Dude

A prestigious tattoo veteran with 25 years of experience, Dude joins the prestigious team at Ink Couture Tattoos Shaenfield Ranch in San Antonio as a Resident Artist, by way of New York.  A true artist at his core, and an expert at all styles, Dude is known for his black and grey realism, surrealism, custom color pieces, anime, cybersignilism, and dark fantasy. 

How long have been tattooing professionally?
Almost 25 years now… 

What inspired you into the art of tattooing?
I will tell it as i have always told it to everyone who asks.. LOL. I used to create designs for tattoos for people, so they could bring them to shops. The big shop at the time was TUFFCITY TATTOOS on Fordham Road in the Bronx, owned by MED. The designs kept coming back, the people saying the designs were too detailed for tattooing. Then I got a message that MED himself wanted to meet me. I did, and we became friends quickly leading me to work at his shop, but for digital purposes. After a year or two, I thought about tattooing, but wasn’t sure. Eventually, after much complaining from my friends, with their help, I had everyone pitch in for my equipment, promising them their requested tattoos in return for their paid-forward investment. I got my first tattoo machines, Micky Sharps and a Pike in January 2002, and have been tattooing ever since. 

Tell us about your preferred style of work.
Black & Grey, Illustrative, Dark Fantasy & Sci-fi.

What other styles are you known for?
Surrealism, Comic Book, Anime / Manga, Biomech, Sigilism & Custom New Skool.

What inspires you as an artist?
Creative approaches to capturing moments of power, motion, beauty, horror and wonder. 

What other styles are you known for?
Surrealism, Comic Book, Anime / Manga, Biomech, Sigilism & Custom New Skool.

Why should someone pick you for their next tattoo/to be their artist?
After so long in the industry, i believe i can envision a concept from my client with few words or reference, opening their mind to the possibilities of their idea as body art.

Anything else you'd like prospective clients to know about you?
I am ‘researcher’ of information… government, religion, spirituality, alien life.. many things that may be sought to be represented by a client. So don’t feel intimidated, just give me your vision and together we can create something unforgettable.