Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Marchetto.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Growing up I was always into drawing and hands on kind of stuff. Upon graduating high school I wanted to study art and I began taking art classes at a local community college, but school was never really my thing. I think the restrictiveness and authority that comes with school drove me nuts. I’ve always had problems with authority. So I dropped out and began working at a liquor store. Some time later, I started working towards becoming a firefighter, but I quickly realized that wasn’t for me either. Not really sure what I wanted at that time, I started getting heavily tattooed and concentrated on art again.
Once I started hanging around my local tattoo shop I applied for a counter job that turned into an apprenticeship. I had a lot of people along the way tell me it was a horrible idea and that I would never make money. Around that time, not to long ago, tattoos were not acceptable. People doubting me gave me the chip on my shoulder that I still have to this day; its the reason I have always maintained a hard work ethic. I consider myself completely self taught in painting and tattooing, a lot of trial and error. Gratefully, I’ve been tattooing for 11 years now, all in Massachusetts. I continue to work hard to progress and stay relevant in a highly saturated industry.
Please tell us about your art.
All my art is influenced by classic “Americana” tattoo-imagery. I try my best to make tattoos and paintings that are powerful and stand the test of time. There isn’t necessarily a message behind my work, however I hope to inspire someone to get the design tattooed or to motivate a fellow artist. As I’ve gained experience as a tattooer, I rarely look at another tattooers work for inspiration while I draw or paint. I strive to stay raw in the process and go straight to the source of referencing stuff. Its that process that most tattooers would have followed many moons ago when there was no internet, just books, postcards, and the mind .
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Its all trial and error. Nothing comes easy. I don’t consider myself a natural of “art”, but hard work can go a long way. I think like any artist you wish you learned stuff faster. but all the bumps in road help to build your character, and it carries over into your work.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I currently own a tattoo shop called “GREYLOCK TATTOO” in Northampton, Ma. I recently worked at Redemption Tattoo in Cambridge, MA for the last 6 years. if you want to support me you can get a tattoo or buy prints/paintings from me!
Contact Info:
- Address: Chris Marchetto 25 main st. #334
Northampton, Ma 01060 - Website: www.greylocktattoo.com
- Phone: 4135840205
- Email: chrismarchetto@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @chrismarchetto
Image Credit:
The profile picture was taken by Phil Furtado @analogbound
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