Advice from artist: Don’t get a tattoo unless you really want a tattoo
Published in the June 25-July 8, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Marty Mallard works on a customer in his Morgan Hill tattoo shop.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Marty Mallard grew up here in Morgan Hill and followed in his father’s footsteps by working in the commercial printing industry. It was a decent career but it didn’t satisfy his urge to do something artistic. After getting a few tattoos, in 1990 a light-bulb went on in his mind that this might be a path he was destined to take.
Mallard bought equipment from a tattoo artist in San Jose who gave him a few pointers about techniques to create tattoo art. Some friends sacrificed their skin for his practice. After about a year of weekend tattooing, he got a job at a tattoo shop in Anaheim where he stayed for two years.
Mallard started dating his fiancée and business partner Melissa Clayton about 1990 as well. They opened El Toro Body Shop in 2002.
Morgan Hill Life asked Mallard about El Toro Body Shop and the appeal of body art.
So many people including professional workers are getting tattoo art on their bodies nowadays. What would you say might be the fascination with tattoos?
I don’t think the fascination with tattoos by a wide range of people is anything new at all. Probably since the ‘70s or ‘80s at least, the type of people getting tattoos has been getting more varied — especially with more sophisticated artists developing over the years as well as tattoo publications. Then came the Internet and finally the dreaded tattoo TV shows. Throw anything on TV and it’s gonna go over the top.
Tattoos obviously can be a somewhat permanent feature on an individual’s skin. What are some considerations a person might want to think about before choosing a piece of art to tattoo on their bodies?
The most important thing before getting a tattoo is wanting a tattoo. Don’t get one to fit in with the crowd or peer pressure or even family pressure. Tattoos can be a deep or meaningful image or words. Or tattooing can be a purely visual experience — eye candy. There’s no right or wrong. It’s what makes the wearer of the tattoo(s) happy that matters the most. Try not to be in a rush either. Make sure your idea feels strong, and not something that will disappear after a short time.
El Toro Body Shop also does body piercing procedures. Describe the services you offer in this area.
Melissa Clayton performs the body piercing. She trained with Henny Arling in Norway and attended Fakir intensives in San Francisco and has been piercing for at least fifteen years now. She recently acquired her RN (degree) and is working at Valley Medical Hospital in San Jose. These days she is working by appointment so it’s best to call ahead to schedule an appointment until we have a quality full-time replacement. We like to think she is worth the wait.
What would you say might be one or two of the more interesting tattoo art projects that you have worked on at the El Toro Body Shop?
Sam, one of our tattoo artists, has been doing some amazing color work in her own style. Brandon, another artist, does some smooth black and gray shading as well as sci-fi/horror 3-D type art. I have recently finished two or three back pieces that took a long time, so that accomplishment always feels good. I don’t know if other towns are similar but we seem to do tons of crosses here in Morgan Hill. Also, we do lots of religious stuff in general — and lots of trees.
El Toro Body Shop
Location: 17400 Monterey Road
Hours: 2 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday
Contact: (408) 778-5444, or visit www.elltorobodyshop.com
