Late to the game but here's .02
I feel as though you are coming from a place of respect, and that alone gives you a pass to wear it in my book. I love his work also and while I prefer the traditional japanese imagery, I understand the draw. The piece with the dude double wielding the smoking shot guns is amazing, as are the many others.
I see it less Chicano now as I do "California culture" it's your history now too in a way.
Whatever goes down show off your progress in the backpiece thread