Creating A Classic American Tattoo Design

Brian came down to Dallas from Midland to get this traditional tattoo done in one sitting! We both made up our minds to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into this project, and knock it all out at once. By the end of the session, I felt I had created one of my favorite eagle tattoos I’ve ever done. The addition of the American flag and shield just underlined the strength and dignity of the screaming eagle above. I believe traditional American tattoos have an underlying meaning, one that can be felt more than put into words. I believe there is a lot of emotion in this piece.

Focusing on the task at hand is made easier by the fact that I have my own private, all appointment only studio room at Elm Street Tattoo’s Heart in Hand Gallery. There is no distraction, no interruption. There is only tattooing, the tattoo machine buzzing above the rowdy din of Deep Ellum outside. The black ink drawing line after line, another creation being brought to life inside this tiny room.

Traditional Tattooing Colors

The color is true. The colors are the traditional colors used by my tattoo forefathers. They are not bought off the internet. They are hand made the old fashioned way, the natural way, making for the brightest, most vibrant colors that look so good in the skin, because that’s what they are made for. Just another way traditional tattooing has shaped my work, me myself, and my customers.

What Makes the Best Dallas Tattoo Artists

I like to think of myself as a customer service specialist. You won’t get the attitude you get in some tattoo shops, sometimes they think they are better than you. I’ve always noticed that the best Dallas tattooers seem almost without ego; And yet, somehow, wholly composed of confidence, that is what I look up to. I am a tattoo mechanic, a tattoo farmer. I was born of the salt of the earth and I hope you’ll find there is no put on with me. What you see is what you get. And I’ll shoot you straight.

I spent a lot of years as a Fort Worth tattoo artist, many of my customers make the trip down 20 or 30 even now to see me and get together for more work. It makes me proud, thankful, and happy. I just tattooed a friend from my high school years yesterday. I have done nearly all of her ten or so tattoos. The first one we did on her she said was back in 1996. I am very grateful she keeps coming to me. Even now that I am tattooing in Dallas, Texas, she and others make the drive to see me. Why? Maybe because we are friends. Maybe because of the work. Maybe because they love traditional tattooing as much as I do. Hell, I don’t know. Sometimes you look back, you look around, and think, how did I get here? And I think the real answer lies somewhere between “hard work” and “do what you love, and success will follow.” If you’re in the market for a traditional tattoo, then get in touch with me so we can talk about your project.