Charlie Baker Augusta, GA

CHARLIE BAKER

Charlie Baker has been serving tattoos to his hometown since 2006. Specializing in his award-winning, unique color illustrative style, this Augusta native works alongside his crew at his shop, Mr. Tattoo ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Look for an artist whose work you can see yourself in and you can see yourself sitting in a room for hours with. Recommendations aren’t everything, do your own research and go with your gut. Also, get your first under your shirt ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? Really supportive! For my 18th birthday, my whole family chipped in and bought my first tattoo kit. I even did my first tattoo on my mother! ⸺ What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? For me, tattooing was my art school. I didn’t do great in school, but I was motivated nonetheless. I started hanging around in tattoo shops, drawing the flash off the wall, eventually earning an apprenticeship ⸺ Who are your favorite artists? Nick Blackstone, Roger Dorsey, and all the other awesome homies at my shop. I’m a huge believer in supporting your tribe, the people who you’re around make you the person or artist you are. We gotta be each other’s best resource and inspiration! ⸺ Have you ever had a bad tattooing experience, and what was it? One time, I was tattooing a calf, and the client was wearing the most rotten pair of sneakers imaginable. The smell was horrendous, and what made it worse, they kept flapping them up and down, wafting the air right up my nose. Not gonna lie, kinda rushed that one. Clean up before you come in, folks ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Figure out how to be of service to others, not just yourself. You’ll be surprised how fast the world opens up in this industry when we give that little bit extra of ourselves to someone. Happiness is a renewable resource, y’know? ✕