Filming in Queens, NY

Me and AJ aka Artemus Jenkins have been hard at work on our film project... This film is based on the lives and struggles of black tattoo artists in America....it will teach the people the difference between scratchers, tattooist, and tattoo artists... Me, Artemus, and Corey hit up One Stroke... A tattoo shop in Queens ,NY.....like I said before this film WILL change how the black community view this art form.... We will have to destroy the so-called "urban" tattoo scene and rebuild after the people have a true understanding what tattoos on skin of color suppose to look like, cost, and what training your tattoo artist suppose to have before he or her even touch your skin.... These are stills from the NYC scenes shot by Artemus Jenkins


























Posted from my iPhone

The Struggles of Professional Black Tattoo Artists "The FILM"

Yall know I'm working a film project...its been an idea of mine for years now..but I wanted to partner up with a person with vision...I hooked up with film maker, Artemus Jenkins..we call him "AJ"...I met Artemus when he interviewed me for Vimby.com, and after I saw it I KNEW this brother had an eye for detail...these photos are stills from the film we are working on based on the pain, struggles, and lifestyles of black tattoo artists all across America...we were up in DC, and it was really emotional...I interviewed tattoo artists and asked them about their fears, personal relationships, and their family lives...I want the people to UNDERSTAND when you don't support "Professional" trained tattoo artists and go to the non-trained tattooist (scratchers) based off their cheap prices, you are doing more than hurting yourself but you slapping the artist who really deserves that business in the face..our mission with this film is to destory what the black community THINK is "tattooing" and rebuild this side of the industry by giving praises to the black artists who DID pay their dues to because "Tattoo Artists" I know Scratchers will HATE me after this film but I don't give a fuck, I don't believe in excuses..if you want to become a tattoo artist follow the same step these other black artists did.do your 2-3 year training and make a name for yourself outside the hood..many artist did it and so can YOU...after this film a lot of scracthers will no longer be getting business from people who didn't know any better...its time to break all stereotypes of tattooing in the black community...its time to LEARN the history of the black tattoo scene and give props to the artists who opened the doors for us all...I hope to also get the help and vision of tattoo artist, Corey Davis...he is now directing music videos, and creating his own film projects...I have yet to title this film...but when its released, this will change A LOT of things in tattooing.









Photos by Artemus Jenkins (stills from the film) sneak preview

My Film Project "Pain & Tears"

I'm at the stage of my life where I want to be known for being more that just a tattoo artist....I want to show the world ALL of my vision...from books, paintings, fashion, and FILMS...the reason I'm in DC right now is to work on my film project... I hooked up with my homeboy, AJ who did my Vimby video interview because I'm a big fan of his camera work... I drew out some story boards and he can see my vision so it feels like a perfect team...this film is about the struggles and lifestyle of black tattoo artists in america.... They are not a lot of TRAINED professional tattoo artists who stay in own community to serve own people... A lot of them move on because the money is wayyy better when your dealing with a clientele that has a respect and knowledge of this art form we call "Tattooing" I want to show all sides of tattooing... How we never see our children, how our relationships suffers because we don't see our mates....how we don't have a social life outside of the tattoo shop.... When we get off work everyone is sleep so it's always lonely nights... How our own people will still go to tattoo parties, tattooist who dont even understand black skin (lie and say you can't get colors) and scratchers with no professional training to get tattooed because they are CHEAPER when we spend YEARS training to serve the people....these days of filming were VERY emotional... Lots of tears and pain.... The people HAVE to know what tattoo artists go through and how important it really is to support TRAINED black artists in this industry...these tattoo parties, home call scratchers, and the leak of respect for tattooing just for money is really hurting our industry... "Understanding" will be born... And after you see this film I PROMISE...you it will understand why I have to retire and help my fellow tattoo artists teach the people about this ART we call
"tattooing" after this film I will see where I will stand in the tattoo business...if the people don't care about the struggles I see my fellow artists go through daily.. I will forever put down the needle... And won't return to tattooing...and the scratchers can have it...


Posted from my iPhone