Smile Now, Cry Later by Freddy Negrete & Steve Jones

Author:Freddy Negrete & Steve Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: tattoos, prison culture, gangs, latino, barrio, hollywood, jewish, artist, ghetto, drugs, addiction, chicano, ink
ISBN: 9781609806958
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Published: 2017-02-22T18:00:00+00:00

(Above) Free hand tattoo work-in-progress

(Right) Free hand tattoo complete

Raft of the Medusa.

(Right) Fantasy art warrior.

Freddy tattooing Jack Rudy at Good Time Charlie’s, 1978.

We advertised in Low Rider magazine and in the phone book, so it didn’t take long for our customers to find us. When Jack and I went to work it was first come, first served. We had ten to fifteen people waiting in line every single night.

Jack and I were in friendly competition with each other. He did beautiful work, but I was talented too, so when he was done with a tattoo he’d tell the customer, “Okay, now go and show Freddy.” And Jack would say to me, “Hey, homes, check this out,” and I’d say, “Wow, that’s nice, Jack.” And then I’d say, “Hey, Jack. Check this out,” and he’d say, “Yeah, that works.” When you have two guys trying to outdo each other constantly, you get pretty good. There were no shortcuts, no margin of error. We were all about making the tattoo as good as it could be, for one reason, and one reason only: to outdo each other.

Freddy and Jack. Besties at Knotsberry Farm, 1978.

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