30 Most Famous And Beloved Tattoo Artists In The World

Nature has the sky, painters have their canvasses and tattoo artistsrn have people’s skin to paint upon. In the same manner that there arern countless stars in the sky and myriads of painters throughout historyrn with varying brush strokes, there are also an untold number of tattoorn artists since time immemorial silently.

But just as only the brightest stars can be seen clearly from afar, andrn only the master artists make it in the hall of fame, so is there only arn handful of tattoo artists that will go down in history forrn revolutionizing this once taboo practice and turning it into arn meaningful movement and a much loved trend.

So let’s start with the legends and move to the trendsetters.

1. George Burchettrn

Also known as George ‘Professor’ Burchett, this Englishman was dubbedrn as the ‘King of Tattooists’ and one of the most famous tattoo artistsrn in the world. Burchett was the first celebrity tattooist and a favoritern among the royals and the rich of Europe. Among his customers were Kingrn Alfonso XIII of Spain, King Frederick IX of Denmark, the ‘Sailor King’ George V and Horace Ridler. His designs were a mix of African, Japanesern and Southeast Asian motifs, and he was the one who introduced the worldrn to cosmetic tattoos, starting with eyebrows. He died at the ripe age ofrn 80, doing tattoos on the wealthy upper class till the end of his life.

2. Whang-od Oggayrn

An aborigine tattoo artist, Whang-od is a native of Kalinga Apayao, Philippines. The oldest and perhaps the last of her peers, she hasrn inked the indigenous people of Kalinga, including the now tamedrn headhunters or Butbut warriors whose tattoos were earned throughrn protecting villages or killing enemies. Her tattoos used to come withrn chanting and fortune telling, in celebration of the Warriors’ victories. Today, tourists flock to Buscalan, Kalinga to be hand inkedrn by Whang-od, who still uses indigenous materials. Her nomination as onern of the National Living Treasures and one of the National Artists of thern Philippines is under deliberation. At the ripe age of 102 years, Whang-Od is perhaps one of the most famous female tattoo artists in thern world.

3. Horiyoshi IIIrn

A famous tattoo artist in Japan, Horiyoshi uses the Japanese handrn tattooing or traditional tebori technique. Horiyoshi charges by tens ofrn thousands of dollars for his legendary body art which may take years torn finish. His famous works have been compiled into books: “Tattoo designsrn of Japan”, “Tattoos of the floating world” “Studying Horiyoshi 3” andrn nine others.

4. Sompong Kanphairn (Ajarn Noo Kanpai)

Kanphai may not have been featured in reality shows but he had thern honor of inking one of the most beautiful female celebrities in thern world, Angelina Jolie. During her visit to Thailand, Jolie had Kanphairn do a 7.8 x 7.11-inch tiger tattoo on her lower back. Kanphai is a wellrn known local artist in Bangkok, and the tiger was the second that he didrn on Jolie, the first being an ancient Cambodian script designed to wardrn off bad luck. The ink came with a chanting, an ancient hymn to blessrn the bearer of the tattoo. Kanpai also enjoys the title “world’s mostrn famous Sak Yant Tattoo Artist.” There is no question that Ajarn Noorn Kanpai has become one of the most famous female tattoo artists in thern world.

5. Say Tevenrn

Since the Khmer Rouge wiped out the majority of tattoo artists inrn Cambodia, sacred tattoo artists are hard to come by nowadays. It is Sayrn Teven’s good fortune that he survived the plague, and it’s a privilegern to be one of the rare breeds that still practice the sacred magic inrn its Buddhist, Hindi and animistic roots. World famous tattoo artist ofrn Say Teven’s calibre usually have a few traditions that they followrn prior to inking their subjects. Teven’s clients are required to kneelrn before him with an offering of fruits candle and incense, as Tevenrn recites a spell in Pali, he sprinkles his clients with holy water andrn yellow flower petals as part of the inking ritual. To seal in thern magic, Teven blows on the graceful jet black lines and twirls, as hisrn final and finishing touch.

6. Zhou Dantingrn

The first lady of tattoo in a nation with 1.3 billion population, China. Covered by black and green ink from head to toe (well, almost), Zhou weds Chinese and Western tattoo style, allowing her to stand apartrn from others and build a very lucrative inking business. She is knownrn for her negative space, background effects, and textures which shern developed on her own. Part of the list of most famous tattoo artistsrn who does ultra-realistic portraits on the skin, it is said that otherrn professionals who have been doing the craft for ten years or more arern not capable of even getting close to what Zhou can do.

7. Samuel O’Reillyrn

The son of Irish immigrants, Samuel was a New York based tattoo artistrn who learned the art of inking while he was in the Navy. His hugern contribution to the world of tattoo is that he patented the firstrn electric tattoo machine in 1891. I am sure that the list of worldrn famous tattoo artists would greatly diminish if not for Samuel O’Reillyrn and his invention.

8. Bang Bangrn

Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy’s famous clients include Rihanna, Justinrn Bieber, Miley Cyrus, among other Popstars. He is hailed by Tattoorn magazines as one of the top contemporary famous tattoo artists, withrn Vogue going taking a step further, naming him “the most famous tattoorn artist in the world.”

9. Jonathan Valena a.k.a. JonBoyrn

JonBoy is reputed to have tattooed over 20 thousand people in hisrn lifetime. He is the favorite artist for the Kardashian family, mostrn notably Kendall Jenner, whose ink he considers to be his mostrn meaningful work so far. The Biebs also had Jonboy’s hand on him, asrn well as other celebrities who were drawn to the amazing Instagram postsrn of his works which has thousands of followers. His work on Bella Hadidrn brought him international acclaim getting him considered as one of thern world famous artists: a miniature pair of wings on her ankles torn commemorate her Victoria’s Secret Fashion show. His mastery of thern delicate, fine line and clean art style has brought a new wave of crowdrn interested in body art. A Jonboy tattoo is now a cult status symbolrn among post-millennials and celebrity-obsessed clientele.

10. Kat Von Drn

Kat is first an American tattoo artist, a model, musician, an author, entrepreneur, and a television personality. Like Campbell, she was alsorn raised up in a strictly Christian environment, where a tattoo is arn taboo. And who would be her most famous clients but the “prodigalrn daughter” Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, another famous celeb who alsorn had a Christian upbringing. Looks like the religious stigma on tattoosrn is really dispelled by the stars, and we also have Kat Von D to thankrn for. This pretty and daring lady popularized tattoo through her tworn reality shows Miami Ink and LA Ink, both based on the body artrn inking. She’s tattooed Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Demi Lovato makingrn her one of the most famous female tattoo artists in the world.

11. Ami Jamesrn

Having lived in Israel and Egypt as a child, Ami James grew up withrn rich heritage, which he eventually translated into art and tattoo. Hisrn father being a tattoed artist himself, Ami James rose to fame andrn became part of the list of famous tattoo artists because of his realityrn shows Miami Ink, NY Ink, featuring his own tattoo parlor Love Hatern Tattoos of Miami Florida and Five Points Tattoo of New York.

12. Bob Tyrrellrn

An American tattoo artist, Tyrrell’s share of fame is partly due to himrn having been featured in London Ink and LA Ink television show. Havingrn Kid Rock as a client also contributed to his popularity as one of thern famous tattoo artists who have inked a celebrity.

13. Sailor Jerryrn

Norman Keith Collins in real life, Sailor Jerry got his nicknamern because of his tattooing of sailors. A prominent American tattoorn artist, he was featured in a documentary movie called “Hori Smoku” because of his influence on the art of modern tattooing. Today, he isrn honored in Hawaii by an annual event called the “Sailor Jerryrn Festival”. No doubt, he is in our list of world famous tattoo artists.

14. Don Ed Hardyrn

Hardy learned his art in Japan and became recognized as part of thern group of most famous tattoo artists for adapting Japanese tattoorn aesthetics and techniques into his American style. He wrote andrn published more than 25 books on tattoo art. He has also licensed hisrn own brand of clothing, accessories, perfume, and many other productsrn based on his art.

15. Mike Rubendallrn

If you wish to be inked by this master, you have to wait in line for atrn least one year. Rubendall’s popularity is mainly due to the accoladesrn heaped upon him: His studio at Kings Avenue was ranked top-5 in Newrn York City by Inked (2015), Huffington Post named him as an artist torn follow on Instagram (2014) and he was named as one of the top “cityrn inkers” by New York Magazine. He was also featured on VICE as part ofrn Tattoo Age, seasons 2 and 5 of the Ink Master, Tattoo Wars, and Prick. With these awards under his belt, he is truly one of the more famousrn tattoo artists of his time.

16. Joey Pangrn

Pang is a Hong Kong based female Chinese Tattoo Artist whose artworkrn and exhibitions enjoyed wide media coverage. She has been featured byrn AP, Al Jazeera, CNN, The Travel Channel, and many others. Because Pangrn is known for being one the famous female tattoo artists of the 21strn century, Lewis Hamilton and Hong Kong celebrity Candy Lo are among herrn many celebrity clients.

17. Mark Mahoneyrn

Hailed as a living legend, Mark is considered the “founding father” ofrn black and grey art with a single needle (unlike the best derma rollersrn that have hundreds of needles). He is most known for his black andrn grey images of religious icons, girls, bombs, guns and old schoolrn collages. He was a huge influence during the time when tattoo wasrn illegal in Boston during a time period “when you had to be an outlaw, or you had to be a real brave soul to get a tattoo,” Mark said. Thisrn earned him a spot as one of the most famous tattoo artists of his time.

18. Darren Brassrn

His charming and sweet demeanor made Darren Brass popular with hisrn clients who feel at ease with him right at first meeting. He was madern even more famous when he was featured in the reality television showrn “Miami Ink”.

19. Yoji Haradarn

A Japanese by birthright, Yoji moved to the US and by a stroke of luckrn apprenticed under Ami James. He was later featured in the reality tvrn show Miami Ink, where his progress from apprentice to professionalrn tattoo artist was chronicled along with his marriage and the birth ofrn his daughter. The success of the show made him very popular and one ofrn the more famous tattoo artists in his native country, Japan.

20. Nikko Hurtadorn

An American tattoo artist who specializes in realistic and coloredrn portrait tattoos, Hurtado has traveled the world to leave his inkrn prints and wisdom in a variety of places. He has shared his talent byrn holding many instructional seminars about the use of his color theoryrn and technique. He was also featured on LA Ink and Ink Master televisionrn shows and participated as a jury for the Chaudesaigues Award. Otherrn world famous tattoo artists have already proclaimed their admiration ofrn Nikko Hurtado.

21. Oliver Peckrn

One of the best and well-known ‘old school’ American style artists, Peck completed 415 tattoos of the number 13 within 24 hours, earningrn him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records and getting put on the listrn of world famous tattoo artists. Peck has traveled the world doing whatrn he loves most, body ink. He co-owns two tattoo parlors, one in Dallas, Texas and the other is in Holywood, California. He was once married torn famous female tattoo artist Kat Von D.

22. Vyvyn Lazongarn

In a male-dominated arena, it’s refreshing to see women such as Vyvynrn Lazonga make it as one of the world’s famous tattoo artists. Vyvyn hadrn a difficult time being recognized for her craft as women were a rarern sight in the field of skin art during her younger days, way back inrn 1979. But because of her work, she has paved the way for women in thern tattoo industry. She was cited by Virginia Lautman as the artist whorn helped “shift tattoos away from fashionable little rainbows, flowers, and unicorns to the larger, fine-arts-related custom designs.”

23. Cally-Jo Pothecaryrn

Cally-Jo Pothecary of Southampton, United Kingdom is both a fine artistrn and tattoo artist. She has done tattoos on Rihanna and actress Siennarn Miller among many other celebrities. She has been featured in magazinesrn and advertising campaigns, largely due to her collaboration with thern Coffee Vs. Gang campaign. Gang members used to have special tattoorn symbolic of a life of crime in Honduras, but because of the Cally-Jo’srn original work which captured the rich symbolism of tattoos, and touchedrn on the hopeful potential of coffee farming as an alternative to gangrn life, she rose to the rank of world famous tattoo artists.

24. Sarah Gauglerrn

A world famous tattoo artist of Filipino-American descent, Sarahrn graduated from the University of Santo Tomas. She is also a visualrn artist, designer, illustrator, model, actress, and musician. But amongrn her many talents, there is something in body ink that just draws herrn in. She finally found her niche and most loved passion as she graduallyrn built a steady flow of clientele, including celebrities in Manila. Herrn fame took her studio to the neighborhood of Manhattan where she is nowrn presently stationed.

25. Lauren Winzerrn

Australia’s best bet for the list of world famous tattoo artists, Laurarn Winzer is known for her cute dreamy piece of ink, everything that anyrn sweet and romantic heart would want. Her palette consists of pastelrn colors, and she specializes in delicate and tiny tats such as flowersrn and cats. She can also do realistic portrayals of any subject. Shern skyrocketed into fame after giving Miley Cyrus a realistic avocadorn tattoo at the back of her forearm.

26. Kevin Paulrn

Kevin Paul, a UK based tattoo artist specializes in dark art such asrn skull and rose designs with a lot of shadow play. What makes Kevin Paulrn stand out from other famous tattoo artists is that he helps people whorn are unsatisfied with their tats and fixes them for free. His clientelern belongs to the A-list, which includes Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Travisrn Barker and many more.

27. Scott Campbellrn

Brought up in a legalistic Christian environment, Scott Campbell wouldrn have been an unlikely candidate as a tattoo artist, let alone as one ofrn the world’s finest most famous tattoo artists. He did not, however, allow his Christian background to suppress the artist within. Althoughrn tattoo totally goes against the principles of his strict Baptistrn upbringing, Campbell can’t be caged, so he spread his wings in spite ofrn his religion. His love for tattoo, however, can’t totally obliteratern his faith, so he did what lovers often do – he married his faith withrn his passion and named his tattoo shop “Saved Tattoo”. As if tattoorn indeed is his saving grace, the move catapulted him to fame, provingrn that his God is not that legalistic after all. His first ever celebrityrn patron was Heath Ledger.

A visual artist himself, Scott Campbell took tattoo to a whole newrn level by initiating tattoo exhibitions in New York City, Los Angeles, Moscow, and London.

28. Paul Boothrn

A multi-talented artist, Paul Booth sculpts, paints, does films andrn music, yet he is best known for the impact he made on the world as onern of the world famous tattoo artists of his time. His dark surrealisticrn inclination influenced his tattoo designs, a style unique to him alone. Depicting demons, beasts and evil fetuses, his tattoo parlor is aptlyrn named as Last Rites, where people who love the dark dominion flock.

29. Chris Núñezrn

Chris is of Cuban descent, which explains his very filial nature. Hisrn first tattoos, which he got when he was only 16 years old, were thern names of his parents. Sadly, his father died when he was 18. Out ofrn frustration, he rebelled from that time on until he was in his latern twenties. His love for tattoo helped him get back on his tracks though. He is now a proud owner of Handcrafted Miami, a tattoo parlor, and arn gallery and because he is renowned by many famous tattoo artists, he isrn hailed as the most recognizable ink ambassador in Miami. Like some ofrn his peers, he was also featured in TV shows Miami Ink and Ink Master, which also contributed to his fame and success.

30. Sua Sulu’ape Paulo IIrn

A master tattoo artist, he was known as tufuga ta tatau in his nativern Samoa. Sua is of royal tattooist descent – he was born into one of thern leading family of master tattooists, known internationally for theirrn culturally distinctive and highly skilled workmanship. He traveledrn extensively, became known in Europe as one of the famous tattoo artistsrn and held exhibits at Tattoo Museums. He was a much-celebrated figure inrn Samoa and the international community until his sudden death in 1999.

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