'Kim Saigh at Work, (Tattooing Jamie Kompon)', oil on canvas, 60” x 40”, 2014, Personal Collection
I painted this piece for an exhibition in 2014 at the Somerset House Museum in London. The theme of the exhibit for Tattoo Life was ‘Time: Tattoo Art Today’.
I have been inspired by painting the figure in motion and at work, influenced by a number of artists over the years. Primarily, the photography of Eadweard Muybridge, the narrative aspect of Jerome Witkin’s work, and the ironing women paintings by Edgar Degas. What I love about these three artists works, is how they’ve captured everyday moments in time, with raw power and emotion.
In this painting, my girlfriend and business partner, Kim Saigh, is working on an upper arm tattoo. A 30 year tattooist, Kim is a consummate professional and an incredible illustrative artist. The four overlapping positions of Kim at work, with multiple torsos, arms and machines, displays the process and also her focus and dedication to the craft.
Her client, Jamie Kompon, is a friend and accomplished professional, two time NHL Stanley Cup Championship coach. Jamie was the perfect subject for this piece. I wanted to show his stoic strength and patience, yet also suggest the passage of time with the overlapping body position and water bottle on the floor.
‘Lyle Tuttle at Work’, oil on canvas, 16” x 12”, 2017, Collection of Tin-Tin
'Henry Lewis at Work, with Atom Messmer', oil on canvas, 40" x 26", 2013-2014, Collection of John Brusger
‘Dead Sea Stick and Poke (Nicholas Mudskipper tattooing Adam Vu)’, oil on linen panel, 20” x 16”, 2024
I was part of a group of tattoo artists that traveled to Israel in 2022 to for a charity event with ‘Healing Ink’ to tattoo soldiers of war and victims of terrorism. Craig Dershowitz and Ricky Matros, from the Healing Ink organization, shared the culture of Israel with the group, including a festive day at the Dead Sea where most of us gave and received hand poked tattoos from each other in the muddy waters to commemorate this momentous time. I had been friends with Adam prior to this adventure, and am now forever brother in arms with Adam and Nick because of this unforgettable experience.
'Self Portrait at work (with Wayne Martin Belger and Wayne's Custom Machine)', oil on wood, 24" x 18", 2012, Collection of Wayne Martin Belger,
'Ichibay at Work', oil on panel, 36" x 24", 2018-2019
'Greg James at Work' oil on linen panel, 24" x 18", 2023, Collection of Todd Harrison
'Shotsie Gorman at Work', oil on linen, 48" x 40", 2021-2023
‘Amar Goucem at Work’, oil on panel, 16” x 12”, 2017, Collection of Amar Goucem
‘Filip Leu and Vladimiro Apollonio at Work, with Alexxx Abreu’, oil on canvas, 24” x 18”, 2019, Collection of Valdy
'Tyler Borich at Work (Tattooing Chris Conn)', oil on panel, 48" x 36", 2016
'James Spencer Briggs at Work (with Aaron Wahlman)', oil on canvas, 48" x 60", 2011-2012
'Self Portrait at work (with James Spencer Briggs)', oil on wood, 24" x 36", 2012, Collection of James Spencer Briggs
'Brendan Rowe at Work', oil on panel, 20" x 16", 2012, Collection of Brendan Rowe
'Portrait of the Artist, Chuck Eldridge', oil on canvas, 48" x 48", 2007, Private Collection
In this large scale narrative portrait of tattoo historian and tattooist, Chuck Eldridge, I wanted to suggest a painting that has a sense of timeless history. Using a slightly desaturated palette, old Sailor Jerry tattoo acetate stencils and flash, and Chuck working without gloves, there’s a sense of nostalgia in the air.
For more information on Chuck and his life’s work, Tattoo Archive is a dense resource for tattoo history.
'Steve Boltz at Work', oil on canvas, 30" x 20", 2009, Collection of Richard Moxey
'Paul Booth at Work', oil on panel, 20" x 16", 2013, Collection of John Brusger
'Kim Saigh at Work, with Sarah Kowalski', oil on panel, 24" x 18", 2012-2013, Collection of Sarah Kowalski
'Ms. Mikki at Work', oil on canvas, 20” x 16”, 2006, Collection of Mercedes Helnwein
'Jack Rudy at Work', oil on panel, 14" x 11", 2009, Private Collection
'Self Portrait at Work', oil on panel, 24" x 18", 2017, Collection of Deran Hall
'Henry Lewis at Work', oil on canvas, 16" x 20", 2005, Collection of Wesley Burt
'Mike Wilson Tattooing Bert Krak', oil on canvas, 18" x 24", 2007, Collection of Bert Krak
'Omar Edmison at Work, B.I.S.', (Collaboration with Henry Lewis), oil on panel, 16" x 12", 2014, Private Collection
'Self Portrait at Work, Tattooing Jeff Johnson', oil on panel, 16" x 20", 2015, Private Collection
'The Process (Yutaro Sakai at Work)', oil on panel, 24" x 24", 2005, Collection of Jonah Austin
'The Campise Family: Bella at work', oil on canvas, 54" x 36", 2012-2013, Collection of The Campise's