My mentors philosophy was pretty much if you want to learn to tattoo other people for money, you have to tattoo other people because it’s different than anything else. I wasn’t allowed to tattoo myself, tattoo fake skin, pig skin, or fruit. Just brought in a dirtbag friend of mine who didn’t give a single f*ck and went to town haha
Hahaha oh that is incredible and that is bold. I have been doing the fake skin and fruit for like 9 months and I was going to just bite the bullet and do myself first, and then volunteers second etc etc
In my inexperienced opinion I feel like there’s no right way. It’s really whatever allows u to feel comfortable and confident in what you’re doing 🙏🏽 and then just be an eternal student with every tattoo you make
Damn these are super dope. I actually went to find your IG for more good stuff.
Just wondering, as someone who wants to get into painting traditional flash sheets, what your source of inspiration is? As I develop my lining/painting skills, I want to think about what kind of style and aesthetic I can settle into. I still have a lot to learn about all of the avenues traditional tattooing can go down. Unless these are totally unique, would you mind sharing a bit about what styles and influences you draw from?
I’ve been meaning to visit MI again to see some friends, if I’m in your neck of the woods I will make sure to come by and get something.
In my inexperienced opinion I would recommend finding the people that are doing it the MOST right in your area, buying tattoos from them and learning who inspired those guys and where they’re pulling inspiration from. Then when you paint flash push your environments REGIONAL energy and style. This is another way to honor tradition.
In Michigan/Ohio we’re the lake people we pull a lot from nature and esoterism. A lot of artists these ways also pull from mythology and Japanese. My interests as a child were all of these things, and even before I found tattooing I would draw reptiles,amphibians, norse gods, demons, dragons, and other mythical beasts. Castles and what not. So it was a very easy transition from my interests to flash. And then as I got older I found that my interests were already being tackled and displayed by extremely talented and OG artists around me. I found Jeff zucks creations in a book at the library at 13.
But really ANYTHING can be flash, if you learn the flash algorithm. I’m not gonna share it cause we have yet to know eachother and I don’t wanna disrespect any OGs by giving out sauce that was given to me.
But if you look hard you WILL find it and figure it out ♥️ when you come and grab something from me, we can talk more 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Honestly. Just practice. I like to hang my needle out a bit so I can see it enter the skin. Make sure the machine you’re running is able to be punchy enough for thicker lines as well
Linings something I’ve struggled with from the jump. Color packing, whip shading was much easier for me. I’ve tried different things. Upped the voltage, hand speed… I wouldn’t say I’m self entitled. Just rough around the edges.
Keep it up. My original comment wasn’t meant to be rude. And yeh. Eventually with the adjustment of volts and speed your comfortable with it’ll get easier as ya go.
Just know after my 16 years I still want to do my best with solid lines. Bold will hold!
I didn’t see your comment. And I looked at your page to see if you tattooed, I thought you were someone who didn’t tattoo who was just trying to be negative so I made a petty but not offensive joke. My apologies. What do you line with?
I use Micah caudle machines based out of American tattoo in Vista , CA… had his machines for over 8 years now and my daily grinders. I push a lot of bold 14s , but actually use a shader to line with
Wow. As a new “tattooer” in this industry you seem self entitled. If you can’t take criticism… why would I buy you a kubin machine? You got LOTS to learn
Also I’m the first trad artist from Detroit in like 60 years. First black trad artist from the hood over here. I gotta put on for my city. The eastside has nobody else to rep it 🤣
Oh hell ya man, I'll be going back n forth to Ann Arbor over the next 6 months working on my back. Would definitely swing over to you and get something
I’d be honored to make you a something. And oh shit, Spill the beans, you going to name brand? I’d love to see that back when it’s got some more work in it.
Yep starting next Friday with Jeff! I've been tattooed by Julian, Nick Melody, Martin Kazan over the last couple years. Been dying to start my back and everything came together perfectly when i started chatting with Jeff. I'm so excited
Love seeing some good work on this page, love it even more when it's a local artist I can get to. I'll be hitting you up this summer!
fellow michigander:) insanely impressive. beautiful work
Looking good!!! You’re on your way to a great career. Congratulations.
Rad
All soooooo good. Wow.
I would love to have that axolotl, that thing is dope. Great colours.
Those dragons are fire, Id get one from you for sure!
These are dope as hell. Keep going
Great shit. You got a follow from me.
Based on these I would 100% let you work on me. Keep it up.
Hey! You aren’t far from me and now I know where to look! Awesome
I’d be honored to make you a tattoo one day my dude 🙏🏽
Awesome! I'll def hit you up - I race sailboats and need to up my sailor tattoos badly!
How long did you work on fake skin/fruit for before moving on?
My mentors philosophy was pretty much if you want to learn to tattoo other people for money, you have to tattoo other people because it’s different than anything else. I wasn’t allowed to tattoo myself, tattoo fake skin, pig skin, or fruit. Just brought in a dirtbag friend of mine who didn’t give a single f*ck and went to town haha
Hahaha oh that is incredible and that is bold. I have been doing the fake skin and fruit for like 9 months and I was going to just bite the bullet and do myself first, and then volunteers second etc etc
In my inexperienced opinion I feel like there’s no right way. It’s really whatever allows u to feel comfortable and confident in what you’re doing 🙏🏽 and then just be an eternal student with every tattoo you make
Very very good advice. And your stuff is looking great so that must be the way to go!!
same man, learning everyday!! looking killer tho dude keep rippin it!
Amazing work!
I believe you have imposter syndrome because these look amazing!
I honestly do! It’s the Detroit in me, I question if people like me are supposed to be doing this craft at all weekly haha
These r dope
Damn these are super dope. I actually went to find your IG for more good stuff. Just wondering, as someone who wants to get into painting traditional flash sheets, what your source of inspiration is? As I develop my lining/painting skills, I want to think about what kind of style and aesthetic I can settle into. I still have a lot to learn about all of the avenues traditional tattooing can go down. Unless these are totally unique, would you mind sharing a bit about what styles and influences you draw from? I’ve been meaning to visit MI again to see some friends, if I’m in your neck of the woods I will make sure to come by and get something.
In my inexperienced opinion I would recommend finding the people that are doing it the MOST right in your area, buying tattoos from them and learning who inspired those guys and where they’re pulling inspiration from. Then when you paint flash push your environments REGIONAL energy and style. This is another way to honor tradition. In Michigan/Ohio we’re the lake people we pull a lot from nature and esoterism. A lot of artists these ways also pull from mythology and Japanese. My interests as a child were all of these things, and even before I found tattooing I would draw reptiles,amphibians, norse gods, demons, dragons, and other mythical beasts. Castles and what not. So it was a very easy transition from my interests to flash. And then as I got older I found that my interests were already being tackled and displayed by extremely talented and OG artists around me. I found Jeff zucks creations in a book at the library at 13. But really ANYTHING can be flash, if you learn the flash algorithm. I’m not gonna share it cause we have yet to know eachother and I don’t wanna disrespect any OGs by giving out sauce that was given to me. But if you look hard you WILL find it and figure it out ♥️ when you come and grab something from me, we can talk more 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
A much better post than, “Is this trad? You can email this artist here.” 🙄 Great work!
Thank you! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I’d let you ink me dog
I’ve always been a fan of blue ink. All your colors look great. Nice work.
these pieces are sick !! keep up the good work . maybe ill have to take a trip to MI
I’d be honored to make you something dude 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Really dig the color palettes
Keep working on solid lines.
Honestly. Just practice. I like to hang my needle out a bit so I can see it enter the skin. Make sure the machine you’re running is able to be punchy enough for thicker lines as well
Linings something I’ve struggled with from the jump. Color packing, whip shading was much easier for me. I’ve tried different things. Upped the voltage, hand speed… I wouldn’t say I’m self entitled. Just rough around the edges.
Keep it up. My original comment wasn’t meant to be rude. And yeh. Eventually with the adjustment of volts and speed your comfortable with it’ll get easier as ya go. Just know after my 16 years I still want to do my best with solid lines. Bold will hold!
I didn’t see your comment. And I looked at your page to see if you tattooed, I thought you were someone who didn’t tattoo who was just trying to be negative so I made a petty but not offensive joke. My apologies. What do you line with?
I use Micah caudle machines based out of American tattoo in Vista , CA… had his machines for over 8 years now and my daily grinders. I push a lot of bold 14s , but actually use a shader to line with
U wanna buy me a Dan Kubin machine? I’ll pull a solid line first try
Wow. As a new “tattooer” in this industry you seem self entitled. If you can’t take criticism… why would I buy you a kubin machine? You got LOTS to learn
Love your work, this is great progress for 6 months. You're really cut out for this.
Tryin my best! Some days I feel like an imposter or invader to the craft, other days I feel alr
Very Michigan-y, I mean that as the best compliment lol awesome stuff
Also I’m the first trad artist from Detroit in like 60 years. First black trad artist from the hood over here. I gotta put on for my city. The eastside has nobody else to rep it 🤣
Oh hell ya man, I'll be going back n forth to Ann Arbor over the next 6 months working on my back. Would definitely swing over to you and get something
I’d be honored to make you a something. And oh shit, Spill the beans, you going to name brand? I’d love to see that back when it’s got some more work in it.
Yep starting next Friday with Jeff! I've been tattooed by Julian, Nick Melody, Martin Kazan over the last couple years. Been dying to start my back and everything came together perfectly when i started chatting with Jeff. I'm so excited
That’s the goal! Lake people foreva 💜💜💜
Fantastic color theory, very fun pieces! I love the axolotl! I'd get a tattoo from you already after only 6 months working on skin!
I’m humbled dude thank you!
Fellow Michigander here!! Following youuu!!
This is amazing!
Wow. Cool work!
I don’t even like this colorful style of traditional and I think these are clean AF and very impressive for that amount of time, well done
Thank you genuinely 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 much love
Keep up the real nice work. I’ll bet that shit is hard. I couldn’t do it. Followed you on the gram.
aaaa so happy to see you flourishing n on my Reddit feed!!! -an old friend :’))
♥️♥️♥️♥️
These all look great, love the first bird especially
Pick a favourite, good luck
U r gifted. Full stop. 🙌
I love that first one so much
You’re talented as fuck 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 love your style, I’m in Ohio I might pull up!
Very cool! You are off to a great start! Get some black and grey experience too if you can! It’ll help in the long run!
Super rad. Love the first one even tho the baby has some wonky hands.