BOB ROBERTS

There is a FANTASTIC book in the works from the guys at State of Grace that showcases American tattoo legend Bob Roberts. He is currently based out of Los Angeles, California and can be found tattooing at Spotlight Tattoo on Melrose. Today, I had the pleasure of photographing some of his paintings to be printed in the book, which has a cover that sports a quote from him: "When all others compromise...I don't." It was great working with the State of Grace guys and Mr. Roberts, and when I left, he handed me the newest issue of Tattoo Artist Magazine and thanked me for my help. It was such a pleasure to spend the afternoon with them! Here's a selection of paintings that I photographed, one being something that his son, Charlie Roberts, painted when he was a kid.

Here is Bob Roberts' bio, copied from Spotlight Tattoo's website:

With over 30 years of tattooing worldwide, Bob Roberts is known as one of the last living tattoo legends. On canvas, Bob Roberts works in the traditional medium of watercolor on paper, creating dense, fantastically detailed compositions that draw from traditional American tattoo flash, Tibetan thangkas paintings, and outlaw motorcycle imagery.

Roberts' experience as a musician (as a saxophonist, he was part of the milieu of Frank Zappa and L.A. lowrider punk band Ruben and the Jets, Hot Tuna, The New York Dolls, and San Francisco punk band The Offs), biker, and iconoclast flavors his personal work. His paintings have largely enjoyed an underground reputation among the international tattoo community and the Hollywood entertainment industry.