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JASON ACKERMAN
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
By Max Brand
Photos courtesy of Jason Ackerman
From the May 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine
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 Tattoos by Jason Ackerman |
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 Jason Ackerman at work |
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From the depths of South Florida comes a talent
that never tires. Winning countless
awards, and satisfying droves of clients at
Lucky 7 Tattoo, Jason Ackerman is just getting
started on a dedicated and fruitful path. After a
rocky start in life, Ackerman has cleared many
hurdles, sometimes straddling a few. Now with a
clear head and an excitable imagination, anything
is possible. PRICK recently had the opportunity
to pick the brain of this sprouting ink jockey.
Brand: I know you started tattooing in
Boca, Fla., but where did life begin for
Jason Ackerman, and how did tattooing
come into your life?
Ackerman: Life began for me in the state of New Jersey. In
New Jersey, I had my own business installing flooring, and I
was miserable! That period of my life was a very
dark one. I had a very bad drug problem, and I was
getting in a lot of trouble. It had gotten to the point
where I had hit rock bottom. I was feeling very
hopeless and having suicidal ideas. I had gotten to a
place where I knew I needed a fresh start or it was
going to end very badly. In making that decision, I
headed to Florida. To be honest, when I came to Florida, it
was not my dream to be a tattoo artist; the opportunity
fell in to my lap. I was asked by a new tattoo
shop owner to come and check out his shop, and
when I did I felt so comfortable in that
environment and with those surroundings, I asked
for a piercing apprenticeship. After piercing there
for a few years, I realized that my heart was not into
that. To keep me at the shop the owner offered me
a tattoo apprenticeship, so I took it! It's almost six
years later, and here I am.
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How did you end up at Lucky 7, and what
changes have you and the shop gone
through in the last five years?
After being in the shop I was at for seven years, I
knew I wanted a shop of my own, so I came to
Lucky 7 Tattoos and have since partnered in with
Trevor Wilson. Since leaving Big Kahuna, I have been
afforded the opportunities to do guest spots, conventions,
basically whatever my heart desires!
You have a pretty crazy convention schedule. What draws you to
conventions, and how do you chose the conventions you do?
I love doing conventions. I get to see the world while doing what I love! I think the
thing that really draws me to conventions is the energy. There is an amazing amount
of good energy between the artists and clients. It is also a great opportunity for me
to learn more about my profession from an array of different artist. It's a cool thing
to be able to watch my favorite tattoo artists working and see different techniques
and concepts, while having the ability to pick their brain on the spot. For me, that is
priceless. As far as choosing conventions, I get a lot of emails from people all over the
country telling me they wish they could get tattooed by me but they can't come to
Forida. So, I try to do conventions near them, while still making sure it's in an area that I
would stay busy. I am a workaholic, and I want to hit every major city in this country!
There are a ton of tattoo shops in Florida. What do you think about the
tattoo scene in Florida, and is there anything you'd like to see change
about it?
I think there are a lot of great shops in Florida, and plenty of up and coming and well
established artists. Unfortunately, there are a lot of shop rivalries, which I don't agree
with. There is more than enough work to go around, and if you do good work it will
speak for itself. I feel like we are a relatively small community, and we should be helping
one another, not talking trash about one another! And that's what really grinds my
gears!
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You obviously draw inspiration from different sources for your art.
What do you try to convey with your art, and how do clients relate
or react to your ideas?
I draw my inspirations from a multitude of places. I have always been inspired by
artists like Jime Litwalk, Mark Ryden, Pooch, and Crayola. I am also influenced by everyday
life and personal experiences. With my art, I try to convey life's emotions. I think
that I am an extremely emotional person, and that transfers into my work. My art seems
to connect with my clients on a personal level, for most. They can relate to it because I
am taking their ideas and/or memories and creating a piece of art that will be with them
their entire life.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten
years?
Probably doing the same thing I'm doing now, trying
to learn whatever I can and working my ass
off.
What is your favorite kind of food?
New York City dirty water dogs with mustard
and kraut!
What is your favorite place to visit?
Boston, I think it's one of the coolest cities that I have been to thus far. Lots of history
and great architecture. I am all about that kind of stuff.
What is your favorite color?
To tattoo with...creamcicle. Personal fav...brown. I think it's funny that I personally like
drab colors, but I want my tattoos as vivid and bright as possible!
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Lucky 7 Tattoos
2120 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
For more information, go to www.jasonackerman.net.
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