Tattoo Artist Matt Brandt

Matt Brandt is an artist that enjoys creating his own style of surrealism tattoos. To find our more, we bring him to you as our featured Tattoo Artist.
Brought to you by Zappa.

Full name: Matt Brandt

Shop: Beneath the Surface

Years tattooing: 10 years

Tattoo style: High Contrast Surrealism and Script

Hourly rate: R1300.00

Tell us your story of how you became a full time tattoo artist?
I was still in school figuring out if I wanted to go study graphic design when I saw a local artist just do some killer work. I got eventually tattooed by the artist and then was super intrigued about the look and lifestyle of a tattoo artist. Little did I know how hard tattoo life was, I decided to not continue with graphic design and took up an apprenticeship. I wanted to learn anything and everything I could.

What does a day in your life usually consist of?
[Laughs] My days are like nonstop working, being an artist and husband – that sh!t needs balance. I’m always doing something to increase creativity whether it be drawing, painting or sketching something.

What does the world of tattooing mean to you?
It’s my world, it made me who I am today as a person and artist. If it weren’t for tattooing I have no idea where I’d be. It’s taken me to weird places and it’s made meet some really cool people.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you?
I can touch my nose with my tongue [laughs]. It makes me feel like a super hero.

How do you like to ensure you keep progressing as an artist?
I feel like when you are the brightest colour in the room it’s time to move on because there’s no more knowledge to gain and eventually you’d plateau. I learn from other artists, work with them, see their process, because tattooing is a game you can never learn enough of.

What style of tattoo do you enjoy creating the most and why?
So I started doing this really cool, weird surrealism work about 2-3 years ago, eventually thinking and designing like that all the time. I think it’s the best effect and style to achieve on skin. I can constantly grow in it, perfecting it through every idea I get. I love overcomplicated tattoos.

Where would you like to see your career take you?
It has always been a mission of mine, since I started tattooing, to go abroad and tattoo amongst the greats in the belly of the beast.

Given the opportunity to guest work in any shop, which would it be and why?
Wow, there’s so many! I’d really enjoy working in a studio in Manchester called North of Winter. There’s really great artists there and it would be sick just to pick their brains.

Where do you draw you inspiration from?
Inspirations are like food for the mind, you can get it by looking at stuff and liking the idea or seeing what people haven’t done yet, which is very hard now days. I feel like you have to do something to stand out amongst the rest.

For anyone wanting to book and appointment with you, what’s the next step?
Either contact me at Beneath The Surface on WhatsApp, email or just DM them (@_beneaththesurface_studio) or you can contact me directly on Instagram (@matt_tattsart). I’m always interested in helping someone get the tattoo they want.

Beneath The Surface
Contact: 079 648 3566
Email: tattoo.beneaththesurface@gmail.com
Address: 4, Merrow Down Plaza, Fourways
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