Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Hallowell.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I learned how to draw tattoos by sitting in the tattoo studio and getting tattooed. As I sat for the work, I was transfixed on those strong, symbolic designs hanging there on the wall. I didn’t know what they meant.
But man where they cool! The more I looked at them, the more I realized I did know what they meant! But it was a feeling, a virtue, an idea that they expressed, more than a concrete meaning. It was the boldest art I had ever seen.
I would rush home to wash my new tattoo, stare at it, and sit down to attempt to draw those designs I had seen on the walls of the shop… 23 years later and I am still chasing those images! Investigating them, becoming closer to them. I have more of them on my own body now as well. I have a relationship with these images. I think we all do. They are a special iconography- handed down from the tattoo gods.
Please tell us about your art.
I create tattoos, drawings for tattoos, and tattoo related paintings in the style of the great American and Japanese tattoo masters. This is known as Traditional Tattooing. I believe these two art forms to be the strongest, truest, most direct art forms that I have ever seen. As tattooing has grown, it has spread into different directions. These are too far flung- My mission is to bring the work back to its center. It’s essence. The time tested, traditional work. The designs we think of automatically when we hear the word “Tattoo”- hearts with “Mom”, dragons, black panthers, red roses. The history, the power, the transmission of the art and craft of tattooing from the previous generations inspires and empowers my work. The way has been paved by my tattoo ancestors. It is just my job to uncover it and follow it steadfastly.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I find this question very interesting. Often times, great art does go unappreciated. Recognition, financial compensation, and the patronage of powerful people are all exquisitely hard to come by. I would say to remember that life itself is art. Art is experience. The experiences that you have pour into your artwork, whether you want them to or not. The art and the artist are inseparable.
If you are buried working 60 hours a week just to get by, keep that fire lit inside. That fire, seen or unseen, is the true artwork. It only need be materialized, when you can break away and find the time to make that happen. But do make sure to find the time. Every day, put time into your work. Even if it is only five minutes. It adds up. We are artists for the long haul.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I work out of my appointment only, private studio room at Heart in Hand Gallery in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Downtown Dallas. My work can be seen on the people of Dallas, Fort Worth, all of Texas, and beyond! I have tattooed from coast to coast, working tattoo conventions, tours, and spending time guesting at other high-quality tattoo shops out there on the open road. My website features much of my work, as well as writings I do on the art of tattoo. Carlhallowell.com is the place to go for that. My Instagram is @carlhallowell and I feature up to date work there as well as a little caption commentary on the pieces I post. Tattoo consultations can be pursued and appointments can be made by writing me at carl@carlhallowell.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: Carl Hallowell Tattoo
Heart in Hand Gallery
2614 Elm Street Suite #120
Dallas, TX, 75226 - Website: https://www.carlhallowell.com
- Phone: 817-937-2518
- Email: carl@carlhallowell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlhallowell/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.hallowell
Image Credit:
Shaun Bailey, Noell Hallowell, Aaron Finnin.
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