Joe (80 Grit)

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        I started tattooing back in 1989. It wasn’t a planned career, but more like a window of opportunity opening that I jumped through. I was two years into a long twelve-year prison sentence in New Jersey and I was selling tattoo drawings (flash) to a dope fiend tattooist to help him run his makeshift tattoo shop behind the laundry room.  He was a nice guy, but like all junkies, they start out as someone else. Unfortunately, the path he was on is a violent, destructive one, and one
        day he had his head crashed in because another convict blamed him for the Hepatitis he developed after receiving a tattoo from him. In all honestly, it was probably a justified head caving.

Cell block A was in need of a new tattoo artist, but after looking at its former tattooist’s brain matter on the day room floor, I was less than enthused to jump into the “hot seat”.
After some time and thought, I decided I would take the job. This decision was both economic as well as artistic. As an artist, I was always fascinated by the skin as an artistic medium, and as a convicted felon---receiving 1.20 per day to sling a mop---I saw a grand opportunity to make some real money during my stay at the gray bar hotel.

        My first order of business was to ensure that I did not end up like the last tattooist, so I came up with an unprecedented (prison tattoo) innovation. I made each of my clients create and bring
        along with them, to each tattoo session, their very own tube (made from a paper mate pen devoid of the ink tube and metal rolling ball at the end) and needle bar (made from the ink drained inner tube of the paper mate pen, stuffed tight with rubber eraser pieces to wedge and hold the
        brand new sewing needle in place). Sterilization practices where wanting, but nonetheless sufficient in preventing the spread of blood born pathogens from one convict to the next.

       My first tattoo was the bugs bunny classic “buzz  buzzard”. It actually came out pretty well. From that day on it was full steam ahead. I quickly became known throughout the six cellblocks as
        “the man to see”. After about six months, I received my first and only “bust” while tattooing another convict. My lookout left his post to buy spaghetti from a back kitchen worker and in that very instant a relief guard was making his rounds and moments later he was standing in the
        doorway of the cell I was tattooing in. From that moment forward I resolved never to get “busted” again. If I couldn’t rely on my fellow convicts to get my back, I had to go higher up the ladder.  There was a young guard who ironically had met with a “scratcher” (non professional tattooist…) on numerous occasions.  I  talked with him often about tattoos and after I was caught I had an opportunity to set my hooks in him. In short, I told him that if he allowed me to tattoo while he was on duty (8 hour shift) I would fix all his crappy tattoos for free. The first time he snuck into my cell during a head count he was so nervous that sweat was pouring down his face like
        a deluge. By our third session he was more relaxed. In the end, not only did I cover his crappy tattoos, but also I completed two full black and  gray sleeves.
       In time, he shared our tattoo history with other guards, and soon they began getting in line as well. Momma didn’t raise a complete fool, and I obviously saw where this was heading. I wasn’t
        about to be the guard’s “tattoo bitch”, so I quickly made it known that  the only guard to receive free tattoo work was the one who’s shift I operated on. The price I named was easily affordable. A tattoo that  would have cost them three hundred dollars on the street (free world) could be had from me for a mere bottle of whisky, porno mags, and tattoo ink (yes, I used real ink, not burned chess pieces, chicken bones, or cigarette ashes, etc.) Needles to say my crew never drank that nasty
        “hooch” or “gut rot” that so many less fortunate cons drank.

        In retrospect, I tattooed for over nine years in prison. I tattooed hundreds of convicts and at least three dozen guards (a few females as well). When I was finally sprung back in December of 1998, I took the last tattoo machine I had with me in my pocket as I walked out the door.
        To this day it hangs in my tattoo station at our shop in Fort Pierce.
Upon my release I moved to this “Hell” they call Florida and I began tattooing
at a small shop in P.S.L. I didn’t really learn much during that time, as the owner was less than willing, nor capable of teaching proper techniques.

I struggled with the new equipment for almost a year until my emancipation
and arrival at South Florida Tattoo Company. 
Rocky and the Fat Man took me in and kept a close watch over me. The first order of business was to can that “train conductor” that I was using as my power supply. It had only one speed (turbo) and it caused me to, lets just say, overwork the skin.
They  ordered me some new equipment and the rest as they say is history.

        In addition to tattooing I create unique “low brow assemblages” that I sell at a variety of Hot Rod and Tattoo shows  throughout the year. I also enjoy writing prose, poetry, essays, and
        movie scripts. I am a Christian and I am husband to the best woman on the earth, and father to three wonderful children. Since my release from prison I have been blessed abundantly, and I give thanks  every day to the Lord. I hope and pray that each day is learning
        experience that brings me closer to becoming the man that God would have
        me become (as you know this is easier said than done, so please pray for me). 
        
        I have been with South Florida for eight years now. In that time I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from many master tattoo artists. I owe much thanks to Rocky, Fatman, and Brian for helping and  sharing much of their skill and knowledge with me over the years. We
        have a great crew of guys at the shop, so stop in to receive a great piece, or to just say Hi. God bless you!
Sincerely,
        Joe a.k.a. 80Grit

Call Joe (80 Grit) at (772) 465-0012 to make an appointment at his Fort Pierce, Florida studio
or at a convention near you.