When I'm not working on cool tattoos, you can typically find me out in my workshop building custom wooden furniture. From dressers, beds, cabinetry, and more elaborate structures, I love figuring out how to make (mainly my wife and mother in laws) ideas come to life. I really enjoy the problem solving that arises when doing woodwork and learning better and more efficient ways and getting to the final product. If you are keen on having me make something for you feel free to reach out and shoot me your ideas. In the meantime enjoy looking at some projects I've worked on in the past!
Growing up in the 80s, I developed a passion for comic books and heavy metal album art. I found myself being drawn to the pen and ink skulls of Pushead, Iron Maiden cover at by Derrik Riggs, Conan comics by Ernie Chan, fantasy art by Frank Frazetta, and the lowbrow art of Robert Williams. Spending more time in class drawing on notebooks rather than paying attention, my passion for art grew more and more. Going to a lot of metal and punk shows was probably my first real exposure to the (at the time) underground world of tattoos. I was drawn to the rebellious and fringe nature of those that stood out so blatantly from the rest of society. My first foray into tattooing came one fateful night when I was 14. A friend's father returned from a stint in the joint, and for whatever reason thought it was a good idea to show us how to make prison style machines out of a walkman motor, d cell batteries, and guitar strings. Luckily for me I was a much better artist than my buddy and became a walking sketchbook. Jump ahead a few years and I was able to get proper equipment and training from an actual tattooer. Tony Urbanick from Inka Dinka Doo was kind and patient enough
to give me the opportunity to work in his shop. Learning a ton from him and the other artists there, after several years was able to open a shop with another tattooer called Lefty's. In need of a third artist I eventually hired a beautiful young lady that would become not only my wife, but my business partner as well. Amber and I opened Blood Eagle 15 years ago and we are going strong. I still love all things comic and heavy metal, but have developed a passion for Norse and Celtic imagery as well. Black and grey work is definitely my favorite, but I do enjoy color work too. Over the past 32 years in the tattoo industry, I have tried to work in many different styles of art, from old school traditional to fine line and everything in between (except color realism, hah fuck that shit). Having awesome people to both work with and on keeps this career ever evolving and interesting. I look forward to what the future adds to this awesome trip I'm on! Skal!
If you'd like to check out more of Erin's work, head over to his Instagram page