Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Outlaw Tagger Goes Corporate

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 4, 2009 4:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – With clients like Universal Studios, and Nike, Mister Cartoon still has street cred. In fact, that’s what makes the 39-year-old graffiti artist, tattoo artist, fashion designer, and car customizer such a sought-after corporate image maker, the Los Angeles Times reports. Cartoon’s designs—which mix Chicano gang culture and Japanimation—can impart nearly anything with counterculture cool.

Cartoon lost interest in illegal tagging after he was arrested at 17. Since then, he’s bounced around between gigs, eventually rising to superstar status with tattoos on the likes of Eminem and 50 Cent. The corporate work on films like Fast & Furious has actually grown his cult following. “The mainstream is coming around to his aesthetic, not the other way around,” said a producer making a biopic about him. “He’s still hard-core. He’s a gatekeeper to that world.”

Tattoo artist know as Mr. Cartoon works on the the light table before starting a tattoo for a customer at SA Studios in Los Angeles Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
Tattoo artist know as Mr. Cartoon works on the the light table before starting a tattoo for a customer at SA Studios in Los Angeles Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
A caricature of tattoo artist Mr.Cartoon is seen at the Last Laugh store in the Skid Row section of  downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
A caricature of tattoo artist Mr.Cartoon is seen at the Last Laugh store in the Skid Row section of downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Nike sneakers and Lost Angels dolls designed by Mr. Cartoon are displayed at his store the Last Laugh store at the corner of 6th and Los Angeles streets in downtown Los Angeles, July 23, 2008.
Nike sneakers and Lost Angels dolls designed by Mr. Cartoon are displayed at his store the Last Laugh store at the corner of 6th and Los Angeles streets in downtown Los Angeles, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
A look at one of Mr. Cartoon's graffiti creations.
A look at one of Mr. Cartoon's graffiti creations.   (Flickr)
Tattoo artist Mark Machado known as Mr. Cartoon poses in front of the poster for the film Righteous Kill with the stars of the film Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, at SA Studios in Los Angeles.
Tattoo artist Mark Machado known as Mr. Cartoon poses in front of the poster for the film "Righteous Kill" with the stars of the film Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, at SA Studios in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Frisbees Are OK on LA Beaches

3rd Miramonte Teacher Escorted Girls to Molester

LA School Replacing Entire Staff After Sex Raps

School Closing for 2 Days Over Sex Assault Arrests

Second Teacher Arrested for Lewd Acts at LA School


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne