Known simply as “Rockwood,” the local and nationally acclaimed artist has more up his tattooed sleeve than just ink. With a larger than life personality, Rockwood will showcase his diverse talents at Kona Oceanfront Gallery this Saturday from 5-8 p.m. This will be Rockwood’s debut exhibit as he unveils his new line of original custom painted surfboards and Palm Tiki artwork.
Rockwood ventured into the world of artistic creations at the tender age of 5 with the encouragement of his father, who worked as a graphic artist. Rockwood’s early paintings included cars, trucks and motorcycles. He became fascinated with tattoos at an early age and attributes this interest to growing up as a Navy brat, being surrounded by people with tattoos.
“I have been tattooing here in Kona for 22 years, but I started tattooing in 1969,” said Rockwood. “I was in Hollywood for about eight years — that’s where I tattooed most of the rockstars and movie stars. I’ve tattooed Cher, Heather Locklear, Madonna, the guys from Motley Crew, Guns and Roses, LA Guns, Ozzie Osbornes band, Alex’s Coopers band, Bret Micheals from Poison, you name it, I have tattooed a lot of them. I’ve also done a lot of movies and TV shows where I have painted the tattoos on the actors.”
Rockwood inked his first tattoo at the age of 12. Using the unfledged technique of wrapping thread around a sewing needle and dipping it in India ink, he tattooed his friends one poke at a time.
In 1979, he was introduced to professional tattooing in Southern California, and a year in a half later, co-opened “Twilight Fantasy Tattoo” in Anaheim. He went on to work in tattoo shops in Long Beach and West Hollywood before opening his own shop in Studio City. In addition to tattooing, Rockwood also worked in the Hollywood film industry.
“The film I’m most proud to have worked on is Born in East LA, where I took the tattoo scene in the prison,” he said. “I rewrote and directed the scene which was a lot of fun. I’ve done Free Willy, Perfect Strangers, and Sledge Hammer. I have done a lot of TV shows back in the ’80s.”
In 1994, Rockwood and his wife, Becky, moved to the Big Island to open their second shop “Big Island Tattoo” in Kailua-Kona.
What many of his customers don’t know, is that Rockwood is also an accomplished artist in many other mediums. He works with airbrushing, watercolors, oils and pin-striping. His art can be found on skin, canvas, paper, masonite, murals and surfboards.
Rockwood art will be unveiling his new line of original custom painted 3D surf boards as well as launching his truly unique line of Palm Tiki artwork during at Saturday’s event at Kona Oceanfront Gallery and he will conduct live painting demonstrations.
The gallery is located at 75-5770 Alii Drive in Kona. The event is free and includes adult beverages and pupus.
Info: 334-0037, artexpert@hawaii.rr.com.
