Splash: How long have you been Tattooing?

Gabe: 13 years, since 1995

Splash: I know you paint. So you where into art, drawing and all before you got into tattooing?

Gabe: I always have drawn and done some crafty things, or decorated anything I could get my hands on. I took art classes in school, but i have no formal training.

Splash: What is your favorite style of tattoo to ink on someone?

Gabe: I really don't have a favorite style. I like to play with color more than anything, although I do enjoy doing black and grey every now and then. Subject matter doesn't matter much to me, as long as the person likes what they are getting, and i can get into it...So, style doesn't really matter much either, as long as i'm tattooing, i'm happy, I just like to do it my way though.

Splash: Who are your favorite artists?

Gabe: I borrow from a lot of mediums. But, over the years it has been the people I work with who are my favorites and inspire me most. We share knowledge, inspiration, and work together. If you wanted me to list all my favorite tattoo artists it would fill up your article.

Splash: So it is a pretty artistic driven and family like as well.

Gabe: Absolutely, there is a lot of talent here at Fuzion, and lots of information to share and feed off of...with all the people i'm working with, and all the different styles we all have, it's difficult to not be inspired to push yourself harder when you come to work everyday.

Splash: What are some your favorite local bands, venues?

GABE: Well, I will give a shout out to Celebrity Gunfight and Dead Thoughts Memory...most of the members of celebrity gunfight all get tattooed here at Fuzion, and they've been around, spreading the word about us since we opened up last year...I like Gil's bar and grill and Hell's Kitchen quite a bit, for smaller shows and hanging out, and we have done an art show at the Red Star.

Splash: Yeah, I've been to a few art shows there, the Elm and Oak ones. Burke is one of my favorite artists.

Gabe: Yeah Burke does some "sick" work, and has even tagged the piercing room here at fuzion...i also really like and believe in what MC7C does for the local scene, they even held an art show here last year in october, called Joan of Art, that was pretty rad...

Splash: What should a person do before getting a tattoo?

Gabe: have a theme or solid idea in mind before you walk into a tattoo shop...Research their artist, and get tattooed by someone you connect with. If you are getting a tattoo just to get a tattoo, without doing the research, you most likely won't end up with something you're happy with for the rest of your life.

Splash: Is there a bad tattoo to get?

Gabe: I don't think as being a tattooer, I can or should judge that. It is what it is, that a person wants to wear. Sure, there are some ideas that people have, that are just not tattooable. I try to let them know what is workable, and lead them into something creative, unique, and a tattoo that i would be into doing.

Splash: Does Skin type matter with how a tattoo looks?

Gabe: Well, skin tone matters more than almost anything, as well as the location of the tattoo. If you want a vibrant and lasting image, don't get it in a place where you get a lot of sun. And if you do spend a lot of time in the sun, the skin is more difficult to work with. It is not like painting canvas. That is not unfortunate though, because I like the challenge. There is a learning curve. And I get to learn something new every day.

Splash: I heard about new types of ink for tattooing that can be removed easily, are you looking forward to this?

Gabe: I think it is a kind of insult to the tattoo industry. It is very touristy and all about marketing, about suppliers just making a buck. It's more like voyeurism and flirting with the idea of getting tattooed, rather than making the commitment. If you want to get tattooed, then just do it.

Splash: Is there a part of the body that you won't ink?

Gabe: I probably wouldn't tattoo a tongue or a bottom of a foot, or even a palm of a hand. Other than that, I would tattoo just about anything on someone, just about anywhere, if they want it, and they want to pay me to do it, so long it will heal properly.

Gabriel can be found at Fuzion, 729 granby street, norfolk, or on his website www.gabecece.com