Norm is 41 years old. He is considered a "local" around Reisterstown where he grew up and still lives. He lives there with his wife and business partner, Lizz. Tattooing played an integral part in their coming together. Norm met Lizz when he tattooed her friend. There was an instant attraction, and 10 months later they were married. Norm likes to tell people that his 27 year-old wife keeps him young.
Norm has always been an artist. Ever since he could hold a pencil he has been creating and perfecting his art. Norm is a graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art. He has a BFA in Visual Communications. He worked as a commercial illustrator for 10 years when he got his first tattoo. He then realized that this could be an avenue for his art, and now he has been tattooing for 12 years. Since he began tattooing he always wanted to open his own shop. In October of 2002, he made the decision to leave a profitable shop to start the process of opening Art With A Pulse with his wife Lizz. By July of 2003 they were open.
Norm has a strong airbrush background. His style and ability to airbrush lifelike pictures is reflected in his tattooing. Norm prefers to tattoo large custom pieces. He enjoys bio-mechanical work because of the freedom of creation that type of artwork allows. He feels that he can create and express himself without the confines of traditional lines. The larger pieces he tattoos he likes to create right on the skin. This allows him to draw the design to flow with the body's natural curves and lines.
Norm takes his job very seriously. He feels an incredible responsibility tattooing, knowing that the marks of the tattoo will be on that person for the rest of their life. He is constantly telling people, "respect the tattoo". Getting a tattoo is not something that should be rushed into. The process of getting a tattoo and the art form of tattooing needs to be respected.