Walter “Wally” Jones, Original Specialist

info@phatkattats.com

myspace:www.myspace.com/phatkattats

VIEW WALLY’S GALLERY OF ARTWORK

When I first speak with a customer about the tattoo they are thinking about getting, I always find out who they are and what their likes are, then I ask them what piece of art they were thinking about getting. That way I can create original pieces especially designed for them, making each tattoo I create one of a kind… also working with top fuel teams I created some of the most powerful paint schemes and even molded the car bodies to fit the schemes painted. It’s been a long road to get where I am now.

As a youth I seemed to get into a lot of trouble. With no direction in my life, I ended up in the Texas “School of Hard Knocks.” Having plenty of time on my hands I started drawing. At first it was an escape and it formed into a fascination. I couldn’t believe that with simple tools I could create something so beautiful that made me stand out!  It soon led me to the art of tattooing. This took my life to a whole different level and direction. Tattooing has taken me to other continents and places that I had only read about in magazines or seen on TV.

Tattooing, plain and simple, saved my life. In 2000 Wally created the New Extreme Millennium Tattoo Extravaganza, which now has evolved into the US Tattoo Masters Tour; I just simply want to give back to the tattoo industry for taking me under its wing.

I’ve been tattooing for 25 years and have seen a lot of ups and downs, but I would not change any experience or direction in my life.  One of my mentors taught me that everything you see, hear, of do in life is a tool, a tool you may not use today or even tomorrow.  You just put that tool in your tool box until you need it and with those tools, you can fix, put together, or take apart anything.

Walter “Wally” Jones
Founder
Phat Kat Tats

info@phatkattats.com

VIEW DAVID’S GALLERY OF ARTWORK

David started tattooing in 2006, apprentice by Paul Murray. His other influence was by his long time friend Tracy Lambright.

David joined the core group of artist at Phat Kat Tats in 2009.

He prefers tattooing in the bold line American traditional style like the iconic tattoo artists of the past; Bert Grimm, Owen Jenson and Sailor Jerry.

If you are interested in getting an American Traditional or Unicorn tattoo then David is your artist.

David “QuickDraw” Mc

Different, Eclectic is the best way to describe Yael !

yael@phatkattats.com

myspace: www.myspace.com/goodgirltats

VIEW YAEL’S GALLERY OF ARTWORK

Every time I think about how I’ve gotten to be where I am, it feels like a dream I have yet to waken from. It brings me to the verge of tears when I speak of my passion for the career that saved my life.

Since turning 18, I’ve tried for apprenticeships at every shop I ran across. Most refusals were easy, but some were quite brutal. One owner of a famous shop in Seattle, WA told me: “I don’t want a chick in my shop, you’ll steal my business.” I gave up! I think that’s when The Fates must’ve felt some pity for me.

I was a 32 year-old Café Manager when Jarrold brought me into the Tattoo Industry in a little tattoo shop just outside the French Quarter on Canal Street in New Orleans, LA named Inkbox. He gave me the chance that no one else did. I completed my apprenticeship June 19, 2005…it was a Father’s Day. I tattooed my first real customer that day! And just as I was just starting out…

August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina came along and brought me to Houston, Texas. Fresh out of the apprenticeship womb with NO gear or portfolio, I refused to accept the fact that I may never tattoo again.

November 15, 2005…I found my FIRST solo tattoo gig!!! I knew I had to start from the very bottom. I also knew that it would be a grueling fight to be on top. I had long road ahead, so I knew I had try to stick it out wherever the fates would bring me to. The first shop I worked at was a real piece of work! It was an old hair-salon-turned-tattoo-shop and the owner referred to himself in third person…always! He reminded me of Dr. Evil and I often pictured him talking to me in his thick accent with his left pinky-finger touching his lip…lol! He started me at 35% because I was a GIRL (yes, his words exactly) plus, he had me pay a $300 sterilizer and printer fee in order to use them. Not to mention since I had no gear, I had to buy them from him at triple their original worth. I was so in debt to him before even starting my first day that I had to work another part-time retail job just to make ends meet! AND, here’s the clincher, he PRICED my tattoos for me! I worked there for 4 months until we had a disagreement over pricing, as the owner liked to under-price tattoos. He told me to do a rather large and extensive tiger tattoo for pennies…and I refused to do his slave labor until I was happy with the price. So, he let me go. I told him, “When you do bad things to good people, bad things will happen to you.” He laughed at me. A year later, I saw him on the news for having allowed a minor to be tattooed in his shop. LOL…karma is a bitch.

I then went to work at another shop…this time, run by Houstones, a gang. I worked there for 6 months…ignoring the drug trafficking while I worked. So, I dove into my work, never really looking up at anything or anyone else in the shop. I simply concentrated hard on building my speed and my portfolio so that I could find a better work environment. When the cops came around taking license plate numbers and watching the shop’s every move, I quit!

The Fates once more intervened and delivered me to Phat Kat Tats! Formerly known as 2Extreme, it’s been owned by Wally & Kari Jones since 1994. I love these guys! I started there September 3, 2006 and I am still going strong! I’m proud to be where I am, but I’m always striving to be better! Tattooing, I can honestly say, has truly saved my life.

ABOUT MY INK: Buzzzzz…

Before I came into tattooing, I used to do portraits on paper for friends and co-workers. I was also really heavy into Comic Art and I was accepted into the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Design! Sadly, I couldn’t afford the expensive tuition.

I freelanced as a Muralist. I used to do murals and other art projects for night clubs in Miami Beach, Florida (a.k.a. South Beach)…The Church & the Kitchen Club, just to name a couple.  I also enjoy working in Photography and Graphic design.

My tattooing style is not truly specific…I do like to consider myself a pretty versatile artist. Everything from Portraits, Illustrative, Black & Grey, Color…why limit myself? The real trick is knowing your OWN limits and being realistic with what you can and can not do. If I feel like I can’t pull off a piece exactly as I would like it to be, I have no problem passing that customer off to someone I feel is better qualified to handle the task. I feel that as a Tattooist, it is my responsibility to the customer to give them the best quality work. If I feel I will fall short of that promise, then it’s my duty to find someone else for them who will give them what they desire. That is why networking is so very important to me. My goal is to make everyone that wears my work feel eternally proud to wear it on their skin!

I welcome you all to offer up critiques of my work. But, if you are a fellow tattooist, all I ask is that it’s done so respectively…BE TECHNICAL! Don’t just tear me down without giving me a hand up. If you’re going to tell me that something is or isn’t what it’s supposed to be due to technique, color scheme, etc., feel free to return that with suggestions or words of encouragement. If you’re out to make yourself feel better by putting someone down, then ignore me and move on please.

But, if you are a true Professional and have the Industry’s best interest in mind, then you should be happy to lend a fellow tattooist a kind word of wisdom when needed. We, as professional tattooists, should care about helping each other improve on each other’s ink. We need to continually raise the standards of quality work!

Besides that, I am first and foremost a Professional. Whether I’ve been tattooing 1 year or 20, I expect to be treated with respect. I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and I’m working even harder to get to where I want to be. I don’t need the negativity of individuals that simply care to hinder my progress. I want to hear from like-minded individuals who feel the same way about their careers as I do!

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – Muad’dib of Frank Herbert’s DUNE

Walter “Wally” Jones founder of Phat Kat Tats, dreams of organizing the Tattoo Community around the World to establish a unified Tattoo Hall of Fame, (location to be named), that would include delegates voting. Not sure why but it is something that I have felt strongly about doing for a number of years. I just simply want to give back to the tattoo industry for taking me under its wing and besides tattooing; helping to establish a unified Tattoo Hall of Fame would be great for the Industry.

There needs to be a voting system set up, that would allow all and every associations, organizations, groups, galleries studios shops and individuals the opportunity to vote members into the Tattoo Hall of Fame for this to work. I know that several well known Tattoo artist have created Museums and there are many Expo’s Conventions that are tied into some kind of Hall of Fame and many give out Life Time Achievement Award’s, but all of them are independently produce not as a consenting group of the majority of the industry.

The Tattoo Hall of Fame should be just as prestigious as the Rock N Roll, Football, Baseball, and other Hall of Fame’s. After all the art of Tattooing has a longer History than any of those industries. The difference is those industries were able to come together under and agreement that allowed those area elected or selected to vote as a group representing the whole.

Many if not all known US Legendary tattoo artists began their career in and around seaports where the sailors, after traveling to islands were exposed to ritual tattoo ceremonies. They also learned the trade from the natives they encountered and other sailors who took up the tattooing.

Tattoo History Link’s:
Design Boom
The Smithsonian

Become a part of history and
learn more about current sponsorship opportunities:

For a media kit and details on this once in a life time business opportunity, please contact:
Walter “Wally” Jones

Phat Kat Tats
Houston, Texas
281-890-8282
info@phatkattats.com

All Nominees will be posted and considered for induction into the Tattoo Hall of Fame and Life Time Achievement Awards.

Thank You

Walter “Wally” Jones