Franco Vescovi, founder of Bishop Rotary, sat down with OG Abel to discuss the OG Abel x Bishop collaboration.

Franco

“To be able to do a collaboration with you, OG Abel, me as a tattooer and as a fan of yours — I'm excited. In 27 years as a tattoo artist, I've seen more people tattoo your art by far than anybody else. You're not a tattooer, but you need no introduction in the tattoo world because every tattooer knows who you are. They've probably tattooed a piece or two. You're somebody that when they see there's a collaboration with Bishop and OG Abel, man, they're gonna want in. Especially when they see your sketchbook. How many years have people been asking you for a sketchbook?”

NOTE: Sketchbook sold separately

OG Abel

“It's a question that I get asked quite a lot. Great to finally be able to say hey, we've got a sketchbook with Bishop. And it's gonna be a sketchbook where you can see the sketches of some of my classics, and how they came about. And also some pages so that you can go and draw yourself, maybe even trace and shade one of the pieces.”

NOTE: Sketchbook sold separately

Franco

“Tell us about the artwork that belongs to the OG Abel x Bishop V6.”

OG Abel

“The 'Freedom Lion'. The lion is the image that I chose to represent what I do. From a very young age, lion was just my spirit animal. And if I need to, I become fierce. I don't need to, I just have the ability. And life has certainly put me through tests that I took on with the heart of a lion.”

Franco

“That's what I admire a lot about your artwork — there's always a story. And that's important. And that's what people relate to. Everybody should relate to having the heart of a lion but certain people, man, it just speaks to them.”

OG Abel

“It's an honor to be chosen as a collaborator with you and your company. And I think the tattoo world, nothing but class. Everyone that has tattooed one of my images on skin has given proper credit, always gives me compliments. It feels good that there's a whole unity amongst all tattooers like that. It's so awesome. I can't put money on that.”