Cee Jay "inky" Jones

I was raised by mutant, ninja, roller skating, carnies who taught me how to tattoo in trailers behind summer festivals all over Southeastern Michigan. My mentor in tattooing went by the name "Fingers McGee". He was a one armed carnie with an eye patch, who always smelled like chicken soup and dirty socks. McGee couldn't tattoo his way out of a paper bag, but he loved doing it anyway. When Mc Gee wasn't busy slamming cheap vodka and putting together rides for the carnival; he would teach me four important things, how to roller skate, how to tattoo, how to paint and also use my brush as a valuable self defense mechanism. McGee had an extra special lady friend who also tattooed; she made me call her Momma. I never did get her real name. McGee only referred to her affectionately as candy nips and sugar dumplin. When they would drink too much and fight, he called her all kinds of colorful things. Someone once told me her name was Mary.

Anyhow, Candy Nips could sling some pretty decent ink when she wanted to. Best tweety bird tattoos I ever saw. So, when the carnival would close up for the evening, the carnie trailers were alive with drinking, tattooing and other things that only carnie ninjas can talk about. You get a lot of practice on those children left unattended at closing time. Doesn't take more than some stale popcorn and a left over bag of cotton candy to lure them in and get some extra practice inkin' on them skins (If yah know what I mean). Candy Nips gave me some pretty good tips on how to get the ink to stick. I spent many long hours tattooing bums, bananas, blind people and those with no common sense which helped me develop as a pretty sick tat zapper. The rest is history....

Actually, I began my adventures in tattooing in 1997. For me, discovering the art of tattooing was finding the love of my life. It's a great honor and privilege that I'm trusted to create something permanent on the canvases of my clients. I love tattooing unusual subject matter. I'm endlessly intrigued by oddities of all sorts. I really enjoy tattooing pin ups and stuff with lots of color. I was a contestant on Ink Master season 2 and who knows where you may see me next? I write a blog called Under The Gloves at: underthegloves@wordpress.com; It's all about better living for tattooers. Helpful advice and tips for my fellow tattooers on mind, body and spirit.