Making the world’s most famous tattoo artist list isn’t a joke; one must have talent, skill, patience, and most importantly, the best tattoo kits; this is because the greatest artist is nothing without his/her tools.
The art of decorating one’s body with ink has been around for years. Since prehistoric times, men have been designing their flesh with ink for various reasons, either a tattoo for socio-cultural, religious, personal; sometimes, it’s a combination of all three reasons.
As our civilization develops, so does the art of body decoration. This modern era has allowed cutting-edge tattoo machines and accessories. It also allows creatives who have found a passion in arts to indulge and experiment with body art without the fear of not attaining success or fame from their amazing work.
There are countless designs, tools, and techniques used by tattooists to create masterpieces. These styles keep changing and evolving as time goes by, just like the people who tattoo them on their skin. With the rate at which body art’s popularity is rapidly increasing throughout the world.
The future of art is unpredictable; the type of ink, drawing styles, machines, and inking methods in use now are completely different from those used in ancient times, who knows? Maybe artists too will get replaced by robots with the rate the tattoo industry is evolving.
Here, we will look at tattooists who have made a name for themselves, both within and outside their countries. The older artists will precede the newer, much more contemporary artists. We will start with the artists who were designing tattoos when most of us were still in our diapers and gradually move into the present-day tattooists, the ones that probably drew that tattoo on your arm.
Famous Tattoo Artists in The World
- George Burchett-Davis (1872 – 1953)
This English man is referred to as “The King of Tattoo Artists”. He was the first tattoo artist to become a celebrity. He was a self-taught tattoo artist who did most of his practice on his fellow sailor during his years in England’s Navy. George inked for Spanish and England royalties. He created some genius cosmetic tattooing ideas.
- Sailor Jerry Collins (1911 – 1973)
Named Norman Keith Collins by his parents, but popularly called “Sailor Jerry”. This tattoo genius is the protégé of a man named “Big Mike” and Tatts Thomas. Big Mike schooled him on the hand-pricking technique, while Thomas gave Norman lessons on the tattoo machine.
He gained critical acclamation for the reptiles, bottle of liquor, the cat family, eagles, and the Aloha monkey symbols that he loved to incorporate in his artwork.
- Don Ed Hardy (1945)
Born in America, Ed Hardy holds the title of “The Godfather of Modern Tattoo”. He is the second apprentice of Sailor Jerry. Ed Hardy is the only protégé who later made a name for himself in the tattoo industry and across the world.
- Ien Levin
This Ukraine artist is an unquestionable talented new tattooist. He is recognized for his imaginative and creative tattooing designs and techniques, his zombie Mad Hatter being his most famous artwork. @ien_levin
- Chaim Machlev
Chaim Machlev is an Israeli tattoo artist who finds tattooing much more exciting than the computer engineering he studied. Saying Machlev is obsessed with geometry wouldn’t be an over-statement. Most of his works are geometrical visualizations of artistic harmony with a slight dabble in natural elements. @dotstolines
- David Hale
Born in the U.S.A, David Hale is an illustrator, artist, and the owner of Love Hawk Studio and the co-owner of Anchor Tattoo. He is recognized for his unique nature and Native American symbolism inspired tattoo artworks. @davidhaleart
- Alice Carrier
Portland, Oregon based tattooist is known for exquisitely beautiful botanical tattoos. You can find Alice creating a botany masterpiece in Wonderland Tattoo, where she works. She is the perfect match for nature and lovers who want to have a bit of nature’s beauty with them where ever they go. @alicerules
- Amanda Wachob
The Big Apple is home to some of the most talented tattooists globally; Amanda Wachob is one of those tattooists. Famous for her conceptual and abstract work, has projects with The Clifford Still Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Design, The Whitney, and other relevant galleries and museum across the worlds. Amanda is also one of the pioneers of the watercolor movement. @amandawachob
- Miryam Lumpini
Lumpini is a Swedish and Congolese woman who is on the very small list of successful black women in the tattoo business. Lumpini has worked on the bodies of Jhene Aiko, Slick Wood, Chris Brown, Swae, Skrillex, Javale, Cynthia Erivo, and other superstars. “The Witch Doctor,” as Lumpini is popularly called, will surely enchant all she touches with her magical touch. @miryamlumpini
- Travis Cadeau
Travis Cadeau has more than fifteen years of tattooing under his belt. His tremendous experience in the body art game has given him time to learn and master the skill of skin tattooing. Travis is currently working on Born from Blood tattoos, so expect to bleed from his awesome ideas. @traviscadeau
Conclusion
Creativity picks different ways to reveal itself. Every tattooist in this article has proven and is still proving why they are the most famous tattoo artist in the world, we the public after beholding their works nods our heads in agreement.
