We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hunter Cross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hunter, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I have worked as a full time tattooer for almost 12 years, which has been a bumpy path. I started out wanting to be an accountant out of high school, but having back surgery post-graduation, prolonged my journey to do so. During recovery, I had gotten tattooed and out of interest, asked how the artist that was tattooing me, gotten into tattooing- he replied with a simple response and asked if I was interested in becoming a tattooer, myself. I responded with “That’d be cool”; and told me to come back the following week with drawings. I returned with, perceivably, terribly drawn sketches, which landed me an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship consisted of solely cleaning up after the other artist and handling client relations; as if they didn’t want to teach me anything other than cleaning up after them. After 2 months, an artist ended up moving and with business out of money, they offered me a full time tattooing position. Feelings of unpreparedness and anxiety without doing any “official” tattoos- I was more certain than not, that I was not ready but did what I was told, After months of what felt like failure, I knew I had to either move on or settle for mediocrity- so I went in search of another position, willing to take a step down as an apprentice again. After months of searching and laying my cards on the table, I finally found someone willing to work with me in Clearwater, Florida. He was willing to put me as a full time artist while teaching me the craft with the exception of only taking on what I felt comfortable with (tattoo-wise). Through the year he taught me the ins and outs of the craft more than I ever could’ve learned under my previous apprenticeship. From there on, I focused on honing my craft and dedicating time to traveling, tattooing and learning under other tattooers around the country- which jump started my motivation and capabilities. Since then, working as a resident artist at shops and doing guest spots has led me to absorb knowledge from my favorite tattooers and artist alike.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I took an interest in drawing at a very young age and used to get punished while drawing in class. At the time, I never could have imagined it would become a “job”. The end of school years, many peers asked me to tattoo them, but didn’t have the means in terms of equipment or confidence. After landing my hopeless apprenticeship, I had my eyes on the prize and wanted to become what I envisioned, a great tattooer and artist. The biggest hurdle was how to become that, in itself. My apprenticeship offered nothing more than how to clean and offer customer service; and not how to actually provide the tattoo itself. Through years of watching others through moving, guest spots, traveling and getting tattooed by other artists; did I finally create an algorithm that worked for me. I believe the fact of doing this, has given me a humbling and different approach to tattooing than most others; which I take much pride in. My focus and interest since day one has been the aspect of the classic style but in general, love tattooing; so I have always wanted to be able to provide quality tattoos of any style. Now days I feel that is hard to come by.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
If you are driven and focused on becoming not only a tattooer but artist in general- do not let the “no’s” or naysayers prevent you from continuing your dream. Let it motivate you to keep going and drive to continue learning/honing the craft in which you inspire to be.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The best part for myself, as an artist, would be the fact that I had to take bits and pieces from others. The influence of many that I learned under made me who I am today. Not just one individual. The melting pot of many hands and their advice gave me proper perspective and understanding of what I am able to produce.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hubtattoos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighPointTattoo
Image Credits
@hubtattoos