Gary “Wilson” Kamin, tattooist

Howdy folks, I’m Wilson. I won’t waste your time telling you about how I was into art all my life and that tattooing is an extension of my creativity. That’s crap, plain and simple. I just “got by” in the art field, t-shirt design and production, ad layout, you name it, I did it. I did my job well enough, but wasn’t happy. A friend asked me why I never tried tattooing, we had both been getting tattooed for several years. He showed up one day with this homemade tattoo outfit he had "found" and volunteered to be my first guinea pig. Several screwed up tattoos later I realized that homemade tattooing is not the way to go. I set out to find a teacher. After several disappointing trips to area shops I knew they could not help, so I bought a cheep tattoo kit and hit the road. Over the next couple years I found out who to buy supplies from, how to buy them but not how to use them. I almost ended up in California, but luckily stopped to see my parents in Ft. Myers and after seeing a kickass tattoo on a friend went to the artist- Bill Hannong.

I was familiar with Bill Hannong’s work from the Magazines and was impressed with what I saw, he, however, was not. After frowning through my photo album and telling me I had a lot to learn, he offered me the best deal of my life. If I wanted to stick around for a long while he would teach me. Nine years later (as of October, 2000) I’m still learning. I thank Bill for this and also for the best thing that has happened to me-meeting his goddaughter and my future wife, Regina (Gina Johnson).

All respects due to those who helped put me where I am today, happy with a job I love! To anyone who taught me or gave good advise or trusted me with their hide, thank you!

Hobbies/Interests - As you can guess, Wilson loves his beautiful blue Harley Davidson, tattoo machine building and skateboarding.