Exposed as a youth to tattooing by his Uncle Danny DeRosa of Smoking Gun Tattoo in Long Island, NY. James considers himself lucky to have memories of tattooing well before it became center stage in our culture. Watching his Uncle Danny work left an impression on him, hypnotized by the practice James turned out his first Tattoos on his close friends in the mid 90s.

James received a BFA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA, and an MFA in painting from the The School of Art Institute of Chicago. His work has been showcased in a number of Magazines including Art Forum and Juxtapose, he has also published illustrations for the likes of Disney and Esquire Magazine. Jimmy’s work is exhibited in highly respected galleries all over the world including his personal favorite spaces La Luz De Jesus gallery in California and Deitch projects in NYC.

During his Masters tenure in Chicago, he opened the Fifty50 Gallery in Chicago’s West loop. Receiving high praises from the New York Times and Artforum Magazine, Fifty50 Gallery displayed such painters as Niagara, Jeremy Tinder and Alex Gross. It was during that period of time that James decided to focus less on the academic art world and dive into an early passion.

In 2008 James opened Rogue Parlour Tattoo in Tucson, AZ. In a short period of time Rogue Parlour Tattoo has become one of Tucson’s premier tattoo studios and has received invitations major tattoo conventions on both coasts and across the country.

Utilizing his years of traditional artistic training to create phenomenal black & grey, and color work. James made name for himself as his tattoos continue to impress respected tattoo artists and collectors around the country and the world.