<span class="dojodigital_toggle_title">About Me</span>

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. My name is Paul and I am a proud member of the Association of Professional Piercers. I began my venture in the body piercing industry in 1997. My apprenticeship was under my piercer Ericca Colton. I apprenticed under Ericca for 1 year before I started to work on my friends under her supervision. My apprenticeship was cut short when Ericca passed away at the age of 21. When my apprenticeship abruptly ended after a little over 1 year, I started working in Manhattan at "revolving door shops" in order to gain experience. Comfortable with my skill I returned to Staten Island in November of 2001. I operate out of Bound for Glory Tattoo located at 607 Forest Ave.

In 2003, in an effort to solidify my ability to continue to work as a piercer, I began crafting organic body jewelry. In my humble beginnings I operated out of a cramped "studio" located in my parents basement making a small, simple selection of plugs and tunnels. While looking to further my knowledge in body adornment I began networking with some of the world's most talented craftsmen and jewelers. Now I happily carry jewelry from the top companies here in the United States such as Industrial Strength, Anantometal, NeoMetal, LeRoi, BVLA, and Maria Tash just to name a few. We even have an anodizer that allows us to change the color of the jewelry on the spot using SCIENCE!

I complete First Aid and CPR courses bi-annually (see blog post containing certificates here). In addition I have completed Cross Contamination and Bloodborne Pathogen courses yearly (see blog post containing certificate here) and have taken extended learning courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology at the College of Staten Island. I pride myself in cleanliness, integrity, and great bedside manner. All of my piercing jewelry is internally threaded and I offer both implant grade stainless as well as titanium for initial piercings. My piercing needles are hand-crafted, tri-beveled, and are always nickel-free. I introduced Staten Island to the art of body modification over 14 years ago. My extensive portfolio includes surface anchors (single point piercings), ear scalpelling and various other body modification procedures.

In January of 2015 I applied for a scholarship to attend the 20th annual Association of Professional Piercers conference and was chosen as one of the finalists. In March the APP selected me as the recipient of the Industrial Strength Shannon Larratt scholarship, which was a huge honor. The conference had a profound, personal effect on me. To see my name with the likes of Shannon's was incredibly overwhelming and humbling. While out at the conference I took 14 courses taught by people I admire in the industry. I learned so much from this incredible opportunity. What I learned not only benefits me, but my clients as well.

Attending the APP conference sparked my desire to continue my education whenever the opportunity became available. It was with this newly ignited passion that I enrolled in a Progressive Mentorship seminar; Versatile Piercing Techniques. The class was taught by Ryan Ouellette of Precision Body Arts and was very informative and enlightening. It was interesting to see another professional's approach and challenged me to try new techniques.

In November of 2015 I elevated my efforts in continuing my education by enrolling in the first ever Comprehensive Piercing Seminar at Fakir Intensives. Fakir Musafar is a shaman, artist, master piercer, and body modifier with 50 years research and personal exploration in primitive body arts. I spent nearly a week in San Francisco and had the privilege of learning not only from Fakir, but also Ken Coyote, Ian Bishop, Jef Saunders, Cody Vaughn, Tod Almighty, William Grindatti, and Jori Zan. The seminar covered topics such as Advanced Piercing Techniques, health & safety, proper jewelry materials, history of the body piercing movement, and incorporating energy sensitivity and shamanism into everyday body piercing. My experience at the Fakir Intensives had an overwhelming influence on my professional career but more importantly grounded me spiritually. I am so privileged to have been a part of this gratifying experience. It is something that will stay with me forever.

In March of 2016 I became the first member of the Association of Professional Piercers in New York City. This was an accomplishment I've had my eye on since 2004. After 10 years the right circumstances finally aligned. I found myself in a studio that supported my drive to become a member. It took me 2 years to meet and exceed the requirements for membership. This accomplishment was not without the help of a bunch of people. Thanks goes out to all of them. My gratitude is owed to all those who were involved. I am very excited to be the first member of the APP in New York City and I hope that many others will follow.

In May of 2016, inspired by taking Luis Garcia's "Successful Surface Piercing" seminar at the APP conference, I attended his Surface Piercing Seminar at Black Lotus Tattoo in Baltimore, Maryland. This seminar was more hands on than the one at conference as I was able to watch Luis do a bunch of surface piercing work up close. As with Ryan's seminar it was nice to see another professionals techniques first hand.

In July of 2016 I attended the 21st annual Association of Professional Piercers conference. I volunteered once again and got to work alongside some of my closest friends in the industry along with taking 14 classes. I learned a lot more this time both inside and outside of class. It was easier to mingle with other piercers being a member of the APP and I felt much more comfortable asking other piercers the techniques they use.

In October of 2016 I attended the 2nd annual APP Members Retreat. It was a very different experience in relation to the APP conference almost having a Fakir Intensives feel to it. It was a very small group of members in the middle of the woods which ended up being very relaxing, intimate, and informative. I learned so much and the classes touched on a lot of information not taught at conference. I saw many of my friends in the industry and made lots of new ones. This was truly a unique experience. One that I will remember forever.

In November of 2016 I attended another piercing seminar at Black Lotus Tattoo Studio this time taught by the president of the APP, Jef Saunders. The seminar talked about the pros of going 100% disposable and also touched on ways to do specific ear piercings which I love to do! I got to hang out once again with piercers I know, I met piercers I didn't know, and I learned a ton!

In May of 2017 I attended another piercing seminar at Black Lotus Tattoo Studio taught by Luis Garcia again. The seminar focused on male and female genital piercings and also touched on clients who are transitioning which was great to hear someone talk about. I had a blast as always, learned a lot, met some new piercers, and got to hang out with some that I have met plenty of times thanks to these seminars at Black Lotus.

In June of 2017 I attended the 22st annual Association of Professional Piercers conference. I volunteered once again and got to work alongside some of my closest friends in the industry along with taking 14 classes. This years classes that i took focused on specific piercings and I got to learn new techniques along with getting to see how other piercers approach certain piercings.

In October of 2017 I attended the 3rd annual APP Members Retreat. Another great experience where I took 7 classes. I learned so much and the classes touched on a lot of information not taught at conference. There was also a Narcan training class which I took. I was able to reconnect with piercers that I volunteer with at conference as well as meet new piercers. Once again there was a bunch of material taught here that isn't taught at conference and I am grateful to have been a part of it again this year.

In November of 2017 I attended another piercing seminar at Black Lotus Tattoo Studio taught by Luis Garcia covering ear projects and custom bending. The seminar covered a lot about jeweley types, ear shapes, how to discuss with clients their options, and we were able to watch as Luis performed piercings on 3 models. I got to hang out once again with piercers I know, I met piercers I didn't know, and I learned a ton!

December 2017 I did my first guest spot at Infinite Body Piercing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I got to work alongside my friends Zach and Andru. I also got to work with their head piercer John Logger and the amazing counter staff the shop has. It was a surreal experience to be honest being able to take that photo in the blue archway. I learned a lot as well which will definitely help in how I set up for piercings and managing my time.

In February of 2018 I attended yet another class taught at the ever expanding Black Lotus Tattoo. This one was taught by Ryan Ouellette and covered needle believe theory and freehand piercing technique. I got to be a guinea pig and get pierced "for educational purposes". Hung out with friends and once again met new piercers. I learned a couple new techniques as well which I hope to apply to my every day routine.

I've continued to do guest spots at Infinite Body Piercing in February, March, and June of 2018. I'm starting to get really comfortable working there. The counter staff makes it really easy to just work and I can't thank them and James Webber enough for the opportunity to work in an amazing atmosphere.

For 18 years I have made every effort to stay ahead of the curve; evolving with the industry. I am not a tattoo artist. I don't have a second job. I truly love what I do and it shows in my work.

Don't take my word for it, ask my clients.