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By MIKE EATON
EAST COAST INK MAGAZINE
Tattoo artists and collectors alike are steeped in a
timeless tradition that can take, in itself, a lifetime
to fully understand.
The ideals, techniques, and even designs from
centuries ago, are still flowing within the life-blood
of the industry.
The art form has endeavored a path of cultural,
political and even legal issues that have helped to
shape what we have today. To establish its
future, we must first understand it’s past.
Many tattooists have their life planned out for
them before they even know it. Its appeal often
grips us at a young age, putting us on a road that
will ultimately be a passionate career. Such is the
case with Axel Mercier, an artist at Port City
Tattoo, in Wilmington, NC (the Dub).
“That’s what I want to do”, recollects Axel, as he
speaks of seeing tattooing within the “biker”
culture as a child.
Though he would inevitably find himself behind the
needle, breaking into that “elite club” wasn’t easy.
He would spend as much time as he could
hanging out at shops, getting tattooed, and finally
getting his opportunity at Tattoo Circus with
Emerson Forth in Miami, Florida more than ten
years ago.
The philosophy of a traditional apprenticeship is
based on the idea that people generally don’t
appreciate what comes easily.
Therefore, Axel was required to mop, sweep and
even fetch a twelve pack of beer if needed. .
“It wasn’t as bad as it could have been,” confesses
Mercier, having since seen apprentices face far
worse “breaking in” than himself.
In spite of the hardships, a formal apprenticeship
has great advantages that last a lifetime.
“You understand the values of it more, everything
that goes with being a tattooer,” says Axel.
Referring to his own teachings as “hands on”, he
was quickly responsible for customers seeking
standard flash work, and approached each tattoo
with all he had.
Over a decade later Mercier is still hard at work
with a well-rounded knowledge of the business
and an experienced steady hand.
He has been at Port City Tattoo now for a little
over three years and is keeping primarily to his
traditional roots.
“We have a lot of construction going on in this city
so we get quite a few construction workers as well
as the kids from UNCW”
A good look at his portfolio quickly reveals where
Axel invests himself after all this time.
His style of work is based in the traditional genre
and his attitude, in reference to tattooing, doesn’t
stray far.
“I approach all tattooing in the traditional sense,”
says Axel.
He feels that’s the way things have been done
because that’s “the right way to do them.”
Though he is adept in every style of work he
admits that “new school” is less appealing to him.
Presently his interest is in large, traditional
Japanese tattooing.
When asked about influences he offers up names
such as Joe Vegas, Darren Brass, Chris Garver,
Dolla Bill and Ami James, Eric Thrice, Angelo Miller
and Martin LaCass.
When he isn’t at the shop Axel’s interest revolve
around building tattoo machines, vintage
motorcycles, and jamming with his rock and roll
band, The Speed Kings.
Axel’s work is representative of traditional
tattooing, both Americana and Japanese.
His crisp solid lines, and strategically placed
colors, are reminiscent of a minimalist painter;
boldly stating his message with sweet simple
movements.
The message is simple…The art of tattooing is
alive and well. The history of the industry is still
thriving, and the artists that made it what it is
today live on within each of us.
EAST COAST INK MAGAZINE
Tattoo artists and collectors alike are steeped in a
timeless tradition that can take, in itself, a lifetime
to fully understand.
The ideals, techniques, and even designs from
centuries ago, are still flowing within the life-blood
of the industry.
The art form has endeavored a path of cultural,
political and even legal issues that have helped to
shape what we have today. To establish its
future, we must first understand it’s past.
Many tattooists have their life planned out for
them before they even know it. Its appeal often
grips us at a young age, putting us on a road that
will ultimately be a passionate career. Such is the
case with Axel Mercier, an artist at Port City
Tattoo, in Wilmington, NC (the Dub).
“That’s what I want to do”, recollects Axel, as he
speaks of seeing tattooing within the “biker”
culture as a child.
Though he would inevitably find himself behind the
needle, breaking into that “elite club” wasn’t easy.
He would spend as much time as he could
hanging out at shops, getting tattooed, and finally
getting his opportunity at Tattoo Circus with
Emerson Forth in Miami, Florida more than ten
years ago.
The philosophy of a traditional apprenticeship is
based on the idea that people generally don’t
appreciate what comes easily.
Therefore, Axel was required to mop, sweep and
even fetch a twelve pack of beer if needed. .
“It wasn’t as bad as it could have been,” confesses
Mercier, having since seen apprentices face far
worse “breaking in” than himself.
In spite of the hardships, a formal apprenticeship
has great advantages that last a lifetime.
“You understand the values of it more, everything
that goes with being a tattooer,” says Axel.
Referring to his own teachings as “hands on”, he
was quickly responsible for customers seeking
standard flash work, and approached each tattoo
with all he had.
Over a decade later Mercier is still hard at work
with a well-rounded knowledge of the business
and an experienced steady hand.
He has been at Port City Tattoo now for a little
over three years and is keeping primarily to his
traditional roots.
“We have a lot of construction going on in this city
so we get quite a few construction workers as well
as the kids from UNCW”
A good look at his portfolio quickly reveals where
Axel invests himself after all this time.
His style of work is based in the traditional genre
and his attitude, in reference to tattooing, doesn’t
stray far.
“I approach all tattooing in the traditional sense,”
says Axel.
He feels that’s the way things have been done
because that’s “the right way to do them.”
Though he is adept in every style of work he
admits that “new school” is less appealing to him.
Presently his interest is in large, traditional
Japanese tattooing.
When asked about influences he offers up names
such as Joe Vegas, Darren Brass, Chris Garver,
Dolla Bill and Ami James, Eric Thrice, Angelo Miller
and Martin LaCass.
When he isn’t at the shop Axel’s interest revolve
around building tattoo machines, vintage
motorcycles, and jamming with his rock and roll
band, The Speed Kings.
Axel’s work is representative of traditional
tattooing, both Americana and Japanese.
His crisp solid lines, and strategically placed
colors, are reminiscent of a minimalist painter;
boldly stating his message with sweet simple
movements.
The message is simple…The art of tattooing is
alive and well. The history of the industry is still
thriving, and the artists that made it what it is
today live on within each of us.
| AXEL MERCIER |
| LAYING IT DOWN IN THE PORT CITY |
axel mercier
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