It all started when I was in third grade. I won my first award for my art. It was a brightly
colored ribbon and it said “Artistic Excellence” on it in fancy gold letters. From that
moment on, I knew that art was in my blood. I filled up hundreds of notebooks
with drawings. My favorite music served as my inspiration.
I graduated high school in 1990 and had no means to get myself into college.
Without any familial support for my art interest, I had to make things happen for myself.
I began a series of grueling, low-paying, kitchen jobs in hot, dirty restaurants
throughout Southern NJ and Philadelphia. I burned off the knuckles on my hands, and
came home smelling of grease and sweat. I truly did “suffer for my art.” I was accepted into
The University of The Arts in Philadelphia in 1996 and I moved to Philadelphia. It was there
that I met my wife, Hayley. We have been together ever since.

I got my first tattoo while in Philadelphia, and I was hooked. Although I was an
Illustration Major, I had a growing interest in the art of Tattoo. I subdued it (if only for a while)
in order to graduate with a BFA in Illustration in 2000. Hayley and I moved back
to NJ and got married in 2001. I got a job as a toy designer/ painter for McFarlane Toys.
It was quite disheartening to be using my art for someone else’s gain. I was not getting
any recognition for my hard work and artistic talent. It hurt me. I started to paint
“for myself” in my home studio and began to show my work in galleries throughout
Philadelphia, as well as at the Monmouth Museum in NJ. My work was featured in the
prestigious book “Spectrum 11, The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art.” Working on my
Illustrations made me feel more like myself. They gave me the artistic recognition
that I had been longing for while at McFarlane Toys. I work on them religiously to this day.

In Fall 2006, I decided that my love for tattoo had been “subdued” for long enough.
I was 34 years old and had been unhappy at my job for too long. I did not want to wake up
each morning dreading the day that was to come. I started to look for tattoo apprenticeships.

I was welcomed by Randy Prause of Permanent buzz Tattoo in Denville, NJ with open
arms. He treated me like a fellow artist, and not as a usual tattoo apprentice. I learned
quickly and loved every minute of it. I now work full-time as a tattoo artist, and I have
never been happier in my life. I look forward to each day and am grateful that I followed
my heart. I’d like to thank my mentor, Randy Prause for literally changing my life. His
confidence in me means so much....Also, my wife Hayley, who has been telling me for
over 10 years that I should be a tattoo artist.

I still have that “Artistic Excellence” ribbon, by the way...........
It has certainly been a tough road, but a rewarding one. I would not change a
thing and I look forward to what is to come.