Junior “Crow” Santiago, an Imperial Beach homeboy and avid low rider has been with Flesh Skin Grafix Tattoo since 1995. He started out as a friend exchanging his gardening skills for my tattooing skills and a bond was formed. His visits became more frequent as time went on and he became our front guy, answering phones, checking ID’s talking to customers and making stencils. After about a year he asked if I would apprentice him, reluctantly I agreed. He started at rock bottom and went through needle making, machine maintenance and care, tube cleaning and sterilization techniques. I had him drawing outlines, and practicing shading and working with a color wheel. He mastered trash removal, floor sweeping and mopping quickly. He talked his older brother into being his practice canvas and started to get the feel of the machine at the one year mark. I gave him his first public exposure at the two year mark and he has been rocking ever since.

It took a two year apprenticeship and one year as a counter guy to get into this business as a tattooist. He has been with me since the beginning in one form or another and I don’t think he is going to go anywhere else anytime soon.

He has been tattooing now for ten years and he is very popular in the San Diego Low Rider scene. He is a member of the San Diego Car Club and is the proud owner of an Award winning 38 Chevy Master Deluxe(BOMB) and a beautiful 1994 crew cab dually, winner of over 50 trophies here in So. Cal.

Crow likes lettering and black and gray pieces. Although he will tattoo what needs to be done on a busy day here at the shop. He does appointments and walk-ins, for his hours please call (619) 424-8983