Lou Sr.

How long have you been tattooing? Thirty-six years. Who were your main influences?  My main influence was Buddy Mott.  He impressed me as a free hand artist as well as a tattooest.  his tattoo shop in Rhode Island was small, but neat and clean.  In 1951 I got my first tattoo and was impressed by the sterilization he used.  It was the old Pelton Crane, torpedo type.  I still have a couple of these.  They're retired now as well as myself.  There was Doc Green, and old sailor that tattooed out of his house in Connecticut.  That's who I really learned from.  I also got my first tattoo machine from him.   It was an Owen Jensen, which I still have and had it gold plated. Then came Jim Stellato.  Big Jim Papillon Tattoo Studio in New Haven, CT.  Jim also had a strict set of rules to live by.  And strict sterile standards.  I still have close contact with him by phone and visit him at his Bangor Maine studio. What do you consider your "style" of artwork?  I like to think of myself as a traditional artist, but do whatever had to be done. Were you schooled in the arts or self-taught?  I was basically taught by Doc Green, and as times have changed I've tried to do the same.  But as we all know, it's hard to teach old dogs (or tattoo artists) new tricks. Who would you like to be able to tattoo with a for a month if expense were no object? I never tattooed along side a master tattoo artist, so I would like to work along side Armadillo Red.  I'm probably one of the very few people who have his business card with his title and picture on it.  Besides him, it would be Gentleman Bill Hannong, who has done more for Florida Professional Tattoo Artist Guild then anyone of us.  Thanks Bill. If there were one thing that you could do to improve the tattoo industry, what would it be?  Keep the Florida Tattoo Guild strong and keep trying to enforce good tattoo standards. What is the most bizarre tattoo you ever did?  As of September 21st, I will be married 50 years.  I want to see many more with my loving and understanding wife, Connie. If you weren't a tattoo artist, what would you be doing?  Operating heavy equipment, a tower crane.  If you could be anyone since time began, who would you be?  No doubt in my mind, it would be my father.  He believed in a day's work for a day's pay. What would you like your gravestone to say?  He tried his best.   I would also like to say to my brother artists, be good to the art and it will be good to you.