How did you discover your passion for tattooing, and what inspired you to make it your career?

When I was younger one of my uncle’s had a home made machine he had built, I watched him draw these intricate designs on with marker’s and pens and then inked them. I was blown away by his confidence and the process, I started drawing all the time and slowly moved on to tagging with markers. Practicing hand styles on hand styles until I picked up a can, after years and way too many close calls My friends and wife thought I should try tattooing. I jumped into an apprenticeship fortunately I was able to get one with Josh Eon Johnson at Mr Tank’s tattoo and the rest is history I’m very grateful for all that I was taught and the hustle to work for what I have today. I chose to make it my career to support my family and I wouldn’t have it any other way, tattooing is my life and the reason I’m still here.

How would you define your tattooing style, and what makes it unique?

It’s definitely mixed up from my graffiti style within the last two years, I have really worked hard on creating something that makes me happy while being able to impress future clients. So it felt natural to blend my favorite things into one style, some of my artists homies call it splatter perspective lol. I just enjoy having fun with female faces eyes and noses throw some flares and drips in maybe some lettering reminds me of the days of trash polka. 

Which artists or styles have influenced your work the most

Definitely my mentor EON also Torsten malm, Freddy Negrete, Robert Pho, Big sleeps, Sean Foy, Waler Montero. There styles have so much energy and emotion, from the way they're applied to the way they look when finished. 

What’s the most meaningful or challenging tattoo you’ve ever done, and why?

One of my clients came to me for matching tattoos, it was a Beanie baby dragon piece for herself and a friend battling cancer. It was an emotional session hearing her story, shortly after she passed we added dates to the piece in memory of her life. 

What is your process for designing a custom tattoo for a client?

I really prefer to have one on one with my clients talk concepts, sketch out the ideas to get a feeling of the composition, and flow of the area. This will truly make or break an idea and allow me to create the most efficient piece for the project. During this time I try to read them understand their emotions and use that in the design. 

What’s your take on how the art of tattooing has evolved in recent years?

Everything we know changes and your only as good as your surroundings, so I definitely feel that working along side those that push and create can only better you, even if it’s the younger generation. You must adapt to continue and stay relevant, yet with growth comes new challenges. It’s not just about being able to do a “dope” tattoo anymore you have to deliver on the experience as well, sometimes that’s just as important. We have came along way in the past couple of years and I think we are just getting started.

What tools or techniques do you prefer to use, and how have your methods evolved over time?

Currently I have grown accustomed to the newer methods of layering on procreate like many others, but I always find myself going back to acrylic markers and a black book the roots of my graffiti background that’s something that never gets old. Yet with new technology it has been a huge help and part of my development in what I tattoo today. 

What are your goals or future projects as a tattoo artist?

As of recently I opened up my own shop with a team that has changed much of my lifestyle, in the past 3 years we have grown and learned much more than I ever expected. But my goals for the future would still be to travel broadening my career and my passion for art. Possibly guest spot and hit conventions outside of the United States, meet new artists and show my family that gives up so much for me to continue living my dream that it was all worth it. I truly wanna make them proud of me, In the end of it all I just wanna leave my mark.