In this post, we are featuring Piercer Sean Dowdell and the piercing shop he co-owns called ‘Club Tattoo’. Thank you, Sean, for giving us a sneak peek in your life as a piercer, and how it all started. For more information make sure to follow him and Club Tattoo on social media at the end of this interview!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Sean Dowdell and I have been piercing since 1995. I was originally taught by Derek Vosten. During my early years, I looked up to (and still do) piercers such as Jim Ward, Fakir, Erik Dakota and Elayne Angel. I have designed and developed many tools, techniques, and jewelry in my career. I love to teach other piercers all over the world and still love to learn different things about our industry. I currently co-own 6 tattoo & piercing studios called Club Tattoo in Arizona and Las Vegas. I am a member of Association of Professional Piercers and still continue my education through that organization.
How and when did your love for piercings start?
I first learned how to make tattoo needles, and to tattoo. When I realized that I wasn’t any good at drawing I gave up at it (I am very competitive and want to be good at everything I try). I learned to pierce originally from a guy named Derek Vosten who gave me very minimal knowledge and techniques. I studied old videos from Jim Ward and the Gauntlet made in the late 80’s and took from that what I could. At that point, I started to create jewelry, tooling, and my own techniques for piercing as I felt there were a lot of technique improvements that could be made in the status-quo.
How many piercing do you have, and which ones?
I have had over 15 piercings but currently, only wear 5. I wear ear lobes, nostrils, and had (nipples, philtrum, frenum).
What is your favorite piercing?
My favorite piercing to perform is probably a simple nostril, Daith or anchor piercing.
Tattoos or piercings? Why?
I love both and have both. I feel both are an important expression of who you are and what you love, sometimes an expression of your soul and sometimes it is simply art.
What was the most difficult request/piercing you had to do?
Inverted Nipple Piercings are always a tough one and most of the time get turned down. I had a very difficult Double Ampallang back in 2003-2004, trying to make sure that both angles were perfect was very hard to do but with the right amount of patience it turned out great.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am proud of teaching other piercers that want to learn, pushing the envelope of making piercings a piece of art, innovating techniques, jewelry design, tool design and mostly being able to start with something very small and build it into a very successful business and giving back to the industry with it.
What is your goal for 2016?
I honestly want to relax a little bit. LOL, my wife and I opened 2 studios and closed 1 in 2015, making it an extremely busy year. I want to get back to my piercing roots a little bit and teach more. I am already booked to teach at the London convention in May and hope to teach in other cities around the world.
Piercing Work from Sean Dowdell
Hey readers! I’m Jeffrey and your tattoo artist of the day;) I have been drawing and painting my whole life, and after graduating high school I decided it was time for a bigger challenge and I started drawing on people. I’m so fortunate I got to express my creativity through my body art and even more so to share my passion with my now wife Emilie. She started working with me in my tattoo shop as a piercer and I started writing about and photographing, my creations on this blog. I love to hear from you and hope you enjoy our work together!