April 2012
18 posts
Building Momentum.
In order to do something big for the future for everybody to see… you gotta do all of the small tasks in the beginning that nobody sees.
I’ve put a lot of time into organically developing this brand. Now with the (popnation.com) domain is in my possession, the website is starting to be built, and the trademarking process underway, we are starting to gain traction and fine tune the direction in which we are headed.
So much time has been spent on training my mind to be a task master. I’m always looking for the next mountain to climb… and I do not feel like I’m in a rush at all. Things are unfolding beautifully on their own time. I feel like I have just been a witness to events and conversations taking place with perfect timing. A friend of mine, Devon Greene contacted me asking if I would sponsor a basketball tournament that he’s running to support the fight against breast cancer in turn for promoting the brand on everything involved with the tournament’s marketing. Also, my little sister, Cierra is a phenomenal basketball player and she’s playing in a 25-team tournament in July. The people running the tournament have also asked us to provide the apparel and sponsor the event. And to top it off, a woman named Bobbie who runs a non-profit organization called My Mother’s Dream has been working hard to build a community center in downtown Chandler, kind of like an urban YMCA.. and we are working together to provide a service with a brand attached to it. I plan on helping at the community center once its built, giving testimony or teaching a class and promoting the (idea basis) of POP NATION. #position-of-promise.
It’s an abundance of blessings. These are all events that have come unexpectedly and tie in directly with the idea of our brand. I’m making the transition into my job being my lifestyle, and my lifestyle being my job…
-Question: Hey Michael!! are you working today??
-Answer: Is my heart beating?
First Few Days Out.
I cannot believe how much extra time i have now that I’m out of jail. i haven’t stopped working.. i’ve gotten some tattoos in each day since I’ve been out and i’ve stayed up late each night… playing… for the first time in half a year! lol.. nothin big.. just a few BBQ’s and kickbacks.. my friends came in from cali and were a treat to have come thru.
But now its back to work.. i can see how time passes without even taking notice.. i want to keep dedicating time to myself at night.. except at my home… and not in jail. I have a HUUUGE agenda to knock out… and I’m excited. The cameras just got installed into the shop so the blog is about to get waaay better… POPNATION.COM is ready to launch next week. So stay updated. I appreciate everybody’s support and want to give back. Y’all gonna see.
Yo michael its chris, I think I found 2 other pieces that would fit in cool on my shoulder. Was thinking about a Japanese scroll maybe on the front and maybe one of those cultural looking lanterns they make on the back side. Seen some images but here are a few. Lemme know what you think! just google Japanese scrolls and lanterns and there are some cool images. talk to you soon homie. btw shirts look sick!
imma look up one of them lanterns.. keep me posted n we’ll get it cracking asap!! thx!!
why do you have so much tattoo swag?? its fucking awesome! :) -anonymous
i have no clue… but my swagg gives thanks to your acknowledgement.
March 2012
32 posts
My Last Day of Jail
149 days down.. 1 day to go.
I must say I’m not as excited or antsy as I thought I would be. No doubt I’m ready to be out. I just moved into my new place and it feels good to sit on my furniture again. People have been so supportive and I’m very grateful. My family and I have gotten so much closer over these past five months…. that’s been the best part of all this. The second best part of all this has been my increase in time management skills; I’ve become much more efficient and relaxed. I feel so calm it’s ridiculous!!! With so much going on my life has become conceptually so much simpler. My best artwork thus far has been done over the past 5 months. and third best, the people I’ve come to meet and get to know. My boy PK, and Aaron; I hope to stay in contact with these guys for a while….
This POPNATION gig is on its way. I can’t help but get excited about it. But now is the time to work. It’s fulfilling to be pursuing something other than tattooing and while - at the moment - it’s just a hobby, it has been a valuable extension of my efforts. I feel like I’ve been handling a bulk of the leg work as far as content goes, which is fine with me because I’m learning, and I’m establishing some relationships that I foresee being mutually beneficial.
INKRAFT STUDIOS has undergone some upgrades. I’m Lovin it! Everybody seems to be loving it. The crew thinks it’s a pretty interesting place to be, so I’ve paid to install five HD cameras into the shop so we can start video blogging some of the everyday life that takes place in there so you guys can enjoy it as much as we do. Stay Updated.
#follow @MartinezInkraft
Thank You
