About Crispin

Ever since my early childhood years, I've been drawn to the world of art and creativity.

Growing up in a home adorned with my parents' drawings and paintings, both artists in their own unique ways, I was immersed in a world of artistic expression from the very beginning.

My father, a true creative spirit, had a knack for creating anything he could imagine, whether it was a bookcase seamlessly integrated into our home's wall or a detailed caricature of my favorite cartoon characters.

During my teenage years, I found inspiration in pinstriping, sign lettering, lowrider art, and airbrushing. I studied artists such as OG Abel, Mister Cartoon, and Boog. I was captivated by the allure of black and grey art and the precise script lettering they mastered.

In 2024, I am proud to celebrate 22 years in the tattooing industry.

My journey began when I was just 15 years old. I built my first tattoo machine using instructions I found on the early internet. I improvised with an electric toothbrush and a sewing needle to create a detachable tip. Mostly practicing on myself, and some trusting friends from high school.

After a few months of dedication, I scraped together my first $50 and ordered a tattoo machine on eBay. However, when it arrived, I found myself clueless about properly setting it up. My initial tattoo attempt was far from a success, leading me to hop on a bus to Barnes & Noble in search of guidance. There, I discovered a book titled "Advanced Tattooing Techniques," which became my bible as I studied its contents cover to cover.

I've always been a dedicated reader, a habit instilled in me from a young age. Whether I needed to understand a new skill or delve into various subjects like business, marketing, self-improvement, parenting, or communication, I'd dive into books or online resources to expand my knowledge.

From the ages of 16 to 18, I operated my tattoo business out of my mother's house, driven by the necessity to support us due to my mother's struggle with multiple sclerosis. My father's untimely passing when I was 10 only compounded our challenges, as he succumbed to a heart attack, which was from complications related to diabetes, a condition that was less understood in the ‘90s.

At 18, I set my sights on Phoenix, Arizona, where I secured an apprenticeship at a black and grey studio. However, my prideful youth led to my firing, as I failed to grasp the importance of studio rules and professionalism.

Upon returning to Bakersfield, I embarked on a journey of odd jobs, including cleaning for a temp service, overnight stocking at JC Penney, unloading trucks at Mervyn's, stocking shelves at WinCo, and even teaching guitar lessons. All the while, I continued to tattoo on the side.

By the age of 21, my tattooing skills had developed sufficiently to land me a job at a tattoo studio. While I initially started with great enthusiasm, I often found the studio environments and people did not align with my values. Nevertheless, I used these experiences to learn valuable lessons about studio management, organization, and marketing.

At 23, in 2010, I opened my first studio, a modest 500-square-foot space in a less popular part of town. Despite financial limitations, I had a clear vision. I invested partial cash and sacrificed one of my cars to make it happen. The subsequent year saw me relocate to a larger and more favorable location, free from the challenges of the previous neighborhood.

In 2012, I began traveling to tattoo expos and taking guest spots at various studios, broadening my horizons within the tattoo industry. This marked the beginning of my focus on lettering, an area I hadn't previously taken seriously. Surprisingly, I won my first award for Best Lettering at an expo that year, sparking my passion for this art form. Over the following years, I continued to excel, accumulating eight awards for my tattoo lettering.

Within six years, I transformed my studio from a monthly income of $3,000 to over $40,000. I developed a system that generated high traffic and paid artists generously. However, I struggled to find artists who shared my drive for success, leading to a revolving door of hirings and firings.

After a decade of running my studio, I began to feel a shift in my perspective. Tattooing, once a source of fulfillment, had started to feel like a job. This feeling persisted for two years until I acknowledged that I was on the brink of burnout. It was time for a change; I needed to find a new balance for all the areas of life that needed my attention.

In 2022, I made the decision to close my studio. Initially with intent to move out of state to open another studio, but I found myself stuck in a complete burnout.

For nearly two years, I focused on my mental health, physical fitness, building new habits, and my wife and I created a thriving environment for our family. I hit the reset button, recognizing the toll previous years had taken on my mindset.

My focus extends to family life, raising my children, seeking balance, and building my other ventures.

My journey from humble beginnings to where I stand today has been filled with challenges, growth, and transformation. As I embark on this new chapter, I am excited to continue evolving and embracing the endless possibilities that lie ahead.