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I was born in california, and my mother was a painter. She inspired me at a young age to express myself artistically. It is something that stuck with me for as long as I can remember. My favorite uncle had a few tattoos and I was fasinated by the concept of permanent artwork in the skin. It wasn't until I was in highschool when the prospect of being a tattooer began to entice me. I really had no idea how to get started on that career path, and it wasnt long before the reality of life, bills , and responsiblity took over my dreams of tattooing. After 10 years of working in countless restaurants, I decided I need to do something more artistic for a living. I moved on to web and graphic design. It wasn't long before the business aspects of that profession replaced the artistic motivations for my career change. It seemed like I spent more time at meetings and writing business proposals rather than doing art, which is all I really wanted to do in the first place.
I moved to South Carolina in 2005 after hiking half the A.T. for 3 months. I met my wife and started to
settle down. I had almost given up on my dream of becoming a tattooer when South Carolina passed the laws to legalize tattooing across the state. My wife helped motivate me, and supported me during my 7 month appreticeship at the only studio within a 100 miles (the third legalized studio in the state), Holly's Body Canvas.
After my apprenticeship in april of 2006, I wanted to continue learning. I soon realized I would have to travel to other states to learn from the top talents in the industry. In september of 2006, I traveled to my first tattoo convention in Jacksonville, Fl. I attended my first seminar, hosted by none other than Brandon Bond. I knew who he was, and I was familiar with his work, but I had no idea that I would leave that hotel conference room a with an entirely new perspective on tattoo art. To this day, it was the best career investment I have ever made.
I returned to South Carolina inspired and motivated by everything I had just learned. Taking Brandon's advice, I started seeking out my favorite tattooers in hopes of getting tattooed. By a strange sequence of events, Josh Woods and Sean Herman show up on my doorstep in 2007. Josh started my sleeve and Sean started my leg. I am serioulsy forever greatful to both of them. They taught me so much about tattoos that it took me weeks to digest everything I had learned from watching them work. I continued to travel and get tattooed by Josh and Sean. I took another seminar from Joe Capabianco, and in late of 2007. I was on my way to work my very first guest spot at yeah, you guessed it, All or Nothing Tattoo.
I did a ton of free tattoos that winter,trying to build a decent portfolio. It took alittle while, but before I knew it, I was getting paid for the tattoos I was doing months earlier for free. I kept traveling to conventions, networking with other artists. trying to push myself, and my artwork. I know my journey here is just beginning, and I know I've got a long way to go,but I've never been happier about my job. I eat, drink, and occasionally sleep tattoos. I really cant imagine doing anthing else. I guess my only real goal now is to get to a level where i can comfortably provide for my family, without sacrificing all my time to do it.
Maybe someday I can return the favor that Brandon, Josh,and Sean gave to me.
http://allornothingtattoo.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=141
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