by Abraham, San Diego
My family realized that when I was in kindergarten I had talent. I remember, every other kid would draw sticks and dots as their characters, but I drew body parts in my art. I would draw ears, eyes, a nose, and lips.
I grew up watching my father tattoo all sorts of people in my momma’s kitchen. I would sit there spaced out in my own world, blurred vision because I needed glasses but I still drew. I never paid attention in school because I was always too busy drawing something, whether it was my favorite superhero or my favorite cartoon character. Lucky for me, my family always encouraged me to keep up the art.
As a very young teen, I began to rebel. I grew tired of going to school, listening to my parents, and I even stopped drawing. I even joined a gang in middle school.
Sadly, I never planned on leaving my gang. I kept drawing attention to myself out in the streets. The first case I ever caught was an assault charge. I put a boy who was a year older than me in a concussion. I went to Urban camp a couple of times until they finally hit me with that Y.O.U., a program designed for hardened juvenile delinquents. It was there that I would sit in my cell developing my artistic skill.
I would sell my artwork and do art for people so they can send it to their BM, girlfriends, or family. I would make ‘San Diego’ pieces and decorate envelopes for my older homies and friends. I wanted to take this art stuff further, so I started taking it into consideration to start tattooing.
Three years later since I stopped drawing, I’m now looking for new opportunities to rise up in this career, and I have big goals to be a world renowned tattoo artist. My advice to you is, wise up, chin up, chest out, and follow your dream. For real though, when you get out and want some ink, look me up! Puro Para Adelante!