How long have you been tattooing?
Not long enough

How was your apprenticeship?
There was alot of work, but it was decent. Short and sweet, I guess about like any other apprenticeship you work for, I guess.

What drew you into tattooing in the very first place?
When I was around 5 or 6 my mom took me to a tattoo shop with her (good parenting huh lol) but it kind of stuck with me. I started really getting into drawing stuff in magazines at 12 or so, and its all history after that.

What styles are you primarily drawn to doing and pursuing?
I really love the aspect of realism. It is challenging to make things look as real as you can make it. I usually like doing tattoos that I look at and am like "man, I might just fuck this up."

What’s the most memorable tattoo you’ve done, then, artistically?
That's hard but I would say the most memorable would have to be the first tattoo I did on my mentor Jimmy. It was a simple 13 on his hand. I was pretty trembly. The most artistic would have to be one of my friend Tyler's leg. He just said do whatever wierd. It's the blue thing with eyes and shit.

Whats one of the best stories that you can think of since you started in the business? Be it funny, meaningful, or otherwise memorable?
I actually try to stear clear of those, but my friend's mom passed and he got her portrait on his arm. He was a real big momma's boy. It's just sad to see your friends in distress like that.

In the years you’ve been tattooing, do you think things have evolved in any way? Styles, attitudes, artists, etc etc.
Oh yeah, more people are getting into portraits and realism, artist's attitudes are varying, some people are dicks and some people that you think are going to be dicks aren't. Its just a tough thing sometimes to describe. Artists are always getting better, but you do have the occasional stagnants. But in all, I think artists should all be friends, no egos or anything. We are all in this for the same reasons. Me and a few other artists have a group called the Chroma Illuminati. We try to help each other out and collaborate. So far its me, Tony C, Jeremy M, Kyle S, Jeffrey James and Robert B.

When you’re not at the shop, or drawing, or doing anything for WORK, what do you like to do? When you’re just Tim, not TIM ROGERS, TATTOO ARTIST?
Hang out with my better half Jackee and spend as much time with my little girl Zoe.

Well then, of the people you haven’t tattooed, anyone in the world at all, who would you like to tattoo the most?
Anyone with an open mind.

Is there anyone out there that you’re particularly proud to have put your work onto?
Any artist that I tattoo I feel honored.

Are there any artistic mediums you’d like to try that you haven’t yet?
I would like to do as many as I can, but tattooing and painting usually takes my time up pretty well.

What do you think you’d be doing with your life if you’d never found and gotten involved with tattooing?
That's not an option.

So what does your mama think about what you do?
I tattoo her. I've tattooed everyone but my dad in my family. He's pretty religious.

Do you have any kind of unusual advice for aspiring artists?
Ii hate it when people say "talent." There really is no such thing. It is just what you want to do and how much you set your mind on something. People will come in and say, "Man, you got talent" or something and I see no talent in it. I worked hard and I still do. If you really want to do something, set your mind to it and keep at it. You will only get better.

What about customers looking to get their first tattoo?
There is this confusion that every tattoo has to have a meaning. It really just a tattoo. Not all tattoos have to have meaning or tell a story. Some of the tattoos people like the most are the ones they just like and have no meaning, so don't just settle on something that does and don't go to a shop and tell your artist "I want this and this and that" in your tattoo. Give them a loose reference of what you want. You will love your tattoo a whole lot more. Oh, and look at portfolios. Never price check. A bad tattoo lasts a lot longer than the glory of a cheap price.

So of all the things you’ve learned since you started, what’s the most valuable thing you’ve gained?
Friends, good friends, in the industry who help me along, and my fiancee. I tattooed her and now she is mine [evil laugh]

Where does Tim see himself....and the craft of tattooing in the next five, ten years? (from Bunny)
I see myself tattooing, trying to get better, and I see the industry with better artists even than they are now. Hopefully we will all get along lol.


What does tim think about quad amputee midget porn??? When I grow up I wanna be just like Tim.. (from inkfather13)
Yay, I hate porn. It's gross, like a rental car or something. Nothing was ever gained from looking at nasty bitches but maybe you could use them for bowling pins. Thats mean, I know.

If he could get tattooed by anyone person...Who (from 1tattoman)
Jeff Gogue. Hell yeah, he's the man.

Other than tattoos, which is his favorite art form (from leverings)
Oil painting. It's calming, like a spa.