AN INTERVIEW WITH TWO THUNDERS TATTOO
Let’s talk Tattoos! Since COVID we have a substantial list of things we would permanently get on our bodies. Some more meaningful than others - but not having a go-to artist here in Denver, we want to make sure to give a shout out to the local artist here where you will feel safe and excited about the artist. Also, knowing where your money is going.
We had the honor of interviewing Cante and Tanner at Two Thunders Tattoo! Check them out if you are in the market for a new tat.
QDL: How/When did you get started?
TTT: We came up with the idea of starting our own shop/studio years ago when we worked at our first shop together. After COVID hit in 2020, we had to make a decision about staying with our second shop and relocating to another part of town, or venturing off and opening our own. After completing a lengthy application and permit process at the height of the pandemic we were able to officially open Two Thunders Tattoo.
Is there meaning behind the name"Two Thunders"?
Two Thunders is a reference to our Native American heritage. We are both Fire signs in astrology, and in both of our cultures there is significance in Storms/Lightning/Thunder. After many discussions of coming up with a name, we felt Two Thunders best encapsulated our identities and our future goals.
I love on your website Cante talks about "creating a safe space for the healing of underrepresented bodies and voices in the tattoo community." Can you talk more about that. How your studio sticks out from others and what it means to be trauma informed?
Cante- I learned about the idea from another tattooer, Tamara Santibañez in New York, who did Trauma-Informed workshops for Tattooers and came up with a workbook on Trauma-Informed tattooing.
Our goal is to create a space for Clients that may have had experiences with other artists or at other shops that left them feeling uneasy or not loving their new body art, and help give back some confidence with their new tattoo(s). We are here for Black, Brown and Bigger bodies that often receive misinformation about what they can and can’t have tattooed on them, and the LGBTQIA+ community who may prefer to be tattooed in a queer space.
To be Trauma-Informed means to me, to have an understanding of the experiences Clients have gone through in their life and the conditions that caused that trauma so you do not further perpetuate it during the process. Trauma could be from circumstances like cultural or intergenerational trauma, grief, and abuse or violence, to name a few. By taking this trauma-informed approach and knowing how PTSD could show up, we can better emotionally support our Clients.
Since we are a two person appointment only shop, we value privacy and are able to offer a quieter setting to be tattooed in.
How do you both describe your individual style as tattoo artists?
Cante: Most of the tattoos I do are custom pieces, so I’ll take the idea given to me by a Client along with any references they provide me and come up with a design that incorporates the things they’re looking for. These projects are most often Fine-line Botanical or Nature themed pieces in Black and Grey ink. The Flash and Predrawn pieces I have available at various times through my instagram stories or website show more of my own personal style and humor/personality. Tanner: My work focuses on black and grey with themes of anatomy (the human body, skulls), nature (animals, floral/botanical), and geometry (mandalas, patterns). I like to do everything from small, hand size pieces to large-scale projects. I try to find a balance between working on custom pieces and my own pre-drawn designs; I also love to reference my Indigenous and Queer identities in my work when the piece calls for it.
Getting a tattoo can be such an intimate thing - how much time do you spend with the client as far as what they are hoping for and the significance of the piece?
In terms of the tattoo design, the majority of collaborative work with a client is done on the day of the tattoo, so we can sit down in person with them to discuss the design we have created beforehand and go over any possible edits or changes. We like to encourage our clients to trust our artistic abilities to create a piece that is created uniquely for them.
How far in advance do you suggest booking?
We typically book two to four months out at a time, depending on the artist; we recommend following the artist’s individual page to keep track of their booking announcements (when to book, how to book, etc.).We also do charity flash events once a month, where we donate proceeds to local organizations. These flash events are a great way to get in quickly to get a tattoo (pre-drawn designs from both artists). We announce each month’s event (and how to book a spot) on our shop’s Instagram page!
Where can we find you!
Website: www.twothunderstattoo.com
Instagram: Two Thunders Tattoo - @twothunderstattooCante - @savronthegreatTanner - @tannerminocktattoos
