Yet, some people whom indulge in graffiti or tattoos don’t fit this profile. It’s called, the “monkey see, monkey do” syndrome — or just being copy cat, faddish or simply foolish.

But the 39-year-old tattoo artist no longer competes. "Too much to dust," he says, of the trophies.

Tattoo artist Eric Reyna is working on a tattoo reproducing the graffiti-covered Oceanwide Plaza on his friend's back, part of a celebration of L.A.