Tattoo Artists

Doug Hardy

Location: San Francisco

Style: Traditional/Tribal

Website: http://tattoocitysf.com

Website: tattoocitysf.com 

Son of legend Don Ed Hardy, Doug runs San Francisco's well-known shop Tattoo City. Doug does a fine job of upholding the family legacy.

Rob Kelly
Location: Hong Kong
Style: Traditional/Japanese

Rodeo Rob hits a nice mix of East and West in his Hong Kong shop. From koi to roses, Rob has it covered. His art is a mix of new-school color and traditional line value.

Angelique Houtkamp
Location: Amsterdam
Style: Traditional
Website: http://admiraaltattoo.com
Website: admiraaltattoo.com

After starting her career relatively late in life (at 30), Angelique developed a traditional style with a feminine touch that works just as well on skin as it does on canvas.

Annette LaRue
Location: New Orleans
Style: Traditional
Website: http://electricladyland.net
Website: electricladyland.net

When we asked about her style, Annette said, "I love traditional tattoos and paying customers!" She's old-school, and as the proprietor of New Orleans' Electric Lady Land, she brings over 20 years of experience to the table.

Location: Chicago

Style: Traditional

Website: http://taylorstreettattoo.com/keith.html

Website: taylorstreettattoo.com

A pupil of the late, great Mike Malone (who happened to be a pupil of the great Sailor Jerry), Keith Underwood has been tattooing for over a decade. During that time, he has mastered and refined his own take on classic American street-shop styles. Keith is a link to the golden era of American tattooing, so if that's what you're looking for, head to Chicago.

Lana Wingo

Location: Houston, TX

Style: Traditional

Website: http://virtuetattoo.com/

Ms. Wingo has a lovely style. Her work is bold and bright and has all the right detail. Her flowers are superb, and you can't go wrong if you go to her for a traditional Americana tattoo.

Jeffrey Pitt

Location: Baltimore

Style: Traditional

Website: http://readstreettattoo.net/section/89590_Jeffrey_Pitt.html

Website: readstreettattoo.net

Baltimore's Read Street is a great shop, and Jeff Pitt's work makes it iconic. Charlie Foos, who co-owns Read with Pitt, is also awesome. To reiterate, Read Street rules. Go there.

Bert Krak
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Style: Traditional
Website: http://www.bertkrak.com/
Website: bertkrak.com

Bert Krak holds down Brooklyn's Smith Street, and he pushes classic New York tattooing forward. His work features strong lines and bold colors, all with distinct quirks. Go to him for new-school takes on the old.

Louis Molloy
Location: London/Manchester, U.K.
Style: Religious
Website: http://www.tattoos.co.uk/
Website: tattoos.co.uk

Molloy is the man beyond David Beckham's ink. He's super-talented and can do all kinds of things, but his religious subject matter is where it's at. Few artists come close to his angels.

Freddy Corbin
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Style: Religious
Website: http://templeoakland.com/
Website: templeoakland.com

Corbin is another tattoo legend. He was schooled by Don Ed Hardy and worked with guys like Bill Salmon to perfect his craft. Freddy Corbin's execution of religious iconography is top-notch and awe-inspiring.

Woon Kim

Location: Seoul, Korea

Style: Portrait

Website: http://woonkimtattoo.com

Website: woonkimtattoo.com

Woon Kim brings together a host of international styles, mixes them up, and makes them his own. Musicians are a favorite subject, and he does great portrait tattoos. If you're looking to put a lady on your body, female figures by Woon Kim are well-conceived.

Kat Von D

Location: Los Angeles

Style: Portrait 

Website: http://www.katvond.net/

Website: katvond.net

Kat Von D—who hasn't heard of this gal? Regardless of her celebrity, she can hang with and do portraits alongside the best of them.

Placaso

Location: Santa Ana, Calif.

Style: Portrait

Website: http://placasotattoos.com

Website: placasotattoos.com

Placaso comes from the SoCal black-and-gray tradition; his work is similar to Mr. Cartoon and Boog. He can do all the Chicano lowrider stuff, the lettering, and the clowns, but his portraits are what set him apart.

JK5

Location: New York

Style: New School/Lettering

Website: http://jk5nyc.com/?cat=1

Website: jk5nyc.com

RISD graduate Joseph Ari Aloi is known for a whole host of graphic-design ventures. Tattooing is where he remains most deep-rooted, though. JK5 opened his first custom shop in 1997; superb composition has made him a household name in the tattoo community. His collaboration series with clothing brand Mishka helped introduce him to the Hypebeast set.

Steve Moore

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Style: New School

Website: http://www.getmooretattoos.com/bio.html

Website: getmooretatoos.com

Steve Moore is one of Vancouver's finest. The former skater has been tattooing since 1993, and since then he's developed a penchant for big colorful sleeves.

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