Uncle Tim Tattoos the World

These are the kind of crazy imagery I've become known for. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because I'm not afraid to mix styles that aren't supposed to be mixed. And maybe I shouldn't question it and be thankful for the clientele that are paying my mortgage. This imagery has given me joy and laughter in a sometimes serious business. The reactions to this style is always the same....Smiles and shaking heads.

These evolved out of Mexican Sugar Skulls created to celebrate their ancestors on "Dio Del Los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead". I love to mix Japanese with Polynesian and throw in a little Kustom Kulture to spice things up. Open jaws...closed jaws...fangs...fluttering tongues...bats, rats, horns or whatever. These things are so much fun and they always make people smile. Some stare for a while before their smile breaks, but always love to look at them with a positive reaction.

All of these began with my love for Traditional style tattooing and it's role throughout American History. The simplicity of the imagery is what startles me to this day. The key to these style is how we use suggestions of the image rather than the actual image itself. Minimalism at it's best, I feel. A very pure and honest artform. No explanation needed.

I love to take classic designs and add curious backgrounds. And who wouldn't love to hang out on the beach with a lovley hula girl? Uncecessary detail will not necessarily improve these examples. It can enhance them or it will clutter them. Perhaps a coastline and a palm tree would add to our second beauty. I chose to add a little pale blue around the center of the 1st hula girl. The suggestion of sky or water. Then there is the outright obvious addition of island iconography around a mischevious looking hulagirl. A tiny pecker on the Tiki adds some subliminal humor. Lastly, the classic Sailor Jerry Hula girl is just begging for a little extra for that romantic island flavor. A few examples of limitless possiblilities.

Some of the imagery I grew up with influences me every day. Of course, I always throw in my usual tweak here and there. People like Ed Roth and Ken Howard (aka Von Dutch) have a heavy influence on many a tattoo artist, including me. These images are a permanent part of American Art History. Whether it's flash or an original design I always try to push it a little farther each time. There are so many great artists out there and great art to draw from. I feel that my contsantly evolving style is a gift from the Gods. I'm going to continue to tattoo as long as it's still fun for me.

I just love to tattoo evil, mean, snarly monsters. 60's horror movie imagery stuck to the inside of my skull haunts me with macabre delight. I have sketches that might even make Paul Booth blush. These are some of the more benign tattoos for the sake of website ettiquette. The Sheepshead tattoo is a modified Booth design I did way back in the 90's. (Some are digital photos taken from my portfolio)

My old friend and super talented artist "Girl Roni" (top), from Seattle posing for a shot while I was working in a shop across from the main gates of Camp Lejune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Following pix are taken of me working at shops in Ft. Bragg, Cardiff by the Sea and my old shop in Salinas Calif, Studio 13. The fishing pic is of me gloating over the days catch at my friends lake in Kilauea, Kauai. I really love blackend Tilapia and that's exactly what I did with these poor fellows. Of course the last one is of me doing what I do best.....taking the day off and doing nothing on a Moloa'a beach.

This is one of the things that people know me by. Before Tattooing, I had a sign shop in Monterey, Calif called "Sign language". I used to write a column in Skin&Ink magazine called "Lettering 101". I like to think that I've helped people through that article to improve their lettering skills. I still get comments, now and then, validating that hope from some very fine tattoo artists. This pleases me...

It's been a long strange trip and I've learned loads from friends who helped me through the agony of being an "unknown". It seems that until you are "somebody" in this business, nobody will help you, so, I am, mostly self taught. However, once everybody found out I knew how to letter and pinstripe, it seemed like everybody wanted to be my friend all of a sudden. Writing columns and articles for Skin & Ink magazine for two years helped but it was through my clientel and their support that I've been given license to explore and develop along the direction that I seem to be destined for. Funny thing is that the direction changes from time to time. Even though I haven't written for the magazine in awhile, I still contribute now and then however I can. I love sharing anything I can with a business that has been very good to me.

I don't claim to be anything more that a simple guy who loves tattooing and all that it includes. The people, the art, the history and heritage quicken me on a daily basis. I learn new stuff every day. Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I respect this business for the noble craft it is by refusing hate related work and placements that will insult the trade. I practice stringent guidelines for safety and sterility because I believe in it....not because some authority told me to do it. Skin&Ink magazine editor Bob Baxter calls me "One of the good guys in tattooing". I am honored to have that attached to Uncle Tim. Bob taught me a lot and I owe him even more! My good freind Henry Goldfield calls me "The best lettering guy in the business". This is very funny because I think Henry Goldfield is the best lettering guy in the business. A look at any of his famous show banners will cement this as fact! Guys like Dave Gibson, Jack Rudy, Mike Brown and Boog also rate as lettering Gods as far as I am concerned. Nobody can really say who is truly the best in this trade. But as I get older I try to be more gracious with accepting compliments. Even if they are inflated! But, thank you all for your support.

Although I may have some talent and skill my shortcomings originate from falling alseep in Charm School. I like to "josh" and "kid around" to help ease the tension and pain of the tattooing process when I see someone is struggling. To quasi-quote Strother Martin in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: "Most people around here think I'm a little rough around the edges....but I prefer to think I'm colorful." I have a customer from named Brian from So. Cal., that flies out a few times a year to get work done by me here on Kauai and a couple of times at West Coast coventions. The first time I worked on him he was asking too many questions, moving a lot and distracting me from concentrating on his tattoo so I told him to "Shut the fuck up!" He got in my face and growled, "I don't like you." I got back in his face and told him he could make a choice between a great tattoo and an animated conversation...not both. Of course, he chose the tattoo and now we are good friends and I give him 110% every time he sits. Be that as it may, my promise to the buying public is this: You will get my very best every time you sit in my chair. Love me or hate me I will make your jaw drop when we are done.

When I first started tattooing I actually hated tribal. I thought it was some stupid Surfer/New Age-Primitive indulgance. Admittedly, the imagery could be very powerful if done correctly. After spending time here on Kauai I began to see the beauty of Polynesian and other South Pacific imagery and became drawn to the intricate designs and their meanings. What once was an irritation was slowly transforming into affection. I'm still learning, of course, and I invite you to visit the TRIBAL EXPLORATIONS page. I've met some very cool Hawaiian people who've helped me develop my tribal skills. They bring me thier family designs and I feel honored to apply them to skin. I'm actually having fun exploring and combining polynesian tribal with other images.

I absolutley love what I do and I love making people happy with my art. But, first and foremost I love who I am becoming in my life. I live by certain rules that give me peace. Some people can't handle this part about me. They feel uncomfortable or threatened by my personal boundries. That's okay, because that is what Psychiatrists are for. They are easilly found in the yellow pages. So, when people have a problem with the fact that I refuse to tattoo children... MY ADVICE IS LEARN HOW TO SAY NO  AND STOP TRYING TO SHUT THEM UP BY GIVING IN TO EVERY SINGLE WHIM. In other words.....stop trying to be their friend and start being parents. This is an adult business! And if you get pissed off because I refuse to tattoo a swastika on your girlfriend....that's your problem! I absolutley refuse to be responsible for ruining anybody's life. If you can't understand this then I'm sure you can find someone else who will gladly fullfill your sick ideas. This trade is full of those kind of people.

 If you are looking for a bargain, you came to the wrong guy. Frankly, I don't really give a rat's ass how much they are charging in Hong Kong. I don't come to your place of work and ask you to lower YOUR wage, pal!  So, don't insult me by asking me to lower mine. Remember...you get what you pay for!

So, here it is;

If you want a first class, one of a kind tattoo or a classic traditional, please make an appointment and let's get down. I have a chair waiting with your name on it.....and I would love to meet you.

 Faithful servant to the trade

          ---------Uncle Tim

Also check out my father's paintings by clicking on the "Dad's Art" link on upper left corner of this page. He's a very talented guy who's been around a lot longer than me. Really cool stuff.