Another Mike V inspired tattoo popped into our email inbox today. Here is Mark Carroll from Canada’s words and photos of his tattoo of Mike’s first ever pro model graphics… the classic Powell Peralta Elephant graphics by VCJ.

First & foremost, above all else, I AM A SKATEBOARDER.

More than race, religion, politics, or orientation, I define myself as a SKATEBOARDER. The word itself means something different to each of us. To me, it’s artistic, rebellious, progressive, challenging, & rewarding. It can be pure debaucherous fun, or focused meditation. It envokes passion, style, and freedom. The tattoos on my arms are all past skateboard graphics, as an homage to skateboarding and what has given me. These images have always been there with me, along the road, all of these years on my board, and they will now stay with me, deep in my skin, right there next to skateboarding itself.

To me, Mike Vallely embodies all of these characteristics that I hold in high regard. Passion, pride, intensity, drive, focus, and aggression, and that is why I wear my Vallely Elephant so proudly. Keep being you Mike, as I know you will.

-Mark Carroll










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