EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!!! Nic Skrade of Uptown Tattoo
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007
That’s right, I was so frustrated that I couldn’t find a single photo of AB’s new tattoo, that he got on the season finale of Feasting on Asphalt, that I wrote to the artist. And he wrote me back… With his permission I have his photo of that tattoo. As far as I can tell, this is the first copy of this photo anywhere on the internet!!! And isn’t it an awesome tattoo? I told you, didn’t I? I believe that the artistry and detail work on this tattoo is amazing and beautiful.
Well, Nic, being a wonderful (and might I add, patient) man, not only sent me this amazing picture to use, he also agreed to an interview with me. So, this being my very first interview ever, I made a few mistakes. Most notably of which was trying to set it up on IM, and then realizing that my IM doesn’t really work at home. Thank you very much $40 Wal-Mart wireless router… So rather than the lively conversation I was hoping for, I sent him some questions, and he sent me his responses. Here they are now, along with some of my thoughts after reading his answers…
Tell me a little about you… How long have you been tattooing? Are you married? Any Kids?
I have been tattooing for 16 and a half years, as long as I have been with my wife, we have been married for 15 years. We are both 36, we have 2 children a boy and a girl. This answer seems kind of dry, sorry, I cant think of anything to spice it up, I am kind of a white picket fence guy. I work, and go home and I coach soccer and volunteer at my daughters school, and I own a tattoo shop.
Actually, I don’t think this to be dry at all. As a matter of fact, I think it’s a great way to show the general public that tattoo artists are people too. They are husbands and wives, and soccer coaches. Really just like the rest of us, making a living, and hopefully having fun while they’re doing it…
What is your favorite of all of the tattoos that you have done?
That is a hard question, as I am fortunate to do lots of REALLY fun tattoos, so it would be hard to have a favorite, as the new fav’s supplant the old ones, but are still favorites one and all… does that make any sense? I realistically do a true favorite every couple months.
It seems like you truly love your job. If only everyone in this world could be that happy!!!
What are your hobbies?
I work out (which is what I am gonna do right after I am done with this!), I run (marathons!), I play video games, I paint and draw, I hang out with my kids and wife, and go scuba diving.
Wow! You’re a busy guy…
Are you a Food Network fan?
Yes, though not as big of a fan as my wife and son are! They love Iron Chef.
Well, who doesn’t?
What is your favorite show on the network?
Probably the original Iron Chef, I saw it in San Francisco like 11 years ago and loved the concept and program ever since.
I was a fan of the original Iron Chef as well, although I must say I like the American version much better. The secret ingredient in the original almost always grossed me out, and the dialogue of the judges seemed a bit cheesy. Mostly due to the dubbing of the voices, the overlays were always a little over the top for my taste…
Have you seen Feasting on Asphalt, before Alton Brown came to your shop?
No, but my wife and son love his other shows and were stoked when I told them he was at our shop. I had seen him a couple other times on Good Eats and Iron Chef America.
Of all of his shows I think Good Eats is my favorite…
Did you recognize him right away?
Yes, he is unmistakable
What was he like?
He was super nice and respectful, it was amazing considering they had been on the road for like a month at that point (I think it was that long, maybe just a couple weeks). His personality was pretty much the same or similar to the guy you see on TV.
That is so fantastic to hear. So often these days we hear that our favorite stars are jerks in real life. I’m glad that he really is what he seems to be…
His coming up to the shop was very spur of the moment in the show, was it actually? Or did he have an appointment?
It was totally spur of the moment and had us scrambling to open up space to get him in! They called a couple hours before they were coming down, but I am usually booked 5 months ahead of time so it was a little stressful, but worth it, for sure!
Who thought of the design, him or you?
He thought of the design, I drew it up.
Is there anything else you would like me to include?
Not that I can think of. It was a great experience and has been really fun running into people I know who have seen the show on TV. I wish I have been able to engage him more during the tattoo with cooking talk, but I am not much of a cook (though I can grill with the best of them!)
Thanks so much for your time Nic, I really appreciate it, hopefully I will be able to get a better wireless router before my next interview… heehee… You are awesome, and I really appreciate you sharing your art with us.
And to my readers in the Twin Cities area, when you want your next, (or first…) tattoo, be sure to get in touch with Nic, and the folks over at Uptown Tattoo. From the looks of what he’s done to our favorite food geek, it’s totally worth the wait for his next appointment!!!
