Michael never really thought about being a tattoo artist, although he grew up around plenty of ink. As a kid, he would see his parents and friends tattoos and was intrigued with their conversations about their ink. He remembers looking at one of his father’s tattoo magazines until it nearly fell apart. Despite all of this, Michael went to school to become an Electrical Engineer. He worked in that field for a few years, and it got to the point where he dreaded going to work and what the day would bring. In his favor, he actually got laid off on his birthday! He ended up going to a tattoo convention with his friend/mentor, Rich D. Rich was so impressed with the way that he approached and talked to the customers, that he asked Michael if he would like an apprenticeship. Being reminded that friendship was friendship, but business was business, he threw caution to the wind, and went for it.

His apprenticeship started in 2003 under Rich D. at Big Deluxe Tattoo in Salt Lake City, UT. It lasted nearly 2 years, and although grueling, Michael says it shaped him into what he is today. “I have scrubbed a lot of tubes, and washed a lot of floors. I truly believe that you can be taught how to tattoo in a short time, but you cannot be taught how to be a true tattoo artist and truly know how to tattoo without an apprenticeship…and a humbling apprenticeship at that!” He is thankful for the apprenticeship he was given, and doesn’t regret a single minute of it, or the memories gained from it. Michael says that he really doesn’t have a favorite type or style of work. He enjoys the challenge of pushing himself with every tattoo, or trying to adapt other styles and raising the bar. He really is inspired by the art of tattooing as a whole, and not just a few specific artists. “I think you really need to find inspiration in everything. Saying that one type of artist or art is inspirational more than the next just isn’t me. I was taught that you need to look at everything for inspiration…closing yourself off, you become stagnant,” Michael loves working in color and black and gray, but he finds that it is more of the actual piece that gets him excited than the medium, depending on what will look better in the outcome.

For the past year and a half, Michael has used mostly Cheyenne products, and really enjoys his rotary machines. He does feel that it is essential to learn about all types of machines and products…only being familiar with what you “like” could actually be holding you back. He uses all types of ink, experimenting with different shades and brands. “I guess you could say I am an ‘ink whore’. I see something new, new sets, and new colors, and I have to try it out! I have so much damn ink, it’s stupid. My coworkers like it because they know that if they show it to me, I’ll try it…and they don’t have to waste their money like I do!”

Michael has won awards for “Best Black and Gray”, “Most Realistic”, and “Best Portrait”. He has in fact, tattooed some famous clients, although he can’t recall who they are. He says he doesn’t put much into the fact that they are famous, only that they want a great tattoo, and how he treats them. He doesn’t really care to make a spectacle of anyone, and is just glad that they chose him as their artist. That being said, there isn’t one single person he would like to tattoo. He just wants the client to be excited about getting inked, and loves to see the joy on their faces when they see it finished. As far as his favorite piece of work, he says it the one he hasn’t done yet!