The Exquisite Experience of Being Robert Pho’s Tattoo Apprentice: Think Before You Ink’s Q&A With X
By Sidra Lackey
X, once a teacher, is now a student in her second year of apprenticeship under @robert_pho (“one of the finest black-and-gray realism tattoo artists on the planet,” The Los Angeles Times referred to him as, in a 2021 article on the distinguished tattooist with over 30 years of tattooing experience under his tattoo machine) at Skin Design Tattoo in Brooklyn, New York. And by the looks of it, X seems to be following in Pho’s footsteps, mastering black and grey realism excellently. As an apprentice, X impressively has already had a celebrity client: singer/actress La’Myia Good (the sister of actress Meagan Good). X is also the creator of @darkskintattootips with another talented tattoo artist @theangelrose. Dark Skin Tattoo Tips is an online community that teaches tattoo artists how to accommodate BIPOC clients instead of refusing to work on them.
Think Before You Ink had the pleasure of picking X’s brain for an exciting interview:
THINK BEFORE YOU INK: Where did you grow up? And did that have an impact on you becoming a tattoo artist? (ex: Were you around tattoo culture via your family / friends / people in your neighborhood?)
X: I was born in San Francisco, California but my parents moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was 3 years old and I’m so thankful for that. Atlanta is my home. Raised in Mechanicsville, Georgia (right next to old Turner Field) I was at the epicenter of what we all know to be “Atlanta Culture.”
TBYI: How long have you been a tattoo artist?
X: I have been an apprentice under the legendary artist Robert Pho for a little over a year now.
TBYI: Did you choose to be a tattoo artist or did tattooing choose you? (ex: did you always want to be an artist or did you fall into it?)
X: A little mix of both. I never saw myself being a tattoo artist because I always thought you had to have an art background to be respected in this game. When my teaching job brought me to an almost dangerous level of depression, I quit and had no choice but to choose a career that would bring me joy and a decent income. I began working as the manager of a tattoo shop in Atlanta and thought tattoo administration was going to be my thing. Then one day I saw Robert post he was looking for a new apprentice. I bought a one way flight to Las Vegas to talk to him and the rest is history.
TBYI: Who are the tattoo artists you look up to or who inspires you? And why?
X: My mentor Robert Pho will always be the person I look up to the most. He opened the doors to this industry for me. His artistry and business mindset is like no other tattoo artist I have met.
I have so many amazing friends in this industry as well. Charity Hamidullah started off as my artist — giving me my first and second large scale piece. Since then we have become amazing friends. She inspires me to choose myself and be the type of artist that I want to be.
TBYI: Did you have a tattoo apprenticeship or were you self-taught?
X: I am currently in my 2nd year of my apprenticeship under Robert Pho.
TBYI: Do you think tattoo artist’s tattoos should be regarded as art, even if the tattooist doesn’t have a formal art background? Why or why not?
X: The formal art background narrative is a lie. Tattoo artists are artists. Art is for everyone.
TBYI: What is your style specialty when it comes to tattooing? Is there a style you feel you want to get better at?
X: I love black and grey realism mashups. Geometric, dot work and bold lines mixed with realism, makes my mouth water.
TBYI: What types of tattoos do you enjoy and dislike doing most?
X: I’m too new to the game to say what I don’t like. I’m just happy to be here tattooing.
TBYI: How do you collaborate with a client on a piece who has no / little idea what they want? Do you prefer that or do you prefer if a client already has a set idea on a piece?
X: I typically ask for reference photos or keywords. If they are unable to provide that, I will ask if they are okay with me having creative freedom. If their answer is “yes”— I can go wild!
TBYI: There’s many changes happening within the tattoo industry currently: from ink colors being banned to inks being linked to cancer, to there being “made-to-fade” ink and even light sensitive ink that can “turn on” and off supposedly. Tattoos can now be turned into NFTs too. What do you think about all these innovations yet setbacks? How do you think tattoos and the tattoo industry will evolve further over the next few years into the next decade?
X: Like I said, I’m just happy to finally be a part of a community I have admired from the sidelines for so long. I’m excited to see how the industry evolves. Out with the old, in with the new — that is the way of the world.
TBYI: Do you have any advice for tattoo artists in training or those just thinking about entering the tattoo industry as a tattoo artist?
X: Imposter syndrome is real. Seek feedback often but do not compare yourself to others. Create a clear vision for the type of artist YOU want to be and don’t let anything get in the way of your goals.
You can follow X on IG @tattedup.x_sdt