Willing to offer when needed

Hello everyone,

My name’s Michael Palmore. I’m from Corpus Christi Texas where I own and operate Flying Eyeball Tattooing since I opened it in November 1990. I’ve been working full time as owner operator full time ever since that day more than 21 years ago.

My place is a high production studio, like the majority of studios around the country. That is, the kind of place that does just about everything, no appointments necessary though preferred, and all tattooing styles are available. The more I do the better I eat, lol.

I just noticed the link to this forum while surfing videos on You Tube and decided to check it out. I have alot to offer as far as advice, reference and other information to those who are struggling to learn and become professional artists themselves, so I’ll be looking for ways to contribute when I can. If anyone ever has any questions don’t be afraid to ask me anytime. I’m an easygoing guy these days, so I won’t be an ass or bite anyone’s heads off.

As for some of my background, I’ve included a summarized histoy below Thanks for having me,
Mike (Kaain)

I apprenticed from January 1988 – early 1990 under Wayne Edwards from Electra Art in Four Bluff Texas, then I trained under the original Bob Shaw for several months before and afterl I opened Flying Eyeball Tattooing in November 1990.

For those who don’t already know, Bob Shaw was one of the worlds most famous old school artists and tattoo machine designers. He was the co- founder of Bert Grimms Tattoo studio more than 65 years ago in Long Beach California, which is now the oldest running tattoo studio and tattoooing museum in the world. He founded the National Tattooing Association and invented the famous National Swingate tattoo machine.

California was his home and he only moved to Aransas Pass TX in the early 80s when his wife decided for him that “He was retired.” lol, as he says. However, he couldnt force himself to actually put the machine down and quit. Instead he opened Shaws tattooing in Aransas Pass and worked there until he passed away in March 1993.

He’s like the ultimate LEGEND of the tattoo world and I spent thousands of hours with him, always learning something new and valuable as he was always willing to share it with me. The reason I remember so clearly the date he passed away is because I was with his son Bob Jr. at an international tattoo convention in San Diego California at the same time. Bob Sr. stayed home because he was recovering from open heart surgery.

The convention was FREAKING HUGE! More than 40 major artists fom around the world were there for a week, we all stayed at the Bahia hotel at Mission Beach, it was a blast. About the 3rd day of the event an announcement was made to the public over the intercom that “World Famous Bob Shaw had been admitted into the hospital with complications from heart surgery.”

Everyone there, and I mean everyone, knew exactly who he was and everyone was affected by the news. Most people had never met him, but he was like GOD to the tattoo industry, he helped turn tattooing into a respectable business so everyone loved him. I helped escort his son Bob Jr to the airport so he could fly back to TX, and he passed away later that week, just before I flew back myself.

While I was there as a registered guest I stayed the week on the “artists reserved floor” of the hotel and the people I lived with that entire week were people like Bob Dwyer, Jack Rudy, Kari Barba, Guy Aitchison, Addy Deutche, Aaron Cain, Vvynn Lazonga, Sting, Paul Booth, Freddy Corbin, Crazy Eddie, J.D. Crowe and so many others.