Old school (tattoo)
Old school (tattoo) refers to a Western or traditional American tattoo style featuring bold black outlines and a limited color palette.[1]
Artists
Famous artists are:
- Norman Keith Collins, also known as Sailor Jerry, (1911–1973) is one of the most well known traditional tattoo artists.[2]
- Herbert Hoffmann (1919–2010), began tattooing in Germany during the 1930s. Together with fellow artists Karlmann Richter and Albert Cornelissen he was featured in the 2004 film Blue Skin (German: Flammend' Herz).
- Amund Dietzel (1890–1974), Norwegian-born artist who began his career as a sailor, before settling in the United States. Known as the "Master in Milwaukee".
- Bert Grimm (1900–1985), a Chicago-, the St Louis-based artist who moved to Long Beach, California to set up a shop at the Nu-Pike. His parlour was said to be the oldest continually running in the continental US and the place for sailors to get inked. Sold the shop to Bob Shaw in 1970.
- Bob Shaw (1926–1993), American artist who learned tattooing from Bert Grimm in St Louis. Later worked with Grimm and became the president of the National Tattoo Association from 1983-1988.[3]
Old school tattoo designs
Common old school tattoo motifs
Examples of popular old school tattoo designs include:
- Native American tattoos
- Pin-up tattoos
- Mermaid tattoos
- Swallow and sparrow tattoos
- Heart tattoos
- Anchor tattoos
- Eagle tattoos
- Navy and other armed forces symbols
- Dagger tattoos
- Rose tattoos
example of nautical star
See also
References
- ↑ "From the Stacks" at New-York Historical Society
- ↑ "Selvedge Yard" The Legend of Sailor Jerry
- ↑ Clerk, Carol (2009), Vintage Tattoos - The Book of Old-School Skin Art, Universe, pp 12-15.