Meet Johnny Two Thirds | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnny Two Thirds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnny, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always had a passion for tattooing. The art of Tattoo is something I have always gravitated to, even as a young child I was captivated by the strength of the images; tigers, eagles, pin up girls. The image spoke for itself, you see a person with a tiger on their arm and you can read it straight off, they’re wanting to represent the tiger with in them. As far as going into business for myself, I wanted to be in Hermosa Beach and because of the laws, someone had to fight the existing prohibition and I just happen to be the guy that got to do that. The court case, Anderson v. Hermosa beach, is my footnote in the history of tattooing, its something I’m really proud of and still stoked I got to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. After winning the case which equated to tattooing being protected under the first amendment, the new precedence had to be tested, and thats why I opened in Hermosa Beach. Hometown boy makes good.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve really found that the things Im good at are also the things I enjoy, or maybe the style of tattooing I really enjoy, Im also really good at. I really enjoy doing 3 things; American traditional, Clipper ships, Eagles, Panthers, swallows and anchors, sailor type designs. Large Japanese body pieces, dragons and samurais, more than the subject matter, I love the way the Japanese tattoo flows and covers large parts of the body. Last black and grey portraits, which is really just photo reproduction, but its really challenging and our customers really flip their lids over a well done portrait. In short I love tattoos that look like tattoos, nothing too artsy, but strong, straight forward designs. You look at a screaming eagle and there is no doubt that an eagle.
My goal has always been to tattoo for the rest of my life, I am 28 years in now, God willing I have another 20 years of it. I have no plans to retire ever, but maybe at 65 I will drop down to 5 days a week.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
of course the beach, that is really the best attraction in L.A. Down town has a lot of great places to eat, My wife loves “the girl and the goat” The “Arthur J” in Manhattan Beach is fantastic. Hollywood and Venice beach are extremely overrated crowded and filthy. I like a little filth, but being older I’m in family and kid mode; DisneyLand if you’re wealthy, Knott’s Berry farm for the rest of us.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jeff Thielman is my mentor and friend, He hired me and apprenticed me in 1995, at Tattoo Deluxe in San Pedro. I did a formal, traditional apprenticeship with him. Really I was just a young kid with a terrible portfolio, and Jeff recognized something in me, some sort of hunger. I was willing to do whatever it took to become a tattoo maker. I work for Jeff for 9 years, I began within the constraints of an apprenticeship; mopping, cleaning, building needles, scrubbing tubes, and watching. I did a lot of watching. Once I began tattooing you’re really learning by trial and error. Messing up your buddies arms, with the promise of fixing up when you get better. As I look back now, even though my apprenticeship was only 1 year, formally, I view all 9 years as my apprenticeship.
I will always be thankful that Jeff “lefty” Thielman stuck by me and taught me everything I know. Thanks Jeff!

Website: @johnnytwothirds

Instagram: @johnnytwothirds

Facebook: Johnny Anderson Good luck theres a lot of Johnny Andersons

Yelp: yer Cheatn heart hermosa

Image Credits
photos by Johnny Anderson