Women and men have used the art of permanently decorating parts of their bodies since the prehistoric era. The reasons behind tattoos are based on cultural, religious and personal pleasure. In more recent years, tattoo artists started gaining popularity and recognition for specialized abilities in the areas of the fine arts and creating body art.
Three Fantastic Old School Tattoo Artists
These are the individuals that began the art of designing tattoos many years ago and brought this particular art into society.
George Burchett Davis
Born 1872 and died in 1953, known as one of the most famed tattoo artists worldwide and was known as the “King of Tattoo Artists.” Born in Brighton, England, George at the age of 12 was expelled from his school for tattooing schoolmates. He then joined up with the “Royal Navy” where he continued amateur tattoos. Once home he became an apprentice under the famous English tattooists. George really excelled at this craft. He furthered his studies by taking on an extensive range of different styles from across the globe, traveled and then became the very first “celebrity tattoo artist.” George was recognized for tattooing a few royalties that included King George V of The United Kingdom and King Alfonso XIII of Spain.
Sailor Jerry Collins
Born 1911 and died 1973, born by the name Norman Keith Collins. He earned his nickname spending the majority of his days sailing all over the world. Sailor Jerry learned the art of tattooing from a man in an Alaska named “Big Mike” who taught Collins the art of hand-pricking. He went on to learn about tattoo machines from the Tatts Thomas based in Chicago. Jerry then joined the US Navy at the age of 19 and spent the remainder of his life at sea. He became prominent in the world of tattoos for his unique and prolific artwork. He taught his skills to two other men that later became famous in their own right, namely Mike Malone, and Ed Hardy.
Don Ed Hardy
Born in the year 1945, this once-off protégé to Sailor Jerry earned his fame in tattoo art and earned the nickname “The Godfather of Modern Tattoo.” Hardy studied classical Japanese tattoos under Horihide the master artist and started combining these Japanese techniques in his very own artwork. Don and his wife went on to establish the Hardy Marks Publications and published various books associated with alternative art that include the popular series “Tattoo Time.”