L.A. Pete
Pooler Magazine’s Best Local Artist

For Pete Castaneda, better known as 𝐋.𝐀. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞, tattooing has never been just about putting ink on skin.

It is about creating artwork people carry for life.

Since picking up his first tattoo machine in 1988, L.A. Pete has watched the industry transform from a niche profession into a respected art form embraced by people from nearly every walk of life. Along the way, he has tattooed soldiers, firefighters, police officers, veterans and everyday customers looking to honor loved ones, commemorate milestones or simply express themselves through art.

Today, L.A. Pete is the owner of High Rank Tattoo in Pooler where experience, artistry and professionalism have earned the studio a loyal following and Pete recognition as 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭.

His journey began in Southern California, where drawing came naturally long before tattooing entered the picture.

“I’ve always drawn,” he said. “I took art classes in high school and even studied drafting.”

While serving in the military, friends recognized his artistic ability and encouraged him to try tattooing. His first tools were homemade machines assembled from cassette-player motors and guitar strings.

“I was nervous,” he said. “But people liked what I did, and seeing how happy they were afterward, that’s what hooked me.”

The military eventually brought him to Fort Stewart, where his artwork caught the attention of Jack and Sharon Witt, owners of California Tattoo, Savannah’s first tattoo shop.

Pete joined the shop in 1993 and learned from experienced professionals, including artists with formal training from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“I didn’t go to college for art,” he said. “I learned from people who did. They had the degrees, and I got to absorb everything they knew.”

After returning to California in 2001 to be closer to his children, Pete opened the original High Rank Tattoo outside Fort Irwin. Twelve years later, with his children grown and Georgia still feeling like home, he headed east again.

When Pooler updated its zoning to allow tattoo studios, another opportunity appeared.

High Rank Tattoo opened in Pooler on Halloween 2020 and has continued growing ever since.

Pete is quick to credit his team. Tattoo artist Ray Calico joined him after the two worked together in Richmond Hill. His son PJ, known around the shop as “Little Pete,” followed in his father’s footsteps after leaving the military. Linda Kong, a Clemson University graduate, also found an opportunity at High Rank after other studios were hesitant to take on a newcomer.

“I saw her talent,” Pete said. “We’ve got a really good, family-oriented crew.”

30 Years of Advancement

The tattoo industry looks dramatically different from when Pete began.

“The biggest change is technology,” he said.

Pencils, tracing paper and hand-drawn stencils have largely been replaced by digital tools. Today, artists can create and revise designs on iPads using programs such as Procreate and share artwork instantly with clients.

Equipment has changed just as dramatically. High Rank Tattoo now operates with a completely disposable setup using single-use cartridges, improving safety for both artists and customers.

Public perception has also shifted.

“When I started, tattoos weren’t accepted like they are now,” Pete said.

Today, visible tattoos and sleeves are common among firefighters, law enforcement officers and professionals across many industries.

Despite those changes, one piece of advice remains constant: 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤

With more tattoo shops now operating throughout the area, Pete encourages customers to research the individual artist, not just the studio.

“Look at their work,” he said.

Someone seeking portrait realism should study portrait portfolios. Someone interested in fine line work should examine an artist’s line work. Pete also recommends checking local health department inspection scores.

Price should not be the deciding factor.

Once a tattoo is on your skin, it is too late to discover that the least expensive option was not necessarily the best one. Pete sees that lesson regularly when clients come to High Rank seeking cover-up work for poorly executed tattoos.

Different Styles for Different Folks

Like any art form, tattooing includes many different styles. Pete does not have one favorite.

He began with American traditional tattooing, expanded into colorful West Coast work while living in California and later became known in Georgia for black-and-gray realism and fine-line tattoos.

“I just like doing tattoos,” he said. “I like challenging tattoos.”

Among the most rewarding are realistic portraits of loved ones.

“When someone looks in the mirror and sees their family member, not the reference photo, but actually recognizes them in the tattoo, that’s when you know you did your job.”

Even after nearly four decades, creative requests continue to keep the work interesting. One customer even requested a scannable tattoo that played the song “Georgia on My Mind,” blending traditional body art with digital technology.

For L.A. Pete, tattooing is ultimately about combining artistic skill with technical precision, adapting to new technology while respecting traditional craftsmanship and creating something meaningful enough for a client to wear every day for the rest of their life.

“We just try to put out the best work that we can,” he said.

After nearly four decades in the industry, that philosophy continues to leave a lasting impression, one tattoo at a time.