SIMON PAUL THOMAS

“No one creature deserves to be here more than another. And we don’t get to say which ones are worth more or less. And we absolutely don’t deserve to make money and capitalize on the death and harm of others. Human or animal!”

Hello! My name is Simon Thomas - I am 41 years old and a tattooer from the Southwest UK - You can find me on Instagram at @simonpaulthomas and I work in two shops - @timeandtidefalmouth and @living_art_plymouth.

My hobbies include all facets of Warhammer and tabletop gaming, collecting vintage toys and getting out in nature, sometimes encompassing folklore and ancient history.

I also play bass in the hardcore band EXTERMINATUS (@exterminatushc)

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
To my knowledge, there was no big moment or experience that led me to veganism that I recall - I’d been vegetarian for about a year or so beforehand, certainly the last year of Senior School - Discovering The Smiths properly at 13-14 (I say “properly” as I’d been aware of them growing up as a child - they were my uncle’s favourite band, but I’d never really delved in myself fully until later on) was monumental in more ways than one, and certainly led me to think more about veganism and animal liberation. Being into punk and hardcore also informed my tentative forays into the culture.

Did your path into veganism come before or after being a tattoo artist?
I became vegan at 17, at Reading Music Festival no less, which I don’t know why I chose that specific moment but in the long run it’s worked out OK, because I can now go back and search online for my Veganniversary (I forget the exact date every year without fail - a quick check informs me yet again that it is 23rd August 2002… same as every year!)
I didn’t start an apprenticeship in tattooing until I was 27, so I had a good decade under my belt beforehand. This served me in good stead, as there was still a bit of a hangover with a lot of pigments not being vegan etc, and being an outwardly vegan tattooer even then was a bit of a novelty, for lack of a better term.

Was there a specific artist, band, or other media that influenced your decision?
Aside from The Smiths and Morrissey, Davey Havok from AFI was and is still a massive inspiration to me, so him being vegan definitely had some influence, especially as he is so eloquent yet firm on the subject (as your readers will no doubt already know). Being into punk and hardcore from a young age through my dad, vegetarianism, veganism, and animal liberation were something I was aware of for quite some time, and other bands like Earth Crisis, Crass, Propagandhi, etc.

How did your friends, family, or community react when you made that shift?
Speaking of my family, I come from a working-class background in Cornwall, where there is a history of fishing and butchery, so the idea of me forgoing animal products of any kind was definitely against the grain and somewhat ajar with not having a lot of money - meals would be made with sharing among lots of us in mind, so having to not only prepare a separate one, but at extra expense for me was seen as a bit luxurious, although overall my family were very supportive all things considered, which I know now is actually quite unheard of. I love them for that.

Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
I dove straight into veganism from day one, and the only thing I really ever struggled with “missing” was eggs to be completely honest - no one in my family really ever liked cheese, and I never really liked cow’s milk all that much anyway. Meat was something that apparently even as a small child I didn’t seem to enjoy according to my Ma.
For you, how connected are veganism, straight edge, and your art?
With regards to tattooing, I would posit that I don’t really push my personal beliefs within my work all that much. Not for any reason other than the majority of my art is traditional motifs such as panthers, eagles, daggers and skulls etc, or more in the dark fantasy realm that I am trying to create currently.
Do you think tattoo artists have a responsibility to consider the ethics behind the materials and products they use?
Where it DOES come into my work is my passion for sustainability - tattooing is horrendous for the planet with regards to the amount of single use plastics, but to maintain a high level of cleanliness and contamination prevention, they are unfortunately a necessity. Where possible, I try to use eco friendly products like environmentally friendly coverings, paper rinse cups, and an unwillingness to use disposable tips, preferring stainless steel, that can be cleaned by hand and autoclaved. Sometimes, being a traditionalist has its positives!

What role has tattoo culture played in shaping your beliefs or identity?
I’d say tattooing has given me so much, even before I was doing it as a profession - I was an awkward teen (why do you think The Smiths and The Cure are my favourite bands!?), but being involved in the wider tattooing culture, by proxy of getting them, really imbued me with a greater sense of self over time - I could cover my freckles and many moles with cool pictures and this was transformative for me, as well as talking to likeminded people online, which has helped grow my confidence and feelings of self worth. I really do owe tattooing more than I can ever repay it simple for that, never mind that it has afforded me a life on my own terms and helped me to escape the drudgery of the rat race at large. It’s not a lavish life, but I’m content and happy that I get to do what I do.

Do you think people underestimate the importance of tattoos as part of someone's identity?

To me, tattooing is magic, and aside from my own personal growth through them and it, now being able to give people that same thing is a wonderful thing - I really enjoy doing coverups, as I know firsthand how debilitating it can be to have something you maybe don’t like anymore or that doesn’t resonate with who you are - no one necessarily NEEDS a tattoo, but they can be so important.

What messages do you hope your art conveys about your identity and values?

I’d like to think that my work conveys that I am a devout believer in doing things as organically as possibly - about a year or so ago, I made an unconscious shift back to drawing by hand rather than digitally - I think subconsciously, I knew I’d been coasting somewhat and relying on the “perfection” of the iPad, and my art was getting lacklustre as a result… in tandem to that, I’m also a bit of a Luddite and don’t get on well with technology, so I was finding I couldn’t get things to look “right” or matching my vision. Going back to paper and pens has been such a revelation and really reignited my enthusiasm for drawing, and reinforced that I can actually draw haha! A lot of care and attention goes into my art, sometimes to the point of frustration when I can’t quite nail what I’m looking for, but I’m slowly learning to just be happier with what comes out at the end, as you can always try again. Throughout my 15 years tattooing and the years previous when seeking an apprenticeship, hand painting flash and designs had been a constant, and I believe it’s a very important part of tattooing in terms of preservation of the craft, and also informs your hand and understanding of composition etc. I am somewhat sceptical of tattooers who only do digital artwork if I’m being honest.

Veganism and straight edge are often lifelong commitments. Do you think tattoos can represent that same kind of permanence?
Tattoos certainly represent a permanence - they are almost always there for life, and in fact a great older tattooer, Stoney St. Clair, used to quip “Now, I can only guarantee this tattoo up until two weeks after you’re dead” - we see with things such as Otzi the Iceman that tattoos are a powerful medium that will withstand the ages when done right.

Do you consider veganism inherently political? Why?
Without a shred of doubt, veganism is inherently political - it’s an eschewing of cruelty in a world that has reinforced to us that cruelty is normal, and to be embraced. There is a reason you don’t get that many centrist or right wing vegans - although there seems to be a strange cognitive dissonance from large swathes of the left at large as well - Online (I knowww) I see many people who would consider themselves compassionate and caring of many causes, but when it comes to animals and their suffering, or even the ecological impact of animal agriculture, the complete ambivalence is staggering. With all the years of veganism under my belt, I’ve come to understand that in order to start a dialogue and perhaps sway mindsets, you are much more likely to get someone to listen when you’re polite and informed - “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”… (probably not the most vegan of sayings when you give it some thought!).
I really try not to despair at the state of the world and the way we are headed, especially as a father, but it is getting harder to do so unfortunately.

Looking back, would you approach your art or the way you express your beliefs through them differently?
Honestly, I have been trying the last few years to embrace the idea of not looking back in the past too much - nostalgia is a hell of a drug, and leaves the door open to regret or sadness that things maybe aren’t what you wanted or envisioned them to be. A wee bit of that is fine, but I personally believe it to be healthier to look forward and appreciate the opportunities that each new day brings - the past and the future do not exist, so being involved in the present is where I wish to be. Artistically speaking, what you create is a culmination of your lived experiences, so I don’t think I’d change anything. I might push the vegan angle a bit more perhaps in the hope of being a bit busier overall though haha!

What keeps you committed to veganism / straight edge when it becomes difficult or isolating?
Regarding my personal commitment to veganism… it has been part of me for well over half my life now (24 years) and is just something that I do - I still get to enjoy trying new foods and enjoy searching out new things, or adapting recipes to make something that’s a bit of an achievement perhaps. Being vegan is simultaneously a massive part of my life and also just not a big deal at this point if that makes sense?

Is there a tattoo you have that represents your commitment to animal rights or compassion?
I don’t have any tattoos relating to veganism, mostly because I feel like I don’t need one, but maybe when I hit the 50 year mark I’ll get something then, who can say!?

If someone looked at your tattoos / art years from now, what would you hope they understand about you?
I would hope that if someone sees my work they’d come to the conclusion that I’m someone who greatly loves what they do and wants to cultivate the craft and enjoy my little bit of time here being totally enamoured with it. I think that’s might come across in the vociferous amount of painting and drawing I do!?

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering veganism or straight edge but is still undecided?
For anyone wanting to look into veganism, I’d say do some research first - approach it the wrong way and you’re only going to be eating lettuce and getting really unwell - there are a whole host of options out there now which can be a literal life saver, so feel out a few things you like and take it from there.

Final Thoughts:

First artist that made you think differently:

The first artist that made me think differently was Morrissey - for all his faults, he has done so much for the animal rights cause, and it’s a shame he does not carry that forward to his fellow human beings.
A tattoo that holds the deepest meaning to you:
The tattoos that mean the most to me are the ones on my feet - I have pieces for my sons on either relating to them, and one day when they’re a bit older and I’m feeling brave, I want to get them to tattoo their names on me next to the existing work. Most of my tattoos don’t really have any meaning beyond “I think that looks cool”, which is also completely valid, just so your readers are aware!

One misconception about veganism / straight edge:
One big misconception about vegans is that we’re all emaciated - I’m a big lad!

What value will you never compromise, regardless of trends or outside pressure?
Something I will never compromise on in life is being authentically myself - I’ve never been able to fit in, and I don’t think I’m going to start any time soon. Love who and what you want to, unquestionably.
What do you hope your work leaves behind?
I really hope that when I’m gone, people have mostly nice words to say about me - regarding my work, “He was a good tattooer” will do me.

One thing the scene / community needs to do better:
One thing the community needs to do better is outreach and approaches to that - as I’ve previously said, how you talk to people is what’s most important I think. It takes strength to be gentle and kind.