Here is the latest submission of a Mike V Inspired tattoo that has been sent our way. Here is Tate from Jackson, MS words on the origin of the tattoo and a picture to accompany it…

My grandfather was a mechanic, an engineer and a killer racecar driver in the 50s and 60s. He and his brother built their own cars and were some of the pioneers of men in their time who had 9-5 jobs during the week but raced on the weekends. It reminds me of the way skaters build and nourish their own scene and create their own fun.

Growing up without a father, I looked up to my grandfather as a male role model. My tat is dedicated to his racecar number, 99. When he died when I was 11, I think skateboarding was there to save me and direct me. My heroes became skaters I looked up to, the ones who ripped the hardest, the original ones, the artists, the positive ones… all the personal aspects I strived to have. The bolts at the bottom are inspired by Mike’s bolt forearm tattoos.

-Tate



Have a Mike V, Mike V inspired or a Revolution Mother tattoo? If so, we would like to feature it right here on www.mikevallely.com for future blog entries. Just send your name, photos of the tattoo, where you’re from and a story on why you got the tattoo etc to:

mikevallelyonline@yahoo.com