Check Out Vincent Merys’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincent Merys.

Vincent, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like a lot of tattooers, I have been into art and drawing since I could remember. My father is an art history enthusiast and a learned artist from the Kansas City Art Institute. I think since his path in life lead him away from art, once I showed interest and potential that hunger was fed and influenced on a regular basis. At the age of 12, I rode my bike to a local tattoo shop in Sedalia, not too far from the catholic school I was going to. I went in and saw drawings and flash art everywhere. Luckily the guy at the front desk was kind and patient enough not to kick me out. I asked him about the art on the walls and he said that they bought them from traveling artists. (This was in the late ’90s to early ’00s). I immediately went back to my Grandma’s house and drew my first page of flash trying to imitate what I had seen on the walls. After he helped me with some refinements he bought the page for five bucks and I was hooked. I never remembered that dude’s name but I wish I could thank him and curse him almost every day for igniting such a passion. Years went by and my curiosity grew. No one at that time in my life was really too interested in tattoos so I continued pursuing and studying fine arts. At 19 I walked into Freaks on Noland by myself, talked to some of the tattooers that I had been doing picture framing at Hobby Lobby and tossed down the only money I had, and got tattooed by a very young Jessie Hopeless who at that time was fairly new but incredibly kind and professional! After that, that is what I saved my money for. I went back and got tattooed by Shea and then started exploring other shops. My Dad was around 54 at the time and got really interested in the process as well so it wasn’t long before that to be kind of our thing.

Due to my low self-esteem and fear, I could never buck up and pursue an apprenticeship. I and my ex-wife were going to college to become a teacher, I had low-paying jobs and everything stacked against me. So I tried to stifle my hunger until I met my wife now. We worked together and became good friends. She is seven years older than me and her generation was one of punk rock and rebellion!! She had silver and black hair and several tattoos! I felt like I had found my crowd and my passion was reignited. Even though the draw and support were there it still took several years for my confidence and really an unquenchable thirst to take the steps toward pursuing my dream. She and I started dating and then eventually got married. I came to love her children as mine and I felt the need and responsibility to make sure that I could provide. I was a custodian for the Independence School District for 7 years. Finally after years of doubt, fear, and a decent amount of self-loathing I couldn’t take it. In a moment of extreme anxiety and depression, I begged God for a sign of what to do. At that time I was getting tattooed fairly regularly by James McCall at Butch’s Tattoo. I got a notification that one of the tattooers there was working on opening up their own shop and didn’t have much help to get it going. I thought that I could help because I could do small maintenance and could clean. It didn’t take much to entertain the thought of an apprenticeship but I still had my doubt. I talked to my wife about it and to no surprise, she was as supportive as she could be. She let me know that whatever needed to be done for me to chase my dream would be done together and that she would do everything in her power to be supportive!

The next day I called in sick, grabbed a painting, and went up to talk to Dale Williamson! I must admit that I was incredibly intimidated by him, which would last for a long time! I took him a shop warming gift and told him I was willing to help. Then with tears of fear and doubt, I asked him for an apprenticeship. He accepted and I spent the next almost two years by his side. Inside and outside of work. If I was awake then I was learning or practicing tattooing. After his battle with the city of Harrisonville, we spent several months finding a location and building up the shop. While doing so I consumed every resource he threw my way. There were hundreds of 10 a.m. to 3 morning days at that time. I apprenticed for a documented year and a half and then worked for Dale another year and a half after that. Finally, it was time for us to go our separate ways. He not only taught me how to tattoo but how to be strong and confident amongst my peers even if my low self-esteem and anxiety were nipping at my heels. He was born to be wild and I was ready to spread my wings and start grinding at refining my skills.

Luckily at this time of transition, I had randomly met Dan Kubin and became good friends with him. He had a totally different way of looking at tattooing, drawing, and tattoo machines. That dude really took me under his wing and when it was time for me to change shops he pointed me in the direction of Bleeding Heart Tattoo. He is close friends with Jeremy Angotti, the owner, and he put in a good word for me. I have been at Bleeding Heart Tattoo for three years now and my life has changed in so many ways it is unbelievable. My cup overflows with blessings and support. I am thankful every day for where I am and who I am around!! Through the love and support of all those close to me and all those along the way, I was provided the opportunity to pursue my dream with all of my heart and mind!! Now I am Tattoos By Mr.Vincent!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Diving into the world of tattooing at the age of 28 was very scary. There were many tattooers at that time that were the same age as me or younger and had already been doing it for almost a decade. I had to catch up quickly if I was going to generate enough business to get back on track to support my family and make a name for myself. So many late nights hitting local bars and restaurants to get the name of the shop out there. I got very little sleep and ate what and when I could. I got paid almost nothing in the beginning. I also continued working my full-time job at the school district for the first three months of my apprenticeship. I had to drive an hour to get to the shop, then help close it, clean it, and then draw until around 1 a.m.

What little time I had at home with my family was still invested in research and practice. I was the guy still tattooing in the shop after closing while everyone was hanging out and partying. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful, but there was a cost with it. I spent a lot of time away and put my family’s support to the test. Then when My mentor and I had our falling out it took a deep toll on me. I questioned myself constantly. Bleeding Heart is a magical place but I went from being well-fed catfish in a pond to being a blue gill in a lake. I was super green, had very few clients at the time follow me, and was around several other driven tattooers. I got business but I really had to prove myself.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a tattooer at Bleeding Heart Tattoo. I love doing a variety of styles but I try and add an illustrative element to everything I do. Whether it is a Neo-traditional tattoo, a black work tattoo, soft black, and grey, or a watercolor style, I try and create as readable of an image as possible. I like for my tattoos to look like they have been a part of my client their whole life. Michael Angelo said that he didn’t so much sculpt but rather released what was already in the marble. I try and show who my clients are to the best of my ability.

Really I specialize in talking. I like hearing people’s stories, talking about faith, listening to my client’s struggles, and at the most inappropriate times telling several dirty jokes. I like to connect with people and tattooing is how I do that. I am terrible at carpentry, cars, electrical work, and plumbing but I can give you one hell of a tattoo experience!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
DO NOT get a cheap Amazon tattoo machine and start doing bad work on yourself and your friends!!! Become solid in your character and conviction. You attract the type of people that you are. Draw constantly and get tattooed frequently! Be open to criticism. Be unwaveringly determined. Realize you suck before anyone has to tell you then strive to become better. Build a relationship with a shop.

Don’t send a Facebook or Instagram message about getting an apprenticeship. Clean the shop without being asked. Show that this is your heart. I have seen a lot of tattooers become lazy and selfish. Don’t do that!! Do what you do in celebration of having the ability to do it! The rest will come along the way. Above all do not take it for granted. There is always a bigger fish or a downfall right around the corner. Handle yourself and your money with care.

Pricing:

• $150 an hr

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bleedinghearttattoo.com
• Instagram: @Tattoos_by_mr.Vincent