About The Artist
Kurtis is an internationally recognized artist who specializes in creating contemporary Polynesian and Filipino tattoos in San Diego through a freehand process rooted in culture, storytelling, and the individual.
My Story
“Growing up on the mainland, I was raised in a family with roots across the Pacific. Being of mixed heritage meant I inherited different cultures, traditions, and histories, but understanding how they all fit together became a journey of its own. Over time, that curiosity grew into a desire to better understand not only where my family came from, but the traditions, values, and history that shaped my family long before I was born.
As I learned more I realized these traditions offered more than beautiful artwork. They offered a way to connect with history, family, culture, and identity. That realization eventually led me to Polynesian and Filipino tattooing.
At first, it was the bold look of the artwork that caught my attention. It was one of the first things I had seen that could show identity without saying a single word. The more I learned the more I realized these traditions were about much more than patterns on the skin. They carry family history, responsibility, community, and stories passed down from one generation to the next.
What started as a personal search for identity grew into a lifelong pursuit. More than a decade later, that same curiosity still guides my work. I still approach every project as a student first, knowing there is always more to learn and a responsibility to treat these traditions with the respect they deserve.
Today, every tattoo starts the same way my own journey did, beginning with with listening, learning, and taking the time to understand the person before putting pen to skin. My goal isn't just to create something that looks beautiful. It's to create something that truly reflects the person wearing it while honoring the traditions that inspired the work”
Respect Before Design
For Kurtis, a tattoo begins long before the first line is drawn.
Across Polynesia all the way to the Philippines, tattooing has historically represented identity, family, responsibility, and personal history. While every culture has its own traditions, one idea remains consistent: a tattoo should represent the person wearing it.
That belief continues to guide every project today.
Before discussing patterns or design, Kurtis takes time to understand each client's background, values, and the experiences that have shaped their life. Those conversations become the foundation of every tattoo.
Because every story is different, every tattoo should be too.
Drawn for the Body. Designed for the Individual.
Every design is created freehand directly on the body. Kurtis is given full free creative reign on what he believes looks best for the client.
Rather than working from pre-drawn templates or resizing an existing design, each composition is built around the client's anatomy, allowing the tattoo to move naturally with the body instead of simply sitting on top of it.
The result is a tattoo created specifically for one person, one body, and one story.
The Studio
Every appointment takes place in Kurtis' private studio in Ocean Beach, San Diego.
Only one client is scheduled each day, allowing every project to receive the time and attention it deserves without distractions or overlapping appointments.
The studio was designed for clients traveling from across the United States, providing a calm, private environment focused entirely on the work being created.
Recognition
While awards have never been the goal, they have become an opportunity to demonstrate that Polynesian and Filipino tattooing deserve the same level of artistry, technical precision, and respect as any other style of tattooing.
Kurtis has been invited to attend and has also compete alongside nationally and internationally recognized tattoo artists, earning awards in Blackwork, Ornamental, and Polynesian tattooing.
Tattoo Collectors Expo, Arlington, TX
Best Ornamental — 1st PlaceEvergreen Invitational, Eugene, OR
Best Ornamental — 1st PlaceTattoo Collectors Expo, Arlington, TX
Best Polynesian — 1st PlaceNew York Tattoo Invitational, Brooklyn, NY
Best Blackwork, Ornamental & Tribal — 1st PlaceAustin Tattoo Invitational, Austin, TX
Best Small / Medium Stipple (Ornamental–Geometric) — 1st PlaceEmpire State Tattoo Convention, Manhattan, NY
Best Ornamental — 2nd PlaceStar City Tattoo Expo, El Paso, TX
Best Ornamental - 1st Place
Working Together
Choosing a tattoo artist isn't about finding someone to recreate an existing design.
It's about finding someone whose work, process, and outlook on cultural tattoos already align with what you're looking for.
Every tattoo Kurtis creates is all original and created specifically for the individual wearing it. Clients aren't choosing a design from a portfolio, they're choosing the artist behind it.
That's why every project begins with a inquiry, not a sketch.
Begin Your Project
If you're interested in working with Kurtis, the first step is completing the tattoo inquiry.
Once your project has been reviewed, you'll receive recommendations for placement, coverage, sessions, pricing, and any additional information needed before booking.