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Brandon Bond – It’s All Or Nothing
TATTOO Magazine Issue #223
March 2008
Pages 68-74
Brandon Bond is a very busy guy. Between numerous
conventions, he tattoos in his two studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and is booked
about a year in advance. He also owns a publishing company, makes books and
videos, designs clothing, and has a multitude of other creative projects in
progress.
As far back
as Brandon can remember, he has loved and wanted tattoos. “I was fascinatedby
the whole process, the lifestyle, the artwork,the application, and it looked
like a fun way to make a living; it turned out to be a lot more than I had
hoped for…it’s amazing, and it has become who I am.”
He
apprenticed 15 years ago at Tattoo Zoo in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, under Jim
Wolfe (Brandon says he’ll be forever grateful to Jim and his family “for
changing my path forever.”) These days Brandon’s clients tend to be very
serious collectors, who often fly in from out of town just to get tattooed.
Brandon’s studio provides shuttle service from Atlanta’s international airport,
as well as hotel reservation booking, transportation to and from hotels to the
studio, and then back to the airport.
Brandon
says his work is generally based in realism, but is not realism at all. “I have
been working to push the realism/expressive illustrative aspects of my
composition for some years now, I tend to creat imagery from a photo, and
embellish and change the actual feel, layout, and mood of the orginal imagery
into something entirely different. Most of my clients let me do whatever I want
on them, within reason. So, I keep a stockpile of images, drawings, and
conceptualized ideas that are ready to
go, and when a client arrives at the studio, we go through the piles of imagery
to see what best suits the body part.”
 He’s been
working with several new inks and machines lately, among them freedom 2
pigments, an ink that is easier to remove with only one laser treatment than
other tattoo inks on the market today. “This ink has been the source of great
controversy throughout the tattoo industry,” says Brandon. “And yes, I agree
that tattoos are sacred, and their permanence is a big part of why they are
special, but the truth is that all tattoos are removable. This ink just comes
oout with less trauma and expensive. It’s permanent, so it’s great for people
who want their tattoos forever and it’s easy to get out if you decide to change
up your skin art on a decade or so. Best of all worlds and I believe it is the
next evolutionary step in tattooing.
“Hell, I could
get tattooed all day, every day for free, but I am limited on what I can do
with my bodysuit because I got so heavily tattooed at a young age,” Brandon
says. “My clients get waaaaaay better tattoos than I have and that sucks. I’m
jealous every time someone leaves with a fresh piece of art. When I started
tattooing fifteen years ago, there was no art like what we are seeing today,
the art form has exploded. And I want some of that.”
All or
Nothing is Brandon’s “public studio” and accepts walk-ins. His private studio,
A.N.T.I. Art Elite, is by appointment only and is a gallery that houses two
movie theaters, two koi fish ponds with waterfalls stocked with rare fish and
turtles, and two art gallery spaces featuring his collection of art from the
world’s top tattooists. There are wireless video games in every room, a Jacuzzi
(for the artists) complete with surround sound and wireless gaming, decorative
hand laid Brazilian flooring, sand blasted and etched glass, nine-foot-tall
hand carved statues, and much more. “I needed a private space to tattoo and
focus on art all day without interruption and it’s great. No restrictions, no
distractions, no questions interrupting me, no phone calls, nothing but me and
a client in an adult Disneyland,” says Brandon.
 When he’s
not working, Brandon loves to shoot guns. He says he gets a lot of grief about
this interest from some folks and explains that “I was born into a wonderful
family and there I was taught that the protection of that family is my job as a
loving participant. I learned to shoot guns before I even knew what a cuss word
was. I was taught safety. Respect, and regard for human life. I learned that a
gun is as safe as its owner is, and I am extremely careful with my firearms. I
have very little free time, and what free time I have I like to spend with
close friends and quality firearms. It’s a hobby, like quilting.”
He’s also
involved in dog rescue and has assisted in placing over 200 animals (mostly
rescued pit bulls) in loving homes, which Brandon says is “the awesomest thing
ever.”
Between the
demands of his personal life, plus his many business obligations, you may be
wondering if Brandon ever sleeps? “I’m exhausted and almost dead,” Brandon
confesses. “For real – be careful what you wish for.” -Michelle Dellio
Brandon’s two studios
are located in Smyrna, Georgia.
Call 770-435-9966 for
more information.
To see more of
Brandon’s art and work,
visit:
www.allornothingtattoo.com
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All or Nothing Tattoo
2569 S. Cobb Dr.
Smyrna, Ga. 30080
Phone: 770.435.9966
APPOINTMENT INFO
Brandon Bond
Dave Tedder
Joe Waulken
Matt Dunlap
Mike McMahon
Josh Lindley
Flaco Martinez
Oscar Zornosa
Jason Adkins
Collaborations
Brandon Bond
Dave Tedder
Flaco Martinez
Frankie Mirisciotti
Jason Adkins
Joe Waulken
Josh Lindley
Matt Dunlap
Mike McMahon
Oscar Zornosa
Tim Furlow
MLB Players get tattooed at All or Nothing
Tattoo Convention Photos
All or Nothing Invades Europe
Mike Busey Visits
Around the Shop
Tattoos that say All or Nothing
Celebrity Tattoos
Darker Skin
THE GREAT PIT BALL
Shop Expansion Photos
Behind The Scenes
-VICKtory to the Underdog
Our Film Wins Film Fest Award
The Apprentice Corner
Atlanta Braves get tattooed at All or Nothing Tattoo
Brandon Bond returns to All or Nothing
Guest Artist Galleries
Filming of LA Ink with Kat Von D
Tattoo Seminars
Testimonials
New Pictures
Collaborations
StrangleHold Merch
AoN Studio Tour
Halloween Party '05
It's A Wild Ride '05
Past Party Pictures
Kingpin Supply
Eulogy Recordings
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Hardnox Clothing
Stranglehold Merch
AtlantaTattooTV
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