Today we’d like to introduce you to David Buckingham.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After I got my first tattoo I was hooked! It took getting a couple more before I decided I wanted to tattoo for a living. Once I started doing it I apprenticed and worked part time at it for a couple of years. When I started, I thought that I had everything I needed, but boy was I wrong! I spent a couple of years learning how to draw really well before diving in full-time as a Tattoo artist. Since then I feel like I’ve grown so much and met so many wonderful people in DFW area. I have a very speckled past, which would continue to be speckled if it wasn’t for the grounding that tattooing has given me. I’m in recovery from drugs and alcohol, and I feel like my dedication to this craft has helped in my recovery tremendously. The way I make people feel when I bring their vision to life makes me feel so good. Don’t get me wrong. It’s hard to manage this life. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes the average person doesn’t see, but it’s worth it. I opened Ink Ambition as one of the walk-in Artist in September and it has been a dream come true. Seeing the Shop grow and meeting the people I’ve met, including the owners, have given me a new outlook on life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
God is good!! It could have been worse. There were times when I was at the shop they didn’t have walk-in clientele and I simply couldn’t pay my bills! I was homeless and working day labor jobs in between tattoos. I haven’t been doing this very long and my name is not out there like a lot of Artist. I had a really great mentor, Eric Pena, owner of Crimson Spade Tattoo. He taught me a lot about the industry and tattooing, and actually helped me through the hard times.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Well, when I learned how to draw it wasn’t with map colors lol it was with graphite pencils. So my preference is black and gray realism. I became a a good portrait, Artist and would really love to do more of that style. But I have to say my color Work is pretty good lol
What’s next?
Since we opened Ink Ambition in September, I’ve been thinking about the same question. I would honestly like to stay here as long as I can. A lot of Artist bounce around from Shop to Shop because there are so many shops in DFW area. But I like to stay in one place. Besides, I love the way the shop is run and I love the way the owners care about the shop and promote the shop and promote Artist.. But! Of course I’m working to own Lone shop. The problem is clientele I’ve only been tattooing professionally for three years and it takes a long time to build a clientele base strong enoughto own a shop and thrive. I would like to learn as much as I can every day that I’m here until that day comes that I open my Shop
Pricing:
- Cheap tattoos are not good
- Good tattoos are not cheap
- Shop around. Look at your Tattoo Artist portfolio. If you like his work and it’s top-tier expect to pay top-tier prices.
- Tip your Artist. The price that we charge we only get a percentage of. We’re making a living at this and it’s on your body for the rest of your life. Show your Artist appreciation by tipping. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but the gesture means a lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inkambitiontattoostudio.com/
- Instagram: TattooBuck75
- Facebook: David Buckingham
- Yelp: Ink Ambition Tattoo Studio
