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CRAIG DRISCOLL
by Sean Dettman
Photos courtesy of Craig Driscoll
From the November 2006 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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Craig Driscoll is an artist of many avenues. Some days, you can find him laying down "bold, exciting tattoos — with an art nouveau influence" that can range from ladybugs to intricate deity-based sleeves. Other days, you may find him painting a Star Wars themed mural. Driscoll’s work encompasses the far and near of the artistic spectrum.
Three years ago, Driscoll opened his own shop, Five Two Tattoo, in Ottawa, Canada. After selling his shop to Julian Garner, his apprentice, he went to work in Edmonton, Alberta, tattooing in a mall. After being fired due to ethical disagreements, Driscoll finished the pieces he had begun for clients, packed up his shit, and made his way to California. Presently, he is working out of Guru Tattoo in San Diego.
Dettman: What initially motivated you to pursue a career in the tattoo industry?
Driscoll: Well, I started in like '95. I was working in downtown Toronto and there were a lot of heavily tattooed people. I had also been reading some tattoo magazines around that time as well, and was amazed at what Marcus Pacheco and Aaron Cain were doing. I didn't know that tattoos could look like that. I guess I just wanted to be able to do (and get) the shit
they were doing.
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What are your favorite tattoos to do?
I get to do what I like at this point. I think just getting to finish some bigger stuff would be nice. I really can't see myself doing anything else.
What differences, if any, do you notice between tattooing in Canada and tattooing in the States?
There's a lot. Like here in California, the population is higher than the total population of Canada, so there are a lot more people tattooing in the States. I also think that there's a definite American style of tattooing. Lots of trends are set here with way more followers. I think Canada has a tighter knit group with a lot of diversity and less followers, resulting from the smaller number of people in the tattoo community. Having said that, I think I have to point out that there’s a larger volume of high quality tattooing going on here, so it's harder to excel
in the States.
What is your favorite Star Wars character?
Wow, that’s tough. I would say Yoda, but I love Vader ... and I want to fuck Leia. So yeah, I don't know. It's like a religion, so all of them.
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In what ways has your artwork influenced your tattooing, or vice-versa?
Well, I would have to say that tattooing has influenced my art way more than my art has influenced my tattooing. I draw all the time now; things that I wouldn't normally do unless it was for a tattoo. It's helped me be a more prolific artist.
What were some of your favorite tattoos to give and receive?
I would have to say it's my tattoo from Aaron Cain. I really love his work and I learned a lot when getting tattooed by him. And as for tattoos that I have done, well I have tattooed all my ex-girlfriends, and they have a really deep meaning to me. It's as though I left my mark, ya know?
Any favorite SuicideGirls?
[Laughs] Of course. I have tattooed a lot of them and dated a few, but the one I love the most, I haven't even met. Arete. She's from Canada and I have had the hots for her for two years now. By far my fav!
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What did you enjoy most about opening your own shop?
Wow, I guess the best part was just doing it the way I wanted to. And the friends that were around Five Two were great. It's just too bad it was in Ottawa, I wanted out of there so bad. But I had a great time and I'll always miss the shop and the people that were there.
Who are your biggest influences?
Aaron Cain. Bill Baker, who owns Eikon Device in Canada. And Steve Moore in Vancouver, Canada. Without Bill Baker, I wouldn’t be tattooing.
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As a tattoo artist, where would you like to be in five years?
Either working at Primal Urge or else in a private studio in downtown San Diego; splitting my time between tattooing and painting. Hopefully still getting to do the work I love.
Any famous last words?
"Try not, do or do not, there is no try!" — Yoda.
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Guru Tattoo
1122 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, Calif. 92109
(858) 270-1070
For more information, go to www.craigdriscoll.com or www.gurutattoo.com.
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