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MARIO BELL
by Geoffrey Stephenson
Photos courtesy of Mario Bell
From the September 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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Tattoo artist extraordinaire Mario Bell can be found at his shop, Two Kings Tattooing, in the quaint mountain town of Hendersonville, N.C. In the business for over a decade, Bell has honed his skills as a master of realistic and portraiture tattooing, but is also one of those folks who enjoys a challenge (i.e. tattoo artist, shop owner, Star Wars fan and family man). Even with his busy schedule, we were lucky to get a few moments to discuss all of these topics and much more with Mr. Mario Bell.
How long have you been tattooing?
I started my apprenticeship under Rob Brahmer at Point Blank Tattoo back in early 1994. I worked with Ray Alexander and Rodney Raines for a while along with some other characters here and there. I left Point Blank in 1998 and helped manage California Ralph's Hendersonville shop until 2004.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist and how did you get started in the industry?
I lived for skateboarding when I was younger and some of my favorite skaters were Jason Jesse and Mike Vallely. These guys had tons of tattoos. Also the Godoy twins, who tattoo now; I always thought that was cool. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil after we moved from New Brunswick, Canada to West Palm Beach, Florida.
I spent the following summer visiting family and friends back in Canada and there was this traveling carnival where they had a guy who would tattoo you in his camper right next to the Tilt-a-Whirl. I was 16 at the time and had the money for the tiniest tribal eagle you've ever seen. I ended up getting tattooed by his wife and walking out of the camper thinking I was the coolest guy, sleeve rolled up and everything!
After that, I knew I wanted to do something with tattooing. I didn't know what at the time, because it was 1990. So I would buy any tattoo magazine I could and draw my ass off.
The following year I discovered Louie Lombi's Tattoo Paradise. I walked in and got my first piece of flash from Louie when I was 17 (sorry Louie!). I was hooked after that, and was at his shop so much that Louie had to kick me out a couple of times because I wasn't doing anything, especially not getting tattooed. I just loved being around the atmosphere. I learned a lot just by watching, listening, and keeping my mouth shut. Louie, his brother Ed, Robert Balter, Kevin and Kelly Buckstrup, Jimmy and Clarke, they were all very cordial and let me hang out, go get lunch, talk to customers and sweep a floor. Back then, it was still tough to break into the business and all I could do was hang out at the shop. Robert Balter is the man that helped me get my apprenticeship with Point Blank Tattoo. I feel very lucky to have been around that traditional style of a fast-paced street shop and to watch the amazing tattoos that would walk out of that place. It definitely helped me when I started tattooing. To this day, when I go visit my family in West Palm Beach, I always make time to go hang out at Louie's.
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When and why did you open Two Kings Tattooing? How did you come up with the name?
Two Kings Tattooing was opened in 2004 after California Ralph's Hendersonville shop sustained heavy water and smoke damage from the restaurant right next door burning down. So I figured this was a sign, and after 10 years it was probably the best time to open my own studio. I came up with the name from my two sons, Vito and Berto; they are nine and almost seven. Ever since they were born they have been my kings and I am their lowly servant! Ha-ha! It's also a reference to a Tenacious D song and, believe it or not, there are only a few people who have figured it out.
Who are some of your major influences inside and outside of tattooing?
There are so many. Outside of tattooing, my beautiful wife and amazing boys. I'm a huge fan of art books; it can be anything, I'll buy it. You can never have enough reference. Some artists outside the tattoo world are Ralph MacQuarrie, Matt Busch, Dave Doorman. As far as tattoo artists, I would say everyone at Louie Lombi's shop back in the day. I got to watch Dick Worsocki and Danny Williams work when they would come through town—they were big influences on my black and grey work. Of course Jack Rudy and Brian Everret, Paul Booth, Filip Leu, Tin-Tin. Robert Hernandez and Robert Pho.
Tom Renshaw helped me the most with my black and grey. I got tattooed by him and it was really cool to see his approach to things, plus he's just a super nice guy. Brian, Mike and Eli at my shop—these guys put out some amazing work and I have to work at keeping up with them. They kick my butt most of the time! Mike Dorsey, my friends Rodney Raines, Lil' Tommy and the rest of the guys at Ace Tattoo are amazing. Phil Colvin and Dave Kruseman at Memorial Tattoo do the cleanest work known to man. Mike DeVries, Mike DeMassi, Nikko, all these younger guys just tearing up the photo-realism. There are too many to mention, which is why I'm so excited about where this business is going. There are guys out there that no one has heard of that are doing things that are unreal.
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How would you describe your style? What are some of your favorite subjects to tattoo?
I don’t know if I have any certain style, I like doing everything. I like tattooing real looking objects, or things that look very close to being real. Trying to take different ideas and make them work is tough, but fun for sure. I'm still working on it! I really like doing portraits of any kind and have recently started doing them in color after doing them in black and grey for 14 years. It's a big change for me and I'm having a blast trying new things while still trying to keep the 'traditional' ways that will make that tattoo hold up years down the road.
After over a decade of tattooing, how do you stay creative?
For me it's just constantly trying to learn something new, like color portraits. It's totally different for me, but that's what I get a kick out of. I really do love a challenge and seeing some of the work nowadays just makes me want to try to get better. Some of these guys have been tattooing a third of the time I've been doing it and they are kicking ass. Just seeing stuff like that wants me to strive to do something different and better each time. I just want to see if I can hang with these young whipper snappers...ha!
What is your favorite thing about being a tattoo artist?
At this point in my career, the freedom to schedule my appointments around my family. My kids are getting older and it seems like I've already missed a good portion of their young lives. I'm also a bit pickier about what I do. I don't work 12 hour days anymore, but I still think I work a bit too much. We all do. But again, this is my life and it's hard not to be at the shop! I love it too much! I’ve been on “vacation” for the past week and I was at the shop all day doing paper work and cleaning...it never ends!
What do you like to do outside of tattooing?
Not too much! I really enjoy reading to my kids and spending time with my family. We are big Star Wars fans and we have a huge library. I’d love to paint more, but there needs to be more hours in the day. Every once in a while my wife will get me to go whitewater rafting because she's a professional rafter, but it scares me to death! I been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last seven years and help out teaching the kids’ class for our school, Cross Training Academy here in Hendersonville. And, believe it or not, I used to wrestle with an Independent Pro Wrestling company called the Southern Wrestling Association. I just lost a "Loser Must Retire" match, so darn it, I had to retire!
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Any funny stories from recent conventions or your own shop?
Well, one very recent story from the shop involved an older gentleman who wanted a 1950s style pinup girl with a male deer behind her with his hooves on her shoulders, all in a forest type setting. Of course I had to ask why and he told me that about 20 years ago he and a group of his friends decided to go camping and partying. Keep in mind we live in the mountains of western North Carolina. Well, very early the next morning after the party, this gentleman's girlfriend decided to leave, walk back into the woods a little ways, and find a place to use the bathroom. As she was doing her business a male deer decided that she look good enough to have some “relations” with and mounted her. Everyone ran out of their tents because they were awoken by her screams. Well, very calmly, her boyfriend grabbed his knife and had to cut the throat of the deer to get it off her. And this guy wanted a reminder of this! And, by the way, the girlfriend ended up becoming his wife. You know, just when you thought you had heard it all!
If you could be any character from Star Wars, who would you be and why?
Now that's a tough question! From the movies? I know my kids would say Yoda for sure. But if it had to be a Jedi, it would probably be Obi-Wan Kenobi. If not, then it would be Boba Fett, the bounty hunter. He has a jet pack! How cool is that? And he's a close personal friend of mine.
Any future plans or final words?
We have a ton of plans in the works for the rest of 2008; it's amazing how fast this year has already flown by. I don't want to jinx anything! I want to thank Brian, Mike and Eli at the shop. They are the backbone of that place and it's never a dull moment. My mom for always pushing me to draw and to not give up. My brothers Richard and Ray, they are honest and inspirational, which is always a good thing. I also want to thank all our loyal clients and friends. Without them we wouldn't be able to do all the cool pieces that we get to do. Our clients are the best; they come in with great ideas and trust us with their skin! You can't get much better than that. I also want to thank my wife, Biz, who puts up with all my crazy hours and travel schedule, and my Two Kings.
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Two Kings Tattooing 3278 Asheville Hwy Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 698-3439
For more information, go to www.myspace.com/twokingstattooing.
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