I met Tyler a few years ago while he worked at a shop in Syracuse and there was just something about him. His energy is amazing and hes one of those people who shines from the inside. He was someone that you could tell his work really meant something to him. He was an apprentice back then and has since spread his wings and is working on his own. He was great enough to agree to a little interview, I hope you enjoy! You can find Tyler on Facebook <--- just click on the pretty colored word!
Where are you from? My name is Tyler Warner, originally from Skaneateles, NY. I spent most of my childhood in smaller surrounding towns such as Skaneateles Falls, Borodino, and Jordan-Elbridge. In my later teens I moved out on my own and lived in numerous places including Camillus, Auburn, and almost every side of Syracuse city limits. Currently I live in Syracuse on the Northside.
Where do you currently work?
Ancient Arteffex is my new home full time. At 2322 Court St Syracuse NY! I do professional body piercings, micro dermal implant’s, and tooth jewelry.
How long have you been in the industry?
I started my apprenticeship shortly after my 18th birthday, under Daniel (Tiger) VanBuuren, out of Defiance Tattoo and Body Piercing. Times and places begin to fade together as the years go by, but I believe I worked there for roughly 4 years. With very little gap of employment, I started with Twisted Headz and have been working here for almost 2 years. In total I have been involved in the industry for roughly 6 years and counting.
How long have you been interested in modification?
Since a VERY young age. My older sisters would bring home boyfriends with tattoos and minimal piercings and it always grabbed my attention.Loved it. Officially, my first modification was when I was 13. I convinced my redneck/conservative parents to allow me to get my cartilage pierced. At this point in time I was dating a “Goth” girl who had almost 20 in her ears alone (she was a year or 2 older lol), so I know she also had a large influence on my decisions and interests. Back then the age restrictions for piercings in NY were hardly followed or just non-existent. My father came with me the first time to get my cartilage done, and then from there on whenever I went back to the same shop, they assumed my parents were alright with it and they would pierce me without parent consent. Realizing this, increased and continued my interest in body modification to date.
Is your family supportive of your life style/ job?
I always knew I was different from my peers in a lot of ways from a young age. My style and “likes” were far from the norm where I grew up; Skaneateles being a very conservative town. When I was younger, 13-15 years old, my parents were not crazy about my decisions when it came to any kind of modification, weather it were clothes, hair, or body modifications; more so the body modifications. Every time I would venture to the city and get pierced without my parents knowing, they would, of course, be quite upset, and insist I take it out. As I got a little older I think they really started to realize I was much different than my peers. A huge turning point in how they felt was when my sexuality came to surface. I feel this issue was more important to them than most things I could do to my body, so that took focus of what I was doing modification wise for a while. As a whole my entire up-bringing led me to insist on being more and more unique, as much as possible, which led to me dropping out of school and take my life into my own hands and go out on my own. After discovering independence my modifications came more extreme and more plentiful. By age 17-18 having 40-50 piercings and just starting to get into tattoos (I never got a tattoo under-aged). Now almost 25 years old, a lot has changed with my relationship with my family-for the better. In a way, I kind of stuffed my views and opinion’s down my families throat weather they agreed or disagreed with my choices in life, which I guess worked because now they aren’t surprised or disgusted by any of my choices in life now. In fact, they now totally accept me as they’re son regardless of hair, clothes, or mods. Considering how much our relationship has changed since I was young and how far or relationship has progressed, I couldn’t ask for too much more.
Where do you currently work?
Ancient Arteffex is my new home full time. At 2322 Court St Syracuse NY! I do professional body piercings, micro dermal implant’s, and tooth jewelry.
How long have you been in the industry?
I started my apprenticeship shortly after my 18th birthday, under Daniel (Tiger) VanBuuren, out of Defiance Tattoo and Body Piercing. Times and places begin to fade together as the years go by, but I believe I worked there for roughly 4 years. With very little gap of employment, I started with Twisted Headz and have been working here for almost 2 years. In total I have been involved in the industry for roughly 6 years and counting.
How long have you been interested in modification?
Since a VERY young age. My older sisters would bring home boyfriends with tattoos and minimal piercings and it always grabbed my attention.Loved it. Officially, my first modification was when I was 13. I convinced my redneck/conservative parents to allow me to get my cartilage pierced. At this point in time I was dating a “Goth” girl who had almost 20 in her ears alone (she was a year or 2 older lol), so I know she also had a large influence on my decisions and interests. Back then the age restrictions for piercings in NY were hardly followed or just non-existent. My father came with me the first time to get my cartilage done, and then from there on whenever I went back to the same shop, they assumed my parents were alright with it and they would pierce me without parent consent. Realizing this, increased and continued my interest in body modification to date.
Is your family supportive of your life style/ job?
I always knew I was different from my peers in a lot of ways from a young age. My style and “likes” were far from the norm where I grew up; Skaneateles being a very conservative town. When I was younger, 13-15 years old, my parents were not crazy about my decisions when it came to any kind of modification, weather it were clothes, hair, or body modifications; more so the body modifications. Every time I would venture to the city and get pierced without my parents knowing, they would, of course, be quite upset, and insist I take it out. As I got a little older I think they really started to realize I was much different than my peers. A huge turning point in how they felt was when my sexuality came to surface. I feel this issue was more important to them than most things I could do to my body, so that took focus of what I was doing modification wise for a while. As a whole my entire up-bringing led me to insist on being more and more unique, as much as possible, which led to me dropping out of school and take my life into my own hands and go out on my own. After discovering independence my modifications came more extreme and more plentiful. By age 17-18 having 40-50 piercings and just starting to get into tattoos (I never got a tattoo under-aged). Now almost 25 years old, a lot has changed with my relationship with my family-for the better. In a way, I kind of stuffed my views and opinion’s down my families throat weather they agreed or disagreed with my choices in life, which I guess worked because now they aren’t surprised or disgusted by any of my choices in life now. In fact, they now totally accept me as they’re son regardless of hair, clothes, or mods. Considering how much our relationship has changed since I was young and how far or relationship has progressed, I couldn’t ask for too much more.
What’s your favorite mod on yourself?
One of the hardest questions,Uhg! There is so many ways to look at this question in trying to decide. My entire collection of modifications together as a whole I think is my favorite aspect about myself. If I take 1 mod out or lose one for whatever reason, it just doesn’t feel right. My taint (aka guiche, grundleect.) is one of my personal favorites mainly because not to many people in 50 miles radius of me has it done. I love originality. At the same time I think I would feel most lost without my nipple piercings. But what takes the cake would have to be my maze tattoo on my forearm. It’s hard to say if I like tattoos or piercings more, but I think I appreciate tattoos in a different way because 1. I can’t do them and 2. They’re obviously permanent compared to a piercing.
Whats your favorite mod to do?
Tongue piercings. In my experience most people are terrified to get it done and they amp themselves up soooo much over it. And then afterwards the client is always “Oh wow that was nooothhhing!” I also love the process. Having the control of such an important muscle people take for granted. The up close facial expressions people make. Tongue piercings are where I get the most enjoyment out of doing a procedure.
Is there ever a "too far" or "too much"?
I personally say absolutely NOT. Too each they’re own. Whatever makes you happy. And who is anyone else to judge you for what that may be. I understand a lot of people would disagree. But to me, it’s the same as religion, politics, hobbies, food, clothes, sexuality etc. Anything that people vary on in choice. Who is to say what is wrong and what is right.
Is there any mod you won't perform? Why?
Horizontal tongue piercing.Aka “Snake Eyes.” I hate it, which is humorous considering my favorite is a vertical tongue piercings. Maybe it’s because when I did my apprenticeship, no one was asking for it. So I was never specifically trained in performing it. But the hefty amount of attempts I’ve made, usually result in one thing or another going wrong. In my opinion, I’d rather opt out of doing a procedure to save my reputation. If something goes wrong with a piercing, whether it in or out of my control, usually the client tends to say “Oh, he messed me up.” They tell 5 friends, those friends tell 5 more friends...before you know 50 people think you are poor and your job. I’d rather people think I just can’t do it.Besides that, anything I’m not confident in doing, I won’t do. I am not trained in scarification, suspension, tattooing, sub-dermal implants ect. Obviously I wouldn’t do them until trained and confident in the procedure.
What mods would you like to learn to do in the future?
Everything I possibly can. Not much of a drawer, so tattooing doesn’t interest me that much. But Suspension has always been on the top of the list for me. Also, scarification and sub-dermal implants.Other and more extreme genital piercings as well.
What’s one funny thing about you that people might not know?
If I ever changed career fields, I’d either like to be a mortician or a plastic surgeon. And I love getting shots and blood drawn. I'm pretty open about everything in my life so there isn’t too much people don’t already know.
What do prefer to be referred as a title?
Simply a body piercer. I do, do other things such as teeth gems and micro dermal’s. But I’m not too concerned with labels. I do my job to the best of my abilities and I’m good at what I do. My work reflects myself. Even with the reputation I have thus far, I could die happy.
Who’s your "idol" in the industry?
Of course, Fakir Musafar, the pioneer of body modification. Danny “Tiger,” who apprenticed me, definitely. I idolize nearly all “freak show” characters. Names have never been my strong suit, so forgive me for names eluding me, but my real idols are those who helped me get to where I am today or influenced me during my careers journey. All the guys at Ancient Arteffex Tattoo-Tat2 Bob, Nino, Eric. Dan Ross from Art to Zen- I’ve always respected your work. Zippy-an artist I met at my first convention. All people I’ve admired.
Do you think the current boom in Tattoo/Mod reality TV
and the lifestyle being glamorized helps or hurts the industry?
My feelings towards this are wishy-washy. I do appreciate the boom in the industry for opening up the masses to being more accepting of what we do, regardless of why we do it. It’s nice to see how far social acceptance of it has progressed over the years in work places and organizations. At the same time, I feel its lowered standards in a lot of cases. Like people on the streets just picking up needles and tattoo machines and performing procedures on people without being fully knowledgeable of what they are doing. That being said, with the boom, these people should understand the chances of becoming more knowledgeable are more abundant than they use to be. So if its something you wish to pursuit, the chances are a lot greater these days.
Anything else you wanna say?
Stay true to yourself, what you believe in and your decisions. Never be ashamed or embarrassed of what others may think or say. Let your freak flag fly…you never know what you might be missing out on.
One of the hardest questions,Uhg! There is so many ways to look at this question in trying to decide. My entire collection of modifications together as a whole I think is my favorite aspect about myself. If I take 1 mod out or lose one for whatever reason, it just doesn’t feel right. My taint (aka guiche, grundleect.) is one of my personal favorites mainly because not to many people in 50 miles radius of me has it done. I love originality. At the same time I think I would feel most lost without my nipple piercings. But what takes the cake would have to be my maze tattoo on my forearm. It’s hard to say if I like tattoos or piercings more, but I think I appreciate tattoos in a different way because 1. I can’t do them and 2. They’re obviously permanent compared to a piercing.
Whats your favorite mod to do?
Tongue piercings. In my experience most people are terrified to get it done and they amp themselves up soooo much over it. And then afterwards the client is always “Oh wow that was nooothhhing!” I also love the process. Having the control of such an important muscle people take for granted. The up close facial expressions people make. Tongue piercings are where I get the most enjoyment out of doing a procedure.
Is there ever a "too far" or "too much"?
I personally say absolutely NOT. Too each they’re own. Whatever makes you happy. And who is anyone else to judge you for what that may be. I understand a lot of people would disagree. But to me, it’s the same as religion, politics, hobbies, food, clothes, sexuality etc. Anything that people vary on in choice. Who is to say what is wrong and what is right.
Is there any mod you won't perform? Why?
Horizontal tongue piercing.Aka “Snake Eyes.” I hate it, which is humorous considering my favorite is a vertical tongue piercings. Maybe it’s because when I did my apprenticeship, no one was asking for it. So I was never specifically trained in performing it. But the hefty amount of attempts I’ve made, usually result in one thing or another going wrong. In my opinion, I’d rather opt out of doing a procedure to save my reputation. If something goes wrong with a piercing, whether it in or out of my control, usually the client tends to say “Oh, he messed me up.” They tell 5 friends, those friends tell 5 more friends...before you know 50 people think you are poor and your job. I’d rather people think I just can’t do it.Besides that, anything I’m not confident in doing, I won’t do. I am not trained in scarification, suspension, tattooing, sub-dermal implants ect. Obviously I wouldn’t do them until trained and confident in the procedure.
What mods would you like to learn to do in the future?
Everything I possibly can. Not much of a drawer, so tattooing doesn’t interest me that much. But Suspension has always been on the top of the list for me. Also, scarification and sub-dermal implants.Other and more extreme genital piercings as well.
What’s one funny thing about you that people might not know?
If I ever changed career fields, I’d either like to be a mortician or a plastic surgeon. And I love getting shots and blood drawn. I'm pretty open about everything in my life so there isn’t too much people don’t already know.
What do prefer to be referred as a title?
Simply a body piercer. I do, do other things such as teeth gems and micro dermal’s. But I’m not too concerned with labels. I do my job to the best of my abilities and I’m good at what I do. My work reflects myself. Even with the reputation I have thus far, I could die happy.
Who’s your "idol" in the industry?
Of course, Fakir Musafar, the pioneer of body modification. Danny “Tiger,” who apprenticed me, definitely. I idolize nearly all “freak show” characters. Names have never been my strong suit, so forgive me for names eluding me, but my real idols are those who helped me get to where I am today or influenced me during my careers journey. All the guys at Ancient Arteffex Tattoo-Tat2 Bob, Nino, Eric. Dan Ross from Art to Zen- I’ve always respected your work. Zippy-an artist I met at my first convention. All people I’ve admired.
Do you think the current boom in Tattoo/Mod reality TV
and the lifestyle being glamorized helps or hurts the industry?
My feelings towards this are wishy-washy. I do appreciate the boom in the industry for opening up the masses to being more accepting of what we do, regardless of why we do it. It’s nice to see how far social acceptance of it has progressed over the years in work places and organizations. At the same time, I feel its lowered standards in a lot of cases. Like people on the streets just picking up needles and tattoo machines and performing procedures on people without being fully knowledgeable of what they are doing. That being said, with the boom, these people should understand the chances of becoming more knowledgeable are more abundant than they use to be. So if its something you wish to pursuit, the chances are a lot greater these days.
Anything else you wanna say?
Stay true to yourself, what you believe in and your decisions. Never be ashamed or embarrassed of what others may think or say. Let your freak flag fly…you never know what you might be missing out on.