Creature: More than Meets the Eye
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Words: Kate Monahan / Photos courtesy of Marcus Boykin
Marcus “Creature” Boykin is a creature all of his own; one that
is self-made, humble, intelligent, and driven. Boykin chose the
name Creature because he has created himself, his image, lifestyle, and his inspirations all on the beautiful canvas that covers
his body. The art on his body represents something to him, it is
him, every piece all done by himself, except for his back, simply
because he couldn’t reach it. So, he had it done by artists he
knew well and his apprentices. Creature tattoos himself daily, it’s
a huge part of his life, layering color over black, black over color,
constantly reinventing his canvas and forming it to his life.
Some may know Creature from the series, Freakshow - but there
is much more to the man in front of the camera. While loyal to
the show while on it, it was not something Creature was happy
with. He thought that in doing the reality series, he would be
able to voice his opinions on body modification and the history
of it, which he did not have the opportunity to do while on the
series. Creature isn’t interested in a drama series or any kind
of sellout that promotes merchandise or the new wave of what
has become of the tattoo community. The history, the art seems
to have slowly died out and become a fad. He can see it and
so can many others that have been in the game as long as
Creature has.
When speaking with Marcus, there were many things I could
relate to in the industry but one of the most amazing things
about him is not his looks, but his knowledge of tattoo and body
modification history and his drive to make it public and more
well known. He is passionate on preaching why and how it’s
done, the method behind it, the art, and the reasoning. It’s not all
rainbows and butterflies. He respects and honors those back in
the day when those tattooed were outcasts, misunderstood, underground, and now no longer known - names of famous artists,
sideshow performers, and heavily tattooed people like himself.
But like the “old school cats,” as he calls them, Marcus falls
under the same scrutiny. Sure, teenagers think it’s cool, people
want to ask questions, but beyond that, they keep their distance.
The middle aged and middle class will look at him, cross the
street, be standoffish, and even worse, not allow him to rent or
employ him. Even tattoo shops have turned him away. Another
part Creature spoke about is that he is one of the first heavily
covered African Americans in history, but he also falls prejudice
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to this - not getting hired or taken seriously as an artist with
multiple years in the game. The rumor that dark skin doesn’t
show ink is a myth. With knowledge of ink, procedure, and art,
it can be done, and Creature can do it well. It doesn’t matter
what the skin type, if you know the art as Creature does, it can
be done and a beautiful canvas can be created. Unfortunately,
due to skewed viewpoints and lack of education on the matter,
this falls on deaf ears. But Creature is not giving up. He travels
sideshows, speaking of the history of the art, how to creature
yourself as you feel, and that no matter what shade of skin, you
can be tattooed and beautiful, and if you’re interested, become
an artist that can learn the trade as he has.
This is not his only aspiration to get his word out. Creature
aspires to create charity foundations, and walks - like a walk for
breast cancer, AIDS, getting involved in the general community,
and giving back by the tattooed and modified community. He’s
also passionate about teaching kids and adolescents interested
in tattooing about the history and art, how to get in the game,
and pursue their passion as he has.
It’s been a fight for Creature, jonesing to get work since having
his face tattooed at 23. Now 32, he has been in the culture for
well over a decade it’s taken seven years to get respect. He’s a
patient and humble man and not one to give up. His pursuit is a
noble one.
Marcus, Creature, is a man to be recognized, a voice in society
for those in the alternative lifestyle world. One that should be
heard and understood, he’s an advocate for all of us. His mission
is to educate, end prejudice, bring back the history, understand
the culture, bring the true art back into the industry, and educate
others on how to make, as well as use the right ink, machines,
and how to work on any canvas.
Creature is dedicated to his cause and life. Controlled by no one,
he walks his own path with his head held high, preaching his
gospel and not taking no for an answer. His next stop is Puerto
Rico to work on a sideshow with one of his most respected
fellows in the game, an old school contender that has all faith in
him - that Creature will be the one to open people’s eyes and get
them to listen. Creature is a prime example that there’s more to a
person than meets the eye.