Wow where do I begin. My first tattoo was inked by Little Vinnie’s Tattoo at that time of Westminster, MD. I just remember walking down the streets and peeking in at the designs on the wall. None of my friends thought tattoos were cool, as a matter of fact they thought they were gross. My parents said they would kill me. What more inspiration do you need!

So at about 19 when I could legally do it on my own, I walked into Vinnie’s and put down my deposit. After viewing the vast wall, I chose a “small” dragon. The reason I emphasize small because not a single person that has ever seen it has referenced it as small. Small is a clover, this was an 8” winged dragon. The black and white design “has to stay above the boxer line” to prohibit any unsuspecting peeks from siblings if I ever paraded boxers only. I am saying this was about 1992. I recall this taking a little over 2 hours.

The great thing about that whole first experience was that it had it all. Not only was I getting no support from friends or family, they contested the idea (parents didn’t even know). In addition, about 15 minutes before I am to go in, I run outside to my car..on the way back in I am stopped. “Son, are you aware what you are about to do is a sin?” She continued by swarming me with religious literature, that is, of course, until two tattooed and pierced freaks came out from Vinnie’s and kindly (eh hem) told her to leave from the premises. Now I am really ready, even God is pissed at me for being here!

About two years later, age 21 or so, I find myself back walking the Westminster streets looking for Little Vinnie’s shop. The second time, I also choose right from the wall..this time a dragon design from Amsterdam, I am told. This dragon, also a black and white, had a wise look about him. Compared to my previous dragon this tattoo was considerably bigger, but not quite twice its size. The artist incorporated the smoke design into the existing dragon by adding smoke around him as well. I recall this as a 4 hour piece done in 2 sessions.