I met Chance about 5 years ago at the Cocoa Beach tattoo convention and he made a bit of an impression on me. He was working along side Dave Cavalcante under the highly respected Inksmith & Rogers banner. I had seen the duo at many conventions after that and they were always busy. I can always tell the real deal artists from the flash tracers… and these guys were the real deal. Chance is an instantly likable guy and has quickly befriended the whole tattoo industry. His work is super clean and easy to read. Its seems to me that he has worked with so many good people that he has figured out all the formulas to a good tattoo. Chance is truly a product of his environment.

ML: Name, age and where you are from:
CI: Chance Isbell and I’m from Jacksonville Florida. It’s in the cut but I’m just glad I can get sweet tea and BBQ every three blocks. Just don’t feed the bums or swim in the river.

ML: How did you get the name Chance?
CI: It’s actually my birth given name, most folks just think it’s a nick name. I’d like to say it came from my mothers side but who knows. Nobody really remembers, Its all by chance I guess…irony right. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that line…

ML: What was your first exposure to tattooing and what made you get into it?
CI: My father was a sailor and got shipped to Hawaii when he enlisted. Believe it or not he has tattoos from Sailor Jerry Collins and Pinky Young. I found this out years later but I guess that started it when I was a baby. I tattooed my brother with a classic Bic pen/guitar string bullshit tape deck contraption when I was 13 or 14. It was a horrible “snake head” he covered up years later. I got my first one myself around my 15th birthday at what an old shop in town, I never thought it would grab me like it did at the time.

ML: Where did you start?
CI: I started an apprenticeship sometime around 2000 at The World Famous Inksmith & Rogers Tattoo Studio under Nick Wagner and a really talented fella named Doren Clifford. Nick was around and hands on more with it mostly, Doren kind of slipped away quietly and did his own thing towards the end of it all. We’ve kept in touch sort of over the years, but you know how that goes. I owe him a lot in case he ever stumbles across this one day. He was always a big influence with it. He taught me how to use watercolors and hustle. Last I heard he was involved in a shop in California, Lost Kings Tattoo if I’m not mistaken.

ML: Where all have you traveled too?
CI: Hardly anywhere outside of Florida or Georgia give or take, never even been out of the US before. I got married and had a wonderful baby boy after my apprenticeship was over. I focused a lot on that part of my life. Trying to get solid, bold and bright work around town in the meantime was good enough for me. I never dedicated myself to this career for fame and fortune, just stability. What more can you ask for, I love what I do and I’m glad I do it in Florida, I don’t see myself tattooing anywhere else, but who knows what opertunities will come my way in the future. Im open for anything the older my boy gets. If he has a direction when he get older I’m sure I won’t be too far behind.

ML: I remember seeing pics of you with Brandon Bond, how was that experience?
CI: Honestly It was a great trip, a very crazy time in my life well spent. I had some issues to work out in my head and home just didn’t feel like where I needed to be to fester. Atlanta was where I ended up at the time. Brandon wasn’t around too much, a busy guy from what I gathered. But a great host and he seemed to be glad I was there. We cut loose and I had a good bit of fun, it was just what I needed at the time. Who doesn’t like booze and guns to clear out the cobwebs? Churchy folks, that’s who.

ML: How long did you work at Inksmith & Rogers, what was that like?
CI: I was with Inksmith & Rogers for almost 10 years. I hung around one of the shops years before my apprenticeship even took place. I had a great experience working with everyone there. Most of my experience is a direct influence from a melting pot of knowledge from everyone at those shops. In peticular Nick Wagner, Mike Wilson & Eric Inksmith. I walked away with a firm grasp of Traditional Tattooing and a respect for the proper way things should be done. I’m not the most traditional tattoo artist in my eyes but when it comes down to putting it on solid and bold I’m glad I learned it from some of the best.

ML: Did you get to spend much time with Eric Inksmith?
CI: Eric is a very interesting person with a lot of great stories and knowledge that’s for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to have many conversations with him over the years. Anyone who not only personally knew Paul Rogers but has the experience under his belt in the tattoo game like he has can teach you a valuable lesson if you listen. I learned a very tried and true way to look at things that have been useful in my life in general. I have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Eric Inksmith.

ML: I consider Mike Wilson one of the best in Florida, were you able to learn a lot from him?
CI: Oh yeah, that goes without saying. There have been fee folks I’ve met who can sit down and execute a great tattoo without any thought, literally just sit down, draw a loose sketch on and tighten it up on the fly and have it look like it took hours of planning. He’s just has that kind if vision. It seems to spill over into everything I’ve seen him do. Tattooing, painting and killer motorcycle fabrication. He’s been a great influence, I learned how to rock a really nice panther head and roses from Wilson. Richard Stell is the same way, just true masters of the craft. I try and always pay it forward in the same way that was shown to me. I feel very fortunate to have had made friendships with such top notch individuals through my time at Inksmith & Rogers.

ML: How did you end up at Black Hive Tattoo, how is that shop different from the others you have worked at?
CI: The opportunity to work at Black Hive came along at a really low time in my personal life. I started to feel like I wasn’t acomplishing the things that I had set in my mind. I went through a dark period where I had to make life changing decisions to get back on track. The short version involves time apart from two thirds of my heart, figuring things out and trying to put the pieces back together. I decided to move to Portland to be closer to my son. A few things held me in town and complicated things. Nick told me about his plans to open a closed door shop, which seemed ideal at the time, I had control over how much or little I worked. It was just the right time right place kind of situation to work out my issues. After all was said and done the mother of my son decided it was best to relocate back to Florida. I’m actually in Portland answering these questions right now helping with their move back. I can’t say I don’t miss the interaction with the collective minds of Inksmith & Rogers but my heart has guided me to where I am and I don’t feel I’ve made the wrong choice. I’m happy with where I’m at in life. As far as different, I say it’s about the same. Just less outside influence and more time figuring out where I want myself to go. I’m still unsure which direction I’m headed but it’s all falling into place more and more as time goes by.

ML: How did this last Jacksonville show go for you?
CI: It was really good actually. I stayed busy and did a lot of fun stuff, it’s always nice to be in your home town and seeing friendly faces you haven’t seen in awhile and saying “hey let’s go to this little bar and kick a few back.” Or “lets go get fat at this amazing little spot I know about”. Your in your neck of the woods and that’s always a good time. I’m a big fan of the game of drink, combine that with friends you dont see that often and it can be quite a memorable experience. Sometimes you can get caught up in life and forget how much time has flown by since you touched base with some folks. That time is good for cleaning out the ash of the mind. Conventions always seem to be a good outlet for these types of things when you don’t travel much.

ML: What got you into doing these micro traditional tattoos, how did you like winning tattoo of the day with one?
CI: Honestly it just kind of came from a chat with Mike Wilson, he did a tiny little Spanish ship on a girls arm who’s name escapes me at the moment. Blew my mind. All the detail just had to be seen to be believed down to the portholes and wood grain. I asked a few questions and banged one out a few days later. Just a little skull, it was fun. People just started requesting them after I posted a photo online. It’s all been done before, Jack Rudy comes to mind instantly. This fella approached me at last years convention and got a pin up girl on the side of his face and walked away with an award. I’m glad people showed interest, I was surprised more than anyone it won anything at all.

ML: What styles would you say you lean to in your tattoos?
CI: I love to do traditional American tattoos and portraits, I figure I’d try to know both sides of the spectrum well and the stuff in the middle will meet eventually. I’m not so much into tattooing Japanese style art. I’m trying to learn the proper way to do it, I’d rather work it out on paper than people. It’s been a slow progression but I’m growing to like it much more as time goes by.

ML: Who all have you been tattooed by:
CI: Oh man, let me think…Mike Wilson, Oliver Peck, Bert Krak, Richard Stell, Peter Raizis, Mike Bruce, Matt Rouesseau, Chris Callister, Mike Woods, Chris O’Leary, Mike Rennie, Nick Wagner, Dave Martinez, Jeff Cribb, Martin LaCasse, Thomas Asher, Myra Oh, Jeff Jibran, Joey Hamilton, Needles, Russ Abbott, Matt Bivetto, Doren Clifford, Sara Peacock, Justin Elliot, Esban Rey…shit…I think that’s it.

ML: What is your favorite tattoo on your body?
CI: Well let me think… I’m going to say my left knee from Wilson. It’s a big elephant head. I saw it on Paul Rogers and liked the way it looked. I found out he use to bounce his son on his knee and give him “elephant rides” That made me like it even more because my son was on the way at the time. It makes me happy when I look at it, a reminder of a really good time in my life.

ML: Give me your top 5 tattooers:
CI: 1)Mike Wilson
2)Richard Stell
3)Bert Krak
4)Chris Garver
5)Jeff Rassier…does Black Heart Tattoo count as one? That’s a damn powerhouse in general.
6) I have to add Greg Irons, he’s been a big influence for me in general, I enjoyed everything about his style and ideas. I wish he would have had more time on this earth doing what he did. A true legend in my eyes.

ML: What is your take on tattoo conventions, what is the craziest shit you have seen go down at a convention?
CI: I’ve been to some conventions that were a lot of fun. They had a feel that focused on the tattooing and artistry like I feel they should. Good people from around the globe with talent travel for them. It’s an event to showcase tattooing and present it to the public. ‘This is what we do, come see how fun getting a tattoo can be if your afraid to enter a shop or just dont have access to good work in your area.’ Then I’ve hit some that have had more booths for selling shirts and things than actual artist!? I don’t get that at all, its not a weekend flea market…I won’t name the expos because it’s just my personal opinions on the matter. As far as a crazy convention stories go I don’t have any. I just go to premote myself and catch up with folks I haven’t seen in awhile. Sorry to let you down on that one. There was this one situation last year with Autograf Tattoo keeping it real though haha…

ML: If a TV network approached you about a tattoo TV show, would you be down?
CI: It depends I guess, I’d love the exposure and to have that kind of situation presented to me. It would have to be the right time and place to make it happen and be happy. It seems like a good move but it can’t be all it’s cracked up to be. I don’t think those fellas on tv knew what they were getting into at first. I’m sure it’s a lot of stress and little time to yourself alone. Cameras and editing can make things seem whatever way they like. Would I hop on board and make it happen if given the shot? Without a doubt for sure. My mother always told me I have a face for radio though.

ML: I know you have done your fair share of traveling, where else would you like to go?
CI: I’ve always wanted to travel to Iceland. My friend Thomas Asher is there now, it sounds like a really good time. Japan has always been a goalie mine tattooing aside. I’d like to visit there at least once.

ML: Have you been involved in any art shows you would like to talk about?
CI: Not really. Just local small scale things here and there. I’ve been involved in two book projects in the last year though. Art By Tattooists Beyond Flash by Jo Waterhouse and Top Tier Handmade Custom Art. I’m not sure when the second will be released as of yet but keep an eye out for it. It’s going to be very well made, fancy wooden covers and full of great artwork.

ML: What other art mediums do you like to do?
CI: Watercolor and acrylic are my favorite. I’ve been using a bit of digital lately, Corel Paint and a Wacom tablet. It’s a lot of fun and the results have been interesting. That’s really about it. Does finger painting with my son count?

ML: Any hobbies you are into besides art?
CI: I’m a video game addict at heart. I grew up in the 80’s and got an old Atari passed down and a Nintendo for my birthday. They’ve always been a steady part of my life ever since. Over the years I’ve noticed game developers have been using digital media for the artwork. I guess that’s what got me into digital art. I kind of stumbled into it without knowing it was the next big thing out of curiosity, It can look exactly like oil, acrylic or lead without the mess. It’s insane. Although I miss the hands on time they spent on the old classic artwork. I think those guys were under appreciated and had so much talent and passion for something that was so experimental. Check out some vintage video game art if you get some spare time, you’ll be surprised the time and quality they put into a tiny Atari game cartridge label.

ML: Got a lady friend?
CI: Only one girl has had my heart and ever will. The mother of my son.

ML: Any shout outs or thank you’s for your homies?
CI: For sure. Everyone who has been a solid person in my life. Too many to name but a few stand out. Nick Wagner, Mike Wilson, Eric Inksmith and everyone at Inksmith & Rogers Tattoo, Vince Moisdon at Colorfast studios, Bert Krak, Thomas Asher and Autograf Tattoo, Richard Stell, Chris O’Leary at Ocala Tattoo, Jeff Cribb and Hero Tattoo, and last but not least Nate Diaz. One of Floridas talented and best kept secrets. And of course Mark Longnecker for the chance to get some words out…no pun intended.

Chance Isbell
www.blackhivetattoo.com
Myspace.com/chancetattoos