Rob Hill was destined to be an artist from the moment he was born. While growing up in Ventura, CA, Rob has been drawing for as long as he can remember. As a young artist, he fondly recalls painting and drawing in various mediums, from airbrushing with his father to painting with watercolors and acrylics with his grandmother. During school, Rob couldn’t hide his artistic nature. He often found himself drawing on book covers and homework to keep himself entertained in school. His love for art continued, with Rob taking drafting and architecture courses from 8th grade into his high school years. Drawing and design courses quickly followed.

Living on the Southern California coast where surfers, skaters, punkers, rockers, not to mention gangs and bikers are the norm, Rob was constantly surrounded by the tattoo culture. Coming from a family that loves to ride Harley Davidson’s, race motorcycles, and get tattooed only made his aspirations of becoming a professional tattoo artist that much stronger.

Rob’s first real introduction to tattoo was in 1984, under less than optimal circumstances. At the age of 11, a family friend moved in with Rob and his mother, and started doing tattoos at their kitchen table. Rob was fascinated watching him work, although he now realizes how dangerous the lack of sterility and health precautions could have been. He would sit for hours watching him work and learning the principles of tattooing. At age 15, Rob performed his first tattoo on a friend, using a safety pin and thread to tattoo by hand.

Rob went through a few rough years following high school, during which he was exposed to the art of tattoo in a completely different manner. After being shown how to convert an old Walkman motor into a homemade tattoo machine, Rob quickly learned the prison style of tattoo. He was able to pull himself back up, and started tattooing regularly on his friends in the Ventura County area. His life was about to take a drastic turn.

Seeing his talents, he was approached by friend and professional tattoo artist Mitch Sutton (RIP) to work in his first studio. Rob picked up his first professional machine at age 20, and has been on his path to greatness ever since. He later worked alongside Leonardo Martinis and Jim Hayek, picking up tips and honing his talents. He prides himself on always learning, and working to expand his knowledge of new techniques, styles, and equipment.

To this day, Rob holds his father and grandmother as his greatest artistic influences. In the tattoo industry, Rob looks to artists like Bob Tyrell, Paul Booth, and Guy Aitchison as inspiration. He keeps a steady eye on the new generation of artists, as they continue to push the envelope of tattooing in a variety of ways. With over 20 years as a professional tattoo artist, Rob continues to evolve with the tattoo culture, always looking to push the boundaries of his craft.

While calling High Class Tattoo of Ventura, CA his home studio, Rob also regularly travels the tattoo convention circuit, laying down beautiful tattoo work around the world. He has tattooed several celebrities, including Championship Boxer Fernando Vargas, Saint Dog and Chuckie Chuck of the Kottonmouth Kings.