Interview and article from Hungarian TATTOO Magazazine

INTERVIEW WITH TATTOO ARTIST PACO DIETZ (05-24-2008)
Category: Art and Photography

- How long have you been tattooing?

Paco Dietz: - 16 years

- What did you do before you started tattooing?

Paco: - Before I started tattooing I was trying to break into the special effects business.

- What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business?

Paco: - They were surprised, because up until the point that I first got a tattoo I was pretty against the whole idea.

- What was the first tattoo you ever did?

Paco: - I did an eyeball on my own wrist.

- So, do you enjoy the job after all these years?

Paco: - Yes, more than ever actually. I really appreciate the customers I have now. It's very different from how it was when I first started out. More and more I have people that come to me specifically for the work that I do and it's fun to collaborate with them. I feel like I am kind of spoiled, because I really enjoy my clients company and I am always excited to try to surpass their expectations.

- What is your favorite style of tattooing?

Paco: - I really enjoy a lot of different things. I think that has been one of the problems I have had, not having a specific thing that I do. I enjoy doing so many different kinds of tattooing that I don't get people saying "Oh, you're the portrait guy", or "You're the fantasy guy", etc. But to answer the question I would say that I enjoy anything that pushed me creatively. In particular, I like trying to make more realistic looking bio-mechanical stuff and also anything with faces or figures usually with more of a dark twist.

- What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Paco: - I would have to say my absolute favorite part of the job is when people are enthusiastic about the work that I am doing on them. I think it is the part of tattooing that I really love.

- Have you personally met any famous tattoo artists?

Paco: - That is kind of a strange question, but yes.

- What would you recommend to someone wishing to get into the tattoo business?

Paco: - Get lots of tattoos, do lots of drawing and studying of tattoos and get an apprenticeship. Don't just start tattooing out of your garage. You don't want to get a reputation as being a scratcher, because then no one will hire you.

- Do you think tattooing will ever become fully accepted as an art?

Paco: - I think it has been accepted as art to a certain extent, but no I don't think it will ever be accepted as "fine art" because I don't think that the people who judge fine art really get tattoos.

- Where do you see yourself in 10 years or more? Still tattooing?

Paco: - I can't imagine ever stopping tattooing completely, but I think I would like to be devoting more time to the other things that I love to do as well, which are painting and sculpting.

- Is there anything else you would like to add?

Paco: - Nope, thanks for including me in your magazine! I appreciate the opportunity.

- Thank you very much for the time you have taken here. And where can we find you?

Paco Dietz

Graven Image Tattoo

1398 El Camino Real, Suite E

Mountain View, CA 94040

paco@gravenimagetattoo.net