I had the absolute of sending the incredible artist Nero some questions about his work!

Check out the interview below!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became an artist.. What inspires you to create?

I’m a 23 year old artist from Pittsburgh, and I’ve been creating art since the beginning of my life. Both of my parents are artists. So when I was a kid they didn’t give me coloring books but gave me sketchbooks instead. Art is really spiritual for me, it’s hard to describe why I paint, I’m like a radio. I kind of just put myself in a position to make art and then I just translate the info I’m given into a visual.

2. Did you study art or are you self taught? What are your thoughts on art education? Do you think that art is a subject that can be taught within a classroom?

I did study art at the art institute of Pittsburgh. I believe art education is really important. A lot of people will kind of write it off, but they are usually people who didn’t really dedicate themselves in my experience. I took it seriously, and so did others and it has paid off well for all of us. I believe you can teach technique but I don’t think you can teach creativity.

3. What is the most challenging or surprising aspect of bring an artist and Is there anything you don’t like about it? 

The most challenging aspect of being an artist is probably pretty specific to the type of art I create. It’s really hard to create the dark imagery without kind of succumbing too it.

4. We live in an extremely visual society, where we see thousands of images in the course of one day. Do you think that this visual overcrowding has changed the way that people view art? Has the value of creating images been lost?

I think I am blessed to have become an artist in this age. I think it’s probably the easiest time to ever be able to have your work seen everyday.

5. Similarly, social media has revolutionised the way that people view, share and understand art. What do you think about social media and how has it impacted your practice? Is it something you enjoy and does it help or hinder the creative process? 

I enjoy it because it makes me feel not so alone. I used to think I was the only one that could ever enjoy the art I created. The daily messages I get from my Instagram followers are so kind and encouraging.

6. Your practice is really interesting as you work both as a tattoo artist alongside creating more ‘fine art’ based work. Can you talk a bit about how you become a tattoo artist and why you decided upon this route, and how you balance it with being ’traditional’ fine artist? 

Additionally, what are your thoughts about the current tattoo culture and its surge in popularity? Has this increased interest pushed the limits of customer expectation and how do you think tattoo culture will progress within the next few years?

I became a tattoo artist because I wanted to find a steady job that allowed me to draw as much as possible. While also giving me a lot of freedom in the type of lifestyle I get to live. I’ll be honest I kind of hate the direction tattooing is going. It becoming so mainstream has made for some really corny things to become popular. The “live, laugh, love” demographic is really killing the toughness that I love about tattooing.

7.  Furthermore, what is the process of tattooing like? Is there a lot of pressure upon tattoo artists, as tattoo’s are, for the most part, permanent, and any mistakes you make are not as easily rectified once you make them. How do you prepare for a tattoo session?

There is an insane amount of pressure on tattoo artists. I remember the first tattoo I did I was literally sweating bullets. Also the majority of tattoo artists don’t get paid enough. It’s a piece of art that’s on your body for the rest of your life and most tattoos are cheaper than pair of Nikes that were made by a child.

8. As an overview, your images are extremely fascinating and I really like your use of more darker subject matter, such as skulls and demonic entities that you paint, but why do you think you’re drawn to creating such imagery? Do you ever consider that these subjects may potentially limit your audience, or is this subjectivity of art something you are comfortable with? 

I’ll be honest, I never think about my audience when I’m creating. That is a great way to limit creativity! I work in that subject matter because it’s what makes me happy, I’m not really sure why. I’m also not really sure that I want to know why.

9. I was quite surprised and intrigued to learn that you create your work using watercolour markers, as opposed to traditional paints. How did you discover this method of working and what are the benefits of creating work this way? 

I actually use traditional paints quite a bit! However the advantage to using watercolor markers is just how easy cleanup is!

10. I really like the fact that you regularly post videos showing the process of creating images and interacting with your online audience. Is showing the creative process important for you, and if so, how does it help you? Do you think that showing the process can take away from the magic of the final image? 

That’s a really great question. I like to put out process videos because I know that it’s something people really enjoy and it kind of lets them see something kind of personal. However I do think that showing too much of the process can ruin the magic. I don’t show certain techniques.

Additionally, do you ever show and review your failed images or critique your own work online? Do you think that more artists should show the trials and errors of the creative process? 

No I don’t think so. Talk to your fellow artists about trials and errors and critique.

11. For those who haven’t seen your videos, can you talk a bit about your creative process for an image, from concept to creation? Where do you get your image ideas from and how do you know when an idea will become a successful image? Also, how long does it typically take you create an image and do you plan out your images beforehand?

I never plan my images. It’s always spontaneous. Sometimes after a few glasses of whiskey. I can’t really explain where I get my images from I kind of just put paint to paper and it happens. Wish I could give you more but that’s all I have. As far as how long it takes… that can vary. I have some pieces that are painted on top of other pieces.

12. As well being an incredible artist, you also run a clothing company called Traditional Tough Apparel. Can you talk a bit about why you decided to create this company, your goals and aims with this project, and how you manage to juggle this with creating art and tattooing?

Traditional Tough is a brand that draws the connection between American Traditional tattoo designs and the working class of America. I created this company because I come from a family of hard workers and they all inspire me. I don’t juggle very well. I’m pretty much up all day and all night working on all of this stuff.

13. Do you think that an artist’s work should be constantly evolving or do you think they should create what sells? How has your own work changed since you first started?

You should be constantly evolving whether you are an artist or not. Never stop growing. My work has changed because I have gotten more loose into abstraction. I used to work more realistic but I found that kind of limiting. 

14.  As an artist whose work is very saleable, how do you make sure that you’re creating working that is both profitable for consumers, yet also engaging and enjoyable for you to create personally?

Additionally, how often do you think about your audience when creating an image? Do you create art for yourself or for others?

I only create art for myself. Hopefully people like it, if they don’t I’m still going to continue making it.

15. Marketing seems to be a very under-discussed topic in the art world. The way you market your work is equally, or, potentially, more important than the work you create. Can you talk a bit about how you market your work and build a connection with potential buyers? 

Also, do you think that adding commerce to art affect the way it’s created; does knowing you’re going to be paid to create an image affect the way you create it?

For me it doesn’t really effect how I create it. And yes it’s under discussed because for some reason most people in the art world are really jealous types of people. They don’t want others to succeed. That’s why you have to find good hardworking artists out there and surround yourself with them. Be nice to others. I kind of found a really nice way to gain a following on Instagram and I’d be happy to help any artists reading this!

16. What does being a successful artist mean to you? Has your idea of being successful changed since you first started your career? 

Being a successful artist is feeling creatively unlimited, and also having bread on your table for your family.

17. One of the potential problems with art is that is it highly subjective, and we often see images both online and in print, out of context. With the potential to have your work so widely disseminated, how do you make sure that your work is understood by those that see it, whether it be in print or online? Do you think that this subjectivity helps or hinders people’s understanding about art?  

I don’t really do that at all. I kind of like my work to not be understood. I like to keep it kind of vague and mysterious as to what you’re looking at.

18. In your opinion, what make a good piece of art? What was the last image/piece of media that captivated you and what was it about it that left an impression on you?

I honestly am really tired of seeing pretty art of pretty things. Stop trying to make art that’s broadly appealing. Nothing captivates me less than a painting of a pretty girl. The last piece of art that really effected me was actually a tattoo by Bert Krak. He’s probably my favourite tattooer, he does American traditional work and I love every piece that comes out of his shop.

19. Copyright, especially in the technological age, is a huge problem for artists.

What actions do you take to ensure that your work is not being used without your permission, and have you had any experiences with plagiarism? Is this an issue that you think about and what are your thoughts about intellectual property rights for artists?

I think I’m kind of bad at this. It’s pretty easy to steal my work, and it’s been happening. However it’s upsetting but I don’t really let myself worry about it.

20. Do you have a question you’d like me to ask the next artist I interview?

What is there go to musician to listen too while creating!!

21. What are you currently working on and where can people find more information about you and your work?

I’m working on so much haha, check it out on Instagram @nero_art_ink

Also @traditionaltough