Meet Buzzfeed Books editor Isaac Fitzgerald and illustrator Wendy Macnaughton, the creators of Pen & Ink, a wildly popular tumblr turned book. What began as an online space to celebrate and document the stories behind tattoos quickly gained an avid following. The duo combines Fitzgerald’s knack for collecting tattoo tales with Macnaughton’s eye for uniting text and image using pen, ink, and watercolor. Pen & Ink is a testament to the diversity of tattoos, whose origins range from tender tributes to silly and spontaneous impulse. Their images run the gamut from celebrity ink, including Lena Dunham’s stick and poke, to literary stars such as Saeed Jones and Tao Lin, to copywriters and lab assistants.
Art Report snagged the duo for an exclusive interview about their next book, Knives & Ink, for which they are currently culling stories behind the tattoos of culinary folks. The current roster includes line cooks all the way up to chefs like Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese Food.
Art Report: Isaac and Wendy, your processes are both so different: Isaac, you engage directly with people to record their stories, often in casual settings such as bars, and Wendy, you don’t meet the subjects, Isaac takes a picture of the tattoo and sends it to you. How do you think those processes compliment each other? Has there ever been a disagreement or stumbling block that you’ve had to sort out?
Isaac: There most definitely have been stumbling blocks, mainly because I’m so bad at taking pictures. Wendy often requests multiple images so she can get the pose and framing she wants from the subject. And now that so many folks know about the project and are interested in being a part of it, that isn’t as hard to get. But early on I would have to track folks down to get extra photos. Imagine running into a guy at a bar, having him talk you into posing for photos of you and your tattoo, only to have the same guy reappear in your face days later saying, “you see, I need some more photos. I swear I’m not stalking you.” But overall, I really think the process works. The story is told in a social setting, but the story is turned into art in a private setting—one in which Wendy can focus on her artistic alchemy.
Wendy: Isaac is selling himself short! He’s got a great eye. I agree, it took a little time to work out our process, but now that we have that in place it’s pretty smooth. I’m used to being out and about more, finding stories, but I love that in this project, Isaac is so great at getting people’s tattoo stories – and I get to spend a lot of time with each person in our book in a different way: through writing out their stories and drawing their tattoos. So even if I don’t get to meet them in person, I feel like I know them well.
AR: Part of why this book is so powerful is that it showcases the emotional exposure and vulnerability behind tattoo stories. You’ve also said that asking about tattoos is a great conversation starter, and that in some ways that’s how this project began. For those of us who are interested in the stories behind tattoos of people we meet, what do you think is the best way to approach that question?
I: So many people have different levels of comfort when it comes to talking about their tattoos, or themselves, for that matter. Some folks will happily talk with a stranger about the ‘when, where, and why’ of how they got their tattoo, while others just do not take kindly to someone starting a conversation out of the blue. There’s no cookie-cutter approach. With each person, you have to feel them out on a case-by-case basis. But, in general, starting off by buying the person a drink usually helps. These days, I also keep a copy of the book on me so I can show a person why I’m talking to them and what I’m talking about.
W: I can suggest a way NOT to approach someone. We were out with a friend who had been drinking and who, for some reason, thought it was a good idea to approach a guy with a full-face tattoo who clearly wanted to be left alone. Instead of doing what Isaac does and being charming – our friend walked up to him and said, “Hey what’s up with the tattoos all over your face? My friends want to know.” That didn’t go over so well.
AR: Isaac, in an interview with Electric Literature you mentioned that you admire the democracy of tattoos, especially in the culinary world, because “gritty line cooks…all the way up to the stars” all have them. What else do you guys find compelling about chefs as the focus of your current project?
I: While I’m in the midst of collecting stories now, one thing that keeps coming up over and over again is a chef saying they got their tattoos as a commitment to their craft. Especially hand, knuckle, neck, head and face tattoos. Those “I know I could never get a desk job again” tattoos. And as someone with two hand tattoos, which stand for my commitment to storytelling, I love that.
W: I’ve been working on some other projects with chefs and I’ve learned a lot about their professional world. For me, it’s been fascinating to get a glimpse into their personal world. Turns out not every chef tattoo is about cooking.
I: Also, the tattoos of chefs are usually so much bigger, so much more colorful, than many of the tattoos you find on other folks. We’re usually talking big personalities—artists, really. And the tattoos they choose reflect that.
AR: Can you give us a status update on your current project? How is it different/the same as the first time? What challenges have you encountered? Have you been eating tasty food along the way?
I: The book is due in December and I’m still collecting stories. (If you’re a chef and you’re reading this, get in touch: knivesandink@gmail.com). Collecting stories has actually been a little tougher this time around. You can’t just walk into a kitchen and start asking a chef about their tattoos. At best you’d be asked to leave and at worst you’d be punched in the face or taken out back, and rightfully so. We’ve had to get creative in collecting stories this time around, reaching out to friends in the service industry and restaurant world. Going to bars in New York where I’ve been told chefs hang out. And really hoping folks from around the country—and world—reach out to us when they hear about the project.
AR: Can you give us a sneak peak into a chef and or story you’ve collected/heard recently?
W: We’re psyched to have Danny Bowien included in this collection of stories. He’s got giant tattoos on both forearms – they are beautiful and were both a challenge and a joy to represent. The story that goes along with them is wonderful.
AR: Is there anything else you’d like to add that wasn’t covered in this interview?
Isaac: I would just like to encourage folks to pick up Pen & Ink if they don’t already have a copy, check out the tumblr, and spread the word about Knives & Ink to any and all of their friends who are chefs with tattoos.
Wendy: What Isaac said! Pick up Pen & Ink for your friends with tattoos and send us chefs with ink!
To learn more, watch this video about the inspiration behind “Pen & Ink” and be sure to contact them if you’re a chef or cook who wants to share the story of your ink!
Like this article? Check out our interview with another New York based illustrator, Jennifer Williams, or other exclusive interviews.
