The big homie Many, came through and worked on his upper shoulders and back. Big Many is not only a close friend, but has been a huge influence in the tattooing culture for the past several years. He’s known as one of the top collectors and owners of some of Jose, Tattoo Tony, Clarens Monroy, Klown, Abey classic pieces. I am still tripping on having the honor to do some work on him. Check it out!

The big homie says he’s not down for his head-everywhere else is already a wrap….we’ll get you Many don’t trip!

Jose’s classic side, inspired by OG abel…

This piece I did over two years ago….a VERY fast two years ago..

…and of course the front classic, photos are one thing but to see it in person, you’ll understand why Many takes home ALL the trophies at every convention. These pieces are almost to completion, Jose still has layering to do, note to my fellow peers-don’t get it twisted, this ridiculous piece is a long and painstaking process of hard work (also try having no legs)…..sick!

This was another piece I did a while back, mixed in with Jose’s bottom piece of Helgera on the right, Tattoo Tony’s broad’s on top, we decided to go aztec and sneak in a girl and some jaguars, also still some more work to go….

Thanks goes out to the big homie Many, keep it coming!

Juan came through to start his first tattoo…….his back! This is a sneak peek-still have a long way to go, stay tuned.

The three brothers, Lo, Vince and Steve came through. The big brother Lo, worked his inner bicep of his right sleeve. He decided to sneek in a joker…

Still needs another session to round off to the front…..

This gambling theme is taken from Lo’s occupation as a dealer at the casino. The big homie OG ABEL I salute for the main king design inspiration. OG ABEL, (in case your dead, or been sleeping) is one of the most important figures today in the industry as a graphic illustrator and to LA culture. Deeply rooted as a master bomber, and known for his flawless airbrushing, and his ridiculous graphic illustrations, the OG deserves the crown! 

Here’s the brother’s pieces I posted a while back….

Thanks goes out to the fellas for their ongoing support!

This is a charcoal charicacture I did a while back as a project through some studies. I chose to use Bruce Willis from Frank Miller’s Sin City to distort the head, definetly a challenging piece!

Charcoal on toned paper

One of the biggest benefits within the industry and as a student is being able to meet with other artists and creative minds. Sean Cheetham is one of great portrait masters and instructors at Art Center, and I’m honored to be learning something from him. His old school style reflects  those old masters like Sergeant, Rembrandt and the other classics. 

One of his studies, oil on canvas—sick

…can’t forget the tools of the trade.

It feels good to be back in motion, Art Center has a distinct rhythm to the way education is “allocated” as they say. Education–true, knowledge within it’s depth, I think is most definitely something that my generation lacks! Speaking of knowledge, the big brother Bobby is running all over Asia as we speak, and some of the things he’s seeing is a trip!

…which brings me to this-a piece I did a while back in AZ. Slowly but surely, the change is happening. People’s mentality is shifting pass money, past fame, past glory. This piece gives a distortion graphically to both symbols. Jose always said, ” Don’t trade passion for glory”-with tattooing, I think this is most definitely the case. People are beginning to learn the art of letting go, not just physical material, but mental form. Tattooing has changed drastically from way before I entered the game, and the clients now are alot more conscious and awake to the depth behind tattoos and their meanings than before.

No this ink is not just a piece that we are doing on you cause it “looks dope”, this is a piece of our soul, a sacred tradition that we as artist are honored to keep. Speaking of tradition check out  Big CARTOON’s blog, to see how deep the old school roots grow, and  to study some other ridiculous pieces! Keep Moving.