By Christina M. Wright
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
“Funky” Funkhouser, owner of Funky’z Tattoo Parlor on Jackson Street just north of 14th Street, started in the tattooing business in Florida. Funky — who will not give his birth name since he says everyone only knows him as “Funky” — said he takes pride in his work and frowns upon anyone in his industry who doesn’t. He has done several apprenticeships that qualify him for top-of-the-line piercings and tattoos, he said.
“My motto is, ‘If you can’t do it, don’t do it,’” Funky said.
Funky said he does not tolerate “divas” — people who want all the notoriety of being a tattoo artist but none of the patience and determination it takes to train how to perform safe and money-worthy procedures.
“I’ve only been open since January; I’ve had three apprentices (in that time),” he said. “Now, I have none. Because they were divas.”
Q: How long have you been at your job?
Funky: 13-plus years
Q: What do you like best about your job?
Funky: Freelance opportunities. And the art. It’s art. It’s all about art.
Q: What do you like least?
Funky: Divas. You get these people that come in here and are just divas about everything. And tattoo talk. I don’t like just talking about tattoos. Be serious. People will come in here and say, ‘Yeah, I want one all down my arm,’ and they never come back. I don’t like wasting my time.
Q: What’s the funniest thing that has happened on the job?
Funky: I had someone (urinate) on my counter before. I was doing a piercing and she just (urinated).
Q: What’s the most serious thing that has happened on the job?
Funky: I’ve had someone actually pass out because of fatigue. I’ve had people with bleeding disorders that didn’t tell me about it.
Q: What kind of jobs does Madison County need?
Funky: They need jobs here. They need money. They need jobs where people actually make money — where you could walk off the street, and they can train you, and you can make a good money, like $15 an hour.
Q: What other jobs have you had?
Funky: I worked at Burger King once. I was a kid though. Burger King put me through my apprenticeships.
Q: What would be your idea of the perfect job?
Funky: I have it.
Q: If you didn’t have to work for a living, what would you do?
Funky: I would just stay out with my kids.
Q: How do you like to spend your hard-earned money?
Funky: All my money goes to the life. Bills and kids. But, mainly, my kids.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
