While I was at the Ink n Iron Convention this year the Greenspan’s family gave me an exceptionally generous gift, they had a special Pendleton made just for me. The back has a custom patch modeled after the design I made for them I while back, and the front has my name and the Greenspan’s logo I drew as well. Usually when I receive a gift I can articulate the words to show my appreciation, but when Josh gave me the shirt on friday I was speechless. I am so honored to wear this Pendleton that words can’t explain it. Greenspan’s is the kind of place that was magical as a kid, you never knew who could be in there buying a hat or pair of shoes. On the right day you might see Ice Cube walking out of there with a new Pendleton, no joke.

If you’d like to check out there stuff go to www.greenspans.com

This months 9 and 9 is with my good friend Brandi Collins. Brandi and I worked together for a couple of years in Newport Beach, right around the time she was finishing up her apprenticeship. I quickly became friends with her and her husband Russell and now they are like family to me. In the decade that I’ve known her I have only seen her create great things, from her solid tattoos to her beautiful paintings, to just the all around positive attitude she brings to all those who know her. I am very fortunate to have worked with her and even more fortunate to know her.

Brandi is a permanent resident at the famous Good Time Charlie’s “Tattooland” in Anaheim, California. If you’d like to make an appointment with her the number is (714) 827-2071. You can view Brandi’s work on her Instagram @brandicollins

9 QUESTIONS

1. Who taught you and how long ago? I apprenticed under Lucky and Bucky Crispin, who I am so thankful for, about 11 years ago.
2. What is your favorite part about working at Tattooland? I love a lot of things about working at Tattooland and I’ve learned a lot working there. I had never used a single before or done too much black and grey. It also has great history and its cool hearing stories from Jack and Charlie, but my favorite is the people I work with, it’s a family.
3. What is your least favorite part of tattooing in Orange County? The over saturation of tattooers and shops.
4. You’re probably the longest standing female employee at Good Time Charlie’s, what do you think is the hardest part about being a female tattooer? I have to admit I’ve been very lucky to be accepted  and treated with respect from everyone I’ve met in the industry so far. Probably the biggest negative would be that male customers think I can’t do a tuff tattoo, that I just do flowers, but actually I really like doing them and wish I did them more.
5. Are you still angry with me for farting in your face when we worked together? Do you remember that? )Hahaha! No I’m over it, even though you did stand on a stool, call my name, and fart about an inch away from my face when I turned to look! I also remember you telling me to turn up your power supply and as I leaned in you farted… I don’t think it was a one time thing!
6. Name three tattoos you could never get sick of making? Girls, roses, and peacocks
7. What style of tattooing is your favorite to view? Traditional for sure!
8. What is your least favorite style of tattooing to view? Shitty ones and right now I’m pretty over girls with day of the dead faces.
9. Do you think tattooing is a glamorous job? (sorry, that’s kind of a loaded question)  - Well for SOME people it can be glamorous. Traveling and stuff, but for me its definitely not. Don’t get me wrong, It does have a lot of positives, but I would not say glamorous. I just feel very happy and grateful to have a career that allows me to spend time with my family and that I truly enjoy doing.

9 TATTOOS

For years people saw tattoos as a sign of rebellion. A middle finger salute to the rest of the world. Outlaw bikers got tattoos. Sailors on leave in Singapore got tattoos. Lifers in the joint got tattoos. But now in the United States one out of every three adults under forty has a tattoo! So what happened? How did tattoo go from something that was put on you to an expression that comes from within you? Tattoo Nation tells the story of a few people who helped transform the world of tattoo, and the way we think about tattoos, forever. This is the true story of the ink revolution.

To buy or rent the dvd go to www.tattoonation.com

The flyer says it all. So if you’re up in the Sacramento area stop by and show your support.

This year I am bringing a fresh crop of new designs and a bunch of one-off handmade stuff to Ink n’ Iron. I am really excited about these ones, here is a preview of just a few of them. See you at the convention.

This is a little video about a friend of mine, Ben Mack, a tattooer and machine builder from Massachusetts. I have come to know Ben in the last few years and really like how he treats life, his friends, his family, and the care he puts in to tattooing and machine building. Watch the video, enjoy.