Tuesday 30 November 2010

PRESS THE ISSUE



Here are a couple Links to some of the press from the N.Y. Sessions


Monday 29 November 2010

WEST COAST ARTIST





Here are a couple spy photos of something I'm working on...
Stay ToON'd for the video!

Saturday 27 November 2010

TRAILER OF THE THE WEEK


MASS APPEAL





Check out the last piece from the NY collection. Andy Mass from back in the day came in, after a 5 year break from getting tattooed, to get a skull to fill his upper arm.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

AND ANOTHER ONE





Shaun from Coney Island Brooklyn came through to get his first tattoo and he made it a big one...

Tuesday 23 November 2010

THE CHAMP IS HERE






Freddy "The Champ" Ljungberg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Ljungberg Came thru to lock down the whole week to get a full sleeve...

Monday 22 November 2010

VOODO CHILD




Rich Hill came through to get some more ink, check out these flicks of the process thanks to Armen Djerrahian..

Friday 19 November 2010

Inspired



Javier F came through to get this traditional tattoo, the inspiration came from My recent trip to Asia and i tried to tie in a previous tattoo Javier has.

Thursday 18 November 2010

NEW BIRTH





This is our friend Adam Balsam from NYC, our friend Derek Axelrod hooked us up with this client who came through to frame out his old work and take the eye away with this traditional LA shit girls and skulls cant go wrong !!!!

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Tuesday 16 November 2010

THE KIK OFF





Here are the fliks from the first session and we are just getting warmed up so look out!

Monday 15 November 2010

Thursday 11 November 2010

Tuesday 9 November 2010

THE INTERVIEW

















Los Angeles seems to be an integral part of Mister Cartoon. How would you define the city of Los Angeles?
 I would define The City of Angels as the birth place of low riding, baggy jeans, white t-shirts, fine line black and grey powder shading portrait Cholo-style tattoos, the home of gangster graffiti, and the famous wet sherm sticks.
 




You mention in your video profile that you remember Vans playing a role in street fashion when you were growing up. What does the Vans brand represent for you? Vans, to me, is Southern California, low riding, surfing, skateboarding 70s and 80s. It was the first time I knew you could customize your own shoes.
 



I've read that you define tattoo art as a 'sacred arrangement' in reference to the energy you carry during a tattoo session. How did you come to this conclusion? Has your attitude changed over the years while tattooing clients?
 
 Every person has a different story, and their skin reflects their story. I tattoo hardened construction workers, pampered housewives, and all the in-between. It’s the only canvas that turns up drunk and has an opinion - that smells, that bleeds, that’s cheap, and the only canvas that is permanent. I have to carry positive energy and meditate before every tattoo because what shows up in the tattoo is the artist’s attitude and positivity.
 
 We've seen tattoos enter pop culture via TV shows, clothing brands and celebrity clientele. What distinguishes authentic styles of tattoo from what we see in the mainstream?



 What distinguishes me is originality. The next thing is consistency of quality over years. The goal is to do artwork that doesn’t need signing. People will know who did it by the quality. That’s when you know you’re original. I turned down reality shows years ago right at the beginning of the reality boom, but I think I can benefit from the explosion of reality shows. It often relaxes the corporate companies that write huge checks. You know what I mean. It’s much easier for me to approach a Fortune 500 company by not only being a tattoo artist but being a businessman, also. Some old school tattoo artists hate the reality trend. I feel I am forced to make it work for me.
 
 
 
 
 You and Estevan Oriol are close friends who stress the need to lead by example among youth. Where did that desire originate? Have you always felt the needed to bring education and empowerment back to your community? 
 
 I used to teach my art class when I was in 5th grade, and I used to teach the beginner class when I was a 13 year-old blue belt. Getting up in front of people has never been a issue for me. I always felt that I wanted to help and share with people the blueprint of how I did things. Being of service to my community helps me and giving back is the reward. Inspiring the youth is what I feel I have been doing this artwork for. If I can affect one person’s life when I do these outreaches, then I have achieved something (since most of the kids sitting in the room won’t be listening, sitting there thinking of themselves, sexting, whispering to each other, etc.).
 
 



The LA Times recently mentioned that MOCA's director Jeffrey Deitch is preparing to curate a street art exhibit at the MOCA. I heard your famed ice cream truck will be part of it. Did you ever foresee this open melding of subculture, pop culture, and fine art? 
 I never thought that the subculture would ever be showcased in such a respected Museum. We never did it for that. We did it for the street fame and for the rush. I am excited about the open minds of Jeffrey and the MOCA crew in showcasing the ice cream truck and excited to be part of such a ground-breaking exhibition.
 
 Where are your top five places to eat in LA?
 1) Ciros, East Los Angeles
 2) Soho House, Beverly Hills
 3) Koraku, Little Tokyo
 4) Woo Lae Oak, Beverly Hills
 5) King Taco, South Central
 
 What motto do you live by?
 
 You are what you think about.
 
 What advice would you give to those who want to enter into the creative field? 
 
 Don’t try to start at the top. Work your way up from the bottom. There are no short cuts for hard work. Be original. Practice drawing every day. Do not rely on a computer. Surround yourself with good people, and help others along the way. Listen to others. Oh, and work hard.




Monday 8 November 2010

PIECE FROM THE COLLECTION




Here is one from the collection on the market, designed and customized by yours truly!!
Email for details: asst@mistercartoon.com

Friday 5 November 2010

PREVIEW



We just got back from Vegas here are a couple fliks just to give you a preview.

Thursday 4 November 2010

THE REMIX



Here is a recent piece on a client who came in from Boston to get a remix on a piece he got back east in the 90's.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

FROM THE ARCHIVES



Here is a piece from the archives for you guys.. Good Times, Bad Times with a twist!

Tuesday 2 November 2010

LA GUARDIANA




The Homie from Bowtie South came thru to add a piece to his collection dedicated to his daughter.