International icon of black ink, artist Michael (GIANT) LeSage incorporates a broad swathe of influences and skills in the creation of a singular, unmistakable aesthetic. Mikes central practice, drawing, is informed by his training in architectural drafting, his illustrious career as a tattooist and worldwide exploits writing on walls. In his latest and most complete monograph, the reader will enjoy photos of perfectly executed tattoos, page after page of Mikes inscrutable tattoo flash, hand lettering nonpareil, and tons of drawings, graffiti pieces and action shots. GIANTs worldwide travels — inking people, places and finer drawing paper around the world from Amsterdam to London, Thailand, Toronto, New York and back home to San Francisco are also given due prominence. Buddhism, track bikes, designing for apparel brand Rebel8, and painting fill Lesages hours, but at the end of the day, it all comes full circle, back to his unwaveringly mindful solid black lines.
