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Tattoo Artists

Chris Oppenheim - View Tattoo Gallery - Email Artist

MANIC TATTOOS OPENING fEBRUARY 1, 08 *410-734-0393* call for details

I was born and raised in Baltimore MD. Many things have changed through out my life, but the one constant is my love for art. My love later evolved into an obsession which drove me to improve my work. Not much else interested me growing up, especially my jobs as a sheet metal mechanic. I've been drawing since I was old enough to pick up a pencil. I used to copy my skateboard graphics onto paper as a child. At this point I have only been tattooing for 3.5 years. I am a self taught artist and tattooist. Most of the knowledge I have came from many different places. I would attend conventions where I would watch and listen. I would question the pros not caring if they wanted to answer me or not. Many times I spent the last bit of money I had to get into a seminar by Deano Cook, Shane O'Neil or any one who was offering one. I consider myself versatile as far as a specific style goes, and I'm not apposed to spending countless hours researching reference material to come up with the perfect design fro the client. I do prefer realism and biomech imagery over all.

When I got my start it was not easy. I worked a full time job at a sheet metal shop from 6 am - 2:30 pm at which point I would go to a local tattoo shop until 9 or 10 at night. When I got home I would draw until 1 or 2 am and then start the entire routine again at 6 am. I did this 7 days a week for the first year. To any one trying to get into this; it is more then a job, it is a life style. You only get out what you put in. Focus first on the craft, and the money will come. For me progression is the only option. If I stop learning new techniques, or grasping concepts of light, shadow, and color theory, then it's time to quit.

A special thanks to Shawn McGlone for giving me my first shop job opportunity. He let me in when no one else would give me the time of day.