3 minute read
Vaughn Ara
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERNIE BUSTAMANTE @inked_photography
Where did you grow up? I grew up a bit of a traveler... born in Kansas City and moved to Colorado Springs at 12, then began traveling around the southwest from 15-20 before landing back here in KC to settle down.
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What city do you live in now?
I’m currently living KC and I must say I absolutely love this city! Between the amazing food, outdoor getaways, and an entire city that seems to really appreciate the arts, what’s not to love.
What’s your occupation?
I am the Owner and Creator of two (for now) businesses Tattoo Salve by Vaughn Ara and Vaughn Ara Cosmetics... and more in the works. I simply don’t know how to sit still. I also do freelance modeling, and love to create dark art and fringe photography images. My first tattoo was a Kanji ( so I believed at the time )... check your sources friends. Though, in my defense I was 15 my tattoo
was done in a trailer, in the middle of an Arizona desert, by a carny named Jory... makes for a good story but a terrible tattoo ( with no meaning ). We just won’t mention this one again, ha.
How do you spend your free time?
My free time is always consumed with creating, whether it be formulating new products, or putting
together collaborative projects with photographers which I also use as photo reference on my Patreon for fellow artists. There is never a lack of Who does your tattoos?
Majority of my tattoos were done by the amazing Bob Bitner of Catalyst Arts Collective! I’ve also been fortunate enough to be tattooed by Heather B., Jason P. Phillips, Julio Morales.
Future tattoo plans?
As a collector I am very much looking forward to getting work done by Gabe Londis, Alan Barbosa, and Carlos Ransom. Dark art, occult, skulls, things of that nature are my jam and all of my tattoos reflect that to some extent.
Describe your 1st Villain Arts show. Im pretty sure my first Villain Arts show was right here in KC! I’ve even had the pleasure of having one of pieces done by Bob Bitner take 1st Best in show and 2nd Tattoo of the day ( color ) in 2018!
My free time is always consumed with creating.
