Today we’d like to introduce you to Darnell Waine.
Darnell, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved to draw. It was all I ever did as a child. Even in school, I was the kid in class with his head down, drawing. I wasn’t ever interested in taking art classes. I just wanted to do my own thing. I even tried attending an art college but barely got through one semester before I dropped out. By then I had already developed a strong interested in learning how to tattoo. At age 17 I was working my first apprenticeship at a shop and at 18 I did my first tattoo. From then on I was 100% committed. I spent all my time at the shop, soaking up as much knowledge and experience I could from the artists around me. I didn’t realize it then but now I know that one of the main reasons I wanted to be a tattoo artist was the freedom in it. I never had a job I didn’t quit, and college wasn’t an option, so tattooing became the bridge between doing something I loved and making a living. Tattooing granted me my independence. It’s been 12 years since I started and I’m grateful for everything I’ve experienced.
Tattooing has always been my bread and butter but my true passion is painting. I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to be a full-time painter and make tattooing a secondary medium. Though the transition from tattooing to painting has been a slow one, it is something that weighs heavily on my heart everyday. Painting allows me to express myself in ways tattooing can’t. Each tattoo is a collaboration with the client so there is always a compromise when it comes to the art. With a painting, I can completely be myself. I can be honest. Complete honesty is the most important thing, in my opinion, when it comes to creating art. When I paint I can vent my truest thoughts and feelings in a way that is much more emotive than anything I could express in words. When I paint it comes from the heart. I open myself up and become vulnerable and that allows me to connect with the viewer on a much deeper level. That need to connect it was what drives me most as an artist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve definitely struggled over the years, but the majority of those struggles are due to my own issues. By issues, I mean self-doubt, procrastination, a lack of consistency, etc. It’s an everyday struggle to take that part of me that knows I’M GREAT and fight these negative demons. When I do my work that’s when I go to war. The canvas is the battlefield and my weapon of choice is a paintbrush. I’m at war with myself, but as long as I’m working I’m winning. I create all the obstacles that face me along the way. I create the hurdles I have to get over. When I get out of my own way, there’s nothing else left to stop me.
Please tell us about WORKSxWAINE.
My business is tattooing. WORKSxWAINE. I’ve been tattooing for 12 years, specializing in black & grey realism and illustrative realism. I love tattooing portraits. Usually, when I tattoo portraits it’s of a family member or someone close to the client. These are usually more challenging due to the personal connection the client has with the subject, but I do this type of work very well so I receive many requests like this. I’m also well known for my ability to bring a client’s ideas to life. This is where my drawing skills come in handy. I pride myself on being able to draw all my tattoos from scratch. This is what allows me to have a certain level of originality with each piece. Drawing my own designs also gives me a recognizable style in my work, which is something I’ve worked for years to develop. My clients also love my Afrocentric-style goddesses and queens. Strong, black, female figures are often the main subject a lot of my work.
I’d have to say I’m most proud of my reputation with my clients and the respect I’ve earned from my peers. I take what I do very seriously and I feel like it shows in my work. My dedication to becoming a better artist is also what I believe sets me apart.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over I would make sure I used my time more wisely. I feel like I’m just now realizing how obsessed I have to be in order to really excel in what I do. There’s no clocking in or clocking out. You have to give yourself to your craft everyday. That’s the mindset I wish I would’ve had from the very beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: worksbywaine.com
- Phone: (310) 344-4510
- Email: worksbywaine@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darnellwaine/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/darnell.waine/
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