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Taylor Jordan
Taylor Jordan New artist here At All or Nothing Tattoo!
INTERVIEW
Describe yourself in 140 characters twitter style.
My name is Taylor Jordan, I am a 27 year old professional tattoo artist, illustrator, and painter. I
am a ginger and have been all my life.
How long have you been tattooing?
I have been tattooing consistently for about 7 years now. I took a couple years off early in my
career to travel and go to film school in NYC. I first did my apprenticeship in 2006 right after
graduating high school. I actually used all the money my relatives gave me for graduating towards my
apprenticeship. My mother was very happy with that (haha).
How long have you been with ALL OR NOTHING?
I am the newest artist at AON. I have only been here for about 2 months. I am loving it so far
and it still feels a little weird working at a shop that I used to read all about in the magazines I picked
up as an apprentice. The stuff I would look at would blow my mind as a young tattoo artist. Now I am
working side by side with these talented people.
Where DID you live before coming to Atlanta?
I am originally from the Marietta, GA area and grew up there all my life. I love to travel and
have lived in Tanzania, NYC, and most recently spent the last 2 years tattooing in east Tennessee. My
family still lives in the Atlanta area and I will always have a special bond with this city. I guess that is
why I keep finding myself back here.
How did you come to ALL OR NOTHING, tell us the story!?!
I inquired about a guest spot at AON about a month before I moved back to Atlanta from
Tennessee. My friend Blenner Silva had just done a guest spot and got hired on as a resident artist.
When he informed me that a spot had opened up for a tattoo artist position; I jumped at the chance. I
started working as a guest artist about 2 days after moving back and still haven't left. I figured I will
just keep showing up until they tell me to go home. Im glad everything worked out the way it did. This
is the most fun crew and work environment I have been around since I started tattooing.
I enjoy every style really. If I had to pick I would say I enjoy bold color, almost new school
style. I do a lot of oil painting as well and have recently been trying to bring that loose color style into
my tattoos.
What type of needles & groupings do you prefer? How did you come to start using them?
Usually for lining I will use 7 or 9's. Tight or bold depending on the tattoo I'm doing. For mags I
usually like using bug pin 9's. I have been trying to get into using 11 to 15 mags especially for black
and grey work. I think the bigger mags definitely give you a smoother wash when doing black and
grey. Curved mags are also a plus when trying to do smooth blends as well.
What has changed about your tattooing since you first walked in the front door of ALL OR
NOTHING?
I feel like I concentrate on the design part a little more than I was doing before working at
AON. Taking the time to really draw and redraw a design from different angles to make the piece more
interesting. I think my black and grey work, especially the realism stuff, has improved since being here.
Just watching the different techniques in which my co-workers tattoo and try to combine and develop it
with my style to see what works is very exciting.
Everyone that comes arrives at different times, so the list of artists is always in flux. Who have YOU
worked with, gotten tattooed by, met or gotten to watch work since coming to ALL OR NOTHING?
And how did any of that affect you and your art.
Right now I'm working with Matt Dunlap, Mark, Blenner Silva, Ghengis, Flaco, and Brandon
Bond. It's a good, and creative group of guys. I've only been tattooed by Blenner when we were both
working at another shop together. Let me just say this; his tattoos feel like butterfly kisses. It turned out
great. I feel like there is a good amount of variety in the artist here. Everyone compliments what some
lack in certain areas. There is definitely a big pool of talent and creative minds to pick from. I can learn
a lot while I work here and try to improve my skills and understanding of art in general. You can never
learn enough.
What other type of art do you produce? Paintings, video, flash, graphics etc?
Im big on painting. I messed with acrylic paint for about 3 or 4 years and produced many
pieces. My first painting class at Kennesaw State University I found out they were teaching oil
painting. After my first attempt at oil painting, I never looked back. I have been producing a lot of oil
paintings over the years that I am very happy with. I studied film at New York Film Academy so I
know my way around video editing systems and a camera. I don't have much time to do that sort of
stuff any more but I will always have a passion for directing short films. I still have a lot to learn about
photoshop and digital art but I will get there.
Are you tired of people talking to you about dogs?
I've only been here a couple months so not to many people have asked me about dogs. Im a dog
person over a cat person for sure though.
How has your LIFE been changed since coming?
I notice my self growing as an artist and becoming more creative each day. The work schedule
is pretty hectic but I'm sure it will breed a good work ethic. I definitely find myself waking up earlier
ready for the day.
Was there ever a time when you realized you had figured this out or had an "art epiphany" about your
own growth as a tattooist?
The equipment you use is important. Tools are made differently and you get what you pay for.
Oh, and that time someone told me to turn up my power supply!
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