Steve

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

In short, the Mojave desert. After years of living a few blocks from the Pacific ocean, we recently moved part-time to the Las Vegas area. My new right leg sleeve represents animals and plants native to our new home and balances the ocean animals on my left leg sleeve. The ocean and the desert are both teeming with life, though it's not always readily apparent, as represented by the negative space on my leg sleeves.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

My ink says "I am the product of five artists. I started as a bit of flash, but I was never a full-blown plan. As I grew, I never knew exactly where I was headed. There were a few mistakes along the way that got covered up, and a few good pieces lost in the service of newer ideas. Despite these twists and turns, I have become a relatively coordinated whole. Straight paths are boring. Over-planning leaves no room for serendipity. I now cover 60% of Steve's body”

What would you do with the $25,000?

Good fortune in life is meant to be shared, so I would give a portion of it to the Tattoo Heritage Project or another tattoo museum and another portion to other causes I support. The remaining amount would go to my ink - revisiting some of my previous artists to see if they want to do any updates, and creating new work on my chest and stomach to "complete" my body suit.