Check Out Carlos Ransom’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Ransom.

Hi Carlos, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At age 16, I ended up with a tattoo magazine. I am trying to remember how I got it, but I remember being fascinated by the culture and art form. In the late ’80s early ’90s, few tattoo magazines were put out by biker magazines. So it was mostly that kind of artwork shown. But there were these tattoo convention pics in there that blew my mind. They showed tattoos unlike any I had ever seen, bold stuff, where most of the artwork then was fine-line biker imagery. That stuff didn’t speak to me as a teen whose interests were skateboarding and punk rock. I immediately started drawing ideas for my first tattoo, knowing I’d have to wait until I was 18 and out of my parent’s house. The only professional tattooer around the area was in a small Kansas town called Baxter Springs, about 20 minutes from where I lived in Missouri. He was impressed with my artwork and started trading my tattoos for my flash art. That would eventually lead to me hanging around the shop often and nervously asking him for an apprenticeship. I was in the right place at the right time, and it couldn’t have happened better. I was fresh out of high school and very much freaking out about my lack of opportunities as this poor small-town kid. I always wanted to be a professional artist. But that wasn’t attainable for me.

Becoming a tattoo artist was what I was looking for, and I was still determining what I was looking for. So I worked part-time at a local restaurant and part-time doing my apprenticeship until I was ready to begin taking my first clients. After a couple of years of working at my mentor’s shop, it became obvious that to reach a clientele that would allow me to continue developing my style and to be around other tattoo artists I could learn more from, I needed to be in a bigger city, which led me to the KC/Lawrence area. I briefly worked at a shop in KC, but Lawrence was ultimately where I wanted to be. I had friends here, and the music scene always called me here. I worked at several shops here in Lawrence between 1998-2011. In the summer of 2012, my wife, knowing I was unhappy with where I was working, asked if I wanted to take over her salon space to open my studio. So we opened Abraxas Tattoo as a private studio on the 3rd floor of a historic building in downtown Lawrence.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had plenty of hurdles. Tattooing is a challenging career to stay on a productive and inspiring path. It’s hard on your mental health, constantly feeling pressure to do your absolute best work while also satisfying the needs and expectations of your clients as well as your own, and your partner’s and family’s. Failed relationships are common because of the dedication required. Burnout is very common. It’s easy to hit a plateau with your work and stay caught up while the industry and art form evolve without you. Tattooing will quickly pass you by if you need to pay attention, and it can be challenging to stay relevant. For several years before opening Abraxas, I had been juggling my tattoo career and being a musician with record deals and shows. I was only tattooing a few days a week and not doing anything to help better my art. One day I picked up a tattoo magazine for the first time in a while and realized everything had changed and evolved while I was not looking. I felt insignificant but also inspired, and I realized I had much catching up to do. Tattooing has always been what I most loved, and it was my career. I was passionate about making music too, but it was just a hobby. I had to prioritize my tattooing again. So I put in the work, and I continue to put in the work to never be in that place again. To be the best tattooer I can be. Tattoos are also a luxury, so when the economy dips, we feel it first. That was easier to navigate when I had no family to support. Now things are entirely different.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Over the years, I’ve gone through several changes in my style, preferences, and how I do things. I need to continue on paths that are inspiring, as well as continue to grow and better my art. I’m from a generation of tattooers who all had to do some of everything. There weren’t as many tattooers then or people getting tattooed. So it wasn’t as common then for someone to specialize in just one thing. We couldn’t be as selective with the pieces and projects we took on. You did your best with what the client wanted, Regardless of the style or subject matter. It’s completely different now. You can specialize in one thing, and if you work hard enough to become great at it, that can be the one thing you’re known for and that you do all of the time.

As far as my specialty, style, and preference go now, my focus is primarily on large-scale floral pieces that flow with and transform the body, using wildly exaggerated elements in size and shape, emphasizing flow, depth, and contrast. I prefer working with clients willing to give me artistic freedom, and I am fortunate to have a clientele who allows me to do just that. I think I’m most proud of my drive to continue improving my skill after almost 30 years of tattooing. That also sets me apart from others, and my ability to make tattoos that flatter and complement the human form will stand the test of time. The longevity of my work has always been vital to me. It’s also essential to me that my clients feel comfortable within my space. It can be a very vulnerable space, especially when you have tattooed so much of your body. But also when it comes to the pain involved in tattooing. I do everything I can to ensure my clients are as comfortable as possible.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
My wife, Andiy Ransom, has been such a huge support for me. I’m very fortunate to have such a fantastic partner who understands what my work requires of me and who continues to remind me how important it is to be better at the business and customer service side of tattooing. Abraxas would not be what it is without her. I want also to thank my clients, past, present, and future, for their trust and support. I would also not be here if not for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: abraxastattoo.net
• Instagram: @hungry.ghost.tattoo
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092395911027