Mish (@mish_tattoo) stands out as a highly skilled realism tattoo artist, contributing his talents to the globally recognized Ship Shape Tattoo studio in Auckland, New Zealand. Known for his mastery in both black and grey and vibrant color realism, Mish has honed his craft in an environment celebrated for its exceptional artistry and dedication. His journey includes learning from black and grey tattoo legend Matt Jordan (@mattjordantattoo), among other gifted artists at Ship Shape.
Ship Shape Tattoo (@shipshapetattoo) is more than just a studio; it’s a collective of artists who excel across the spectrum of tattoo art. They are renowned for their unwavering work ethic and commitment to creating enduring art. Specializing in large-scale, custom pieces designed to complement the body’s contours, Ship Shape artists frequently incorporate unique and unconventional imagery, pushing the boundaries of tattoo artistry. For those seeking inspiration, resources like https://reference87.com offer a glimpse into the innovative visual references that fuel their creativity.
In a revealing conversation, Mish shared his perspectives on crafting realism tattoos that last, the often-overlooked complexities of tattooing, and the profound impact of this demanding art form on artists’ mental well-being. Dive into the insights from this conversation to understand what makes Mish and Ship Shape Tattoo a powerhouse in the tattoo world.
Inside Ship Shape: The Dynamics of a World-Class Tattoo Studio
What makes Ship Shape Tattoo so exceptional? Mish offers a glimpse into the studio’s unique atmosphere: “First of all, as Ben said – we’re fucking awesome! And, thank you! We are all quite close friends here – there’s really not a hierarchy. We all recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses and try to be quite open and honest with each other. It’s a very nurturing environment, we all feel quite comfortable to critique each other’s work and are very open to sharing any knowledge with one another. If I have a question, I can ask. There is always going to be advice and answers available from everyone in the studio. We all have the same goal: we just want to do the best tattoos we can. As soon as I walk in the door, I feel inspired to push myself to produce good work.” This collaborative and supportive environment is clearly a key ingredient in the consistent creation of badass tattoos at Ship Shape.
Creating Badass Tattoos That Last: Longevity in Realism
For those seeking tattoos that stand the test of time, Mish emphasizes crucial elements for both black and grey and color realism: “Picking a strong reference image is very important. One that has enough contrast and structure. For the longevity of a tattoo, contrast and structure is crucial. Also, understanding the type of skin I am working on and adjusting my techniques to work with different types of skin in order to achieve the maximum effect – be it dark or light skin.” The foundation of a long-lasting, badass tattoo lies in the details – from image selection to technique adaptation.
Mish's black and grey realism tattoo showcasing contrast and structure
The Unseen Challenges of Tattooing: Beyond the Ink
With nearly a decade in the tattoo industry, Mish reflects on the often-underestimated difficulties of this craft. “I have been tattooing for 9 and a half years. It’s all tough! Throughout my career and throughout many peoples – there are always going to be new challenges. Mentally, being happy with my own work is very difficult. I am still not 100% happy with my work, and I am unsure if I ever will be. This can be really hard. Sometimes I do think about finding something easier to do! I can find myself struggling with this. Pushing through the mental block for me, is definitely the biggest challenge. I remind myself how fortunate I am that I can do this for a job. It is a super fun job and extremely rewarding when I create something for a client that they absolutely love – it makes it all worth it! At the end of the day, making clients really happy is an amazing feeling and very important. It helps me to do the best I can and reminds me to have fun with it!” This honesty reveals the intense personal challenges artists face in their pursuit of creating exceptional tattoos.
Mish further elaborates on three underrated aspects of tattooing’s difficulty: “Placement/composition, Pain management, Communication between the client and artist. It’s not so much about the act of tattooing, but it is still a huge part of tattooing. Working with people to get the best result.” These points underscore that creating badass tattoos is not just about technical skill, but also about artistry, empathy, and effective communication.
Close-up of Mish tattooing a detailed piece, highlighting placement and composition
Advice for Clients: Trust and Honesty are Key
For those looking to get their own badass tattoos, Mish offers straightforward advice: “Number one best overall piece of advice you could give all of your future clients? Trust me! But also, be straightforward and honest with your opinions and thoughts.” This emphasizes the importance of a collaborative relationship between artist and client, built on mutual trust and open communication, to achieve the best possible tattoo outcome.
Mish in his element, focused on creating a tattoo, emphasizing trust in the artist
Evolving Tattoo Culture: Fine Art and Future Trends
Reflecting on the changes in the tattoo industry, Mish observes a significant shift: “I think the attitude towards tattooing has changed. It has definitely become more fine art driven. More and more artists are starting to branch out and absorb ideas and concepts from outside of tattooing! I hope COVID ends soon and we can all get back to doing conventions and travelling!” This evolution towards fine art elevates the perception of tattoos and broadens the creative horizons for artists. Mish also looks forward to the return of tattoo conventions and travel, crucial for industry connection and inspiration.
For those navigating the online tattoo world, Mish gives practical advice on discerning authenticity: “How can clients who may be new to the tattoo world tell what is real vs what is fake these days online? Any advice for that? Man, the only way is to go into a tattoo shop, talk to the tattooists. Nothing beats first hand experience! See how it works on skin. We can see amazing tattoos on the internet, but it may not look the same on your body. The only way to find out is to go out there and start getting tattooed!” Direct interaction and seeing tattoos firsthand in a studio are irreplaceable for understanding true tattoo artistry.
A client getting tattooed by Mish, emphasizing the importance of in-person experience
A Career Defining Moment: Joining Ship Shape Tattoo
Mish recounts a pivotal moment in his career: “Could you pick out one of your absolute your favorite moments since becoming a tattoo artist and talk a bit about it? When Matt asked me if I wanted a job at Ship Shape, when he was tattooing me! Matt was tattooing a portrait of my dog, I was working part time between studios and halfway through our session, he asked me what my plan was. I told him “I dont know! I am trying to spend more time painting, and kinda finding myself” and he asked if I wanted to work here. Then I told him I’d think about it haha. But you know, I was secretly very excited.” This story highlights the organic and personal way Mish joined the prestigious Ship Shape team, a testament to his talent and the studio’s discerning eye for exceptional artists.
The Mental Canvas: Tattooing and Well-being
The impact of tattooing on mental health is a significant aspect Mish addresses with candor: “How has tattooing impacted your mental health? It is up and down! There are good and bad, as I mentioned before you know, being not content with my work can be really depressing and difficult. But, on the other hand, tattooing gives me an instant validation that I have never experienced in any other creative industry. I get to produce a piece of work on that particular day, and get the validation from the client and co workers. That is pretty important, it gives me a purpose and makes me feel good about myself. Also, people want my work! Selling paintings is hard! I have sat and stewed if my paintings have been good enough in the past, with tattooing people book in because they like my work. That is really validating.” Despite the challenges of self-doubt, tattooing provides Mish with unique validation and purpose, directly connecting his art with appreciative clients.
Mish working on a tattoo, reflecting the mental focus and dedication required
Words of Wisdom: Matt Jordan’s Enduring Advice
Finally, Mish shares the most impactful advice he has received: “Best piece of advice you have received along the way? Who was it from? “Take your time and think about what you are doing” – Matt Jordan :)” This simple yet profound advice from his mentor, Matt Jordan, encapsulates the thoughtful approach essential for creating truly badass and lasting tattoo art.
Mish’s journey and insights offer a valuable look into the world of realism tattooing and the dedication required to excel in this demanding art form. For more inspiration and to witness his exceptional work, be sure to follow Mish on Instagram @mish_tattoo and Ship Shape Tattoo @shipshapetattoo.
