ARTIST FEATURE :: JOE CAPOBIANCO

Apr 8, 2012

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Joe Capobianco defines what it is to be a "Jack of all trades". He is an incredibly accomplished artist and businessman who's work has inspired a generation of artists, worldwide. Joe, who is originally from Long Island, NY, owns and runs Hope Gallery, a beautiful gallery and tattoo studio, in New Haven, CT, where he resides with his wife. He is constantly creating new art, developing new products such as toys and a hair pomade line, various book and video projects, making television appearances, and developing a tattoo pigment line with his friend, Jime Litwalk. Needless to say; Joe is a very ambitious man. He is well known for his amazing artwork and award-winning tattoo work, as well as his bold personality and fantastic hair. He has traveled the world; showcasing his unique, classic and retro-modern take on the female form. His signature style has become so popular that his pin up girl art, also known as his "Capo Gals", are recognized around the world; both on canvas and skin.

Joe began his illustrious art career early on; drawing and creating beautiful and unique acrylic and airbrush paintings. He has been inspired by the works of Gill Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, George Petty, Olivia, Hajime Soryama, Frank Frazetta, Brom, Boris Valejo, Rick Berry, and Daniel Dos Santos. He applied his artistic talent even further when he started learning how to tattoo nearly two decades ago. Joe began designing his signature style of pin up girls and tattooing them on clients, regularly. Since then, Joe has become one of the most respected and sought-after artists in the world. He mentions that guys like Jime Litwalk, Tony Ciavarro, Paul Booth, Steve Moore, Jeff Gogue, Cory Kruger and many more inspire his tattoo work. He notes that a lot of his influences have taught him more than just perspective on artistry, but about working hard and dedicating yourself to your art. Joe adds that discipline is something he still struggles with; which is ironic, as it seems as if he is always creating new work and tackling some new project. Music seems to inspire most artists in different ways. Joe, however, will listen to music (mostly from the 1950s-70s) or throw in a favorite movie or even a book on disc merely for background static, or sometimes he will even create in complete silence.

Joe defines his success, as an artist, by "being able to get up every day, and make a living at what (he) loves to do." He is grateful that he's been able to support himself and now his family with his art and that his work has been embraced by such a supportive audience and clientele. As an icon in his field, he feels a lot of pressure in what he creates as an artist. "Satisfaction comes from doing a good job that I can be proud of and making my client happy" claims Joe. This, he expresses, "helps elevate some of the pressure (he) feels as an artist." Joe is humble about his work. He is thankful for his accomplishments and that his work has been widely recognized and well received. He feels that by constantly creating, he is still learning; which is what keeps him going.

Joe is content knowing that his artwork is considered "less than socially correct" because he believes that there is a place for everything. He realizes the importance of being noticed as an artist, but quickly adds that art has its place as well; and that not everyone wants to see an artist's work. Joe believes that social media has benefitted the modern artist in a lot of positive ways. However, his opinion is such that a lot of artists do not deserve these grand reputations. There is a lot of unwarranted reproduction in the art world and trends become popular because so many artists start to closely feed off of each other and create similar things, which "cheapens what the originators did." Joe clams that it is becoming more difficult to define being different or truly original. He feels very strongly that by being yourself and doing your own thing, you differentiate yourself from others. He adds, "Don't lose yourself in other peoples styles. Individuals stand out because they're just that - individual!" We think that is pretty well said.

You can catch Joe working at his shop, running around the world at gallery exhibits or tattoo conventions, or judging on "Best Ink", a tattoo competition series on the Oxygen network.

_LR

www.joecapobianco.com

www.hopegallerytattoo.com

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Q&A
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P&P: Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

J:I'm Originally From Long Island NY. I've been living in New Haven CT (about 1 hour 30 minutes from Manhattan) for about 9 years now.

P&P: Age?
J: 43

P&P: What inspires your personal art?
Joe: Tough one. The thing that inspires me personally is the art of others, the art I don't do. What also drives me is Pin up art or just about anything involving the female form.

P&P: Is there a consistent message you try to convey in your work (professionally or personally)?
Joe: Not really, I look at my art work the same way I look at my tattooing- Pretty pictures to keep someones interest, or excite them for a time. I don't delude myself into thinking that my art is going to change the world, or set the viewer on a different life course. I just want them to dig it, and maybe keep it in the back of there mind to reflect on later.
There of course is a personal style that I would like people to recognize and I have simple symbols which frequently show up in my work, such as the Heart with the bite taken out of it. It's a symbol I've dug and utilized for about the last 16 years and has meaning to me.

P&P: How would you define success as an artist?
Joe: Wow, depends on the artist. For me, its being able to get up everyday, and make a living at what I love to do: Tattooing and painting. The fact that I've been able to pay my bills and put food on my table as an "artist" means the world to me. And of course with that comes peoples admiration for what you do. Its great that so many folks have also embraced what I do, and support it.

P&P: Who are your biggest influences? (art or other)
Joe: I have a few individuals who I've looked at as roll models, some I've even managed to make close friends. But If I had to make a list I'd start with Jime Litwalk and Tony Ciavarro. These are 2 young artists whose work I both admire and try to bite from time to time. Then there are artists like Paul Booth, who I was lucky enough to meet the very first week of my Apprenticeship. I've actually kept a close eye on his career, and how he's gone about his business. There are also the Free flowing style of artists like Steve Moore, Jeff Gogue, & Cory Kruger. I remember the very first time I met them, and thought "wow, what talent". Really there is a ton of other tattooists that have kind of influenced me in the way I try to push myself.
From a purely Art standpoint I of course like artists like Olivia and Hajime Soryama whose works I so wanted to emulate early in my art career before tattooing. Upon getting familiar with their works I discovered the art of Gill Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, George Petty, and so many other classic "Pin Up" artists. There is also fantasy illustrators like Frank Fraztta, Brom, Boris Valjeo, Rick Berry, & Daniel Dos Santos.
I think most importantly with these influences is not what I've managed to glean from an art perspective, but what I've learned from a purely dedication perspective and that is. "Want to get better? Than work yer ass off!" Talent is one thing but I think without discipline its hard to channel the correct direction to make a living and create a style in which one is happy doing. This is still something after 43 years of life I still find myself struggling with - "Discipline"!

P&P: What role(s) do you feel art and music play in shaping culture?
Joe: A ton. I believe that without the rigors of daily life Art and music would have a harder time standing out. Therefore, having less of an influence upon today's society. I think that artists of any day and age needs the "Norms", "squares", and "tight asses", just to make there mark so strongly. Look at our business, as tattooing becomes bigger and bigger it thins down whats cool or different. It becomes harder for the average person to define whats truly an original, or great, tattoo. I think art is like that on society, A lot is great, but too much can be boring! Honestly it's hard to put down in words what I'm truly thinking here so I'll leave it at that.

P&P: You are one of the most respected and sought-after tattoo artists in the world. Do you feel a lot of pressure, as an artist, to continue to push the limits of the medium?

Joe:Thanks I appreciate that. As an artist I feel nothing but pressure, but as a tattooist I just want to make a living doing what I love. I often struggle with the idea that people come to me with and I think, "Crap, I've done that a million times. Is this my style or am I just selling out by creating the same thing over and over with just minor changes?" Then I think, "Hell, I like these images, I like these ideas, I dig the style that I draw and tattoo in so why shouldn't I do it all the time. Is this my "Style"?"
I think the pressure I feel while tattooing is to make my client happy. When I tattoo, only a small percentage is for me. Unlike a lot of newer "tattoo artists" today, I don't think of the client as a piece of canvas that I've been given to create my art on. I'm a tattooist whose been lucky enough to have been sought after to do a job, and create a tattoo on this person who'll wear it for the rest of their days.
My satisfaction comes from doing a good job that I can be proud of and making my client happy. That helps elevate some of the pressure I feel as an artist.

P&P: You own one of the most famous tattoo studios in the world; Hope gallery. Is it difficult handling a business such as this while maintaining your personal career as an artist and tattooer?

Joe: HELL YES! I never wanted to own my own place. I'd like to think that if the guy who first brought me into the Business wasn't such a prick, I'd still be there. But shit happens and I've just been rolling with the punches ever since. Hope Gallery first started out of necessity. Eric Merrill, Julio Rodriguez and I all had to leave the shop we were at and Hope was born. Its been like 7-8 years now, and we've grown to 6 artists (including myself), and its become even more difficult. So 2 years ago I hired a manager, Nichole "Baroness" East, and she has been a life saver. Taking myself, and the shop in all sorts of new directions. And keeping me out of jail, or insane asylum at the same time! I think its important to say that a shop or studio is just a place. Its the artist, and people that work there that make up the place that add that spark. I'm just trying to make Hope the most comfortable place for both the artists, and clients. The rest just sort of happens.

P&P: There has been a lot of discussion around personal accountability vs censorship of the arts (TV, video games, fine art)recently; as a leader in the creative field, what's your take on this? What part do artists play (if any) and what do you see as their responsibility?

Joe: You know. I truly believe there is a place for everything. And that certainly goes for art. I mean what I do is considered less than socially correct and honestly I'm cool with that. I've not had major censorship placed on me and its mainly because my work has found its place. It'll probably never hang off the side of a building or on the walls of a fancy restaurant. But I'd like to think its getting out there, and people are viewing it, and some even appreciate, or admire it, and occasionally I even sell a piece.
I think as an artist its important to be seen, but by the same point, you should be aware that not everyone wants to see your work. An artist can pull a stunt every now and again and shove everyones nose in there work, and that's cool, but like tattooing, theres a place and I don't think it all should be considered a "norm". Some art should make people think, but not at the cost of there personal ethics or freedoms. Its a tough question and not one that's easy to come up with a simple answer.

P&P: Do you think social networks have helped or hurt the modern artist?

Joe: I think that social networking, when done right (or wrong) can lift an artists career in all sorts of directions. (Not all deserved, in my opinion.) There are a lot of tattooists out there not full deserving of the reputations that they've achieved. While others, more talented, but less abrasive tattooists, suffer in obscurity. At one time I used to say, "Just do good work and take care of your clients. People will appreciate that." But now a days your average tattoo client doesn't seem to know, or care, whether there being taken care of by a talented artist. It's all about the one with the biggest mouth, or most viewed Facebook page. Its crazy how some can seem to make it, and others not.
So yes, unfortunately I think that for many, Social networking is an important tool to a better business.

P&P: The music scene is over-saturated with hundreds of 'sound-alike' artists. How do you differentiate yourself among visual artists?

Joe: By doing your thing and being yourself. There are a lot of tattooists, and fine/pop artists out there, making a great living off of what other artists do. When it comes to tattooing it just doesn't seem like a cool style, until a shit ton of other tattooists can do it. Its my thought that when hundreds of artists do the same style as others it creates a buzz, and everyone wants that, but it cheapens what the originators did. I cant help but think, "Hell if this many artists are doing it this way and it looks as good as the next- Well then, how difficult is that style in the first place?!? "
I mean trends have always moved our trade forward. From the little Mom heart, and rose, to the traditional pin up gal, all the way to some worn out portrait of some rock star, or movie monster. But I'd like to think that the ones who did it differently are the ones that will leave a mark in our field.

P&P: What is on your ipod right now?

Joe: A lot. I've got stuff from Social D (what tattooist doesn't), to the Belmont Playboys, The Matrix Soundtrack, to Cat Stevens. I will say that I don't think I have much in the way of any "New Music". I'm more of a fan of the 50's-late 70's with a bunch of Maiden, and Volbeat thrown in.
Music is more about the background static. I can't say it sways my moods, or effects my art, I mean there are times when I paint that I'll throw in a movie that I've watched a million times, or a book on disc (I like to read), and then there are times that I'll paint or draw in silence with no true marker on the passing of time.

P&P: Do you feel companies/corporations are seeing more value in Creatives more now vs in the past? For example, has the professional artist been successful in elevating their position in the workplace or are they generally still largely taken for granted by suits?

Joe: Oh most certainly. We're the artists, and as they see it, they make the world go round. There is a certain value placed on the creative side of things and a lot of these "Suits" take note of this. But I think that many (not all) feel that if it's not this artist, we'll find ourselves another. I personally have never had to make my way in the "real" art world. I mean I've always made my living as an artist; In, and after high school, as an airbrush artist, painting t-shirts, and denim jackets and than later as a tattooist. I see the struggle that a lot of super talented friends have made in the real world and I think, "Hell, do I have what it takes?" I've always felt that I lack the discipline to be a real world fine artist or pop artist and It frightens me to think what would happen if I no longer could tattoo.

P&P: Is there any other medium of art that you would like to try?

Joe: It's been nearly 30 years with the airbrush for me and it's still difficult. I know there are other mediums I should utilize: Oils, the computer, and such, but there is so much more I feel I can do with the airbrush and it's comforting to me. I do enjoy pencils, and markers, even a little water color from time to time, but nothing I'm dying to learn and do.

P&P: How do you keep things fresh? How do you stay inspired to do what you do?

Joe: Ha ha, I don't know. Really. I just want to create, and as long as people continue to dig what I do, well... I think just trying to maintain and learn that keeps me going. Ask almost any artist - the second you think you know it all, you don't know shit. You stop learning. I think that's what keeps me going, just trying to improve my craft. After years and years of creating I'm still learning.