SJ Valley Girl Pirate Girl

For my old friend Paul for his bday. When we used to hang out at the Sherman Oaks Galleria back in the day.

"Sayonara 2011"

Gonna make 2012 rock from the get go! Serious shit comin' son.

"Having after work cocktails"

Carson, Luis and myself after closing with Carson's client and wife Gilberto Espinoza of the latin pop band Reik. Super nice fella btw!

"The Burrito Man Cometh"

Xmas in downtown SD

Quiet xmas with some of my coworkers after a short day at the shop. Only 1 tattoo but at least it was something and he was stoked we were around to do it for him! Back to normal
business til' New Years Eve.

"Xmas Eve with Die Hard"

Did this per request for Denny over at Avalon II. Merry Xmas pal!

"Twas the night before Christmas"

...And we were still tattooing! Thanks to Luis, Carson for coming in and to the rest of the crew (Al, Zach and Phil ) enjoying their holiday back home amd with family. We are blessed and super grateful!

"Knock Em Dead Kid!"

Did this painting in watercolor for our "Songs to flash to" artshow. Made high quality prints which are available for $30. The original was bought (thanks cole) at the show with proceeds going to the Romnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout" cancer fund. If interestsd in a print email me at pix@mastertattoo.com

"I live with the crazies"

Living in downtown San Diego one must learn to deal with the homeless. I have become used to eaux de urine stairwell smell after my years in downtown.

"Feel the power!"

Bam! - in yo face!

"Short Round lives in tattoo art"

Painted this and actually tattooed it on Adam Clark. From Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - Short round with his famous line "no time for love dr. Jones!" Love painting movie themed flash.

"Salty Dog"

This boatswains mate sailor gets some knotwork and anchor on the hands.

"Sayonara Sucker"

My John Belushi "1941" Wild Bill Kelso watercolor 👀

"Home"

Painted this today for one of the nicest people I have come across in my travels. Gonna mail it off today. Hope they like it.

Le eye de gil

Sees all. Knows nada. 😉 merry christmas everyone! And yes, we'll be open on the 24th and 25th. So get the gift that no one can return.

Pics from our annual xmas party

We had a really great turn out considering it was a monday, raining and cold (by San Diego standards) Friends and tattooers alike all came out to spend time and catch up with each other. It seems Master Tattoo has always been considered hallowed ground. Tattooers leave can any ego at the curbside and just come in have a good time and share stories. Thanks to all who came out! Much respect!!

"Green Mile SD Style"

This is "Big Z". He's been a bouncer and security guy for as long as I've known him. Although tribal is not my cup of tea how can I refuse this cat? And he calls me "boss" which is really weird and cool coming from his mouth.

30 year client keeps on getting ink from Master Tattoo

This guy has been tattooed by: Tahiti Felix, sons Hiro & Maurice, Lefty Al Miller, Bob Noble, Al Avila, Carson, Phil amd several from me over the years. He recently got these vintage Owen Jensen dragons circa 1930's.

"Back to the future" in tattoo

Did this off my sheet of flash I painted titled "Flash from the future" Adam Clark was amped enough to get it. Was fun to do this "Born To Flux" tattoo and see something I acutally designed on someone. Always an honor!

"Sailor Jerry goes Maori"

Did this transformed Sailor Jerry pinup and added a typical female moko tattoo and added a plumeria flower on my good friend Chino who owned True Love Tattoo in Hamilton, New Zealand. It was an awesome experience to tattoo there and meet the kind people and beautiful land. It's no wonder the Maori take great pride in their country.

"Fast Food" Job Stoppers

Did these on Mr. Lee back on the Broadway location. I actually coaxed him into getting them. :)

"Praying Hands on Zach's Hand"

Did this tatty back at the Broadway location when Zach was still a newbie at the shop. Still the smallest praying hands I've done to date.

"Words To Live By"

Did this on a Marine quoting one of his favorite Social Distortion songs.

"Seven Deadly Sins in Pinup"

My collaborative effort with Mr. Carson's unique pinup designs and my attempt to paint them. "Gluttony" and "Sloth" complete. Prints Will be available once all 7 are completed in the next couple of months.

"how to draw wizards"

Thanks to Mr. Carson for this awesome book! Hopefully the unicorn book is en route as well.

"Deck the Halls" TNS display

This was a charity event held at Massive Tattoo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Artists from all over donated hand painted blanks and they were nice enough to include a section for TNS. So we decided to create one off pool decks for this show. Our standard deck is your typical "popsicle" deck about 7.75" in size with a medium concave. www.tnsindustries.com

TNS skatedecks

Displayed here in a shop in Iowa. Thanks for the support and the artists that designed them for us. Been doing this pet project since 2004. All decks are designed by tattooers only and limited to a run pf 1200 decks per design. Get while they last! www.tnsindustries.com

After work "champagne of beers"

With the fellas at the Star Bar downtown San Diego

Small paintings I did.

(L) Zeis design gifted to my life coach and (R) Sailor Jerry design

"Power Corn Dog Powers Activate"

One for the dog on DJ Turbo

Vintage Zeis design

Did this on Mr. Johnny. Super fun to do.

"Tall ship and Lighthouse"

Did this on my buddy Frank who is the chef at the house of blues. Took a month to finish as we needed to do one hand at a time so he could have a free hand to cook. For those of you thinking about getting your hands tattooed be warned they will
occasionally need to be touched up!

Vintage Owen Jensen design back to life

Did this on Ms. Liz from Skull and Dagger tattoo in Miramar. One of several that we are doing to complete her traditional left arm. Tattoo by Gil

"Truth" dagger on Mr. Johhny

Original design from Owen Jensen catalog. Added the "force field" inred to add some pop to the tattoo. Mr. Johnny is in the US Navy currently stationed here in San Diego. Tattoo by Gil

Sailor Jerry Skull n' Heart

Did this on Kat. One of many I've had the honor of doing. Fun one to do with bold lines and solid colors! Tattoo by Gil

Sailor Jerry Collins Hula Girl

Did this on Em3 Matty while he was here on thanksgiving vacation from Upstate New York.

Battleship on a battleship sailor

Did this on an ol' shipmate " Em3 Matty" I served with back on the mighty mo bb-63! - design from original Tahiti Felix flash, tattoo by Gil

Old school swallows

Navy wife who lived in Hawaii while her husband was stationed there gets her tattoo to commemorate her journey back to the mainland. Tattoo by Gil

Original Tahiti Felix design circa 1956

Put this one on a fella who has a fondness for the ocean and old timey tattoo art. We added the anchor and rope at his request. The mermaid came from the original flash tha he spotted i the display window. Tattoo by Gil

Sailor Jerry pinup redraw

The original had her hugging a piston. We swapped it out for an anchor and added the sailor hat for this lady from Alaska who wanted a souvenier of her "San Diego" trip. We put this on the back of her left calf. Tattoo by Gil

Re-do of old tattoo

Redid the line work and color. Added red border for some "pop" - redo by Gil

Holiday schedule

We will be open all weekend from noon - early evening (including xmas an xmas eve) with limited staff so compn down if you would like to get tattooed or just say hello!