobied girlies. I enjoyed comic books like Gen13, Maxx, Spawn, Punisher.
What other influences have fed your artistic universe?
I started thinking about art more after I met one of my best friends, Corban Gallagher, in highschool. He was a great artist, and I wanted to be able to do what he did. He liked making comic style art.
Comics, video games, movies, music... can you tell us about some of the cult works you come back to regularly?
I can’t play video games anymore. I have what people like to call an “addictive personality”, so it can really distract me from working. I would probably play call of duty everyday all day if I could. I’ve been game free for like 4 years. It sucks.
Do you have a pantheon of tattoo artists in the history of American tattooing?
I have many tattoo inspirations, but the ones who got me started were Jeff Ensminger, Nick Baxter, Timmy B, Shawn Will, Steven Compton, and Abel Sanchez.
Have you always done New School? How do you orient yourself in it?
When I first saw the tattoos from the tattooers mentioned above, I knew that’s what I wanted to try and do.
New School offers a lot of creative freedom. Is that the most important thing for you?
I’ve been catagorized in many different tattoo genres over the years, New School, Illustrative, Realism, and Neo-Traditional. I don’t really know what to call what I do. It’s kind of always been the way I’ve drawn. Mix that with all the little tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years, and that’s me.
What are the points you focus on when you start a new piece?
The most important things for me to concentrate on when I design a tattoo is flow, contrast, and then exceeding the clients expectations.
You are a good colourist. But good colour is also good light. Can you tell us about the way you treat it?
I think the best way to treat light sources is to put the light source coming from the clients heart, and try to respect the rule of 3rds.
You also do realism, what pleasure do you take in?
Realism is a fun mix up from doing drawings all the time. I really only enjoy doing a color portrait from time to time. Realism is also more fragile in my opinion so putting them where sun doesn’t hit as much is pretty important to me. So unfortunately, with my restrictions on doing color realism, I don’t get to do it that often. But when I do, it makes for a fun day of color matching. Color realism can teach you all sorts of great things about colors and value.
Is light the secret to making a beautiful realistic piece?
I would say you hit the nail on the head. Unless the photo reference is extremely high in contrast or have really good value, I really won’t even do it.
Most tattoo artists who do realism do it in black and grey. But you do it in colour, how do you enjoy it?
I’ve done some black and grey realism too, but definitely get requested more for color. I do enjoy it very much, especially when people like it, they seem to be really blown away and are able to immerse themselves into the tattoo very easily. I think us as tattooers really enjoy it when people get really into the outcome and process of the tattoo. I really enjoy how realism tattoos seem to make me grow as an artist every time I do one.
Creatively, how do you stay fresh and keep your creativity? Do you go to exhibitions, watch films...?
Staying creative is probably the biggest hurdle most of us face. I find what helps me the most is surrounding myself with people who support me, inspire me, and push me to become a better tattooer. As far as my drawing is concerned, I always keep trying to improve. There is always room for improvement.
Do you have other means of artistic expression?
I do oil painting from time to time + IG : @aaron_springs www.aaronsprings.com
