Journey into Tattoo Art: An Interview with PONY LAWSON

MEET YOUR ARTIST PONY LAWSON

How did you first become interested in tattooing?

It all started when I was 12 years old. My dad had a couple of tattoo catalogs with flash designs for sale in the back. For a young kid like me, it was a goldmine of inspiration. Around the same time, I got into pogs and had a huge collection of colored pens. I’d draw those designs on my friends, and they’d buy me something from the lunch line, a Little Debbie snack or maybe some breadsticks. At 14, my dad took me to a tattoo party where I got my first tattoo—my initials on my arm. That experience was a game-changer. In class, my friend sold me a tattoo machine for $20, and that marked the beginning of my lifelong obsession with tattooing.

What or who are your biggest influences as a tattoo artist?

My biggest influences have to be Tom Renshaw for his stunning black and grey realism, Nikko Hurtado for his mind-blowing color work, and Tony Ciavarro for his bold, hyper-contrast new school designs.

How would you describe your artistic style?

My main focus is black and grey realism, but I also love working with color. Lately, I’ve been fascinated with tattooing gold, shiny, reflective objects. I’ve also dabbled in the patch tattoo style, which I absolutely love creating.

What is your creative process like when designing a tattoo for a client?

My process is all about capturing the client’s vibe. I want them to fall in love with their tattoo. If someone’s a girly girl, I might incorporate teals and pinks. If they’re more of a manly man, I’ll make the design sharp and edgy. The goal is to create something that truly resonates with the client.

What are some of the challenges you face as a tattoo artist, and how do you overcome them?

Imposter syndrome is a big challenge. I constantly wonder if I’m doing enough, how I can improve, and how to stay relevant. Overcoming these doubts is tough, but I just focus on creating cool art that people can be proud of forever.

How do you stay current with trends and innovations in tattooing?

I consider myself pretty innovative. I invented the first-ever tattoo stencil app, which thousands of tattooers use daily. I also run a YouTube channel where I share my insights and answer questions. Helping other artists on their journey is something I’m passionate about, and it’s something I wish I had when I started.

What’s your craziest client story?

Fortunately, I haven’t dealt with too many crazy clients recently. The wildest stories come from my days working in a walk-in shop. We had people coming in to cover up track marks from drug use, and others starting fistfights with the owner. I’m glad those days are behind me so I can focus on clients who genuinely love the art.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not tattooing?

When I’m not tattooing, I love playing video games, spending time with my pups, flying drones, and anything tech-related. I also paint, draw, and watch a lot of YouTube videos to learn new things. Staying active and creative outside of tattooing is important to me.

How do you balance artistic expression with client preferences and expectations?

My priority is to make the client happy with something they’re excited to show off. Clients come to me specifically for my style, so there’s usually no need to convince them of anything—they’re already on board with my vision.

What’s the tattoo you really want to do?

I’d love to tattoo more video game and 90s cartoon characters. Solid Snake, Mario, Kirby, Sonic, Ninja Turtles, Ren and Stimpy—you name it. If it’s from the 90s, I’m all about it.

What are some of your favorite tattoos you have done?

Recently, I tattooed a gold metallic butt plug, and it blew up the internet. The execution was spot on, and the fact that it was such a wild design made it even more special.