‘Portrait of the Artist, Lyle Tuttle, in his Workshop, Ukiah, CA’, oil on linen, 72” x 48”, 2018-2019
I took photos of Lyle on a visit to his home in Ukiah, CA in 2018. This image transpired after days of conversation in his well documented workshop.
'Lyle Tuttle's Workshop Door, Ukiah, CA', oil on linen, 64" x 30", 2021
The door to the infamous machine shop in Ukiah, CA. Lyle’s humor can be found everywhere.
'Dan Dringenberg at Work', oil on canvas, 56" x 64", 2008, Personal Collection
Dan Dringenberg is a man on a mission. Dedicated to the craft of machine building…
‘Lyle Tuttle’s Jonesy Squareback Machine Drawer 1’, oil on panel, 48” x 36”, 2018-2019
One of many drawers from Lyle Tuttle’s Ukiah vault, full of the world’s greatest collection of tattoo artifacts. This one large scale drawer was filled with classic Jonesy Squareback tattoo machines.
‘Lyle Tuttle’s Gypsy Chuck Wagon, Ukiah, CA', oil on panel, 24” x 30”, 2019-2020
Lyle’s well documented gypsy caravan / chuck wagon, sitting in his backyard in Ukiah, CA. Lyle acquired the chuck wagon from long time friend, ‘Mr. Side Show’, the sword swallower, fire-eater, human blockhead and tattooed circus man, Captain Don Leslie. In the late70’s into the 1980’s, Lyle would spend time on board the wagon at McNabb Ranch, about 20 miles south of Ukiah.
‘Mike Dorsey’s Masks’, oil on linen, 24” x 48”, 2023
Prolific artist and mad scientist, Mike Dorsey produces a broad range of Japanese inspired works, from large scale watercolor paintings to sculpted masks, all infused by Mike’s wit and humor. This is a small glimpse into his working studio.
'Jiro's Workshop Bunker', oil on panel, 60” x 48”, 2016
I visited Lil’ Tokyo Jiro’s tattoo shop in Los Angeles, Onizuka Tattoo. Entering through the back of the building, there was tattooing happening upstairs, and downstairs in the basement, a little more tattooing. Walking further back into the underground depths of Little Tokyo through walk-in cooler plastic curtains, Jiro’s workshop revealed itself as a productive cavern of machine building madness.
'Luke Atkinson’s Doc Forest Machine, 3 Views', oil on linen panel, 12" x 12", 2021, Collection of Luke Atkinson
'Ernie Gosnell's Hideout Inside the Hideout', oil on wood, 36" x 36", 2014, Personal Collection
'Ernie Gosnell's Throne', oil on wood, 36" x 36", 2014
'Paul Booth's Machines', oil on canvas, 12" x 18", 2005, Personal Collection
‘Lyle Tuttle’s Circle Tattoo Machine, Disassembled’, oil on linen panel, 5” x 7”, 2022, Collection of Carlos Torres
In this small study, one of Lyle Tuttle’s iconic Circle frame tattoo machines, Lyle had the machine partially disassembled, sitting in a box in his workshop. This was one of many projects that were never quite finished.
'Chris Brand's Masks, Study 1', oil on linen panel, 16" x 12", 2021, Collection of Mike Schott
'Aaron Cain's Damascus Machine', oil on canvas, 15" x 20", 2006, Collection of Aaron and Christine Cain
'Top Drawer, Still Life 1', oil on canvas, 24" x 16", 2010, Collection of Brian Martelli
'Juan Puente's Machine Collection; The Arsenal', oil on canvas, 54" x 36", 2008, Collection of Ryan Wanish
'Henry's Spot', oil on canvas, 20" x 16", 2005, Collection of Brett Bryan
‘Mike Wilson’s Doorbell’, oil on canvas, 16” x 12”, 2009, Collection of David Benitez
One of the first designs that has inspired the modern-day tattoo machine remains a built-up doorbell modification from the 1800’s. The earliest patents are maintained by Thomas Edison’s 1876 rotary operated stencil pen (in actuality, an electromagnetic coil-rotary hybrid); and just a few years later, Samuel F O’Reilly’s 1891 patent, considered the very first tattoo machine.
'Traditional Still Life', oil on panel, 16" x 20", 2009, Private Collection
'Daily Driver, Mickey Sharpz Shader', Collection of Danielle Boiardi / 'Daily Driver, Seth Ciferri Liner', Collection of Seth Ciferri / both oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2012
'Daily Driver, Norm Liner', Private Collection / 'Daily Driver, Aaron Cain Liner', Collection of Samantha Scheichenost / Both oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2012
'Daily Driver, Marv Lerning Shader' , Collection of Keihl Hoffman / 'Daily Driver, Juan Puente Shader', Collection of Ivano Natale / Both oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2012
'Daily Driver, Marcus Pacheco Shader', Collection of Dan Marshall / 'Daily Driver, Jeff Srsic Shader', Collection of Adam Hays / Both oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2012
'Mike Wilson's Machine Collection, The Arsenal II', oil on canvas, 30" x 48", 2010, Collection of Carlos Torres
'George's Bulldog', oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2005, Collection of Matt Boucher
'George Campise' Machines', oil on panel, 16" x 12", 2005, Collection of Edu Cerro
'Bert's Spot', oil on canvas, 12" x 16", 2007, Collection of Bert Krak
'Greg James’ Machine', watercolor and gouache on 300lb. Fabriano paper, 30" x 22", 2008, Private Collection
'Money Magnet', oil on panel, 8" x 8", 2007, Private Collection
Master tattooist and tattoo machine builder, Aaron Cain, wraps his machine coils with dollar bills to inspire the working class sentiment- ‘Use money to make money’. The electro coil magnets attracting a productive and lucrative work load.
'Eric Maaske's Machines', watercolor and gouache on 300lb. Fabriano paper, 30" x 22", 2008, Private Collection
'Practice Machine', oil on panel, 10" x 8", 2007, Collection of Joel Fried
One of my first tattoo machines, a Schrobritter Liner. It is common practice to place a pencil inside the tube vise of a coil tattoo machine when first learning the craft of tattooing. The purpose of this is to become comfortable holding the heavy tattoo machine while drawing.
'Seth Ciferri Shader, 3 Views', watercolor and gouache on 300lb. paper, 30" x 22", 2010, Private Collection