Meet Nathan Phillips | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Draw what you see, not what you think you see.” A.M Kitshoff (my mother)

I think this was a lesson by Betty Edwards in her book ‘Drawing on the right side of the Brain’ and the only way my mom could compress it into layman’s terms for a young preadolescent ADHD boy like me, was to tell it like it was.

I draw by these words and always try and maintain that level of thinking.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As you know by now I’m a professional tattoo artist from The Republic of South Africa, my wife and I are both here on work visas, on our way to obtaining greencards hopefully.

My art is different not in application but in the way I compose my art pieces and tattoos.

I have an ability to capture the essence of what the clients want, to the best of my abilities of course, but so far it has not led me astray.

I take great pride in my art works, be it on paper, canvas or the skin, I love it all! I get super excited for fun projects and the stories I get to tell through my art.

Starting my career as a tattoo artist was a daunting experience in itself, from family ridicule and the constant pressures of society that tell you that you cannot make it through life as an artist, but with an amazing wife by my side and the push to be better, well, here I am 16 years later and still going strong.

My passion for my art has only gotten stronger through the years and I still strive to be better than yesterday. Setting your mind on a goal and following the steps to achieve it is my best advice to get where you want to. Have a clear goal in sight, but do not discard the little goals and achievements along the way, they make us who we are, and every little side street we take will lead back to the main road of our lives and ultimately back to your main goal.

Id say one of the bigger struggles, was coming to a new country with a new culture , new people and new challenges to take on, we are taking each day in its stride and thankful for yet another day that we can create, love and ultimately just be in each others presence.

Obtaining work visas and greencards and ultimately citizenship has been our biggest hurdle and struggle, it is unbelievably hard to get into any country for that matter and show them that you’re a good asset to the country and a good addition to the population.

Costs are extremely high and this has been our biggest concern, having prices increase and costs of lawyers are not getting cheaper. We have reached out to the community, via a GoFund me page, to assist us in raising the funds to achieve our citizenship goal.

We have learned that with hard work comes more hard work, it never stops if you want to be one of the best! It is a constant learning and training curve. People forget that Artist/Tattoo artist are just people too, with good days and sometimes bad days, some days we have better flow, other days we have mental blocks that a sledgehammer cannot break, other days we have breakdowns and other days we are the shoulders that people lean on.

We are just like you, finding our way on this giant ball we call earth, floating through space on a forever journey where we just want to make
óther people happy with óur art in the small time frame we have been given.

I am expanding my art into 3D sculpting, printing and fabrication, doing more art prints and possibly some apparel in the near future. All under my brand name NP-ART

You can keep up to date with all my art on my instagram pages below for future sales and promotions.

If you’re an art lover, I think you’ll love this space!

You can check out my instagram pages @nathanphillips_art & @np_art_official for more info.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For us it would be a little roadtrip any direction into the rocky mountains via Colorado Springs.

Firstly it would be a drive up Pikes Peak to go have some donuts at the little deli at the top.

And then it would be an amazing drive through the forests to either some hot springs in Pagosa or Glenwood, go ride the worlds highest rolercoaster and creek swing, maybe even a drive to Selida or a drive up mount Evans (Blue Sky Mountain) and drive the colligated peaks scenic highway.

As far as eating goes we like different types of foods and different cuisines, but we like our steaks and would always look for a good steak house or burger joint.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly my Grandmother was a big mentor and guide in my life until her untimely passing. I will always cherish and uphold her memory and head fastness.

My mother with all her art knowledge she taught me through the years. Countless hours of tears and sweat to make me a better artist everyday.

The owners at Fallen Heroes Brenda & David Brown who opened their business to my wife and I, to start our journey and to pursue our own little American dream.

They have been vital in our Work Visa applications and assisting us through the new ways this new country holds.

And of course, a big shout out to the whole team at Tattoo Visa, the organization who assisted us get our work visas and who are assisting us with our green cards.

Lastly my wife, who has been with me through thick and thin, stood by me at my lowest and highest, she is the foundation on which our dream rests, she is my heart and my soul, and for all her sacrifices she has made for us to be here, theres not enough words in my South African Dutch English vocabulary to thank her enough!

Website: https://linktr.ee/np_art

Instagram: @nathanphillipsart @np_art_official

Facebook: Nathan Burton Phillips

Other: Can also find me at Fallen Heroes Tattoo and Piercing Colorado Springs or Florida Kissimmee

Image Credits
NP_ART_OFFICIAL