It is a bit tricky to explain, or even knowing where the basic idea for this project came from. Perhaps it is simply that many “small streams” in the end leads into a large river.

Most people that I’ve explained this project idea to think all that I suffered from some kind of disillusioned hubris, perhaps, to some extent is true . Be that as it may,  I have decided to make this project come to life, no matter if people think I’m crazy or not.

Back in the late 90′s and early 2000′s I worked as a computer graphic designer and I have always liked to express myself in an aesthetic way.  I like just about everything there is to design, graphic design, computer graphics, photography, carpentry, carving, drawing, music, or the recently taken shape … tattoos!

For me, design has always been a way to express myself and an opportunity to channel creativity from inside to outside. During periods of life when I have not had quiet time or inclination to create, and the lack of an outlet for my creativity outlet, more or less emotionally choked me as a result. Aesthetic expression is therefore vital that the absence does not render me introvert and inhibited.

A while back I worked as a social worker in a treatment center for people with substance abuse. This should not logically have any relevant connection to this project idea, but it was actually where I realized that I need an outlet for my inherent need to create.

Every morning, staff and clients gather after breakfast and have a moment to reflect on how you feel on that day. We also read a short thought-provoking text from a book that one can philosophize about. It was just such a text as a morning hit just right on target.

The text was this:
Once upon a time many years ago a young woman named Dorothy. She was very skilled in painting porcelain. She painted little designs on china plates, so as to paint on wood or on Easter eggs nowadays.
When Dorothy fell in love and got married she did not think she had time to paint anymore. But when the kids got a little bigger, they were happy at the display cabinet and admired all the little paintings that seemed to imagine a world of its own.
The years passed and Dorothy’s grandson also liked to stand and watch her porcelain paintings. All admired them. They asked if she could start painting china again, but she did not answer. The desire to paint was locked up in her.
When you stop doing something that you have talent, because you do not have the time, they read the part of himself. It limits their opportunities. But if we manage to express our creativity in our everyday lives, then others rejoice at the result. One can always find room for his talent, because it creates its own world.

I lock into something because I do not have time for that?

It was there I realized that I simply have to give myself the time and opportunity to develop and find an outlet for my creativity.

What exactly is Tattoo Art Project?

The inspiration for this website was formed when I met a very talented female tattoo artist named Sanna and working on Left Hand Tattoo, Piteå, Sweden. I booked her to make a tattoo in 2009 and she began then what I would call a “family-fantasy-sleeve” on the left arm. She has managed to do three subjects to date and may continue until the left arm is clear. I have decided to dedicate the entire left arm to her.

It was after I visited Copenhagen Ink Festival 2011 and got an owl tattooed on my arm by Boris from Hungary, as I really got “bitten” and I decided that I should continue with the right sleeve too.

My continued right sleeve should however be woven together by the unique designs from the tattoo artists who I consider to be the worlds top realistic tattoo artists. Now is the “top”  or the “best” is a very subjective interpretation, and so it may be.

The obvious question is, therefore, why don’t I then just book tattoo artists to do a bunch of tattoos, without this project? The answer is simple. I’m not doing this project to get tattoos! I don’t need a extremely time consuming project like this to do that. I’m basically doing this project because I love tattoos, and the tattoo art! Simply put!

The main purpose of the website – tattoo artists

The main purpose of the Tattoo Art Project website is to create a network of International tattoo artists that are among the absolute best in the genre of “realistic”. New tattoo artists will be added continually, and  sorted by country and name. I believe that tattoos is true art that is far to often misunderstood by a bad reputation based on poor knowledge and a narrow minded view on the industry and art form itself.  Tattoo Art Project is aiming to help change that fact!

Tattoo artists will be added continually, and  sorted by country and name. It will not always be overly much information about each tattoo artist, but the things that will be available are: Biography (if it is possible to find). Links to the tattoo’s own websites and a selected reference to these pages for the respectful view that this site is reputable.  And of course a great image gallery from the tattoo artist.