Biography

Obie Hughes
Artist, Entrepreneur, Innovator

Obie continued the exploration of art through grade school and into his freshman year at Montclair High School, CA. After earning an “A” in his first and only high school art class, his passion was subdued. Although art held his heart, Obie's studies began to focus primarily on business subjects for practical reasons. Being a product of the “Big Business” world of the “eighties”, he felt that art as a career would not bring him the financial success that was so often glorified in the media and movies of this time. Having won the “Bank of America Business Scholarship” at Montclair, Obie continued his education at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga California. Once again his studies focused on business. Art for the next couple years would remain a hobby while he began pursuing a career in banking.

After excelling in the banking world by becoming one of Wells Fargo's youngest Customer Service Officers and receiving a Retail Management Certificate, Obie was no longer able to restrain his passion for the arts. He received his first tattoo at age 18 and at that point recognized his undeniable fascination and appreciation for the art world. He submerged himself into any art books he could find soaking up the works of the old renaissance masters and modern day surrealists. He studied art fundamentals and marketing teaching himself not only how to create art but how to make a career of it. Obie now believed that it was possible to earn a decent living in the creative industries. His thoughts for the art of tattooing began to consume him. Fortunately for him, several friends and family members were willing to sacrifice their skin while he experimented and practiced with some cheap, poor running tattoo machines. And so it began.

Although nervous and undeserving, Obie applied his first tattoo on his cousin Mick at age 21 in his humble, one bedroom home built in 1914. From that point on he welcomed this new addiction and began tattooing as often as there were volunteers. Banking by day and tattooing by night, Obie struggled through those early years. His artistic ability was eventually brought to the attention of Corey Miller a well established, internationally known tattoo artist from the same hometown of Upland , Ca.

Having common interests in art as well as music, Obie and Corey began a camaraderie and arranged an apprenticeship that would later become a ten year working relationship. The apprenticeship however, was cut short due to the abrupt closing of Corey's tattoo studio, Optic Overdrive. Having already quit his corporate banking job, needing a new place to work, and having practically no portfolio to speak of, Obie decided to venture out opening his own tattoo studio in Chino , CA , In the Mood. This endeavor, though a gamble gave Obie the opportunity to better his tattooing skills and learn the “dos and don'ts” of the business.

Exactly one year later, craving new artistic energy, he rejoined forces with Corey Miller and jumped onboard as an artist at Corey‘s new Studio, Six Feet Under, in Upland, CA. The shop moved from its original location after a year and developed into, Upland Art Co. /Six Feet Under, in the heart of downtown Upland , CA . For the next 9 years Obie and Corey continued to work together along with artists Henry Powell, Larry Garcia and later Scot Corbin. The shop became a hub for visiting national artists and any art collectors in search of quality work. Every artist that worked at Six Feet Under was well respected in the community and under Corey some international attention was brought to the studio. Over the years several articles and artworks were published under the shop name. That, along with persistent hard work helped Obie's clientele base grow. His reputation as a “solid and creative” tattooist spread through the community as well as the entire tattoo industry. His client appointment schedule became booked out for weeks turning to months in advance. Mutual respect and admiration for his fellow artist/colleagues Corey, Henry, Larry, and Scot helped Obie form not only a unique tattoo style but a good work ethic. This earned him the nickname Obie “Business” Hughes… (fitting, considering his earlier mentioned studies and career.)

After 10 bountiful years, Obie decided to leave Six Feet Under and once again venture out on his own. Looking for new inspiration and desiring more freedom to take his work on the road, he moved on to Riverside , CA . In July of 2004 he established Speak Easy Tattoo Co. Getting away from the large studio environment, he decided to open a private, appointment only studio.

Presently, the shop is busier than ever and Obie is booked out a couple months in advance. People love the intimate, retro feel of the shop. So much so that he has decided to expand his business, having just opened a second location in Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. With the help of family and friends, he has constructed with his own hands a studio that compares to no other. Designed in the tradition of the actual “Speak Easy” night clubs of the prohibition era, the new studio is sure to “drop jaws” in amazement at its unique warm vibe. In creating the new studio, a work of art in itself, his vision has come to life and will be host to several international tattoo artists
in the years to come.

Obie regularly makes appearances at his favorite tattoo conventions, usually working along side his good friends/colleagues Jime Litwalk and Joe Capobianco. He can also be spotted in various trade magazines. His art has taken his travels through several states coast to coast as well as abroad in Europe. Along with Tattooing, he is also an established painter working with acrylic, watercolor, oil and lacquer. Obie also enjoys working in other mediums like charcoal, pen & ink, and pencil. His work can be seen in art shows and on “hot rods & choppers” around the country. Along with art it is not uncommon for him to write songs and poetry. As if that's not enough you may be able to catch him playing saxophone with his well known 50's influenced Rhythm & Blues band, RumbleKing. It is certain that Obie Hughes will surely have a distinct impact on the tattoo industry as well as the art world in general before he is through. Be sure to stop by one of his studios or a convention in your area and experience it for yourself…

“… art & music…imagine life without them…” - Obie Hughes

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