Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana raised on jazz, art, and great southern cooking. Errick “Rock”Long started at the young age of 5years old singing and painting along side his aunt Barbara who ignited the fire , and love for music and the arts. Growing up on a college campus in Berrien Springs, Michigan I would soon find myself alongside my aunt in her art class trying to mimic her art and the images I noticed in the class room. I was addicted to oil painting, and charcoal art. My aunt took notice and began teaching me more and more about the basics of art. Soon I had friends asking me to draw their favorite comics, and cartoons. As time progressed my aunt moved to Huntsville, Al in 1989 to finish her masters degree in art. At this time my interest in art seemed to become secondary to my love for music. I taught myself to play a 1969 Fender Bass guitar and began writing songs and poetry. This carried on into my freshman year in college. One of my professors noticed my love for music and, inquired that I take the semester off to pursue my career in music. That Christmas break I came back to Huntsville where I was signed to a record deal a month later with my twin brother. I toured for 5years with acts such as Brian McKnight, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Jon B and Destiny’s Child. After constant artistic differences with my brother and manager I decided to leave the group, and take my own path. Years passed working at a 9-5 and one of my friends inquired about giving me a tattoo. I let him ink me up in my home, and while getting the tattoo I asked if he wanted a job. He laughed and told me that he could make my paycheck in a day tattooing. I thought he was just jerking my chain. So I decided to call his bluff. Sure enough he proved that I was definitely in the wrong business. I showed him some of my old artwork and he told me that I should try tattooing. I wasn’t sure I could do it but I decided what the hell! That year I took my last $200 that I had to purchase a cheap machine and garbage ink from China. Yes I was a scratcher lol! Looking back the work was horrible. I decided to try and apprentice with an actual shop, but due to my lack of experience I was turned away. I did get an offer from a local artist that Was a phenomenal Black and grey scale artist. He educated me that the cost would be 5grand for 8weeks, but due to my lack of funds and being a single father of three, I reluctantly had to turn down the offer. Back to the drawing board. I spent the next few months combing over YouTube videos and anything that I could find to figure out the best way execute a tattoo. I continued to tattoo friends and family until my buddy Shawn said man why don’t you just open a shop! I was reluctant to do so at first lacking the confidence to compete or much less run a business. A few months went by and the idea started to fester in my mind that I just might have a chance to be successful at running my own shop. Why not! I had 20years if previous management experience and marketing. So I made up my mind to open my own shop. I read every review on google about all the issues that clients hated about tattoo shops in the area. So I decided to offer my clients an experience. I didn’t want to just give my clients a tattoo I wanted them to walk away with a story and a smile. So in 2011 The Platinum Koi Tattoo Studio was born. Looking back 8years ago I never would have thought in a million years I would have made It this far. My love for this industry, my respect for my craft has not only changed me as a business man, but also as a person. I have been touring conventions, attending seminars for the last 4 years and it has been a great experience. My love for this industry grows every year and I learn something new and exciting everyday. Today I specialize in Black&Grey realism and working on my skills to become a great color artist. My favorite artist are Nikko Hurtado, Steve Butcher, Poch, David Vega, and TeejayPoole. Within the last 3 years I have gained a strong team of artist and great friends in this industry. As I’m growing I want to give a piece of myself to each and every client that allows me to express my love for art on their canvas.
