A well-known figure in the world of tattooing, the Spaniard Ramon Maiden opens the doors to his artistic universe. A universe full of images from the past that the artist likes to customize. On the bodies of pin-ups, mannequins, religious icons, etc., which he brings back from his research all over the world, the Barcelonian draws motifs borrowed from the tattoo culture with a felt-tip pen in blue ink. An astonishing work of recycling images that reveals his deep fascination for the tattooed body.
When did you start introducing tattoos in your art?
I've got distant memories of my childhood when I was already drawing tattoos on historical icons. My textbooks and school materials were all covered with drawings. I still have kept some of these. I also used to draw with pens on my own skin. I don't know why, but since my childhood I felt strongly attracted to the tattoo scene. At that time it was something not really popular I must say.
Where do you find your pictures (film posters, illustrations, photos from magazines...) and how do you choose them?
I describe myself as a ‘Wanderlust King’ because one of my many passions is travelling. I’m a restless ass, so I couldn’t exist without moving around. When I am, I collect all of my images – virtual or physical – and afterwards I am able to use them in my creations. Luckily, my job allows me to travel regularly and I try to go out of Spain at least twice a month. I regularly visit NYC, London, Berlin and Copenhagen. I have got my places, book-shops, museums, markets, libraries, there. The scenery and the material I find there provide inspiration for new ideas. I'm also attracted to everything involving recycling, giving a second life to different objects that for some reason have fallen into oblivion. Magazines, old posters, obsolete religious and military imagery...
How do you choose the tattoos to apply?
I don't have a specific way for that. Sometimes, when I buy the image I will use I see something that tells me what to put on, but if not I just follow my imagination and what I want to transmit on that moment. About my taste for blue ink, I remember when I saw my firsts tattoos, which had people in my neighborhood who had been in jail. They were made with homemade machines and the ink was clearly blue. I bet the ink was not the best but the result really intricated me. Now I use a lot of black but also blue on my illustrations. It's like kinda a tribute to my childhood memories.
What messages do your images carry?
I like controversy and in almost all of my pieces I try to express and transmit some sort of political or social message. So in many of my pieces you can see references to historical moments, religion, social injustices,… but also beautiful filigrees, Victorian patterns or intricate gothic buildings. It should be a balance between the aesthetic result and the message I want to show.
Can you tell me about your influences ?
My training, ideas, sources of inspiration... are all dynamic and changing, and so are the techniques and methods I employ. I try not to focus on anything too specific and progress by using different sources and experimenting. My training as a social worker, my passion for traveling, my family history and my experience with visual arts, are all very diverse and not at all uniform, which allows me to be very creative. It is impossible to say one name or one person that inspires me, but if we talk about influence, my mother is the greatest one. My mother is highly creative and since I was little she encouraged me and supported my passion for art. From the dead artists, I feel special devotion for Alphonse Mucha and Dalí for all that their art has meant and for their special personal stories.
Why is it important for you to work on different mediums?
I always try to experiment with different techniques. Lately, I've been working a lot with watercolors and felt-tip pens. Mixing them has got powerful and solid results. I'm also very interested in experimenting with new methods. In my last works I used plant pigments which I picked myself and mixed with water, octopus and cuttlefish ink, and acid to treat the paper; the results were very interesting visually. Some time ago I started painting on wood; it is a laborious but very rewarding technique. The idea for me is to consolidate some techniques to perfect them.
When did you come across the tattoo culture ?
I've been involved with the tattoo community for a long time. A lot of my friends are either tattoo artists or are involved in the artistic tattoo. I perceive the tattoo as a form of artistic expression. Many of the artists I follow not only deal with tattoos, but they are also very good at other types of art. Because of its meaning and reference, my art has always been well received on the tattoo scene. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with many tattoo artists, studios, conventions, some publications... and I suppose all this permeates part of my work.
You're working with the esthetic of the tattooed body, what is so fascinating about it?
Everything about tattooing fascinates me. The more ink I see on me, the more beautiful I see myself and it goes to my creations too. Ink pen body suits. I try to not to draw plain illustrations and work with the body volume to create illustrations as much similar to real tattoos as I can.
Tell us about your tattoos then…
The tattoo has a strong aesthetic and symbolic meaning. In my case, I consider my body to be the map of my life and it shows all of the moments, in one way or another, that have built me as a person. I have works from many artists, most done during my travels. I don't have any favorite piece as all of them have a special meaning and are connected to memories. I had my back done, depicting a fight between a fox and a swan, done by my friend Amina Charai from Brightside tattoo in Copenaghe. I'm really happy with the result but I also have works from Chris Cleen, Ely Quinters, Annie Frenzel, El Monga, Derek Noble, Ross Nagle, Lola Garcia, or Seth Wood between others.
Never been tempted to grab a machine?
I have been approached about it many times, but the energy required for tattooing is very different from the one that is necessary to create in other disciplines : it requires a special attitude and commitment : the clients, the appointments, the shop… To work as an illustrator grant me so much freedom; to work when and where I want. It also allows me to draw and paint what really pleases me. Maybe some day, but not at the moment. I have tattooed some of my friends though. Nothing complicated, just to know what it felt. It was really interesting. + IG : @ramonmaiden www.ramonmaiden.com
