Ernie Carafa (1946-2018) started tattooing at age 16 by trading fireworks for tattoo equipment. After almost 50 years of working as a tattoo artist, Carafa, originally from Brooklyn and now New Jersey, has recently retired. He learned from one of the best, Paul Rogers. Carafa helped to create new and affordable quality pigments. He has worked in New Jersey primarily, with his last shop being in Brick, NJ.