21 Questions :: Butter Kills

21 Questions

Butter

Name: David Butter De La O

Studio Name: Flesh Electric Tattoo Studio

Email Address: Butterdoesink@gmail.com

IG: Butterkills

Website: http://www.theartofbutter.com

Preferred Tattoo Style: Illustrative portraiture/portraiture

How do people book you?: If possible, I prefer to book clients in person, at the studio, after we have had an appropriate consultation. With out of town/out of state clients, I will book appointments via internet/phone after we have exchanged emails, tried to account for all variables, and am pretty sure are on the same page. I do require a deposit to schedule an appointment. Consultations are free. So are hugs.

Who is your favorite tattoo artist?: Shit, this is tough. I like so many artist who all do different things. . I have a favorite artist, per style I guess, but I’d say the artists whose work turns me on more than any others RIGHT NOW, is Bobby Johnson’s. (Glendale Bully) who tattoos in San Diego. Aside from being one of the best artist in the world (in my opinion), he is a great guy. We’re homies, and I love him!

Who is your favorite artist outside the tattoo world?: I’ve always been fond of M. C. Escher, and Dali. They were both way ahead of their time. Fucking brilliant men. I respect the fuck out of Alex Grey also. And for what it’s worth, Banksy is a favorite.

Where do you get inspiration for your work?: I’ve found that the more I stopped trying to get inspired by cats whose work I like, or who I wanna tattoo like, the more I’ve grown to love my own work. You can tell it’s my work, my style, my feel. I usually get a lot of pleasure listening to music while I draw/tattoo. Doesn’t everyone? And I smoke a lot of weed. Anytime I’m getting complacent, I feel like I’m beginning to rush my tattoo, I take a ‘safety meeting’, and get back on it, right as rain.

About how many tattoos do you do a day?: I usually tattoo 6-10 hours a day. Whether that be one tattoo, or two 3-5, 4-6 hour sessions.
Hardly ever do I exceed one or two tattoos a day. I do a lot of time consuming, bigger projects, so I usually try and focus on one a day.

How long have you been tattooing?: I have been tattooing since January of 2008. After 3.5 month apprenticeship. lol

Ever tattooed anyone famous?Who?: I’ve tattooed a few ‘famous’ cats I guess. I’ve tattooed pro skateboarder Darren Harper out of DC. He owns Love Being Street clothing. He was the first ‘tour bus tattoo’.
I’ve tattooed Big Sant, when him and Big KRIT first started making noise, their tour manager, Dutch also.
I’ve tattoo Jonny Shipes, CEO of Cinematic Music, and The Smokers Club in NYC.
I’ve tattooed a few members of Pro Era, although Joey Bad$$ and I are mad cool I’ve yet to tattoo him.
I tattoo Smoke DZA regularly also in NYC.
Christian Acosta (Kosta) Felt clothing out of NYC,
Pornstar Marsha May, in a penthouse in NYC.
Also Marco Belinelli from the San Antonio Spurs

Any "nightmare" tattoo experiences? Tell us about it!: One of my worst experiences: a client was getting the words ‘Stay Strong’ on the inside of his forearm. Nothing big, fancy or crazy. Kid was mad nervous. Before we started, he kept looking me dead in my eyes and telling me, ‘I’m gonna pass out when you start bro.’
‘Nah man. Get that out of your head. You’ll be straight.’
‘I know I’m gonna pass out’
‘It’s not gonna be as bad as you think, my man. Just relax.’
As I grabbed my machine and dipped in my black, we locked eyes again. ‘You ready bro?’
‘Awe Geez. I think so. Wait..... ok. Go! Wait.... ok’
‘Cool man. Here we go. If you need to take a break, stand up, get some water, use the john, whatever just let me know.
‘Ok. Just go!’

I ran a line about a 1/4 long, and he pulled his arm away in a panic.
‘Stop! Oh boy. I’m passing out’
And he did.
I held him in the chair, his friend at his other side, we revived the kid, and let him chill.
‘Oh boy! Did I pass out? Gimme that snickers!’
His friend hands him a candy bar she had stashed in her bag.
‘Is this cool if I eat this?’
‘Yeah man. For sure’.
He proceeded to gobble that snickers down. Actually like he had a love affair with it. He ate it loud and very disgustingly. Smacking and moaning. Sweating. It was fucking gross.
He finished his snack and got his color back.
‘Ok, I’m ready’.
‘Ok. Here we go.’
I started to stretch his clammy ass skin, and he stopped me before I could pull another line! Grabs my arm and we lock eyes again. He then proceeds to throw up all over himself. I kick the trash can to him.
‘Here bro!’
He shakes his head and continues to throw up ALL over his chest and stomach and legs and my floor and fucking everywhere. I left the room.
I was shocked. Grossed out, confused.
Mind you, I laid that 1/4” line about 30 minutes ago at this point.
I walk back into my booth and the smell hits me like a left hook from Tyson. I then throw up, and he throws up again. We had a huge barf fest in my booth. It was so fucking gross.
I made him mop it all up. I went home. We finished his tattoo the following week.

Craziest tattoo or tattoo location?: I’ve tattooed a playboy bunny right above a girl’s cookie, and the playboy bunny said ‘cum slut’
I asked if she lost a bet, her country ass, 6’7” boyfriend rubbed her shoulders and said, ’Nope. Cause she’s my little cum slut.’
Smh.
Before I moved back to Texas from Colorado, I tattooed my best homies taint. He got a stick of Butter in his taint

Favorite part of the body to tattoo?: Inside forearm or the back of the calf. Spots that are just naturally more taught.

Least favorite tattoo location or type?: McRibs.

How long have you followed Texas Inked Magazine?: Since I really started traveling and getting exposed to more. ‘13, or 2014 maybe.

Do you listen to music while you work? What kind? Fave artist?: My mix will slide form Frankie Vali to Curren$y, to We Were Promised Jetpacks, to UGK, to Elliot Smith to big band jazz, to Lamb Of God, etc. I listen to EVERYTHING.

What is something other artists do that makes you cringe?: Cross contaminate. Set up with dirty, bare hands. Fuck with their phone with gloves,, just nasty, lazy shit.
I hate lazy.

Do you have any other artistic abilities?: I dance badass! I can really cut a rug.
I’m the best story teller I’ve ever met. EVER.
I spit shade, and dabble with oils and acrylics, rattle cans.

Won awards for your work? What one is the most meaningful to you?: I used to always enter shit, and want nothing more than to win an award. It’s funny, I actually just took down all my plaques, trophys, and awards from my wall.
But I think the one I was most proud of was when I won Tattoo Of The Day in Minneapolis at a Villain Arts Show. There was MAD talent, and I couldn’t believe I won. I’m proud about that one. That one means more than the 20 or so from all the smaller, or local shows.

Who do you hope to tattoo one day?: My son. How cool would that be?!

Favorite tattooed model?: All my exes. They were all banging, and I never deserved any of them. A few of which have been featured with this magazine.

Hobbies outside of the art industry?: I LOVE boxing. If I could have been anything other than a tattooer, I would have been a boxer. I grew up with it, and I’m still crazy about it, It keeps me in shape.
I love hiking with my dog Sweet Jones.
I LOVE being a father more than anything.

Tell us something only a few people know about you?: I lost both my parents at an early age and was raised by my sister. That’s mom!

What other tattoo style would you want to learn?: I’m open to learning a little from every style. More tools in the ol’ toolbox, eh?

Which of your own tattoos means the most to you? Who's the artist?: My C/S in my face. It was done by DOQI2. He blessed me with it, and it means so much because people just ask for it now. It used to be you had to be offered it, now EVERYONE and their mother has one.