After that, I tattooed in the Bowery NYC. I then went into the U.S. Air Force after high school. While in the service, I tattooed in Chicago, IL for Tatts Thomas. After my honorable discharge, I tattooed in Syracuse, NY on weekends. Back then, I had only tattooed three women. Because of the last woman I tattooed, I left the tattooing business for 45 years. She stood at the door of the shop debatin
g with herself if she should or shouldn't get a tattoo. I told her to go for it and I put her husband's name on her arm. The next night, I was next door getting my hair cut when the woman's husband showed up at the barber shop asking what time the tattoo shop opened. I told him 15 minutes and asked what he wanted. He said that he had a gun and was going to blow the head off the guy who tattooed his wife the night before. He came into the shop and I told him that I don't force anyone to get a tattoo. I offered him any tattoo for half price, he chose one, and then I doubled the price and took half off. The next weekend, I had an issue with the owner and left tattooing for 45 years. After that, I had a successful career in tool and die manufacturing and design. However, I also stayed involved in graphic arts as a custom sign painter and even opened a business at one point that specialized in lettering and commercial art. In 2011, I met a great tattoo artist, Russell Widner of Trilogy Tattoos in Riverview, FL. Because of my love of the art, I started tattooing again. Back in my day, things were a lot different from how tattooing is done today. We used to make our own needles. One style was only three round for thick outlines and five needles for flat to wipp shade and pack color. We used to tattoo 30 people or more with the same needles and inks. No gloves were used. The only colors available in the 1950's were black, red, green, and brown. We used to clean the skin with phizorhex soap, shave with a straight razor, apply a thin coat of vaseline, and press on a stencil. Stencils were thin plastic with the outline scratched into it and were applied with powered graphite. This method got messy as blood, graphite, vaseline, and ink had to be dabbed constantly. After taking some courses and getting mentored in modern techniques and equipment by great local tattoo artists, I'm amazed at the progress of the art. Inks now come in separate sterilized cups. Needles are prepackaged and sterilized for one time use. The quality and variety of colors available now are astounding. Stencils no longer wipe off. Internet images are very helpful in consulting with clients for what they want. I offer great prices, have a passion for what I do, meet all FL cross contamination regulations, and my work heals faster than average . Give me a call and let's see what we can come up together for your next tattoo.
