This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jon McAffee is the owner of the Salt Lake City tattoo shop Heart of Gold. He learned the craft at Quicksand Tattoo and then worked at several local shops before buying Cicatrix in July 2010. That building and location didn't work for the tattoo artist, so he closed the shop in October and started from scratch at 853 E. 400 South. The name of the new store was inspired by Douglas Adams and Neil Young.
How did you get started?
I have always drawn and doodled; some of my earliest drawings are of X-wing and TIE fighters from "Star Wars." Seeing "Star Wars" as a kid started me down a life surrounded by geek pop culture and a love for comic books and sci-fi and fantasy illustration. I also grew up a rocker and metalhead. I inherited my sister's vinyl record collection very early — at 6 or 7. I fell in love with the cover artwork for Iron Maiden, Rush, Judas Priest. That combined with the other and I started drawing quite a lot. So I would say my interest in art was born out of "Star Wars," heavy metal and Dungeons and Dragons. Sometimes people are embarrassed by that stuff; not me, I am still proud to be a geek.
What did you do before becoming a tattoo artist?
I had various jobs throughout my early 20s, none of them creative. The last job I had (before apprenticing and tattooing) was working for Compaq computers selling laptops and accessories and stuff like that. I would draw in my spare time.
When did you get your first tattoo?
I tattooed myself when I was 13 — a tiny sun the size of a dime on my foot. I didn't get tattooed again until I was 20. From there I started to really focus on drawing more tattoo-oriented artwork. I kept getting tattooed and hanging around shops until one day Bonnie Seeley at Quicksand Tattoo offered me the opportunity to apprentice. That was about 11 years ago.
What do you like about your job?
People come to us to mark important and life-changing events or sometimes just for fun. As an artist, that is an honored position to be in.
Whom would you most like to be tattooed by?
If I had a time machine, I would love to be tattooed by great old-timers like Paul Rogers, Sailor Jerry Collins or Owen Jensen, among others. Without the contribution of those who came before us, we would be nothing. I would love the opportunity to be tattooed by modern artists like Mike Roper, Grime, Shige, Filip Leu … this list could be endless. I am influenced and inspired by so many people and mediums, it's hard, if not impossible, to pin down.
What would you put on a postcard home?
A stamp.
What does the future hold for you?
I would like to travel as a tattooer one day. I have not been able to yet.
Heart of Gold tattoo shop
Where • 853 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Online • heartofgoldtattoo.com