|
How Spike came up...Before discovering his passion for tattoo artistry, Spike spent the first part of his life in Red Wing, Minnesota where he spent much of his youth skateboarding, snowboarding, drawing, painting and pranking his home town. He had many jobs as a kid and young adult including a lucrative career as a DJ for concerts, events, and local strip club. After attending college in 1998 and receiving an Associates of science degree in Personal Computers and Local Area Networking, Spike decided to set his degree aside and follow his passion as he began his career as a tattoo artist. At the age of 22 years old. He started off as a shop rat and was eventually offered an apprenticeship at Red Wing Tattoo (MN).
He went through a traditional apprenticeship and worked hard to learn the secrets of the trade. There, he started to develop his own preferences and personal style. This is also around the time when he began to sharpen his skills in a variety of other artistically related areas, including painting and photography. Spike spent 6 years at Red Wing Tattoo as an apprentice and then an artist before accepting an offer in 2007 to work at North Shore Tattoo in Oahu, Hawaii. Giving in to his passion for life and learning, he quickly signed up for a painting class at the Honolulu Museum of Art, and picked up the local hobby of surfing. In 2010 Spike migrated to the other side of the island where he began work as an artist at Momentum Tattoo, in Kapolei Hawaii. During Spikes seven years in Hawaii, he has had the opportunity to work with some great tattoo artists!! He has had many opportunities to expand on his skills with a broad range of clientele that included the Hawaiian locals, tourists, and military alike. He was able to add Polynesian style tattooing to his repertoire while working closely with the local artists. Spike was also able to practice and perfect his technique with colorful, abstract, and Asian tattoo styles. Spike moved to Southern California in February of 2013. During his career Spike has had many opportunities to travel the country and visit shops and tattoo conventions where he has picked up tips and tricks from some of the leading and most popular tattoo artists around. The time Spike spent in Hawaii provided him with a tourist and military clientele base of people that literally travel the world and back to return to Spike for their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tattoos. In 2017 Spike and his wife Vandi opened up Working Class Tattoo Supply. A grass roots supply company that specializes in providing products made by tattoo artists for artists. Working Class gives back to the tattoo community while promoting the traditions and ideals that helped to establish modern day tattooing. As of February 2021, Spike and Vandi became the proud owners of Captain Tattoo Art Studio in beautiful Temecula, California. Spike works with several talented artists at Captain Tattoo. He and the Captain team participate in regular art nights, art challenges, and studies to further progress their skills. There is always a guest spot available at Captain Tattoo Temecula open to exceptional tattoo artists who want to stay for a few days and talk shop while taking on a few local appointments. When not working, Spike spends his time with his family, painting, taking photos, off-roading, working in his garden and on his Anza ranch with his horses. Spike also enjoys making art by painting in oil, acrylic, liquid acrylic, & markers. (Spike’s art is available for purchase) Spike actively travels between Minnesota, Hawaii, and California to accommodate his past and future clients. You may also be able to catch him at one of the number of tattoo conventions throughout the year. Contact him today so he can help you to illustrate a beautiful image for your next tattoo. |
|
Certifications
Policies
- Spike is CAL-OSHA certified annually in the latest blood-borne pathogen and in cross contamination prevention techniques and handling standards.
- Spike is licensed by the Riverside County Health Department.
Policies
- Spike practices the latest safety procedures. All Needles, and Inks are new for each customer. After the tattoo all instruments are either disposed of or autoclaved in accordance with safe practice standards.
- Customers must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed.
- According to California penal code 603, any person who tattoos or offers to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor. It also states that "No piercing of nipples or genitalia, branding, tattooing, or permanent cosmetics for a minor regardless of parental consent.”