|
Master
Tattoo was simply called "Tahiti
Felix's" and in large letters
TATTOO, but later renamed to
Master Tattoo in October of 1949.
In 2005 with respect to our
founder we added Tahiti Felix's
name back onto the shop signage.
Here he is pictured (1st photo
below) with an Old Salt of the
period "Sailor Cox" back in
1954.
Tahiti Felix was apprenticed by
artist L. "Mac" McKeaver at the
famous Pike in Long Beach
California. Learning the trade
from 1938 until early 1948. He
soon opened a shop just over the
bridge in San Pedro, Ca. This
shop was short lived due to the
lack of traffic and in 1949 after
scouting several weekends decided
to open shop in San Diego's
downtown district just blocks
away from the landing dock for
the US Navy's liberty boats and
thousands of sailors and
marines.
Since
it's inception, Master Tattoo has
changed its location 5 times due
to construction and downtown's
development. Master Tattoo has
never been more than 5 blocks
from any location.Business was so
good from the Navy and Marine
corps that a second shop was
opened to cater the "Sea of white
hats". During the mid 1950's
Master's went back to one shop
and has stayed the same since.
Tahiti Felix
Master
Tattoo Studio Family Tree
*
Names in
maroon
indicate currently working at
Master Tattoo.
|
Artist
Name:
|
Years
Served:
|
Status:
|
|
"Tahiti"
Felix
|
1949
- 1979
|
Owner/Founder
|
|
"Doc"
Webb
|
1957
(6 mos.)
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Al
"Lefty"
Miller
|
1956-2000
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Bob
Miller
|
Data
Not Available
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Zeke
Owens
|
1963
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Ralph
Johnston
|
1955-1957
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
"Capt"
Jim Malonson
|
1954-1962
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Harry
Rose
|
Data
Not Available
|
Data
Not Available
|
|
"Shanghai"
Rex Valentino
|
1956-1960
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Ted
Warner
|
1950-1955
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
"Tiger"
Bob Martinson
|
1955-1985
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Sailor
West
|
Data
Not Available
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Tahiti
Maurice Lynch
|
1955-Present
|
Owner
|
|
Hiro
Lynch
|
1963-Present
|
Owner
|
|
Curly
Pope
|
1954-1958
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Jerry
Pope
|
1954-1958
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Gil
Taimana
|
1990-Present
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Rose
|
1991-1992
|
Data
Not Available
|
|
Dennis
"Frenchy"
Besnard
|
1991-1993/2000-2004
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Paul
Drezmala
|
1993-1994
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Stanley
Beecraft
|
1994-1995
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Catt
"Gato" Stark
|
1995-1996
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Bob
Noble
|
1995-2000
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
"Chino"
Rodriguez
|
1999-2008
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Mark
"Wermer"
Womer
|
1999-2000/2004-2007
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
"Southbay"
Mike
Kellerman
|
2000-2002
|
Full/Part
Time Artist
|
|
Terry
"Sunshine"
Ribera
|
2001-2004
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Cristian
Benvenuto
|
May-June
2001
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Chris
Walkin
|
2001-2003
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Nate
Banuelos
|
2002
- 2003
|
Full
Time
|
|
Al
Avila
|
2004
- Present
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Mike
"Feathertouch"
Sykowski
|
2008-2009
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
Carson
|
2008-Present
|
Resident
Guest Artist
|
|
Greg
D.
|
2009
- Present
|
Full
Time Artist
|
|
GunzNKnivez
|
Feb-Mar
2009
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Brandyn
|
Feb-Mar
2009
|
Guest
Spot
|
|
Volunteers
|
Date:
|
|
Yva
Lynch
|
1990-1995
|
|
Wendy
|
1990
|
|
Steve
Wilson
|
1991-1994
|
|
Diana
Beecraft
|
1994-1995
|
|
Linda
Stark
|
1995-1996
|
|
Dennis
Connors
|
1994-1996
|
|
Luis
Ramirez
|
1995-1999
|
|
Peter
Wilder
|
1996-2005
|
|
Matt
Johnson
|
2007-Present
|
All Data is not 100% accurate as
it was dictated from memory.
Any
accurate data email
us!
|
