Sean Dowdell: Why did you want to learn to do body piercing and when did
it occur to you?
Brian Skellie: My fascination with studying outstanding humans, overcoming
limitations, rites of passage, meditation, and body arts developed when I
was adolescent in the ‘80s, and focused on piercing after much research and
some careful experimentation.
SD: When did you start body piercing, who taught you, and where?
BS: I was autodidact at first during my initial experiments on my own body
and learned more from friends. Searching for appropriate jewelry and
training, I met Michael Natali and Jack Yount of Silver Anchor Enterprises
in Florida. They helped answer my questions, steady my hand, discuss
technical aspects, and supervise more complex procedures. Jack shared
a qualitative perspective from his four decades of piercing with me, and we
met to interact regularly until he passed away in 1995.
SD: What piercers do you and did you look up to, and why?
BS: Every conscientious piercer who I have interacted with stands in high
regard in my pantheon. In particular, those who keep an open mind and pursue the mission of the APP for the benefit of our profession. A few who I hold
dear and have had the privilege to interact with and or work alongside are:
Jack Yount and Michael Natali, of Silver Anchor and Bravo for helping me get
started;
Michaela Grey, for her foresight and determination;
Crystal Cross, formerly of Primeval Body, for her encouragement and proof
of concept of a successful small efficient studio;
Karen Hurt, of Future Primitives for sharing her ideas, tastes, and virtues;
Steve Joyner, for his friendship and diligent efforts in regulatory affairs;
Paul King, for his (im)prudence and humanist worldview;
Elayne Angel, for her articulate communication;
Jim Ward and Fakir, for their efforts towards facilitating the trade for others.
SD: Have you ever apprenticed anyone? How did it work out for you and
them?
BS: Because of the kindness of my mentors, I have made it part of my
mission to share technique and technology with my fellow trade workers.
I have invited others to learn with me and put them in contact with my
mentors, and helped others start piercing ever since I had more than three
years of experience. In reflecting on my first few student piercers, they each
reached a turning point where they decided to change careers. My apprentice, Christina Blossey took over Piercing Experience in 2008 when I started
to travel frequently as a guest piercer and to teach at more events. Several
who came for advanced training with me have gone on to do very well and
remain friends whom I respect: Scott Jania, Pat Tidwell, and Christopher
Glunt, to name a few.
SD: What would you say you are most known for in the industry and in your
place of business?
BS: Safety and technology. The studio has been a place for experimentation
and learning, where I was able to apply and develop the concepts of my
constant research, along with thoughtful colleagues and friends. Piercing Experience is all about finding practical and graceful solutions to the questions
we have in our trade.
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