My name is Michael Douglas Mangiapili. I am a licensed tattoo artist working out of The Bronx, NY. I have worked in many different tattoo shops ranging from Fordham Rd in the Bronx to The Village Diva in the Village down in Manhattan. My prefered style of choice is color work, I find it very challenging and fun to do. My customers come from all over the world and I have plenty of crazy stories to tell, but they probably aren't appropriate at this time. My journey as a Tattoo artist began in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx at a shop called Cool Hand Tattoo. i apprenticed under two very talented artists named Ralf Marte and Freddy Aroyo. Being an apprentice is not a fun life. I worked many hours for free in turn for tattooing lessons. I took out the garbage, cleaned the shop and set up and broke down both of their stations. I also managed the front and handled clients and appointments. Once my time was up there I apprenticed at two other places. I worked at House of Ink in Mt. Vernon, NY and Ink House Studios in the Bronx, NY. At House of Ink i worked under an artist named vincent who taught me the technical scientific side of tattooing, and at Ink House Studios i again worked under Ralf Marte. My duties always stayed the same as an apprentice. Once my apprenticeship was over I began to tattoo out of my house and I was also a traveling tattoo artist lugging my equiptment everywhere. I eventually passed the test for my license which certified me to work under the NY state depatment of health and I worked at the various shops I mentioned in the beginning. I love tattooing, It allows me to be creative and do what I want. Tattooin definatley takes over your life, many refer to it as more of a life style rather than a job. Most artists work extensive hours and practically live in their tattoo shops. No matter what I see myself tattooing for the rest of my life, no matter where my life takes me i'll always have tattooing with me.