We caught up with the brilliant and insightful London Reese a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have London with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
It is safe to say that I am truly a product of my environment. I witnessed a relentless work ethic from my mother and father. My dad worked two or three jobs, for most of my life. My mom worked a few jobs but also went back to school and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, all while raising three growing sons. I am so proud of parents and for showing us how to work hard. They managed to raise us in a nice area, which they could barely afford; and show me and my brothers that hard work pays off.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I AM MERELY A MAN; SUFFOCATED BY ART. I AM A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NATIVE WHO LOVES LIFE AND ALL OF THE ART IN IT. I GREW UP WITH A PENCIL IN HAND AND AN UNRELENTING PASSION FOR ILLUSTRATION. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN ARTIST. I GREW UP LISTENING TO ROCK AND ROLL & PUNK ROCK, SKATEBOARDING & SNOWBOARDING WITH FRIENDS, AND MAKING ART. I FELL IN LOVE WITH TATTOO ART AND CULTURE AT A VERY YOUNG AGE AND HAVE IMMERSED MYSELF IN IT.
I DID MY FIRST FEW TATTOOS IN 2006 WHILE STUDYING ART IN COLLEGE. IT WASN’T UNTIL 2008 THAT I BEGAN TATTOOING FULL-TIME. I AM SELF TAUGHT, IN THAT I NEVER HAD AN APPRENTICESHIP; BUT I CREDIT ALL OF THE PEOPLE I’VE WORKED WITH, OVER THE YEARS, FOR TEACHING ME EVERYTHING I KNOW. I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE AND BEFRIENDING SOME OF THE BEST ARTISTS IN THE WORLD AND I AM THE ARTIST I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF THEIR INFLUENCE AND GUIDANCE. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT THIS INDUSTRY HAS PROVIDED.
IN THE SUMMER OF 2011, I COMPETED IN AND WON THE TITLE OF THE REALITY TELEVISION SHOW, “BEST INK”, A TATTOO COMPETITION WHICH AIRED WORLDWIDE. I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO WHAT I LOVE AND TRAVEL THE WORLD, PERMANENTLY SHARING MY ART WITH INCREDIBLE CLIENTS. I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE AN AWARD-WINNING ARTIST AND TO HAVE HAD MY ART AND TATTOO WORK PUBLISHED IN SEVERAL MAGAZINES AND BOOKS ALL OVER THE WORLD. I TATTOO A LOT OF AMAZING PEOPLE; INCLUDING CELEBRITIES, ROCKSTARS, LAWYERS, PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES, FIREMEN, PASTORS, MUSICIANS, DOCTORS, AND MORE. I CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO PROGRESS, AS AN ARTIST, AS TO STRENGTHEN MY SKILL SET AND OFFER MY CLIENTS WITH THE VERY BEST POSSIBLE WORK. THE ART OF TATTOOING IS SACRED TO ME AND I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO CREATE PERMANENT ARTWORK ON SKIN.
WHEN I AM NOT TATTOOING, I AM USUALLY WORKING ON NEW ART OR TRAVELING THE WORLD WITH MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND KIDS. I ALSO ENJOY SURFING, TRAVELING TO FAR AWAY WORLDS, GETTING LOST, LISTENING TO MUSIC & GOING TO LIVE SHOWS, AND SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I truly believe that if one can allow themselves to let go of ego and adopt a true sense of humility, in one’s daily life; you will be able to let go of self-doubt and allow one to create their best work.
Knowledge is power. Study and practice your craft with an unrelenting passion and with ferocity. Explore your interests and your best work will expose itself, naturally.
Travel the world and open your heart to the incredible people and all of the art in it.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My family loved and supported me. My parents did not have a lot of money, when we were growing up; but they always supported my interest, in art. They provided me with art supplies because they saw my obsession for drawing. Feeling loved and supported is priced and my parents gifted me with both.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theartoflondon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londonreese?igsh=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==
