Finding My Way Back to the Line

Yesterday was our first full day back home in Hawaii after ten days in Texas meeting with our builder and subcontractors for our future home and art studio. I had already decided to stay home, unpack, and give myself a day to recover from travel—physically and mentally.

Then my nephew called me.

He asked, “What happened to your commitment to post every day in January?” This was a challenge that Tattooing 101 put out to its students to challenge us to grow our skills.

First, I thanked him for noticing. That mattered more than he probably realized. It meant someone was actually paying attention—not just scrolling past. Then I told him the truth. The house build involved far more meetings and decisions than I expected. Apparently, every detail matters when you’re building something meant to last.

I assured him I’d still be posting this month, even if it wasn’t daily, and that I’d aim for consistency again in February. He told me he’d keep watching.

That stuck with me.

So instead of forcing something polished or perfect, I sat down and drew.

I started with a tiki—done in an old-school tattoo flash style. Simple lines. Strong shapes. No overthinking.

Today, I followed it up with a skull with a pompadour, crossed piston and spark plug behind it, drawn while listening to Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Social Distortion. Music that’s raw, timeless, and unapologetically itself.

Somewhere in that process, something clicked.

I realized I want to lean harder into old-school rockabilly in my art and tattooing. It speaks to the things I genuinely enjoy—classic music, hot rods, craftsmanship, and work that ages with character instead of trends. Bold lines. Clear intent. Art that knows what it is.

That’s what I want to make—art and tattoos that people don’t just get, but treasure. Pieces that mean something because they’re tied to a moment, a memory, or a feeling.

If any of these drawings spark an idea for you—whether it’s a tattoo, a print, or a piece of art you want to live with—I’d love to talk. This work is part of what I’m building at Honor and Ink™, and I’m excited to see where this direction leads.

If this style speaks to you, let me know—I’d love to hear your ideas.