Body Painting Playboy

Sunday, May 2, 2010

What can I say? I’m a sucker for photo-realism. Scenes of the earth and animals and the ocean in particular, are all some of the greatest genres of tattoos currently being done. When you find one of the few tattoo artists who can do the photo realism style some justice, then remember who they are. Write their names down, if you must, but remember all the same. The exceptionally good ones are few and far between.

Fortunately, Deano Cook is one of the aforementioned “exceptionally good ones”. His images of underwater and coral reef life are hypnotic, calm and expertly rendered. If you love the ocean and want to show that love in a tattoo, Deano Cook is absolutely your man. Of course, it certainly helps the situation that Cook is an outdoor enthusiast. He fishes, scuba dives and works on his other passion in life, underwater photography. Even Cook’s home has two salt water fish tanks, further proof of a man whose genuine passion for the beauty of the sea motivates the day to day work that he does.

I’ve only wanted to improve myself from day one of learning to tattoo. For me, the desire to learn never ends. I try to give people what they want, and people certainly want very different things, so I’ve learned to accommodate. When you broaden your horizons you can only improve. I’ve also found that when I learn in different mediums and forms of art, I can almost always apply these findings to my tattooing.

- Deano Cook (Prick Magazine)

Cook began tattooing in 1993 and by 1994, he had opened up his own tattoo studio called Psycho Tattoo, in Atlanta, Georgia. Jump ahead 16 years and Psycho Tattoos has three different locations within Atlanta: the original in Marrieta (where Deano can be found), one in Sandy Springs, and one in Douglasville.

Particular Tattoo Shop

I don’t know why, but lately I’ve been coming across the work of so many good tattoo artists. I mean good work, like so good that you just can’t stop looking at it, good. Stuff that blows your mind and then forces you to keep looking at so that your mind will just continue to be blown over and over again. Yeah…stuff like that. Anyway, I quietly compile a list of these tattoo artists, tucking them away into my brain for the day when I either have millions of dollars and can afford to travel to see all of my favourite artists and get them to tattoo me, or when one of them is within shouting distance and I have some cash. Either way. Most recently finding his way on to my list of favourites is Nick Baxter. Why? Because Nick Baxter is fucking awesome. I’m sorry. I realize that the language is crass. And I apologize. But this guy…man, oh, man, Nick Baxter, you know what you’re doing.

Nick began tattooing in 2000, at the age of 19. Though a native of New Haven, Connecticut, he moved to and set up camp in Austin, Texas in 2008. He’s a painter, a photographer, an artist, a tattoo artist, a strict vegan, a straight-edge (meaning no booze or drugs). And, he has a pretty dense background in art, making the Dean’s list Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut.

“As an artist I want to create images that inspire people to appreciate the profound and often overlooked aspects of life and the world around us. ”

- Nick Baxter

The main thing about Nick Baxter is that if he can tattoo this well after barely a decade in the business, then the future of tattoo looks pretty bright. Baxter’s work seems to be inspired by the organic and the natural and by a strong respect for humanity. At present time he doesn’t work at any particular tattoo shop. He’s just returned from Europe, where he did some convention work, drew and hung out with friends. If you want to catch up with him, he’ll be at the upcoming Hell City Tattoo Fest on (May 21-23rd) in Columbus, Ohio

The Traditional Tattoo

Marc Pinto will return to Singapore on May 02 at # 02-52 Far East Plaza. Marc is a great guy who does incredible things on the skin. He is now taking bookings for the traditional hand tattoo machine, tattooing and branding. Limited places are available to do so by email to Marc tattoo@marcpinto.com for appointments!