Bio

It was not until 2007 that the thought of using art as my trade surfaced. I just so happened to stumble into what used to be Kickstart Tattoo and found out the owner might need an apprentice. Over the course of the next two weeks, I compiled my portfolio of artwork and after much proved dedication, I became a tattoo and piercing apprentice. Though this was a major milestone, there was still one problem; the apprenticeship, just like any other apprenticeship, is not free. Myself and my best friend and now wife, MantaRae, proposed the idea of a fundraiser. We worked to create flyers, business cards, and other free swag & the event was open to anyone who was 21+ with a $5 minimum donation to help support my cause. After much advertising, quite a crowd showed up and the funds raised were used to purchase my tattoo station and other various supplies. I completed my full apprenticeship and continued tattooing and piercing at Kickstart for almost another year.

I then decided that it was time to move on. After leaving Kickstart, no more than 24 hours later, I landed a spot at 18 Story Tattoo, where I decided to focus solely on tattooing. After only five months, the owner decided to sell the shop. As the shop went under new management, I was offered a spot at Mark of Cain Tattoo. After working at Mark of Cain for almost a year, I decided to help some friends of mine open a new shop in Bloomington called Smokin' Aces Tattoo. Almost two months later, Smokin' Aces was up and running and I decided to make my way back to Champaign. I am currently working back at 18 Story Tattoo on Neil St. in Champaign. Styles of tattoos that I enjoy doing includes black and gray, realism, and anything dark, morbid, and horrifying, but I can also rock some pretty, colorful pieces. Check out the on-site portfolio!