I couldn’t tell you the exact moment or age that I knew, but what matters now is that I know my purpose, my passion. I believe that all of us have an inherent attraction to art, may it be a sunset, a cool car, your pet, your partner, we are surrounded by it. I also believe that we all have a purpose in the time we’re given.

My tattoo career started in 2012 at Blu Gorilla Tattoo in Charleston, South Carolina. Admittedly, at that point in my life, I was lost, I had no direction. The struggle was very real, I was a bouncer at a music venue, I lived in a 3 bedroom flat with 6 roommates. I paid $100 a month the sleep on the floor in the corner of the living room. I had no car, no license, and everything I owned fit into my book bag which doubled as a pillow.

What I did have was the desire to make a life for myself.

I walked to work for the first year, rain, shine, hot, cold, didn’t matter, no one was going to outwork me.

Blu Gorilla started me off at their sister shop, Peppershade Tattoo. This place was rough, the place had one artist, no computer, no internet, no thermofax, the place was as bare boned as they come. I got to work quickly, detailing every inch of the place, the neon green walls, the black and white checkered tiles, this disorganization, and within a few short months, the shop went from making less than $500 a week if we were lucky, to being a 4 artist shop churning out tattoos from open to close 7 days a week. Blu Gorilla saw what I was doing, realized how much I cared and were ecstatic to have someone who had the ability to create an environment that was pleasing to not only the staff, but the clients who trusted us.

I was soon moved to the flagship shop and promoted to shop manager. Sounds fancy, but i was still living off tips from the artists and whatever I made from bouncing. I continued managing for the next year, and when I wasn’t handling the phone which literally never stopped ringing and the constant flow of clients coming through the door, I drew. I have drawn my entire life but never thought of it as more than a way to pass the time.

At the beginning of my third year at Blu, we acquired a sub-par tattoo shop across town. The owners surprised me with it, handed me a credit card and gave me a month to have it up and running. At this point, I still have no car, no license, no money, but there has never been something to stop me from accomplishing my goals. I built Blu Gorilla Goose Creek, booths, drawing table, the desk, installed glass blocking, hung every single piece of artwork, and laid out the place to be as cool and welcoming as possible.

I was fortunate to work with four men who were fathers, husbands, mentors and examples of what I could be. David Riley who to this day is one of my favorite people. This man took me under his wing on day one. Tony Gacci who at the time had been tattooing nearly 20 years, man had a motor mouth and poured his experience and knowledge into everyone within earshot. Paul Zapico who might be the most insane person I’ve ever met in the best possible way. I have aspired to be as driven as Paul, I followed his example of non-stop art, treating this as an addiction that can’t be satisfied. Chris Castro, I’ll never be able to explain the impact he’s had on me. He started at Blu to take my spot at the downtown shop so that I could build the new spot. When it was up and running, I was way past burnt out. 16 hour days, thousands of phone calls, hundreds of clients, all while making $40 a day.

At this point, I’m 25 years old, I start to look at my future, and could not see myself doing that job any longer. I asked for an apprenticeship, but was denied. I didn’t understand why at the time, but being older and wiser now, the owner of the shop had the cream of the crop for pennies. I waited a few months, asked again, was denied, so I threatened to leave, I was finally granted my apprenticeship.

(This will be updated over time)

I appreciate your patience and interest

I hope you come to know a piece of me, where I come from and where I’m headed.

Without you, I would have nothing

Thank you