Sunset Strip

"I wanted to do superlative work. So, I made a choice. I would either quit tattooing or try to get in with Cliff Raven at Sunset Strip Tattoo. Cliff hired me. That's the beginning of the story."^[1]

In 1985, Greg joined Sunset Strip Tattoo in Hollywood. Originally opened by Lyle Tuttle in the 1960s, the shop was then owned by Cliff Raven and subsequently Robert Benedetti, pioneers and innovators in the Japanese style of tattooing.

For over twenty-five years, Greg played a large part in building the stature of the legendary studio, becoming "the real star at Sunset … the tattoo artist's tattooer."^[3]

During his almost forty-year career, Greg has also apprenticed numerous other tattoo artists, including Chris Clemence of Montauk Tattoo,^[4] Eric Blair^[5] of Subculture Tattoo and Dollar Bill of Sunset Strip Tattoo.

Notable clients

Russell Mitchell, CEO of Exile Cycles with tattoos by Greg James: full sleeves and two hikae, or chest panels, featuring a blue dragon and orange koi.

• Kirk Alley, owner of Eleven Eleven Tattoo^[6]
• Pat Badger, of Extreme^[7]
• Frankie Banali, of Quiet Riot^[7]
• Nuno Bettencourt, of Extreme^[7]
• Bobby Blotzer, of Ratt^[7]
• Chris Cashmore, owner of Tattoo Power, Canberra, Australia^[8]
• John Corabi, of Mötley Crüe^[9]
• Mark Dektor, director^[10]
• Sarah Michelle Gellar, actress^[11]
• Pauly Greenwood, Drummer^[12]
• Tracii Guns, of L. A. Guns^[7]
• Horicho, Japanese Tattoo Master^[13]
• Johhny Hollywood, owner of 13 Roses Tattoo Parlour^[14]
• Jesse James, West Coast Choppers^[11]
• Joan Jett^[7]
• Tommy Lee, of Mötley Crüe^[2]
• Oliver Leiber, musician and producer^[7]
• Mick Mars, of Mötley Crüe^[2]
• Vince Neil, of Mötley Crüe^[2]
• Keith Nelson, of Buckcherry^[7]
• Ozzy Osbourne^[7]
• Ashley Purdy, of Black Veil Brides^[15]
• Denise Richards^[7]
• Charlie Sheen^[7]
• Nikki Sixx, of Mötley Crüe^[2]
• Rick Stratton, makeup/special effects artist^[16]
• Joshua Todd, of Buckcherry^[7]
• Léa Vendetta, owner of Léa's Lounge^[17]

Conventions

Custom Japanese dragon tattoo by Greg James.

• Great Northwest Tattoo Convention
• Hollywood Park Tattoo Invitational^[18]
• Musink Tattoo Convention
• National Tattoo Association Convention^[19]
• New York City Tattoo Convention
• Tattoo Body Art Expo^[20]
• Tokyo Tattoo Convention^[21]

Tattoos Deluxe

Custom Japanese backpiece tattoo by Greg James of Tattoos Deluxe.

In September 2012, Greg opened his own tattoo studio, Tattoos Deluxe, in Sherman Oaks, CA (formerly Subculture Tattoo).^[22] Over time, Greg has emerged as a thoughtful and moderate spokesman for tattooing.^[23] Despite being at the top of the industry and known worldwide,^[1][3] Greg has also earned a reputation as "a genuinely nice guy",^[11][24] "quiet, modest and understated",^[25] "…one of the nicest people I've ever met, and his work is truly amazing."^[10]

Of tattooing, Greg says that "So much of what we do is really a personal thing between two people. It's not about the art so much, or the craft, or being the cool guy."^[26] "Tattooing to me is like welding. You have to lay the lines down. You're using tools. It [the tattoo] should look like it's always been there. Like it's part of your body."^[27] "You know, the average person today thinks tattoo artists nowadays are rock stars. But we go through a lot. We really put a lot effort, time, and communication into what we do. And it's permanent. You can't tear it up and throw it away when you're done with it. All these tattoos that I've done for thirty years--I carry those around in my head with me."^[28]