Check out Mike Seniff’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Seniff.

Mike, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Northern California in the Bay Area and in Tracy. My upbringing was diverse & tough. I grew up in the city and had a love for the outdoors. I was Immersed in a cross between gang culture, motor sports, school, sports and the outdoors. I played football & raced motocross competitively while I was young until I graduated.

I had always believed I was meant to be a Marine having the same birthday on November 10th, I graduated and left for the Marine Corps and became a MarineCorps infantryman and my whole life changed. When I came back no one understood me.

I turned to music and art. I started DJing at Bay Area raves and clubs and started drawing again and doing graffiti as well as owned & operated multiple urban clothing stores I started from 2000-2007 called Essential Rhythm. Nothing would ever be the same. I started getting tattooed heavily in early 2007 as therapy for PTSD and my love for tattoos & tattooing started.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My love for the art of tattooing grew into studying traditional tattooing for over 2 1/2 years before I picked up a machine and started tattooing myself for 2 years straight. I have been tattooing ever since. For me tattooing is very spiritual and has the ability to help heal others. I have had multiple mentors and worked at multiple shops. My love for tattooing continues to grow to this day. Most of my tattoo work is bold with traditional & neo traditional influences and ranges from traditional colors to bright neon’s to black and grey work with dark gothic and religious themes as well as a cross of American traditional & Chicano art. I have come to specialize in cover ups and redos lately and love larger projects. I continue to draw, make clothing, paint, take pictures & make music as well.

What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
My best advice for new artists is to not resist learning from people but remember not be afraid of being yourself and doing what flows out of you naturally. Success doesn’t come overnight as well so hang in there. Practice makes perfect and perfecting your own process that works for you is a huge key. Don’t let anyone get in your head and label you and put rules on your art that limit you. Open your heart and mind and believe in yourself.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The best way currently to see my art is on Instagram @mikeseniff and @thejudgedclothing

Contact Info:

• Address: N.78th St
  Scottsdale Az 85250
• Phone: 775-229-3531
• Email: thejudgedclothing@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeseniff/
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/thejudgedclothing/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thejudged77
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/habitual-slumper-recordings

Image Credit:
All original pictures @mikeseniff

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.