the sovereign space: Space and Time with Imani K. Brown

Everyone remembers their first. I got my first tattoo when I was eighteen. Now at 31, I have a permanent reminder of the innocence and outright recklessness of my teenage years etched into my skin. Imani remembers her first too. While I will have my tat covered up sometime in the near future, Imani won't be doing the same. Her first is much more symbolic than the faded, permanently inked lion on my right shoulder. Her first represents her journey. A journey that began as a teenage fascination with symmetric art and that has now developed in a passionate career in a field that she loves. When I walked into Pinz -n- Needlez tattoo shop to interview Imani, I really didn't know what to expect. Within five minutes, a customer strutted out near the lobby to show off her newly pierced nipple rings. Shocking? Well, not really. Anything goes at Pinz -N- Needlez. You're talking about a woman that runs a brand named Indian Pussy. Imani is unpredictable, witty and most importantly dedicated. I asked for an interview but what I got was a fascinating conversation about her love for art, The Roots, all things japanese, and how she got started tattooing. Get to know Imani...

How difficult was it for you to make the transition from art to tattooing?

It wasn't difficult at all. As long as you have the art part down, your're good. The tattoo part is just like any other medium. Of course you know with tattooing you're dealing with something mechanical so there's alot more technicalities involved. It's not the same as picking up a paint brush.

What are your influences?

I'm influenced by a lot of Japanese art. So I'm big on the manga style of art. I call it "cutesy on crack". So it looks like cute just upchucked on a piece of paper. It comes from my head. I have pink and blue padded walls in my head and there's a little cat inside jumping around as soon as I get excited and that what happens when I see japanese art. [laughs]

When did you know you were going to be an artist?

Honestly, since I was a little kid. I just grew up around it. Nothing else really interest me. I used to go to the dark room with my mom and just play all day. I figured I wasn't good for anything else. I'm definitely not cut out for an office job. I feel like I was a late bloomer because I didn't know what particular direction I wanted to go in. But when it came down to it, I knew I wanted to do art.

Did you go to art school?

Yes. I went to Duke Ellington for high school [DC] and I went to Clark Atlanta for college.

Where has tattooing taken you?

Definitely got work in Atlanta, heavy clientele there. I'm working on getting clientele out in San Fran and L.A. I went to the UK to get clientele and they detained me and deported my ass! [laughs]. I was in the UK all of 4 hours. Who else can say they got arrested for trying to show up to work?! I'll go back, I just gotta get a work visa.

Do you think those cities have a particular style or do you think it's more regional based?

I don't think the east coast has a particular style. It's not like out west where you can find the distinct "chulo style" or stuff like that. I don't think the east coast has a distinct style, I do think the east coast offers more variety. It's like on the east coast, every artist has their own particular style.

Describe your style.
Very delicate. I like a lot of lines and a lot of movement. Again, I like to create "cutesy on crack". So I want to give everyone a lot to look at. Like hidden art gems?! I love that! With my work, there might be something you ain't see. You get that tattoo and you're like "Oh shit! I didn't know that was there!". I like that type of stuff.

Who are your influences art wise?
It shifts daily. It depends on what type of mood I'm in. But definitely Dali. Warhol I didn't get a real appreciation for until I began to understand the hustle side to the art game. Warhol's art hustle was nasty! Warhol was a G! Basquiat was an influence. I'm also influence a lot by the comic industry.

Tell me the story behind Imani and Pinz - N- Needlez.
I began as an apprentice over at Northeast Tattoos. When that closed Chris wanted to open his own shop. He particularly got an apprentice so he could learn their habits So that when he opened the shop he would know that he had people that he could depend on. So I've been with Pinz -N- Needlez since it opened. I've actually helped with the managing as well as helped with the marketing. I love it here! Chris is not my boss, he's like my brother. I couldn't ask for a better work place.

*BONUS* Outtake from the conversation...