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Randall Croley El - Seven Returns
Randall Croley El - known to most as Seven - is no stranger to the Urban Ink spotlight. Back in '07 - when we were barely off the ground - we had the pleasure of featuring Seven in our second issue (with Persia White on the cover). At the time, he was tattooing at a local shop called Skincraft Piercing & Tattoos in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Since then, Seven has opened up shop for himself - Seven Studio Design, in Cincinnati as well - and with ten years of tattooing under his belt, has developed his skills into the true work of art you see before your eyes.
URBAN INK: Since your last appearance in Urban Ink you've opened up your own shop. Can you tell us a little about Studio Seven Design?
Seven: I had been thinking of opening a place for quite some time, and this was the result of me feeling as though I were ready to go in business for myself. It's my first studio owned and run by myself. We handle the needs of any client - large, small, custom, or flash pieces. We try to hold onto the full tradition of tattooing, as well as grow with it.
What's the day-to-day like at your shop?
My days are usually pretty straightforward with a couple of appointments or one large one and a few walk-in clients. I spend time building tattoo machines, drawing, painting, advertising, and teaching my apprentice everything I know about tattooing. The setting is usually pretty peaceful with a couple visits from regular clients day-to-day. Like I said, we do cater to the walk-in traffic. However, we are forced to set appointments most of the time, which allows us to gather thoughts when it comes to designing great pieces for our clients.
Who are some of the artists that currently work at your shop?
At the present time, there is my apprentice Mreeuh (Maria) Chang and myself. It's very hard to find dependable tattoo artists who are serious about the craft. It seems that most great artists are already working somewhere. I'll be very patient with hiring someone simply because my shop name is on the line, and I'd only want to work next to those who are diehard tattooers, such as Mreeuh and myself. Other than us, we've had a couple guys do guest spots, such as Miya Bailey while on tour and his past apprentice, Corey Davis.
How would someone apply for an apprenticeship with you?
So many people are wanting to learn to tattoo these days. I think this new generation of tattooers don't understand that this is not a profession open to just anyone. A lot of them aren't in it for all the right reasons. Some think that this lifestyle is "rock star," and I guess it can be at times, but there's more hard work and appreciation for the craft as a whole that comes before learning to tattoo. Some of these things are the value of a good tattoo, making needles, building machines, drawing, etc. If I were to hire another person down the line, I want to see solid artwork (no tattoos) and a great appreciation for tattooing. By great appreciation I mean someone with some tattoos done by a professional artist. That lets me know that they have integrity.
Shop owners who are tattoo artists as well tend to struggle balancing both roles. How have you managed to keep your shop all about the art?
I know exactly what you mean. I've seen so many of my elder tattoo artists seem like business owners instead of tattoo artists. I think that comes from handling everything and wanting the younger artists to make some money and gain clientele. I think what helps me is staying on the front line, just like my apprentice and past employees. I was the "workhorse" where I came from. I simply refuse to let the "businessman" mentality take me over. I also keep in mind that tattooing and art are my escape from reality.
Most artists try to avoid pigeonholing themselves into one style of tattooing. I see by your portfolio that you're trying to keep yourself as diverse as possible. How have you managed to do so without cornering yourself into one style?
I've been tattooing for 10 years now and I still feel like I'm new to this compared to a lot of people. There are so many influences in art and in tattooing that push me to try different things and still develop what people may refer to as my style. I appreciate and love different styles of tattooing myself so, of course, I want to try some new things. Challenges are just as inspiring as they can be challenging. I tell people I do it all - traditional, portraits, custom, flash, etc.
Hypothetically speaking, if one day you do decide to put all of your attention on one style, which style would you prefer it to be?
Right now I am trying to do just that to an extent. I like realistic black and grey work, but I also like color. I've seen artists do highly realistic black and grey work, but balance it with bright elements in the background and foreground and vise versa. I have a few concepts for sleeves, back pieces, etc. that I need to finish and find clients for to create my new market. This is the type of work I'd like to be contacted for in the future or now to jump-start it.
It is recognized that, at times, colors tend to get muted on darker skin tones. I saw on your site a photo of a sick color portrait of a dog on dark skin. How do you approach tattoos on a person with dark skin?
The most important thing in color on darker skin is the use of black and contrast. I can't go into a "how to," but simply taking the time to think about what makes colors appear so bright. You must also figure out which brands of ink work best in general and those will work best on anyone, no matter the skin tone. My pigments are from a few different brands, not just one. Certain companies have great purples and not-so-good reds. Oh, and also I was always told that you can never have too much black, even in a color piece. If you understand what black does for creating different shades and tones, then this should make perfect sense.
Through some of my interviews for UI, people have expressed that tattoo artists of Black/Latino/Asian backgrounds are still struggling to gain respect and recognition in an industry that's dominated primarily by Caucasian artists. Then, there are those who believe it has nothing to do with race, but more so with the artist's skill. What are your thoughts about this?
Race plays a big part, but more importantly is the culture that you portray. We are quick to say race is the issue at a first glance and it may have been to an extent, but more importantly it's just who you are that matters.
When I was searching for jobs I was wearing big white Ts, gold fronts, Timberland boots, and a hoodie. I think culture played just as big of a role as race did, if not a bigger one. I simply didn't look the part. Now, a lot of things have grown on me, from music to piercings, and I think I look like a tattoo artist now; before I looked like a guy that did tattoos.
In your bio, you mentioned that you have met a lot of influential artists. Can you tell us who some of them were, and what you gained from your interactions with them?
I've traveled and tattooed across the country and have had a chance to meet hundreds of artists. I've become great friends with a few who have been great influences as well, really helping me with various aspects of tattooing. Randy Harris has been like a big brother to me since we met. He gave me a tip that has changed how I've tattooed ever since. I've done a couple guest spots at Tattoos By Randy and shared a booth or two at conventions with he and Lord Yatta. Dueler is another great guy. I think his story is simply amazing. Dueler has been tattooing for probably over 25 years in places around the world, I mean he has really embraced tattooing on a level where most of us will never get to. I had the pleasure of doing an awesome guest spot at One Stroke Tattoo with Derrick Verley and his crew in Queens, NY, recently. Other artists are Boog, Twig, Miya, Tuki, Gino, etc., and the list goes on. But these guys are ones who are doing what I want to and inspire me to do more and push further.
Do you think the widespread accessibility of knowledge and equipment to "wannabe" tattoo artists has helped or hurt the industry?
I think the availability of tattoo supplies has helped great artists get in the business, but also feed the bad ones. Keep in mind that "wannabes" [eventually] become. I think we have the ability to spread just as much safety information as supplies, though, and that should be a major focus. We need to create more safe tattoo awareness.
What advice would you offer up-and-coming tattooists?
I 'd say the best learning experience for any artist is getting tattooed. Other than that, drawing, painting, and other forms of art always help. Knowing your equipment is important also. You don't want to be among great tattoo artists, or seeking a job, referring to your equipment as a "tat gun." It's a tattoo machine! Maybe take some seminars, and of course bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and first aid courses.
Studio Seven Design
1416 Main St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-969-5355 (cell)
513-721-8282 (studio)
paisleydarts.com
twitter.com/studio7design
facebook.com/randallcroleyeltattoo
Article by Emmanuel Urena
Seven: I had been thinking of opening a place for quite some time, and this was the result of me feeling as though I were ready to go in business for myself. It's my first studio owned and run by myself. We handle the needs of any client - large, small, custom, or flash pieces. We try to hold onto the full tradition of tattooing, as well as grow with it.
What's the day-to-day like at your shop?
My days are usually pretty straightforward with a couple of appointments or one large one and a few walk-in clients. I spend time building tattoo machines, drawing, painting, advertising, and teaching my apprentice everything I know about tattooing. The setting is usually pretty peaceful with a couple visits from regular clients day-to-day. Like I said, we do cater to the walk-in traffic. However, we are forced to set appointments most of the time, which allows us to gather thoughts when it comes to designing great pieces for our clients.
Who are some of the artists that currently work at your shop?
At the present time, there is my apprentice Mreeuh (Maria) Chang and myself. It's very hard to find dependable tattoo artists who are serious about the craft. It seems that most great artists are already working somewhere. I'll be very patient with hiring someone simply because my shop name is on the line, and I'd only want to work next to those who are diehard tattooers, such as Mreeuh and myself. Other than us, we've had a couple guys do guest spots, such as Miya Bailey while on tour and his past apprentice, Corey Davis.
How would someone apply for an apprenticeship with you?
So many people are wanting to learn to tattoo these days. I think this new generation of tattooers don't understand that this is not a profession open to just anyone. A lot of them aren't in it for all the right reasons. Some think that this lifestyle is "rock star," and I guess it can be at times, but there's more hard work and appreciation for the craft as a whole that comes before learning to tattoo. Some of these things are the value of a good tattoo, making needles, building machines, drawing, etc. If I were to hire another person down the line, I want to see solid artwork (no tattoos) and a great appreciation for tattooing. By great appreciation I mean someone with some tattoos done by a professional artist. That lets me know that they have integrity.
Shop owners who are tattoo artists as well tend to struggle balancing both roles. How have you managed to keep your shop all about the art?
I know exactly what you mean. I've seen so many of my elder tattoo artists seem like business owners instead of tattoo artists. I think that comes from handling everything and wanting the younger artists to make some money and gain clientele. I think what helps me is staying on the front line, just like my apprentice and past employees. I was the "workhorse" where I came from. I simply refuse to let the "businessman" mentality take me over. I also keep in mind that tattooing and art are my escape from reality.
Most artists try to avoid pigeonholing themselves into one style of tattooing. I see by your portfolio that you're trying to keep yourself as diverse as possible. How have you managed to do so without cornering yourself into one style?
I've been tattooing for 10 years now and I still feel like I'm new to this compared to a lot of people. There are so many influences in art and in tattooing that push me to try different things and still develop what people may refer to as my style. I appreciate and love different styles of tattooing myself so, of course, I want to try some new things. Challenges are just as inspiring as they can be challenging. I tell people I do it all - traditional, portraits, custom, flash, etc.
Hypothetically speaking, if one day you do decide to put all of your attention on one style, which style would you prefer it to be?
Right now I am trying to do just that to an extent. I like realistic black and grey work, but I also like color. I've seen artists do highly realistic black and grey work, but balance it with bright elements in the background and foreground and vise versa. I have a few concepts for sleeves, back pieces, etc. that I need to finish and find clients for to create my new market. This is the type of work I'd like to be contacted for in the future or now to jump-start it.
It is recognized that, at times, colors tend to get muted on darker skin tones. I saw on your site a photo of a sick color portrait of a dog on dark skin. How do you approach tattoos on a person with dark skin?
The most important thing in color on darker skin is the use of black and contrast. I can't go into a "how to," but simply taking the time to think about what makes colors appear so bright. You must also figure out which brands of ink work best in general and those will work best on anyone, no matter the skin tone. My pigments are from a few different brands, not just one. Certain companies have great purples and not-so-good reds. Oh, and also I was always told that you can never have too much black, even in a color piece. If you understand what black does for creating different shades and tones, then this should make perfect sense.
Through some of my interviews for UI, people have expressed that tattoo artists of Black/Latino/Asian backgrounds are still struggling to gain respect and recognition in an industry that's dominated primarily by Caucasian artists. Then, there are those who believe it has nothing to do with race, but more so with the artist's skill. What are your thoughts about this?
Race plays a big part, but more importantly is the culture that you portray. We are quick to say race is the issue at a first glance and it may have been to an extent, but more importantly it's just who you are that matters.
When I was searching for jobs I was wearing big white Ts, gold fronts, Timberland boots, and a hoodie. I think culture played just as big of a role as race did, if not a bigger one. I simply didn't look the part. Now, a lot of things have grown on me, from music to piercings, and I think I look like a tattoo artist now; before I looked like a guy that did tattoos.
In your bio, you mentioned that you have met a lot of influential artists. Can you tell us who some of them were, and what you gained from your interactions with them?
I've traveled and tattooed across the country and have had a chance to meet hundreds of artists. I've become great friends with a few who have been great influences as well, really helping me with various aspects of tattooing. Randy Harris has been like a big brother to me since we met. He gave me a tip that has changed how I've tattooed ever since. I've done a couple guest spots at Tattoos By Randy and shared a booth or two at conventions with he and Lord Yatta. Dueler is another great guy. I think his story is simply amazing. Dueler has been tattooing for probably over 25 years in places around the world, I mean he has really embraced tattooing on a level where most of us will never get to. I had the pleasure of doing an awesome guest spot at One Stroke Tattoo with Derrick Verley and his crew in Queens, NY, recently. Other artists are Boog, Twig, Miya, Tuki, Gino, etc., and the list goes on. But these guys are ones who are doing what I want to and inspire me to do more and push further.
Do you think the widespread accessibility of knowledge and equipment to "wannabe" tattoo artists has helped or hurt the industry?
I think the availability of tattoo supplies has helped great artists get in the business, but also feed the bad ones. Keep in mind that "wannabes" [eventually] become. I think we have the ability to spread just as much safety information as supplies, though, and that should be a major focus. We need to create more safe tattoo awareness.
What advice would you offer up-and-coming tattooists?
I 'd say the best learning experience for any artist is getting tattooed. Other than that, drawing, painting, and other forms of art always help. Knowing your equipment is important also. You don't want to be among great tattoo artists, or seeking a job, referring to your equipment as a "tat gun." It's a tattoo machine! Maybe take some seminars, and of course bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and first aid courses.
Studio Seven Design
1416 Main St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-969-5355 (cell)
513-721-8282 (studio)
paisleydarts.com
twitter.com/studio7design
facebook.com/randallcroleyeltattoo
Article by Emmanuel Urena
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