Ink, iron and brawn

HPR talks with 2015 Roughrider Expo’s featured tattooist Eric Pele 

The Roughrider Ink and Iron Expo, Fargo-Moorhead’s premier celebration of tattoo artistry and culture, returns for its second year. The three-day event at the Scheels Arena brings together the area’s top tattoo and body modification artists for the opportunity to showcase their work, compete, talk shop and learn from their peers.

This year the expo will have a broader scope, adding an exhibit of custom motorcycles selected by a committee of the region’s top enthusiasts. Other highlights include live tattooing, seminars, “Best of” presentations and, to cap the weekend, hard rock group Clutch will perform at Scheels Arena at 7 p.m. Sunday. For a full schedule of this year’s events, visit the 2015 Roughrider Expo website.

Tattoo artist Eric “Big E” Pele will return as a featured artist and guest judge. Many may recognize Pele from his years as a champion mixed martial arts fighter, but since retiring from professional fighting he has made a name for himself as an accomplished tattooist as well, even being featured on reality TV shows “Inked” and “Tattoo Nightmare.” High Plains Reader contacted Pele to discuss his passion for tattoo artistry and his transition from the “Octagon” to the tattoo shop. 

HPR: To start, do you have your own tattoo business, and if so how long have you been working there? Is it just you or do you work with a team? 

Eric Pele: As for a tattoo business I really don’t have one. I have been on the road a lot in the last few years, but I’ve been tattooing with Ship and Anchor Tattoo Company, located inside the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for about a year. I am currently waiting for a new shop to open -- until then that’s where I can be reached at. Where I work at now is a casino shop that is open 24 hours with a team of 10 artists.

HPR: How did you get involved with MMA fighting, and when did you first get into tattooing? Has tattooing always been an interest for you? 

EP: In the late ’90s I met a jiu-jitsu teacher named John Lewis and he was the one who introduced me to MMA. What seemed to be a casual workout turned into an almost-10-year career fighting all over the world. (Laughs) Funny thing is my tattoo apprenticeship started about the same time as my MMA career began. As for always being an interest, I don’t think it has directly. I have always been into art, from doodling on napkins, painting, taking art classes and even graffiti when I was younger. I didn’t know that tattooing would be the form of expression that I would choose until I met my mentor Joshua South. From that point on this form of art expression has been the one I fell in love with the most. 

HPR: Both professional fighting and tattooing are similar, in that they are essentially both a craft – you have to train and develop your skills, and there is always room to improve and learn. Is there anything you learned from your years spent in professional fighting that you were able to bring to your work as a tattoo artist? 

EP: One thing I know for sure is that any type of shortcut will come back to haunt you. You have to put in the time and have a good work ethic. Believe in yourself and in your craft, because if you don’t how will your clients believe in you? 

HPR: Are there any particular styles of tattooing that you prefer to do? Are there any common elements/themes you like to incorporate in your designs? 

EP: I am a very illustrative artist and I am very well rounded. As for elements and themes, not really. I enjoy doing really bright colors and dynamic tattoos. I tend to stay away from portraits, but other than that I’m up for the challenge. 

HPR: Are there any artists (tattoo artists or any other kind) that inspire your work? 

EP: The list is so long I can’t even begin to name them all. Top three would have to be (from old to new): Filip Leu, Grime and Damian Robertson. And the list goes on and on. But if I had to give you a timeline from the oldest to the newest this would be it. 

HPR: You’ve successfully made the jump from MMA fighter to tattoo artist. Do you still train for fighting or are you completely committed to your work as a tattoo artist now?

EP: In 2006 I officially retired for the third (and final) time. (Laughs) I do not train anymore for competition, but I do mess around in the gym once in a while to get a chance to see the boys and talk about the old times. 

HPR: Now that you have established yourself in the tattoo business, do you have any advice for upcoming artists? 

EP: Just be humble and respect all genres of tattooing and all styles because they all have a place -- from realism to traditional. Give props to the older tattooers who paved the way for all of us to be here to enjoy this great thing we love to do. 

HPR: Fargo is quite different from Las Vegas, but there is a vibrant tattoo culture here as well. Will this be your first time visiting? Is there anything you are looking forward to most at the expo? 

EP: I have visited many times. I have clients from Devils Lake, Fargo and Canada. I frequently tattoo out of a friend’s shop called Mona Lisa, located in Wahpeton. My brother-in-law and his family also live in Grand Forks. This will also be my second time attending the Roughrider Expo. Yes, they have a very vibrant tattoo community as a whole. I’m excited to see my old friends and meet some new ones.

IF YOU GO:

2015 Roughrider Ink & Iron Expo

Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104

Fri, Oct. 16, 4 – 10 p.m. / Sat, Oct. 17, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. / Sun, Oct. 18, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

15 single day ticket / $30 three day pass / Sunday single day ticket and three day pass both include access to the Clutch Wrap Party / Single day passes available at door / Order online at http://www.roughridertattooexpo.com/ (A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Make-a-Wish of North Dakota.)

For images of Eric Pele’s work, check out his Instagram @fiamalua1