Brian KASPER Malecki

@kasperio

Every tattoo artist has a unique story, and Brian "KASPER" Malecki's path is nothing short of inspiring. From a young age, Kasper immersed himself in art, starting with drawing as a child and later finding a passion for graffiti during his teenage years. His love for the creative process eventually led him to hand-poke tattoos on himself and friends in his neighborhood. By high school, he had his first tattoo machine and began working his way into a swap meet tattoo shop in his early 20s. Since 1993, Kasper’s career has spanned across iconic locations, including Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Venice Beach, Hollywood, Orange County, and now Long Beach, where he tattoos alongside some of the best artists in the business at The Raven and the Wolves.

Kasper’s artistic focus has always been on black and grey realism, a style he carries through both his tattooing and drawing. Recently, he’s expanded his skills by taking oil painting classes with Rino Gonzalez and studying life drawing under Sergio Sanchez. This dedication to continually improving his craft speaks to his passion and commitment as an artist.

For aspiring creatives, Kasper acknowledges the financial challenges of pursuing an artistic path. "The struggle is real! Starving artists all over the world know you have to eat, sleep, and breathe art to get good," he shares. His advice emphasizes the importance of immersing yourself fully in art, despite the sacrifices it may demand. He recounts moments of living in his mom’s garage and surviving on instant noodles, underscoring the perseverance required to succeed.

Those interested in exploring Kasper's work or supporting his art can follow him on Instagram and Facebook, where he frequently shares updates about upcoming shows and projects.