Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Marrama.
Hi Bob, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up as an 80s monster kid with a love for comics and horror. As a kid, I started painting with acrylic and watercolor, eventually leading to a tattooing career. In 2013, I began sculpting pumpkins as a Halloween night tradition. After a few years of doing this and trying every way to preserve it, the longest I could get anything to stay was two weeks being kept in the fridge. I tried every way possible, soaking in vinegar, but nothing worked. Marrama’s Monsters started in 2016 on my 32nd birthday when my family surprised me with a sculpting kit. I immediately began research to learn how each process went. What started as a simple, smaller, foam-filled sculpture that became a wall-hanging art piece has become much more. Since then, I’ve progressed from wall-hanging monsters to 2.5 ft tall table-top standing monsters, merch including t-shirts, stickers, and prints. Throughout this time, I’ve continued to develop my art and flash in tattoos, merging my love of monsters and bright, vibrant colors into permanency. I’ve continued focusing on being a tattoo artist while developing my craft in sculpting and creating horrors.
Let’s dig deeper into the story – has it been an easy path, and if not, what challenges have you overcome?
The biggest struggle is time. There always needs to be more time in the day when you’re in the groove of creating. What seems simple and like it should take little time will take hours, no matter how many times you do it. Piecing the right pieces together is challenging regarding new sculpts and creating new monsters. There have been times we’ve had to bulk order a large amount of one item for one piece but had to have the closest to movie-accurate interpretation. The overall look is as important as finding the right colors/textures/designs.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist and monster maker. My tattoo style is traditional and unique to my art and the monstrosities I draw. When sculpting, I focus heavily on creating visual movement and depth. Every detail is considered throughout the entire process. Marrama’s Monsters have traveled internationally to Europe and wholesaled into the Boo-tique in Kissimmee, FL. Being able to blend my two worlds into one has had its benefits. I can attend horror conventions as a vendor for the monster sales and tattoo conventions where I can not only tattoo but bring my creations to sell for other artists to display.
Have you learned any exciting or essential lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Bright colors and monsters bring people happiness when they remind them of familiar memories. During lockdown, we saw an influx in monster sales throughout the United States. People reached out for custom orders, purchased ones we created, and put them onto the website.
Pricing:
- Monster pricing can be found on MarramasMonsters.com
- Tattoo pricing is done in person through consultation.
- Tattoo pricing is done in person at Shamrock Tattoo.
Contact Info:
- Website: MarramasMonsters.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bobmarrama
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarramasMonsters
Image Credits
Headshot Image credit goes to: Stephen Holvik of Lunar Studio, Other images are direct work of Bob Marrama of Marrama’s Monsters
