.JPG)
I first met Danny in October of 2011 during a month long road trip from Washington to Texas and back! It was quite the drive, one hell of an experience, and it made a lasting impression upon my views regarding tattoos and artwork. I recall working in Danny's booth for a weekend and just feeling dwarfed by my surroundings: Walls painted from floor to ceiling with demons, alien autopsies, horses of the apocalypse... It was just stunning to see that much work from another artist. I didn't think he ever slept. Danny initially came across to me as a quiet, soft spoken, fairly chill guy but as soon as he had paper, canvas, or skin in front of him it was like someone flipped a switch and the madness would begin! Hands whirling, pencils racing, paint flying, and machines roaring while his creation process was underway.
Danny is a skilled, determined, and hard working artist that not only puts on a nice tattoo; but also creates one of a kind sculptures and heavily stylized paintings that are sure to captivate and ensnare viewers of all ages. I've been glad to call him a friend and I am certain that this is an artist you'll want to keep an eye on for years to come. ENJOY!!
Q and A with Danny:
Q: Lets begin! Tell everyone your name, what you do, and where your from.
A: My name is Danny Kranz and I am a full time tattoo artist, painter, and sculptor. I was birthed slimey and evil in a little village outside of Aschaffenburg Germany... I can't pronounce the name of the place but yeah, out there lol.
Q: Slimey and evil is just the tip of that iceberg! Hahaha!! So how long have you been a tattooer? Did it begin in Germany?
A: Yeah I was born with a machine in my little mitts! Jk, I've been tattooing for about four and a half years and pursuing art ever since I can remember.
Q: Nice. Do you think that your paintings as well as other artworks have affected your tattooing?
A: Yes, every tattoo I do is drawn like and colored with tones similar to my paintings. I guess you could say I base a large amount of it on my illustration background. I'm still working on it, though as Wonka said "Oh well I'll get it right in the end" hahaha; I think it is important to have some kind of art background if your trying to carve a notch in this industry or even into peoples imagination.
Q: I agree. having some sort of artistic interest that lies outside of tattooing can really help in igniting the imagination of others as well as yourself. Do you feel like your stlyle or personality shows through in your tattooing?
A: I feel I can use improvement. That's really my quest, it makes me push everyday. I really want my own niche and style, it's not quite there yet but I am working on it; and yeah of course my personality does show through. Watching it all develop is a lot of fun.
Q: Improvement and being hungry in the pursuit of growth is key. It all comes with time and effort. What are some tips you can give younger artists who are trying to find their niche? Have you received any good words of wisdom?
A: Words of wisdom? Yes, and I am still collecting in that department. Your going to make mistakes but the point is to learn from them and it is important to meet other artists that are really good, that inspire you, study them. Listen with your eyes and your niche will eventually come, it takes a lot of experimentation and courage. OH and don't eat late night taco bell before tattooing...It'll give you the shits!! That is all.
Q: Ha!! Pearls indeed!! So what is it that you enjoy most about tattooing? How do you stay inspired??
A: I treat it much like a medium, the fact that you have a chance to change someone's life and put your artwork permanently on them is an awesome thing. What inspires me is going back to an earlier question, finding my style and niche in what I call my art. Another is seeing so many amazing artists and knowing that if I work hard enough I can become one; leaving my mark on artistic history. Oh and monsters.. Monsters inspire me!
Q: When tattooing and painting, what subject matter do you enjoy most?
A: I'm into horror/sci-fi/romanticism. I love doing horror portraits and anything that's disgusting, whimsical and beautiful all together. So I am a necromantic lol.
Q: Well put man. List some of the folks that have inspired you as an artist over the years.
A; Man where to start, there's sooo many...I guess I have to say any artist from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Tattoo wise there's Dimitry Samohin, Booth, Alex De Pase, Nikko, Robert Hernandez, Paul Acker, Carl Grace, and Victor Portugal to name a few.
Q: Lets turn it around a little. What got you into getting tattoos and wanting to pursue it as a career? How has it affected you?
A: Actually I just walked into a shop. I was selling some prints, meeting a friend that was a really good artist. They asked me If I wanted to learn how to tattoo so I was like yeah, I've always been fascinated by them so why not? Lol and tattooing is a brutal and strange thing that has effected me in numerous ways. It's a very physical and strict medium, very time consuming and demanding but it has helped me grow as an artist and person.
Q: Agreed man. For those folks out there interested in getting tattooed by you or commissioning a piece of art, what is the best way to make that happen??
A: Well if your interested in art from me, which I would be most greatfull to do; you can reach me on my cell or at Tiki Tattoo in Killeen Texas ( Cell: (254)449-2820 or Tiki Tattoo: (254)953-5100). Thanks again!!
Q: Lets begin! Tell everyone your name, what you do, and where your from.
A: My name is Danny Kranz and I am a full time tattoo artist, painter, and sculptor. I was birthed slimey and evil in a little village outside of Aschaffenburg Germany... I can't pronounce the name of the place but yeah, out there lol.
Q: Slimey and evil is just the tip of that iceberg! Hahaha!! So how long have you been a tattooer? Did it begin in Germany?
A: Yeah I was born with a machine in my little mitts! Jk, I've been tattooing for about four and a half years and pursuing art ever since I can remember.
Q: Nice. Do you think that your paintings as well as other artworks have affected your tattooing?
A: Yes, every tattoo I do is drawn like and colored with tones similar to my paintings. I guess you could say I base a large amount of it on my illustration background. I'm still working on it, though as Wonka said "Oh well I'll get it right in the end" hahaha; I think it is important to have some kind of art background if your trying to carve a notch in this industry or even into peoples imagination.
Q: I agree. having some sort of artistic interest that lies outside of tattooing can really help in igniting the imagination of others as well as yourself. Do you feel like your stlyle or personality shows through in your tattooing?
A: I feel I can use improvement. That's really my quest, it makes me push everyday. I really want my own niche and style, it's not quite there yet but I am working on it; and yeah of course my personality does show through. Watching it all develop is a lot of fun.
Q: Improvement and being hungry in the pursuit of growth is key. It all comes with time and effort. What are some tips you can give younger artists who are trying to find their niche? Have you received any good words of wisdom?
A: Words of wisdom? Yes, and I am still collecting in that department. Your going to make mistakes but the point is to learn from them and it is important to meet other artists that are really good, that inspire you, study them. Listen with your eyes and your niche will eventually come, it takes a lot of experimentation and courage. OH and don't eat late night taco bell before tattooing...It'll give you the shits!! That is all.
Q: Ha!! Pearls indeed!! So what is it that you enjoy most about tattooing? How do you stay inspired??
A: I treat it much like a medium, the fact that you have a chance to change someone's life and put your artwork permanently on them is an awesome thing. What inspires me is going back to an earlier question, finding my style and niche in what I call my art. Another is seeing so many amazing artists and knowing that if I work hard enough I can become one; leaving my mark on artistic history. Oh and monsters.. Monsters inspire me!
Q: When tattooing and painting, what subject matter do you enjoy most?
A: I'm into horror/sci-fi/romanticism. I love doing horror portraits and anything that's disgusting, whimsical and beautiful all together. So I am a necromantic lol.
Q: Well put man. List some of the folks that have inspired you as an artist over the years.
A; Man where to start, there's sooo many...I guess I have to say any artist from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Tattoo wise there's Dimitry Samohin, Booth, Alex De Pase, Nikko, Robert Hernandez, Paul Acker, Carl Grace, and Victor Portugal to name a few.
Q: Lets turn it around a little. What got you into getting tattoos and wanting to pursue it as a career? How has it affected you?
A: Actually I just walked into a shop. I was selling some prints, meeting a friend that was a really good artist. They asked me If I wanted to learn how to tattoo so I was like yeah, I've always been fascinated by them so why not? Lol and tattooing is a brutal and strange thing that has effected me in numerous ways. It's a very physical and strict medium, very time consuming and demanding but it has helped me grow as an artist and person.
Q: Agreed man. For those folks out there interested in getting tattooed by you or commissioning a piece of art, what is the best way to make that happen??
A: Well if your interested in art from me, which I would be most greatfull to do; you can reach me on my cell or at Tiki Tattoo in Killeen Texas ( Cell: (254)449-2820 or Tiki Tattoo: (254)953-5100). Thanks again!!
If you would like to see more up to date works from Danny Kranz just follow the link below.
