Arranging his tools and putting on a pair of rubber gloves, senior Tuffy Hall begins to work on a new tattoo. Only using his mind as a reference, he free-hands intricate details and line-work onto the skin of his client. With careful strokes of the tattoo gun, the piece slowly comes to life.
After being given a tattoo gun for Christmas only one year ago, Hall began practicing the art form on his friends and family. What started as a fun experiment became a passionate hobby that Hall continues to participate in.
“Tattoos aren’t always about having the best piece of art in existence,” Hall said. “Most of the time, it’s about a story and the personal connection to the art.”
According to Hall, he does not use any stencils, which provide lines for the tattoo artist to follow, or even plan before he begins tattooing. This is somewhat unusual for beginner tattoo artists, who tend to use stencils out of caution and fear of error. It also means that the final product may not necessarily be what Hall originally envisioned.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Hall said. “I’ll admit they’re not everyone’s style, but I think that’s what makes them so fun.”
Tattoos aren’t the only thing Hall uses as a form of self-expression. He also participates in a local metal band, Pnumada, for which he sings and writes music. While music is an entirely different creative outlet, he uses it in the same way: to tell his story and make personal connections.
“Tuffy is always putting himself towards artistic ends to make himself and his experience known,” senior Kyle Kramer said. “He integrates wholeheartedly with communities and fosters connection via personal expression.”
As an artist, Hall takes inspiration from a host of other creators and designers. When it comes to tattooing, Hall says he was most inspired by the late Larry Da Leopard, an old family friend of Hall and his father’s tattoo artist. Da Leopard was a well-known artist who was locally famous for his entirely tattooed body.
“He was a real character,” Hall said. “He would come over to tattoo my father in the kitchen and then we would all go swimming together after.”
Despite being surrounded by professional tattooers and practitioners of the craft, Hall is uninterested in pursuing a career in tattooing. Instead, he will continue to enjoy it as a creative pursuit.
“I definitely plan on tattooing as a side project and hobby in my future,” Hall said. “It’s a cool skill to have and I’d love to keep taking inspiration from the people around me.”
As Hall balances his artistic endeavors with school work, his creative side often bleeds into his work in the classroom. According to AP Government teacher and debate coach John Mast, he noticed early on in the year that Hall was a creative force.
“I love seeing my students being creative outside of school,” Mast said. “It’s hard not to notice how much Hall loves the arts.”
While tattooing may have started as a personal interest, it has grown into a way to connect with others and tell his story. Whether he’s designing a custom piece for a friend or singing at a local show, Hall uses his experiences to make connections and experiment with his abilities.
“Whether it’s tattoos, his band, or small drawings for friends, he’s always inspiring the people around him,” Kramer said. “He’s a creative soul who uplifts all those around him.”
