Artist Spotlight: Brian Kennedy

Growing up in San Diego, tattoo artist and motorcycle painter Brian Kennedy recalls his first memories of tattoos from skipping school. The image of tattooers posing against walls, smoking cigarettes just seemed like such a rad concept to young Brian at the time. At this moment, he knew that tattooing would be something that would be a part of his life someday.


Because it was the 70s, Brian wanted to capture the essence of tattooing during that time period. In an age where he and a childhood friend would steal the dad's motorcycle to cruise for cigarettes and girls, motorcycles would be Brian's second lifelong passion. But there needed to be some way to bridge these two loves together, so right out of high school, Brian began painting to spark his creative flow. But it was a freak accident while working a typical nine-to-five that led to his current career path.


“I was actually an analytical engineer for a major corporation for twelve years,” Kennedy tells me. “While working the corporate grind, I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly ended my life. I decided that life was too short and started focusing on tattooing. I hung out with a lot of other artists, started getting tattoos and drawing more. I just picked it up and never looked back!”


Fast forward to present day and Brian is owner and operator of Aces and Eights Tattoo, Casa Grande's largest and longest running tattoo parlor. Since 2004, the tattoo shop has provided the community with killer ink and exceptional customer service. But when he's not managing the shop, he's custom painting motorcycle helmets, gas tanks, fairings and anything else you can throw his way.


Nine years later, Aces and Eights still has the same integrity and artistry as the day they opened. For now, Brian's concentrating on his shop, his new line of metal flake and his extracurricular work to keep him busy. If you'd like a tattoo, have some custom painting needed or anything else, you can find Brian at Aces and Eights!