Traditional Japanese Tattoo
Traditional American Values

Welcome! Now in my 30th year tattooing, I use the traditional japanese tattoo for it’s large scale and strict set of rules. It rings true to us as Americans with its messages of nature and nation, power and beauty.

I work from private, appointment-only studios. I provide tattoos in East Texas from my Lake Fork tattoo studio, tattoos in Waxahachie from my downtown studio there, and tattoos in Dallas from my Deep Ellum tattoo studio.

These settings allow for the creation of both personal relationships and expert craftsmanship. Please join me as we test our strength, fortify tradition, and cultivate our character through the journey of tattoo.

Preservation of our traditional tattoo images, tools, and craftsmanship must be secured. Many of these are fading away.

One tradition that we are losing is the character of the artist himself, and the tattooist as a character. Both of these, the tattooist of old would have mastered.

It is his job to impart character to your tattoo. To be beside you during your sessions, not just behind the needle. Sometimes to pass the time, other times, to lend an ear.

Good faith and fair dealings must persist. We wont settle for impostors. We are looking for the keepers of tradition. The men of character. Who are characters to boot!

I got my first tattoos in Fort Worth, my little hometown not so little anymore. My first professional tattoo was done up in Amarillo. I started tattooing in Amarillo in 1995.

I moved back soon, tattooing in Denton some but mainly in Fort Worth. In 2002 I opened Liberty Electric Tattooing there,  and we became a fixture on the circuit.

In 2008 I went to work tattooing in Dallas at the world famous Elm Street Tattoo. In 2016  the owners opened up their private, appointment only Heart in Hand Gallery, and I immediately took a room there.

It was in 2021 that I started tattooing in Waxahachie, still under the EST banner but out on my own, just me and my customer in the studio, which is the way I have grown to love it!

As of 2025 I am excited to be privately tattooing in Lake Fork, doing Wood County tattoos for the Yantis tattoo crowd out of sight in the beautiful countryside!

My work gains its authentic edge by understanding tradition. The drawing has to be right. The tebori then imparts the genuine look. Further, I employ the traditional sumi japanese ink in my work, lending another level to its authenticity.

Finally, hand mixed, hand made color from the American tattoo tradition provides the long lasting, natural and bright look of my color. All these tools reach back to the beginnings of tattoo tradition.

I would be remiss not to mention the American classic twin coil machine- which is the bedrock of American tattooing, and which I use for all my outlining. Tattoo “children” are missing this integral component these days. It is a shame.

When traditions of an art disappear the art itself dies. Those who seek to reinvent the wheel only end up ruining it. The past masters have paved the way. The new masters are wise enough to stand on the shoulders of these giants, and respect tradition!

What would you say would be the most important factor in choosing the right tattooist for you?

For me, I would say the twin towers of quality craftsmanship and a strong, traditional character with whom I have things in common. Have you found these to be apparent on my site?

There are a few things that I might brag about before i go. Clean working procedure has been a passion of mine since day one- I work cleaner than a dental hygienist, I can tell you that.

Since I charge by the hour, I work relentlessly during our session. Your hard earned dollar won’t find me lazy. Your only refuge here is a bathroom break, or a rest, at your insistence.

Finally, you got a guy who can talk with you during the session. Look you in the eye. Shake your hand. Say thank you for your business. And for putting food on my family’s table.