We are lucky in this city. We have some incredibly talented tattoo artists that work here and create amazing art for the people of Philly and those who travel from far and wide to be tattooed by them. One day it hit me that this would be a great place to showcase the work of some of the great artists working here and find out a bit more about them. I love finding out about someone’s story (shocking, I know) and I figured that some of my readers may too. Who knows, you might find a new artist you want to work with!
I’m lucky, too. I have clients with some of the most amazing tattoos. Such was the case with one of my first clients ever, maybe you’ll remember http://www.jamiesieverphotography.com/fun-suburban-philadelphia-child-and-tattoo-photographer/. When I got home, my husband forced me to email her immediately to find out who’d tattooed her. And, then, when the time came for him to get his first tattoo, that artist was the person he went to. And, that guy was Joey Knuckles. My husband’s last session with Joey was last night – the last of four. So, we made it a date of sorts, and I got to hang out with two very handsome men and chat at Olde City Tattoo, 44 S. 2nd Street, in Philadelphia.
Jamie: I love your stuff. Can you describe your style in a sentence or two?
Knuckles: ”Middle school”. Not like, middle school, but I don’t think I am “old school” because I don’t leave skin showing like they used to – they didn’t color from edge to edge. Not new school either. So, middle school. I like black shading and nice, solid colors. I think I would say that my tattoos are in the traditional style, but with my art.
Jamie: What’s your favorite piece that you’ve done to date?
Knuckles: I think that whatever you’ve done last is your favorite. I am currently doing Bird’s head, and it’s great to get to do work on someone you like and respect.
Jamie: What’s your favorite piece that you wear?
Knuckles: I’m loving Tim Victim’s coverups these days. He did one for me, and it really blew my mind when he asked me to do one for him. I have work from Stony St. Claire, who taught Marty Holcombe. I’ve gotten art from the guys who are really the masters, Bowery Stan, Jerry at Philadelphia Eddies.
Jamie: How long have you been tattooing and how did you get started?
Knuckles: I did my first tattoo on myself when I was 14 with a homemade gun. It was a straightedge x. My mom was not happy when she saw it. When I was 23, I got a job as a piercer and after a few months, I progressed and they started teaching me to tattoo. Dan Wesley really gave me my first break. Then, I was asked to work at High Street Tattoo. Giovanni really flipped my game upside down, and I learned a lot from him and the super talented people there.
Jamie: What would you be doing if you were not a tattoo artist?
Knuckles: Time. Haha. Probably still cooking and getting into trouble.
Jamie: What do you get the most requests for?
Knuckles: Flowers, bright colors. I’ve done a lot of owls lately. I would say 80% of my clients are women, because I do a lot of pretty, fancy work. I don’t do much horror stuff. I just like to draw pretty stuff and make it look cool.
Jamie: What inspires you?
Knuckles: Eastern Indian religious art. I am inspired by Alfonse Mucha; his art influences my foliage, among other things. I like anything with flourish, things that are done nicely, and things with beautiful detail. I also really love how Japanese work uses the muscle structure and how the design flows on the body.
Jamie: What’s the strangest request you’ve ever had?
Knuckles: Once, I was doing a tattoo on a guy’s girlfriend, and he was asking me about what he could get for free. There was a portrait of myself hanging at my station and I told him that it was free to get that done. So, that’s what he got.
Jamie: Uh, that’s weird. Did you know him?
Knuckles: Not only did I not know him, it was his first tattoo.
Jamie: Is there anything you won’t do?
Knuckles: Other than tattoo minors? Yeah, I won’t do a tattoo that I know won’t look nice, even if it’s what the person really thinks they want.
Jamie: What is one thing that everyone should know about you?
Knuckles: My farts make noise but they don’t stink. Really. Seriously, though, what people should know about me is that I really care about what I do. This is what I know, and I really want it to be perfect. The more you do it the way it’s supposed to be done, the better you are.
Jamie: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Knuckles: If I still have hands and sight, I’ll still be making art. I’d like to have a family, settle down eventually. (The nosy busybody in me can’t help but tell any single girl reading this that he is adorable and funny on top of being talented, and wants to settle down and have a family…)
You can see more of Knuckles’ work at www.joeyknucklestattoo.com. Keep an eye out for some really exciting stuff coming up on the horizon for Joey Knuckles.
Knuckles tattoos Sunday – Thursday at Olde City Tattoo. You can call 215-627-6271 to make an appointment with him or stop by at 44 S. 2nd Street.
