q & a : Louie Campopiano

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I don’t want to have to go back to one of the hundreds of crappy jobs that have brought me to this point.

Where have you traveled?

I’ve been fortunate to be able to go to Europe on several occasions, all over the Northeast United States, and Vietnam.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I think the only area I am trying to avoid is the Bible Belt. Besides that, I’m game for anywhere else.

What’s your favorite type of music?

Primarily I listen to National Public Radio, so whatever happens to be playing I can usually get into. In addition to that I could go on for a while naming bands I like, but I won’t.

What do you like to do with your days off?

If I can, I like to take my motorcycle out and about. The back roads around here are just such great rides.

What are your career goals?

Stop the bad guy, get the girl, ride off into the sunset.

If you weren’t in the tattoo industry, what would you be doing professionally?

Probably be a high school history teacher or serial killer [only one of these is a joke by the way].

What are your major pet peeves?

Well besides the usual bullshit like racism, ignorance, self-absorption, cultural supremacy, and hypocrisy, I have to say George Lucas. Not for what he has done, but what he continues to do.

Any recommendations for people getting their first tattoo?

Get something nice and be willing to listen to your artist- they probably will have some good suggestions on how to improve on your idea.

What’s your favorite food?

Bacon + Whatever = Happy Lou

Describe your approach to piercing.

I like to be as quick and clean as possible, while creating an environment that’s comfortable for the client and is going to cause the least amount of trauma.

Favorite story so far in the tattoo industry?

I think we have to keep these answers about PG-13, so come on in and I’ll tell you a story or two…