what I really want to focus on today is how I let
how I let
how I let guide me to a place of finding something
guide me to a place of finding something
guide me to a place of finding something that I was really passionate about in
that I was really passionate about in
that I was really passionate about in life and as I look back on a little
life and as I look back on a little
life and as I look back on a little journey that got me this far I start to
journey that got me this far I start to
journey that got me this far I start to realize pretty pretty quick that I
realize pretty pretty quick that I
realize pretty pretty quick that I didn’t take the most conventional
didn’t take the most conventional
didn’t take the most conventional approach to it you know it was hard for
approach to it you know it was hard for
approach to it you know it was hard for me to find motivation to move forward
me to find motivation to move forward
me to find motivation to move forward with things I wasn’t passionate about it
with things I wasn’t passionate about it
with things I wasn’t passionate about it so when it came to schooling it was
so when it came to schooling it was
so when it came to schooling it was heated like I got an F I got an A you
heated like I got an F I got an A you
heated like I got an F I got an A you know something that I wasn’t so
know something that I wasn’t so
know something that I wasn’t so passionate about or something I was
passionate about or something I was
passionate about or something I was really passionate about personally I did
really passionate about personally I did
really passionate about personally I did a lot of my exploring outside of school
a lot of my exploring outside of school
a lot of my exploring outside of school about music I played the piano
about music I played the piano
about music I played the piano I studied the violin I was actually part
I studied the violin I was actually part
I studied the violin I was actually part of a junior symphony back in my hometown
of a junior symphony back in my hometown
of a junior symphony back in my hometown up until the point where I realized that
up until the point where I realized that
up until the point where I realized that much rather spent its then at home
much rather spent its then at home
much rather spent its then at home practicing found sports baseball
practicing found sports baseball
practicing found sports baseball basketball soccer you name it I played
basketball soccer you name it I played
basketball soccer you name it I played it out engulfed myself in skateboarding
it out engulfed myself in skateboarding
it out engulfed myself in skateboarding completely and I guess you could say
completely and I guess you could say
completely and I guess you could say that maybe my my first true love
that maybe my my first true love
that maybe my my first true love breakfast lunch dinner I mean he
breakfast lunch dinner I mean he
breakfast lunch dinner I mean he breathes slept it it’s all I cared about
breathes slept it it’s all I cared about
breathes slept it it’s all I cared about everything else was background noise and
everything else was background noise and
everything else was background noise and then I got injured pretty good when I
then I got injured pretty good when I
then I got injured pretty good when I was away from skateboarding I found my
was away from skateboarding I found my
was away from skateboarding I found my next love heart and when I found art I
next love heart and when I found art I
next love heart and when I found art I kind of never looked back started with
kind of never looked back started with
kind of never looked back started with graffiti which I must say got me in a
graffiti which I must say got me in a
graffiti which I must say got me in a good bit of trouble
good bit of trouble
good bit of trouble and it would evolve into tattooing and
and it would evolve into tattooing and
and it would evolve into tattooing and would eventually evolve in a much more
you know it seems as though everybody’s
you know it seems as though everybody’s got an idea of what a meaningful life is
got an idea of what a meaningful life is
got an idea of what a meaningful life is to them you know how many times you
to them you know how many times you
to them you know how many times you heard someone tell you you know this
heard someone tell you you know this
heard someone tell you you know this they know what’s best for you and this
they know what’s best for you and this
they know what’s best for you and this is the life you should be living and I’m
is the life you should be living and I’m
is the life you should be living and I’m not one to say you know one way is
not one to say you know one way is
not one to say you know one way is better than the next but what I will say
better than the next but what I will say
better than the next but what I will say what I feel is really important is to
what I feel is really important is to
what I feel is really important is to find out what a meaningful life is to
find out what a meaningful life is to
find out what a meaningful life is to you to me and the only way to genuinely
you to me and the only way to genuinely
you to me and the only way to genuinely do that is to explore you know kind of
do that is to explore you know kind of
do that is to explore you know kind of approaching each new home and each new
approaching each new home and each new
approaching each new home and each new experience each new obstacle there’s an
experience each new obstacle there’s an
experience each new obstacle there’s an old man your own woman looking through
old man your own woman looking through
old man your own woman looking through those moments aren’t even growing along
those moments aren’t even growing along
those moments aren’t even growing along the way and when you’re in those spaces
the way and when you’re in those spaces
the way and when you’re in those spaces where you’re kind of you know figuring
where you’re kind of you know figuring
where you’re kind of you know figuring things out you’re not worried about what
things out you’re not worried about what
things out you’re not worried about what this person thinks about what you’re
this person thinks about what you’re
this person thinks about what you’re doing there you know how this person
doing there you know how this person
doing there you know how this person feels about it or how society feels
feels about it or how society feels
feels about it or how society feels about it you know it’s okay to be
about it you know it’s okay to be
about it you know it’s okay to be different it’s okay to be an individual
different it’s okay to be an individual
different it’s okay to be an individual and society maybe is one of the ones
and society maybe is one of the ones
and society maybe is one of the ones that kind of gives us the most pressure
that kind of gives us the most pressure
that kind of gives us the most pressure in that department you know you it’s
in that department you know you it’s
in that department you know you it’s almost like society wants you to fit
almost like society wants you to fit
almost like society wants you to fit into a mold you know offer you these
into a mold you know offer you these
into a mold you know offer you these paths that you’re supposed to take and
paths that you’re supposed to take and
paths that you’re supposed to take and it’s our jobs to poke holes in it
it’s our jobs to poke holes in it
it’s our jobs to poke holes in it especially as creatives so I know when I
especially as creatives so I know when I
especially as creatives so I know when I talk about you know jumping from one
talk about you know jumping from one
talk about you know jumping from one thing to the next it may sound like it
thing to the next it may sound like it
thing to the next it may sound like it was easy for me but you know it it
was easy for me but you know it it
was easy for me but you know it it definitely wasn’t when I realized I
definitely wasn’t when I realized I
definitely wasn’t when I realized I wasn’t gonna be the next Michael Jordan
wasn’t gonna be the next Michael Jordan
wasn’t gonna be the next Michael Jordan it was a tough pill to swallow and when
it was a tough pill to swallow and when
it was a tough pill to swallow and when I got injured from skateboarding my
I got injured from skateboarding my
I got injured from skateboarding my whole world came crashing down you know
whole world came crashing down you know
whole world came crashing down you know I didn’t know what I was gonna do next
I didn’t know what I was gonna do next
I didn’t know what I was gonna do next and I think what I’m trying to touch up
and I think what I’m trying to touch up
and I think what I’m trying to touch up on here something that I think we all
on here something that I think we all
on here something that I think we all know to be true is that it seems as
know to be true is that it seems as
know to be true is that it seems as though we move on to that next thing it
though we move on to that next thing it
though we move on to that next thing it gets a little bit harder and a little
gets a little bit harder and a little
gets a little bit harder and a little bit harder to do so and maybe it’s
bit harder to do so and maybe it’s
bit harder to do so and maybe it’s because we’re kind of holding on to
because we’re kind of holding on to
because we’re kind of holding on to these frustrations and these feelings
these frustrations and these feelings
these frustrations and these feelings that we felt before
that we felt before
that we felt before when we had these high hopes for this
when we had these high hopes for this
when we had these high hopes for this thing and it you know it didn’t work out
thing and it you know it didn’t work out
thing and it you know it didn’t work out the way we hoped it would maybe we were
the way we hoped it would maybe we were
the way we hoped it would maybe we were vulnerable to that thing and let down
vulnerable to that thing and let down
vulnerable to that thing and let down and you know it sucks I get it
and you know it sucks I get it
and you know it sucks I get it I’ve definitely been there before many
I’ve definitely been there before many
I’ve definitely been there before many times and for me when I was in those
times and for me when I was in those
times and for me when I was in those places and it came time to choosing what
places and it came time to choosing what
places and it came time to choosing what to do next I always chose to keep moving
to do next I always chose to keep moving
to do next I always chose to keep moving forward keep exploring and with each new
forward keep exploring and with each new
forward keep exploring and with each new world I explored I started to learn more
world I explored I started to learn more
world I explored I started to learn more about myself more about what I was
about myself more about what I was
about myself more about what I was capable of you know my strengths my
capable of you know my strengths my
capable of you know my strengths my weaknesses and to be honest you know
weaknesses and to be honest you know
weaknesses and to be honest you know over the course of my life and you not
over the course of my life and you not
over the course of my life and you not get I’m still a puppy but that’s one of
get I’m still a puppy but that’s one of
get I’m still a puppy but that’s one of the things I’m most proud of is that you
the things I’m most proud of is that you
the things I’m most proud of is that you know I’ve never waited for the stars to
know I’ve never waited for the stars to
know I’ve never waited for the stars to align I got on that road I let it take
align I got on that road I let it take
align I got on that road I let it take me to where it was supposed to and you
me to where it was supposed to and you
me to where it was supposed to and you know even if it didn’t work out the way
know even if it didn’t work out the way
know even if it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped
I’d hoped
I’d hoped kept moving forward so I built my first
kept moving forward so I built my first
kept moving forward so I built my first tattoo machine
tattoo machine
tattoo machine I used the motor from a Walkman radio i
I used the motor from a Walkman radio i
I used the motor from a Walkman radio i chiseled down a guitar string rig this
chiseled down a guitar string rig this
chiseled down a guitar string rig this thing up maybe about 15 16 here
thing up maybe about 15 16 here
thing up maybe about 15 16 here tattooing one of my friends and even my
tattooing one of my friends and even my
tattooing one of my friends and even my parents garage or maybe it was like a
parents garage or maybe it was like a
parents garage or maybe it was like a motel 6 it could have easily been either
motel 6 it could have easily been either
motel 6 it could have easily been either one at this point and for the next 30 or
one at this point and for the next 30 or
one at this point and for the next 30 or so years I started to roll in the
so years I started to roll in the
so years I started to roll in the neighborhoods and tattoo anybody and
neighborhoods and tattoo anybody and
neighborhoods and tattoo anybody and everybody I could find and I was having
everybody I could find and I was having
everybody I could find and I was having a blast doing it what could you imagine
a blast doing it what could you imagine
a blast doing it what could you imagine what my parents were thinking well maybe
what my parents were thinking well maybe
what my parents were thinking well maybe society was thinking right you know I
society was thinking right you know I
society was thinking right you know I never let those pressures get in the way
never let those pressures get in the way
never let those pressures get in the way of me finding my own truth you know I
of me finding my own truth you know I
of me finding my own truth you know I knew how I felt about what I was doing
knew how I felt about what I was doing
knew how I felt about what I was doing and and it was a hundred percent sincere
and and it was a hundred percent sincere
and and it was a hundred percent sincere and I always wanted to find my own way
and I always wanted to find my own way
and I always wanted to find my own way in life I didn’t want to live somebody
in life I didn’t want to live somebody
in life I didn’t want to live somebody else’s like
about 18 or so I met a man named angel
about 18 or so I met a man named angel it was kind of like a second father to
it was kind of like a second father to
it was kind of like a second father to me now and he gave me my first real shot
me now and he gave me my first real shot
me now and he gave me my first real shot at working at the tattoo shop and this
at working at the tattoo shop and this
at working at the tattoo shop and this was almost my first real shot at being
was almost my first real shot at being
was almost my first real shot at being maybe legitimate and not this you know
maybe legitimate and not this you know
maybe legitimate and not this you know young knucklehead kid tattooing your son
young knucklehead kid tattooing your son
young knucklehead kid tattooing your son or daughter at your house when you’re at
or daughter at your house when you’re at
or daughter at your house when you’re at work kind of thing and it felt like it
work kind of thing and it felt like it
work kind of thing and it felt like it was my first real shot and also exciting
was my first real shot and also exciting
was my first real shot and also exciting times for me and that went on for a
times for me and that went on for a
times for me and that went on for a little while until I reached someone
little while until I reached someone
little while until I reached someone would have a different roadblock but it
would have a different roadblock but it
would have a different roadblock but it wasn’t like before it wasn’t that I
wasn’t like before it wasn’t that I
wasn’t like before it wasn’t that I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing
wasn’t passionate about what I was doing
wasn’t passionate about what I was doing so far so I kind of had these questions
so far so I kind of had these questions
so far so I kind of had these questions start to creep up in my head and kind of
start to creep up in my head and kind of
start to creep up in my head and kind of took the shape of you know are you
took the shape of you know are you
took the shape of you know are you reaching your full potential
I’m the sole surviving son of my whole
I’m the sole surviving son of my whole family name my family actually survived
family name my family actually survived
family name my family actually survived the Holocaust my pops was born in a camp
the Holocaust my pops was born in a camp
the Holocaust my pops was born in a camp in Austria and nine years after they
in Austria and nine years after they
in Austria and nine years after they fled their village in Poland
fled their village in Poland
fled their village in Poland they made it through Ellis Island and
they made it through Ellis Island and
they made it through Ellis Island and into America hopes for a better life for
into America hopes for a better life for
into America hopes for a better life for themselves in the family and I used to
themselves in the family and I used to
themselves in the family and I used to think a lot about what that meant others
think a lot about what that meant others
think a lot about what that meant others others had to endure so that I could
others had to endure so that I could
others had to endure so that I could have the life and the opportunities I
have the life and the opportunities I
have the life and the opportunities I have now I still think a lot about that
have now I still think a lot about that
have now I still think a lot about that now and so I’m kind of chewing on these
now and so I’m kind of chewing on these
now and so I’m kind of chewing on these things in my head right I reached my
things in my head right I reached my
things in my head right I reached my full potential and my taking advantage
full potential and my taking advantage
full potential and my taking advantage of opportunities there in front of me
of opportunities there in front of me
of opportunities there in front of me you know things are pretty good right
you know things are pretty good right
you know things are pretty good right now I’m comfortable is that is that a
now I’m comfortable is that is that a
now I’m comfortable is that is that a good thing and comfort a bad thing and I
good thing and comfort a bad thing and I
good thing and comfort a bad thing and I decided to do the unthinkable my parents
decided to do the unthinkable my parents
decided to do the unthinkable my parents couldn’t believe it
couldn’t believe it
couldn’t believe it young Jewish kid who barely made it out
young Jewish kid who barely made it out
young Jewish kid who barely made it out of high school can you guess what I
of high school can you guess what I
of high school can you guess what I wasn’t dead I would go on I would study
wasn’t dead I would go on I would study
wasn’t dead I would go on I would study the Torah and become a rabbi I’m just
the Torah and become a rabbi I’m just
the Torah and become a rabbi I’m just kidding oh yeah clothes I’ll go back to
kidding oh yeah clothes I’ll go back to
kidding oh yeah clothes I’ll go back to school and study but this time I’ll take
school and study but this time I’ll take
school and study but this time I’ll take classes that I was interested in I took
classes that I was interested in I took
classes that I was interested in I took an art class which was actually my first
an art class which was actually my first
an art class which was actually my first art class a philosophy class where I met
art class a philosophy class where I met
art class a philosophy class where I met Socrates for the first time and kind of
Socrates for the first time and kind of
Socrates for the first time and kind of this life-changing moment experience I
this life-changing moment experience I
this life-changing moment experience I was blessed with this unquenchable
was blessed with this unquenchable
was blessed with this unquenchable thirst to learn and grow and be my best
thirst to learn and grow and be my best
thirst to learn and grow and be my best self and it felt amazing so I told
self and it felt amazing so I told
self and it felt amazing so I told myself okay if you’re gonna do this do
myself okay if you’re gonna do this do
myself okay if you’re gonna do this do it at the highest level and I started to
it at the highest level and I started to
it at the highest level and I started to search the world for this art and design
search the world for this art and design
search the world for this art and design school that I was gonna go to and it did
school that I was gonna go to and it did
school that I was gonna go to and it did not matter where it was if it was the
not matter where it was if it was the
not matter where it was if it was the right one I was gonna go you know I was
right one I was gonna go you know I was
right one I was gonna go you know I was looking in Russia at the repin Academy
looking in Russia at the repin Academy
looking in Russia at the repin Academy the Florence Academy in Italy the East
the Florence Academy in Italy the East
the Florence Academy in Italy the East Coast and then I found a place called
Coast and then I found a place called
Coast and then I found a place called Art Center
Art Center
Art Center so I got my car it’s about an eight-hour
so I got my car it’s about an eight-hour
so I got my car it’s about an eight-hour drive from Northern California and I
drive from Northern California and I
drive from Northern California and I come visit Hogwarts excuse me I’d sooner
come visit Hogwarts excuse me I’d sooner
come visit Hogwarts excuse me I’d sooner I toured the campus and I just knew it
I toured the campus and I just knew it
I toured the campus and I just knew it was the right place for me I was so
was the right place for me I was so
was the right place for me I was so excited that I got back home I put
excited that I got back home I put
excited that I got back home I put together my portfolio I shipped it out
together my portfolio I shipped it out
together my portfolio I shipped it out and I waited and I got the acceptance
and I waited and I got the acceptance
and I waited and I got the acceptance letter in the mail and it was kind of
letter in the mail and it was kind of
letter in the mail and it was kind of like oh shit like I guess I gotta go
like oh shit like I guess I gotta go
like oh shit like I guess I gotta go through with this now right I got my car
through with this now right I got my car
through with this now right I got my car on the left now maybe this is one of
on the left now maybe this is one of
on the left now maybe this is one of those things that sounds a little bit
those things that sounds a little bit
those things that sounds a little bit easier than it was right like just get
easier than it was right like just get
easier than it was right like just get in your car and go it’s sounds pretty
in your car and go it’s sounds pretty
in your car and go it’s sounds pretty easy right but it most definitely wasn’t
easy right but it most definitely wasn’t
easy right but it most definitely wasn’t I was getting ready to leave my hometown
I was getting ready to leave my hometown
I was getting ready to leave my hometown which actually got tattooed across my
which actually got tattooed across my
which actually got tattooed across my stomach when I was 18 because I never
stomach when I was 18 because I never
stomach when I was 18 because I never thought I was gonna leave this place you
thought I was gonna leave this place you
thought I was gonna leave this place you know my friends my family everything I
know my friends my family everything I
know my friends my family everything I had known and my young puppy life was
had known and my young puppy life was
had known and my young puppy life was was there a tattoo shop my extended
was there a tattoo shop my extended
was there a tattoo shop my extended tattoo family I had some of the best
tattoo family I had some of the best
tattoo family I had some of the best times of my life there and Here I am I’m
times of my life there and Here I am I’m
times of my life there and Here I am I’m getting ready to leave all this for
getting ready to leave all this for
getting ready to leave all this for something that’s not guaranteed I don’t
something that’s not guaranteed I don’t
something that’s not guaranteed I don’t know how this is gonna work out so I was
know how this is gonna work out so I was
know how this is gonna work out so I was telling myself you know if I don’t do
telling myself you know if I don’t do
telling myself you know if I don’t do this maybe I won’t reach my full
this maybe I won’t reach my full
this maybe I won’t reach my full potential maybe I’m not taking advantage
potential maybe I’m not taking advantage
potential maybe I’m not taking advantage of these opportunities in front of me
of these opportunities in front of me
of these opportunities in front of me and then maybe was enough and maybe I’ll
and then maybe was enough and maybe I’ll
and then maybe was enough and maybe I’ll fail too right and that’s okay and what
fail too right and that’s okay and what
fail too right and that’s okay and what I’ve learned is that failure is one of
I’ve learned is that failure is one of
I’ve learned is that failure is one of these words you give way too much
these words you give way too much
these words you give way too much respect too
respect too
respect too you know we kind of I don’t know if it’s
you know we kind of I don’t know if it’s
you know we kind of I don’t know if it’s in our our nature to sometimes feel
in our our nature to sometimes feel
in our our nature to sometimes feel sorry for ourselves or you know make
sorry for ourselves or you know make
sorry for ourselves or you know make sense out of these moments of
sense out of these moments of
sense out of these moments of disappointment and frustration as these
disappointment and frustration as these
disappointment and frustration as these life ending times but were they ever
life ending times but were they ever
life ending times but were they ever that of course not you know it’s it’s
that of course not you know it’s it’s
that of course not you know it’s it’s really about a matter of perspective on
really about a matter of perspective on
really about a matter of perspective on how we tend to look at these moments you
how we tend to look at these moments you
how we tend to look at these moments you know and instead of looking at them as
know and instead of looking at them as
know and instead of looking at them as an ending point why not a beginning
an ending point why not a beginning
an ending point why not a beginning something to build on
something to build on
something to build on which is what life is you continue to
which is what life is you continue to
which is what life is you continue to grow and build along the way right it
grow and build along the way right it
grow and build along the way right it can be a memory and experience a lesson
can be a memory and experience a lesson
can be a memory and experience a lesson again however we choose to shape and
again however we choose to shape and
again however we choose to shape and we’re all capable of that so I’m in my
we’re all capable of that so I’m in my
we’re all capable of that so I’m in my car I’m heading towards this foreign
car I’m heading towards this foreign
car I’m heading towards this foreign place and some of the logistical things
place and some of the logistical things
place and some of the logistical things that I probably should have thought
that I probably should have thought
that I probably should have thought about a little bit more before I left
about a little bit more before I left
about a little bit more before I left they’re starting to trickle in kind of
they’re starting to trickle in kind of
they’re starting to trickle in kind of like where am I gonna work where am I
like where am I gonna work where am I
like where am I gonna work where am I gonna live and I’m starting to get a
gonna live and I’m starting to get a
gonna live and I’m starting to get a little bit emotional and I’m not gonna
little bit emotional and I’m not gonna
little bit emotional and I’m not gonna lie I was crying a little bit I was
lie I was crying a little bit I was
lie I was crying a little bit I was debating not putting that in – maybe
debating not putting that in – maybe
debating not putting that in – maybe salvaged some of the street cred I had
salvaged some of the street cred I had
salvaged some of the street cred I had left but sure and once I got that out of
left but sure and once I got that out of
left but sure and once I got that out of my system what followed was one of the
my system what followed was one of the
my system what followed was one of the biggest smiles I think I can ever
biggest smiles I think I can ever
biggest smiles I think I can ever remember because I was proud of myself
remember because I was proud of myself
remember because I was proud of myself that I’d found the courage to take this
that I’d found the courage to take this
that I’d found the courage to take this leap in life and I was on this new
leap in life and I was on this new
leap in life and I was on this new chapter in life and even though life was
chapter in life and even though life was
chapter in life and even though life was good back home even though I was going
good back home even though I was going
good back home even though I was going into a direction where maybe it wasn’t
into a direction where maybe it wasn’t
into a direction where maybe it wasn’t gonna work out how I’d hoped you know
gonna work out how I’d hoped you know
gonna work out how I’d hoped you know that’s okay and I knew I had made the
that’s okay and I knew I had made the
that’s okay and I knew I had made the right decision because I was working
right decision because I was working
right decision because I was working through these obstacles and not shying
through these obstacles and not shying
through these obstacles and not shying away from her and I also learned you
away from her and I also learned you
away from her and I also learned you know I almost think the harder the
know I almost think the harder the
know I almost think the harder the decision it’s like when we know it’s an
decision it’s like when we know it’s an
decision it’s like when we know it’s an important decision right and to be
important decision right and to be
important decision right and to be honest I think the times when things
honest I think the times when things
honest I think the times when things didn’t work out the way I had hoped that
didn’t work out the way I had hoped that
didn’t work out the way I had hoped that the times that I’d learned the most and
the times that I’d learned the most and
the times that I’d learned the most and when things didn’t work out the way I
when things didn’t work out the way I
when things didn’t work out the way I had hoped maybe I didn’t learn so much
had hoped maybe I didn’t learn so much
had hoped maybe I didn’t learn so much so again he’s a moments that aren’t that
so again he’s a moments that aren’t that
so again he’s a moments that aren’t that bad of a thing so I get down to LA and I
bad of a thing so I get down to LA and I
bad of a thing so I get down to LA and I guess it’s time to figure it out right
guess it’s time to figure it out right
guess it’s time to figure it out right again no place to live no place to work
again no place to live no place to work
again no place to live no place to work and I decided to go see a man named Jose
and I decided to go see a man named Jose
and I decided to go see a man named Jose Lopez which if you know anything about
Lopez which if you know anything about
Lopez which if you know anything about black and gray tattooing he’s kind of
black and gray tattooing he’s kind of
black and gray tattooing he’s kind of like the Michael Jordan of this thing so
like the Michael Jordan of this thing so
like the Michael Jordan of this thing so I pop in one night I’d never met him
I pop in one night I’d never met him
I pop in one night I’d never met him before it’s about 11:00
before it’s about 11:00
before it’s about 11:00 he’s tattooing
he’s tattooing
he’s tattooing and we end up talking till about 3:00
and we end up talking till about 3:00
and we end up talking till about 3:00 4:00 in the morning and at the end of
4:00 in the morning and at the end of
4:00 in the morning and at the end of that conversation he asked me if I would
that conversation he asked me if I would
that conversation he asked me if I would like to come work with him and in my
like to come work with him and in my
like to come work with him and in my head I’m kind of going crazy like well
head I’m kind of going crazy like well
head I’m kind of going crazy like well just dream come true type stuff so I
just dream come true type stuff so I
just dream come true type stuff so I start school about a week later I’m
start school about a week later I’m
start school about a week later I’m working alongside one of my heroes and
things seem to be going pretty good but
things seem to be going pretty good but what I learned too is when good things
what I learned too is when good things
what I learned too is when good things happen in life you know you’re gonna
happen in life you know you’re gonna
happen in life you know you’re gonna have to earn them and in this situation
have to earn them and in this situation
have to earn them and in this situation it was gonna require a lot of work you
it was gonna require a lot of work you
it was gonna require a lot of work you know Art Center’s got this reputation
know Art Center’s got this reputation
know Art Center’s got this reputation for being somewhat of a difficult school
for being somewhat of a difficult school
for being somewhat of a difficult school and yeah you guys know and I think a
and yeah you guys know and I think a
and yeah you guys know and I think a more accurate description of this place
more accurate description of this place
more accurate description of this place is it’s almost like it’s like a Navy
is it’s almost like it’s like a Navy
is it’s almost like it’s like a Navy SEAL boot camp sort of training with a
SEAL boot camp sort of training with a
SEAL boot camp sort of training with a little sprinkle of art design teaching
little sprinkle of art design teaching
little sprinkle of art design teaching somewhere in there
somewhere in there
somewhere in there and I’m dedicating about 80 hours a week
and I’m dedicating about 80 hours a week
and I’m dedicating about 80 hours a week to school alone and on the side I’m
to school alone and on the side I’m
to school alone and on the side I’m tattooing maybe 50 hours a week on top
tattooing maybe 50 hours a week on top
tattooing maybe 50 hours a week on top of that with hose Jose doesn’t leave a
of that with hose Jose doesn’t leave a
of that with hose Jose doesn’t leave a lot of room for sleep and I’m getting a
lot of room for sleep and I’m getting a
lot of room for sleep and I’m getting a little bit overwhelmed but kind of
little bit overwhelmed but kind of
little bit overwhelmed but kind of starting to question myself a little bit
starting to question myself a little bit
starting to question myself a little bit like I can be able to do this thing and
like I can be able to do this thing and
like I can be able to do this thing and somewhat of a moment of weakness one
somewhat of a moment of weakness one
somewhat of a moment of weakness one night I decided to call my pops he’s in
night I decided to call my pops he’s in
night I decided to call my pops he’s in the audience today with probably the big
the audience today with probably the big
the audience today with probably the big smile on his face cuz he loves to tell
smile on his face cuz he loves to tell
smile on his face cuz he loves to tell this story and I kind of share with them
this story and I kind of share with them
this story and I kind of share with them a little bit about you know what I’m
a little bit about you know what I’m
a little bit about you know what I’m thinking about him questioning if I can
thinking about him questioning if I can
thinking about him questioning if I can do this thinking about maybe giving up
do this thinking about maybe giving up
do this thinking about maybe giving up you know what he tells me he goes son if
you know what he tells me he goes son if
you know what he tells me he goes son if you’re looking for sympathy it’s
you’re looking for sympathy it’s
you’re looking for sympathy it’s somewhere in the dictionary between shit
somewhere in the dictionary between shit
somewhere in the dictionary between shit and syphilis
and if I were to translate that for you
and if I were to translate that for you guys I think what he meant by that was
guys I think what he meant by that was
guys I think what he meant by that was uh you know we’re here for you
uh you know we’re here for you
uh you know we’re here for you unconditionally everything’s gonna be
unconditionally everything’s gonna be
unconditionally everything’s gonna be okay we love you all right pop something
okay we love you all right pop something
okay we love you all right pop something like that but what I also realized that
like that but what I also realized that
like that but what I also realized that when I’m in these moments when I’m maybe
when I’m in these moments when I’m maybe
when I’m in these moments when I’m maybe doubting myself you know I’m putting
doubting myself you know I’m putting
doubting myself you know I’m putting hard position I’m not calling people
hard position I’m not calling people
hard position I’m not calling people that are gonna agree with me they’re
that are gonna agree with me they’re
that are gonna agree with me they’re gonna kind of feed into the way I’m
gonna kind of feed into the way I’m
gonna kind of feed into the way I’m feeling I’m calling people and reaching
feeling I’m calling people and reaching
feeling I’m calling people and reaching out to people that are gonna challenge
out to people that are gonna challenge
out to people that are gonna challenge me challenge my way of thinking you know
me challenge my way of thinking you know
me challenge my way of thinking you know help shape my perspective and you know
help shape my perspective and you know
help shape my perspective and you know maybe not in that example is the best
maybe not in that example is the best
maybe not in that example is the best one that pops has always been there for
one that pops has always been there for
one that pops has always been there for me so needless to say I get back to work
me so needless to say I get back to work
me so needless to say I get back to work in tattooing with Jose I’m learning
in tattooing with Jose I’m learning
in tattooing with Jose I’m learning growing so much I’m building my tattoo
growing so much I’m building my tattoo
growing so much I’m building my tattoo career simultaneously with my studies at
career simultaneously with my studies at
career simultaneously with my studies at Art Center and an Art Center I’m
Art Center and an Art Center I’m
Art Center and an Art Center I’m expanding my mind in ways I couldn’t
expanding my mind in ways I couldn’t
expanding my mind in ways I couldn’t believe you know I’m learning about art
believe you know I’m learning about art
believe you know I’m learning about art design painting on my breaks from school
design painting on my breaks from school
design painting on my breaks from school we’re going to Europe London Italy all
we’re going to Europe London Italy all
we’re going to Europe London Italy all over and we’re kind of conducting these
over and we’re kind of conducting these
over and we’re kind of conducting these pop-up studio campaigns with Jose and
pop-up studio campaigns with Jose and
pop-up studio campaigns with Jose and I’ve never worked so hard in my life and
I’ve never worked so hard in my life and
I’ve never worked so hard in my life and I was having an absolute blast
I was having an absolute blast
I was having an absolute blast I just goes on for a little while longer
I just goes on for a little while longer
I just goes on for a little while longer until it was about maybe my last year at
until it was about maybe my last year at
until it was about maybe my last year at Art Center and he start to kind of start
Art Center and he start to kind of start
Art Center and he start to kind of start to trickle in a little bit more and I’m
to trickle in a little bit more and I’m
to trickle in a little bit more and I’m kind of asking myself or telling myself
kind of asking myself or telling myself
kind of asking myself or telling myself like you’re not doing enough you’re not
like you’re not doing enough you’re not
like you’re not doing enough you’re not doing enough what’s going on and then
doing enough what’s going on and then
doing enough what’s going on and then I’m having this conversation in my head
I’m having this conversation in my head
I’m having this conversation in my head right and I’m going like how you
right and I’m going like how you
right and I’m going like how you thinking like that I mean you’ve never
thinking like that I mean you’ve never
thinking like that I mean you’ve never worked so hard in your life how is this
worked so hard in your life how is this
worked so hard in your life how is this not enough and what I soon realized I
not enough and what I soon realized I
not enough and what I soon realized I was starting to have all these ideas of
was starting to have all these ideas of
was starting to have all these ideas of my own there’s no ideas of how I wanted
my own there’s no ideas of how I wanted
my own there’s no ideas of how I wanted to grow and shape my water through my
to grow and shape my water through my
to grow and shape my water through my tattoos how I wanted to contribute to
tattoos how I wanted to contribute to
tattoos how I wanted to contribute to the craft of tattooing and try and help
the craft of tattooing and try and help
the craft of tattooing and try and help it evolve and grow and elevate
it evolve and grow and elevate
it evolve and grow and elevate and I started to realize it I needed my
and I started to realize it I needed my
and I started to realize it I needed my own space for these ideas to cultivate
own space for these ideas to cultivate
own space for these ideas to cultivate he know it’s time to do my own thing I
he know it’s time to do my own thing I
he know it’s time to do my own thing I searched all over LA for this space
searched all over LA for this space
searched all over LA for this space Roslyn build you know my new studio and
Roslyn build you know my new studio and
Roslyn build you know my new studio and just when I thought I wasn’t gonna find
just when I thought I wasn’t gonna find
just when I thought I wasn’t gonna find it I walked into what some may think of
it I walked into what some may think of
it I walked into what some may think of is you know like a raw empty garage but
is you know like a raw empty garage but
is you know like a raw empty garage but to me it was the blank canvas that I was
to me it was the blank canvas that I was
to me it was the blank canvas that I was gonna paint my new dream studio there I
gonna paint my new dream studio there I
gonna paint my new dream studio there I put together a team and we got to work
put together a team and we got to work
put together a team and we got to work and we will build house studios and the
and we will build house studios and the
and we will build house studios and the thing that I really want to hit home
thing that I really want to hit home
thing that I really want to hit home today is that the same way I’m
today is that the same way I’m
today is that the same way I’m approaching these new ideas I’m having
approaching these new ideas I’m having
approaching these new ideas I’m having it the same way I’ve been approaching
it the same way I’ve been approaching
it the same way I’ve been approaching this whole journey this far is what I’m
this whole journey this far is what I’m
this whole journey this far is what I’m exploring these ideas I’m not worried if
exploring these ideas I’m not worried if
exploring these ideas I’m not worried if they’re not gonna work out the way I
they’re not gonna work out the way I
they’re not gonna work out the way I hope cuz that’s okay we learned that I’m
hope cuz that’s okay we learned that I’m
hope cuz that’s okay we learned that I’m gonna learn from that continue to move
gonna learn from that continue to move
gonna learn from that continue to move forward and eventually it’s gonna take
forward and eventually it’s gonna take
forward and eventually it’s gonna take my art to a place that is supposed to be
you know I hope these words today will
you know I hope these words today will maybe help inspire some of you to find
maybe help inspire some of you to find
maybe help inspire some of you to find out and continue to shape what a
out and continue to shape what a
out and continue to shape what a meaningful life means to you I know you
meaningful life means to you I know you
meaningful life means to you I know you all have so many amazing ideas to share
all have so many amazing ideas to share
all have so many amazing ideas to share with the world and I say this with the
with the world and I say this with the
with the world and I say this with the utmost sincerity I cannot wait to see
utmost sincerity I cannot wait to see
utmost sincerity I cannot wait to see you all bring those ideas and make them
you all bring those ideas and make them
you all bring those ideas and make them a reality thank you
”
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