Drawings for Tattoos : Kahlil Rintye

This latest addition to Hardy Marks' series features the amazing artwork of San Francisco's Kahlil Rintye, one of the most sophisticated practitioners advancing the possibilities of the medium.

Kahlil Rintye is a renowned tattoo artist working out of the historic Tattoo City in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. Kahlil began his tattooing career in Imperial Beach California at FSG Tattoo at the age of 22. The next stop was a long stint at The Ace Tattooing Company in San Diego. In 2003 Kahlil moved to his tattoo mecca: San Francisco, landing first at Mom's Body Shop on Haight Street. Two years later in November 2005, he was called to action by his art hero, Don Ed Hardy, and has been working a slot at Ed's only shop, Tattoo City, ever since.

Kahlil is best known for his large scale work - bodysuits, back pieces and sleeves, but still enjoys working on smaller and one shot tattoos as well. He works to further the new tradition established by Hardy during his tattoo career; what Kahlil describes as, “the informed, respectful wielding of different elements from cultures around the world, coming together to create something vital, energetic & new.” Japanese and Asian art in general hold the biggest influence in his work, but American tattoo history, Mesoamerican archaeology, obscure pop culture, and Hardy's mash-up period hold major sway as well.

Kahlil has had his work published in books and magazines, has appeared in the film series Tattoo Age produced for Vice, and has had his work displayed at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, the Oceanside Museum of Art, and at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.

Ed Hardy is a Southern California native. He earned a B.F.A. in printmaking, as well as an honorary doctorate, from SFAI. His paintings, prints, and other works are widely exhibited in international galleries and museums and appear in international media. He also curates, lectures at museums and universities and has published 30+ books. His a global fashion line is a sales phenomenon. In 2000, he was named to Oakland's Cultural Arts Commission by Mayor Jerry Brown. He lives in Honolulu and SF.