Kyle Whiteman, the gifted tattoo artist, musician, and all around creative soul, belongs to the latter category. His artistic journey is an exemplary example to the power of discipline, inspiration, and self belief.
Artistry flows through Kyle's veins, an inheritance from his father, a talented painter, "Art is in my blood" Kyle explains. As a child, he idolised his father, striving to make him proud and carrying forward the artistic torch that burned brightly in his family. Raised in a household that celebrated both visual and musical artistry, Kyle and his brother were encouraged to explore various creative avenues, including learning musical instruments from a young age.
It was during his school years that Kyle's talent for art truly began to shine. Encouragement from teachers and peers helped shape his budding passion into a defining aspect of his identity. He became an artist not only by choice but by the pull of his innate creativity.
For Kyle, his artistic wellspring is fed by the diverse experiences, cultures, and moments he encounters every day. While he acknowledges the value of studying the works of other artists, Kyle believes that the true magic happens when he immerses himself in the raw beauty of real life subjects." I’ve done a lot of work inspired by the art of ancient cultures. Traditional Japanese and American traditional are also big ones for me" Kyle explains. His art draws from the authenticity of the world.
After nearly a decade of honing his craft, Kyle has found his preferred medium in tattooing. Although it proved frustrating initially, he relishes the precision and decisiveness it demands."You have to think about how tattoos will age. And also that you’re putting someone through pain" Kyle explains. Consequently, Kyle leans toward a traditional, simplified style that stands out boldly and can be completed efficiently.
Kyle recognises that self-doubt is a formidable adversary for artists, a challenge that never truly disappears. However, he also views self-doubt as a driving force that pushes him to create his best work "it’s self doubt that can push you to try a little harder and end up creating your best work" Kyle clarifies. When facing creative blocks, he turns to his multiple creative outlets, including creating music, to find inspiration. He believes in not forcing creativity but rather allowing it to flow naturally.
Although Kyle doesn't believe he has created his defining masterpiece yet, he has inked countless of tattoos with profound significance to his clients. These meaningful tattoos are a precedent to his ability to create art that impacts people's lives in a profound way.
As a professional artist, Kyle understands the balance between staying true to his artistic vision and adapting to client expectations "If art is your job then sometimes you have to remember that. It’s a job. People are hiring you for a service and if you want them to come back then you try your best to please them" Kyle adds. He acknowledges that art is a service when it's your job, and clients hire you for a reason. While he strives to please clients, he also makes time to pursue the artistic direction he envisions.
Discipline is one of the biggest challenges for artists, and Kyle's advice is simple: make creating a habit "I’m so lucky that my job forces me to draw everyday otherwise I’m sure I would be nowhere near as good as I am" Kyle explains. He also emphasises the importance of recognising and addressing burnout when it arises, prioritising the quality of work over quantity.
Collaboration is a two edged sword for Kyle both scary and fun. He values collaborating with other tattoo artists and musicians to leverage their strengths and bring out the best in his own work "I’ve done split sheets with other tattooers where we discussed a theme and then painted half each. It can be a lot easier to create when someone else have given some sort of starting point" Kyle adds.
"Art makes life beautiful" Kyle explains. It serves as a vehicle for escapism and offers new perspectives on reality. He hopes to inspire others to follow their passions, firmly believing that anyone can achieve greatness with discipline and self-belief.
Kyle's biggest inspirations are constantly evolving, but he credits his father's work as a significant influence on his artistic journey. He also acknowledges the role of music in sparking his interest in tattoos "And that all started when I got Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid Theory’ on cd for my 6th birthday" Kyle explains.
Kyle's artistic journey is far from over. He keeps pushing himself, fearing the regret of not trying harder, Kyle adds "I keep pushing myself because I know that I can be better". Currently, he is working on further developing his musical skills and has multiple projects in the pipeline.
While Kyle initially disliked the necessity of social media, he acknowledges its role in helping artists share their work "I hated that social media was necessary at first. I still don’t love it but it has made it incredibly easy for any artist to get their work out there" Kyle explains. However, he admits that standing out in a crowded digital market can be challenging. Responding to clients and maintaining an online presence can feel overwhelming, but it's a necessary part of the art business.
Where to Find Kyle Whiteman's Work;
For those eager to experience Kyle's art and music, he tattoos out of Launceston Tattoos in Prospect. You can follow his artistic journey on Instagram, where he is most active:
Tattoos: @kdogtattoo
Music: @kylethewhiteman