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.... /> h Markuss Decker started tattooing in 2001 at the age of 19. His career beginning started with a questionable and less than reputable and often times dramatic, chaos filled street shop.Everyone starts somewhere, luckily for the clients Markuss works with that wasn't his last stop. He eventually felt the drain of working in a less than desirable atmosphere, and decided that for him, he would be better off tattooing privately for the next year and a half. As life goes with challenges and obstacles, Markuss encountered a huge crossroads with the death of a very close friend. The overwhelming emotions that trail behind grief caused him to second guess himself, his skills, what he was doing with his life and where he thought the he might end up. Markuss started to feel as if he wasn’t cut out for tattooing. Looking back, he says sometimes it felt as if giving up would be easier than going forward. Luckily, Markuss is surrounded by family and friends that were extremely supportive. They would not let him call it quits, they reassured him that he was not only skilled but lucky to have such a gift. Shortly thereafter he took a job at yet another flash shop, in yet another less than glamorous area. He served another year and a half tattooing Cherry Creek until an old friend from the beginning of his tattoo career, called and invited me to do a guest spot in California. Without hesitation he gladly accepted the offer.Soon he on his way to the west coast to work at the House of Ink in Venice Beach, Ca. Going to California was such a vital and crucial stepping stone in Markuss’ tattooing career. Although his stay in California was short, it was monumental in altering his career path. The time spent at the House of Ink opened his eyes to what was actually possible in the industry. For the first time started noticing the works, both tattoos and artwork of Guy Aithchison (www.hyperspacestudios.com). “Before that point in my life I had not had much exposure to work that ventured far away from the 'new school' tattoo style. The exposure to this different style caused a light bulb to go off in my head. I finally felt like it "clicked", it finally hit me!!! I was meant to do this! I had done graffiti since 1995, a lot of the same techniques and formulas could be applied into my tattoo style. I was able to marry the styles together to hone in on my tattoo style and apply it towards perfecting my skill. Before California I did not have the true appreciation for the art. I had developed some what of a chip on my shoulder assuming I was a god of some sorts, merely because I was a ‘tattooer’. After exposure to things greater than what I had been conquering, I changed my attitude. I now had the outlook that I was thankful for what I had been taught, grateful for what I had learned and eager to keep moving forward towards bigger and better things.” Decker states. Leaving California and returning to a Baltimore street shop, to yet again tattoo flash on walk in customers. He was surrounded again by druggies and artists who were only in it for a quick dollar. Decker says “I lasted two months back in the mix of all that trash before packing my stuff and relocating again to a private studio. I knew for my sanity sake, I needed to separate myself from that element if I were to ever be successful.” One day in September 06 a friend called Decker to say "Hey, check out that shop Tattooed Heart (www.tattooedheart.com), it's clean and they're good!" A week later he was working in a shop where he finally felt like he could learn and grow into a real ‘Tattooer’. Within only a few months of working here there he switched from a flash artist to pretty much a custom only artist. Decker explains “Flash may still happen from time to time by the customer request, but it never looks like flash when I'm finished. I love all styles of tattooing, but I prefer to do very colorful, bio-organic, and bio-mechanical and graffiti. I enjoy the challenge of taking on a piece and turning it into an amazing piece of artwork. A wide variety in subject matter keeps it interesting. I have found that animal portraits are really fun for me to do. I am however always down for doing darker, evil imagery as well.” Looking back he can see how far he has come since first starting working with flash years ago. Looking forward it is clearly certain he can only learn and grow as his evident love for the art and my thirst for success push him to excel. Decker uses Neuma tattoo machines. Just another example on how techniqueschange, and he has grown with his work. Decker goes on to explain “Neuma's are innovative and changing the way of tattooing, they powered by air instead of electricity.” Neuma's were developed by Carson Hill (www.carsonhilltattoos.com).You can learn more about Neuma machines at www.neumatattoomachines.com .On a more personal note, I have found myself in the process of laser removal to get my right arm back to a workable canvas. The process is very painful, but well worth it to see less than great work disappear from your body. Fortunately I was able to have this process by Jack Morton (www.rethinkyourink.com), I strongly suggest doing your research before having this process done. Contact a known professional such as Jack Morton. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about this process, especially since I know what the receiving end feels like. The pain is temporary and so well worth it, when you think about how great it is to have junk tattoos removed off of your body.Also, coming up in early 2009 Don McDonald (www.bodyworks-tattoo.com) will be completing my throat & beginning on my right arm as soon as the laser process is completely healed. If you are ever in the market for some of the sickest bio-mechanical, Don is the guy to contact, the shop is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. I'll also be finishing up my left leg soon at by Scott Junkins @ Visual Addiction (www.visualaddictiontattoo.com / http://www.myspace.com/visualaddictiontattoo) in Carlisle, Pa.Other than that, I am trying to paint as much as possible these days, my mediums vary between graffiti and canvas. I’m trying to hone in and improve all artistic aspect of my life. I’m focusing on color theory and 3 dimensional designs. I might possibly dabble in some sculpture as well. Overall I have a refreshed feeling, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge for all things art related. Whether it is viewing an installation at a gallery, visiting a museum exhibit or researching an artist I would like to learn more about... I’m eager to move forward and grow. Your work is a reflection of yourself, and I strive to be known for completing amazing work.Thank you for taking the time to visit my site, please do not hesitate to contact me to set an appointment or ask any questions you may have . I will try to return emails as soon as often as my work schedule permits me the time.