Artisticbloodline: The Story

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The Journey of Michael A. Samuel aka “Gleek”

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Michael A. Samuel’s story begins in South Miami, where he spent his early years surrounded by both love and struggle. In October 1989, Michael experienced a life-altering loss when his mother, Patricia A. Samuel, passed away. He had just turned 13. Her passing left a deep void—but it also lit the first spark in a journey of resilience and reinvention.

After her death, Michael moved to Coconut Grove, specifically the Kingsway Apartments, a public housing project in one of Miami’s most dangerous and drug-infested neighborhoods. It was there, amid the chaos, that a young artist began to rise. Despite the environment around him, Michael found an escape through art, after-school programs, and later, basketball.

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Encouraged by his grandmother, Rena Mae Samuel, who raised him with patience and belief, he was free to express himself—even drawing on the walls of their home. When others might have seen destruction, she saw raw talent.

His love for art began to take root earlier, during an after-school program called the After School House. A pencil drawing of a German Shepherd captivated him so much that he traced it repeatedly until it was etched into his memory. His mentor, moved by Michael’s obsession, gave him the drawing—a small act that changed the course of his life.

As a teen, Michael earned the nickname “Gleek,” which followed him into his identity as a creative. It later inspired the name of his signature tattoo aftercare product: GLEEK BUTTER.

While life in Coconut Grove came with danger and distractions, Michael stayed focused. He channeled his energy into basketball and quickly became a team favorite on his high school squad. His leadership and determination helped take his team all the way to the Florida Class 1A Championship game. After graduating from ACE High School in Coral Gables, he attended Florida Memorial College, where he studied Business Administration—planting the seeds for his future as a business owner.

It was also during his time living in Coconut Grove that Michael took a bold step: he gave someone their first tattoo. After getting his own (a misspelled “GLEEK” that came out as “GLECK”), a friend asked him to ink a “W” on his shoulder. With zero experience but full confidence, Michael mimicked what he'd seen—and the rest is history. That moment marked the beginning of what would become a 30+ year career in tattooing.

Through hustle, passion, and persistence, Michael built his reputation as a skilled artist and entrepreneur. He founded Artisticbloodline, a brand that merges art, storytelling, tattoo culture, and lifestyle. It now spans everything from custom artwork and tattoos to art supplies, apparel, affiliate products, and digital content.

He’s also a proud father to amazing kids, who fuel his drive and keep his legacy in motion. Every tattoo, every product, and every video is a reflection of the journey—from pain to power, from sketchbook to skin.

Today, Michael uses his voice, hands, and vision to inspire others who come from where he came from—to show them that no matter how your story starts, you can still write the ending in your own ink.

“Some people see pain and run from it. I turned mine into ink, into art, into business, and into legacy.”