Railroad Myke (Day 15)

Myke left home at a young age to roam the countryside and ride the freight train. He began his apprenticeship in the early 90’s and hasn’t stop tattooing since. He’s had many ups and downs in his life, but overall he became a better man because of those times. He likes to focus on traditional tattoos, but he definitely puts his own spin on his work. Myke is now focusing on his painting, and the perks that come along with that. 

Midwest Tattoos (Day 14)

Greg Christianson started professionally tattooing over 20 years ago at Tennessee Mountain Tattoo. After tattooing for a couple of years there he moved to Miami, Florida.  Even though his home base was in Miami he traveled around guest tattooing at world-renowned shops. He traveled so much his experienced helped him feature his work among top tattooists in the world. After returning to Ohio, he and Dave Wulff decided to open their own shop.

West Coast Art Junkie (Day 13)

Mike Demasi has been professionally tattooing for eleven years. He originally started tattooing from his house when he was still in high school, but wasn’t ever really serious about it. When Mike eventually got serious about tattooing he gave up college and started working towards his goals. He is a realistic artist who has many influences, but his favorite one is Mario Barth. Mike is a co owner of Art Junkies in LA, California and guest tattoos at Starlight locations once or twice a year.

Mean Machines (Day 12)

Seth's machines are some of the best machines in the world, and to prove that below there's a link to testimonials from artists who use his machines.

http://www.workhorseirons.com/Store/Seth-Ciferri-Testimonials.php

Oregon's Best (Day 11)

Seth Ciferri has been all around the world tattooing, but he has now settled down in Portland, Oregon. He started his apprenticeship in 1993, and in 1994 he started getting into building tattoo machines.  What’s so interesting about him is that he only tattoos part time, and that he took off three years to build tattoo machines. Many artists use his tattoo machines, and he is very well known for them. In an article he said that he wanted to take some time off and come back when he really missed it, and that time has come. He also added that tattooing is harder than he remembered, but it’s coming back to him gradually. 

Marcus' View (Day 10)

Here's an article about how Marcus Kuhn feels about Scott Sylvia.

Scott Sylvia Work Fucking Hard By Marcus Kuhn It was my intention to write an article about a tattooer who inspires other tattooers. I would like for people to realize that most of what they have read previously is standard gossip. My experience of Scott Sylvia is that he is a man of few words publicly and when he does speak he is thoughtful and respectful. He is surely one the most influential tattooers of his era and has contributed much to the artform. His first tattoos were done by his high school friend, Aaron Cain, at home in Monterey on Aaron's mother's couch when they were just 15. For those that already know, Aaron also ended up a luminary in the tattoo world, but back then they were just two kids in high school. Aaron had begun working in a local tattoo shop before he was even 18 and he was able to get Scott a job at the shop by showing the boss some of Scott�s drawings. After a few years there of tattooing enlisted guys Scott met Eric Hogan and they opened a shop together- American Graffiti. They worked hard and Scott, like most of us at that time, was busy following the twists and turns of the then exploding tattoo scene. His motto has always been "Work Fucking Hard," at everything you do and stay inspired. When the opportunity to work for Marcus Pacheco at Primal Urge came along, he knew it was time to steup up. At that time, in the early nineties, new styles were emerging in the tattoo world- Marcus was doing cubist stuff, Aaron and Guy Aitchison were developing in a more abstract, biomechanical direction, and a new wave of younger tattooers were redefining the scope of tattooing again and again. Scott was attracted to the styles he was immersed with while at Primal Urge, and was accomplished at mimicking all of them, but he was also drawn back to the tougher, more straightforward imagery of the past. The images of skulls and daggers, eagles and cobras...all the tough-guy iconography of tattooings rough beginnings here in the states. They were fundamental and impactive. Scott recognized the inherent power in the simple, yet timeless, presentation...and he built upon that foundation. The past work of Owen Jensen and Bert Grimm began to lead Scott to develop something different, a new style. Now that it is part of popular culture and tattoo repertoires everywhere it seems strange to explain its origins. But few realize that Scoot Sylvia, along with a handful of other hard-working tattooers like Jef Whitehead and Dan Higgs before him actually pioneered and refined this style, this look, that's so common today. It has been referred to as �American Power� tattooing. Scott would later expand this style to also include more Japanese themes, but always kept the impactive execution of early American tattooing in his work. For the complete Scott Sylvia article from Issue #10, Subscribe to Tattoo Artist Magazine.

Tattoos of San Fran (Day 9)

Scott Sylvia is a co-owner of BlackHeart Tattoo, which is located in San Francisco, California. Together, the workers of the shop have over sixty years experience. BlackHeart Tattoo is a world-renowned shop, and many people travel far distances just to be tattooed by the artists there.  Not only did he help open a shop, but Scott also started the website, LastSparrowTattoo.com in an effort to save the craft of a good tattoo and educate people on the differences between good tattoos and bad ones. Scott also helped with the designing and making of tattoo machines, which can be bought on the internet. He is a man that helped develop a new art form with American tattoos, but he now likes to stick to Japanese themes.

Ink & Dagger (Day 8)

Russ Abbott is a proud owner of Ink & Dagger shop in Atlanta, Georgia. Through the years he has reached many goals that he has set, such as gaining media attention and getting awards for his work. He started tattooing at the young age of 19 and hasn't looked back since. He has gotten so popular he had to start turning away potential clients. He loves to do tattoos that portray people, objects, and stories from the world as we know it, but he's open to trying anything that doesn't stress him out.

Gary Doyle (Day 7)

Gary Doyle, a traditional artist, began his work in Appleton. After a three month apprenticeship he moved to Jacksonville, Florida and worked at Black Hive tattoo. Recently he moved to Athens, Georgia to work with his best friend at Walk the Line tattoo. Even though he calls Walk the Line tattoo his home, he spends most of his time on the road doing guest spots and conventions. Gary's biggest convention, which is in Germany, is coming up in just a few short weeks.

Gypsy Tattoo (Day 6)

Today's artist is a 30 year old who apprenticed at Ink and Dagger in Atlanta, Georgia under Russ Abbot. Jason Monroe is a good friend to the artists at Sacred Tattoo shop in Marquette, Michigan. Just like some of the previous artists i've mentioned he's a traditional tattoo artist. Jason spent his entire summer on the road guest tattooing. He is now calling Gypsy Rose in Jacksonville, North Carolina his home.

Ben's Story (Day 5)

Ben Delano has done it all. He's originally from the east coast, but he moved to Colorado and became a professional skier. His career as a skier was ended because he tore up his shoulder, so he moved to Marquette, Michigan. Here Ben earned a degree in graphic design at Northern Michigan University and then proceeded to apprentice as a tattoo artist under Dan Pemble. Ben has been working as a tattoo artist for about two years and works at Sacred Heart Tattoo. Ben is always open to fun ideas and isn't afraid to try anything new.

Madtown Madness (Day 4)

Going to Madison, Wisconsin anytime soon? If so, you'll find one fast progressing tattoo artist. Zach Schakelman has been tattooing for only a year, but he's already working for one of the most well known shops in Madison. Steve's tattoo, which is a brother shop to the one he works at, has been around since 1975. What makes Zach story so unique is that although he's been around tattoos all his life, he originally wasn't going to be a tattoo artist. Zach was pursuing a career in music before getting behind the tattoo machine. Zach now specializes in traditional tattoos and believes that tattooing will be a much better career choice than the music industry. Next time you're in Madison don't think twice about going to get a traditional tattoo by Zach!

Taking a Closer Look into the North Woods (Day 3)

Today I just wanted to show you a closer look at Dan Pemble as an artist and the amazing work that he does. Here's a youtube video from a recent client. If this doesn't make you want a tattoo from him, I don't know what will!

Tattoos of the North Woods (Day 2)

Are you looking for a eye-catching tattoo? Something that has such great detail people might think it's too good to be true. If so, Dan Pemble is the tattoo artist you're looking for. Not only does Dan own the best tattoo shop in Marquette, Michigan, but he also specializes in illustrative tattoos. Dan is an artist that is known around the country, and even makes guest appearances at Ink and Dagger, a shop located in Atlanta, Georgia. From seeing him work at his shop, I know firsthand that he's a hard worker and doesn't settle for anything less than perfection. He's only 30 years old, and he has already opened his own shop, tattooed for six years, and tattoos at conventions. His main conventions that he tattoos at are Green Bay, Wisconsin and Detroit, Michigan. When Dan is tattooing in Green Bay, don't miss the opportunity to get a great piece from him!