Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Murray.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always been an artist and gravitated toward painting and drawing since I was very young. I was mostly self-taught in this aspect. After high school, I was jumping from job to job aimlessly trying to find something that would fit, to no avail. I was approached at one of my jobs while I was sketching to kill time by a few tattooed guys. They looked at my work and complimented me on my skill. They asked had I ever thought of tattooing. At the time, it had crossed my mind but the industry at the time was still quite elitist and getting your foot in the door at a spot often proved challenging. So, these guys kinda hooked me up with my first equipment and gave me a very brief apprenticeship. The shop was far so, I eventually stopped going but continued to practice on willing friends.
A year later, I moved to Savannah GA to go to SCAD. At the time, I was pursuing sequential art. delivering pizzas and continued to practice on friends but as a hobby. I dropped out of school due to lack of finances but continued to live there for a few more years. In those years, I got better but slowly, until I made a bet with myself that if I could support myself on tattooing alone for one year, I would pursue it in a professional manner. A year later, I had succeeded and got a spot in a shop through a friend out in Killeen, Tx. The shop was dead center in the 2nd largest army base in the country, FT. Hood. It was a make or break learning situation there and I learned a lot in four years I worked there, breaking bad habits replacing them with good ones.
After those four years, I worked at a shop in South Houston for a bit. Then a good friend of mine got me into a slightly better shop with artists that were much better than me Article 91 in Clear Lake. I worked there for three years all the while sponging up anything that would help me grow as an artist. Then, I met Mike Woods at Advent tattoo at a convention and we kicked it off, his shop consisted of a like-minded artist looking to grow and they were all a lot better than me. So, I jumped on the opportunity when it opened to work with him and his crew. Since then, I have grown as an artist in leaps and bounds and couldn’t be happier than where I am now. I continue to try and grow and learn with every tattoo I do and try and bring something artistic to every piece, no matter what style it’s done in. It will be four years, I’ve been there this Sept. of 2018.
Please tell us about your art.
I like to stay very well rounded with all styles, and not box myself into a particular style. However, the style I do more than others is based in geometry, symbolism, and blackwork. I enjoy doing black and grey just as much as a fully saturated color piece. And recently, I have been playing my hand at Neotraditional and more illustrative type work. All of my work has a high level of detail and consistency. I’m often sought out for my line work alone being that over the 15 odd years, I’ve been tattooing, I’ve developed a very steady hand. I’m inspired by such a wide range of things, it’s hard to put my finger on one over the other. Mostly, I’ve been inspired by my coworkers throughout the years whether it’s their style, application or the sheer mass of work they produce. I’m also always inspired by the challenge. Making someone’s idea that might be hard to wrap your head around and making the design work with their idea and it comes off as a success. I often over exceed my customer’s expectations of the design when they come in for their tattoo. I have a funny way of getting into someone’s head and knowing exactly what they want after even a brief description of their idea.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I define a successful tattoo if the customer is happy and you, as an artist, are happy not selling yourself short on any aspect of the effort put into the design or application of the design. But as an artist, I’m hardly ever satisfied since I’m constantly trying to learn new styles, techniques, and applications and continue to grow and outdo myself with every new project. In my opinion, those that bask in their achievements often stop growing. So, I continue to grind on and up to my next level and then again, I don’t think I’ll ever slow down if I can help it, I love what I do.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I’m currently updating my hardcopy portfolio, but most of my newest work can be found on my Instagram @zackmurrayart. I’m also working on a website where I can sell my paintings and prints as well.
Contact Info:
- Address: Advent Tattoo and Art Gallery
16506 fm 529 ste 105
Houston, TX 77095 - Phone: 713-679-1765
- Email: zackmurrayart@outlook.com
- Instagram: @zackmurrayart
Image Credit:
@zackmurrayart on IG
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
