We've briefly run through the different kinds of tattoos that are out there, and given examples of what one can expect out of these diverse styles. However, each of these styles carries a lot of history and substance.
So today I will be talking about the style that brought tattooing into the 21st Century by popularising the art form in western countries and inspiring other styles. Today we are talking about American traditional tattoos.
Known for its bold lines and bright colours, it remains one of the most famous styles of tattooing, despite being the one that first popularised tattooing in America. Entering the country via sailors during the 1700s who wished to recreate the body modifications they saw during their travels as souvenirs, the style soon became a staple in the US.
Initially a common sight on sailors and circus freaks (also depicted on the Tattooed Man in the movie The Greatest Showman), the style soon picked up prominence amongst soldiers and the youth, thanks to tattoo artist Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins.
Known for his sailor tattoos, Collins combined vivid colour, bold iconography, and sheer artistic ambition to create a style that would end up on the backs, arms, and shoulders of many sailors and veterans.
The style is still very prevalent and easily identified by the big, bold black outlines, a limited colour palette, and a variety of iconic images of anchors, ships, eagles, etc. It even formed the basis for styles such as Neo-traditional, which combined old-school flash art styles with new techniques and improved quality, which also are very fashionable.
Fortunately for us, the style has also made its way to Sri Lanka, in the form of Roanna Webster, tattoo artist/owner at Savage Art Ink, and American traditional master.
Having eight-plus years of experience in the tattoo industry, Webster has trained with some of the best artists the US has to offer. Speaking to me, she characterised this tattoo style, also known as “old school tattoos”, which boasts bold lines and minimal but very bright colours.
“American tradition (tattoos) came around in a time when tattoos were extremely frowned upon, and getting a tattoo like this was a mark of being outside of the social ‘norm’. They came with bold lines, dark shading, and/bright colours such as red, yellow, green, and blue.”
She stated that these characteristics help the tattoo age better and hold up well over time. Webster stated that due to this and the fact that the style presents a very clean and clear kind of style, it will always be her preferred style of tattooing.
She stated that her biggest inspiration to become a better traditional artist was thanks to US based tattoo artist Matt Gutierrez (@kittycatmatt), who was a childhood friend, and later colleague, to Webster.
“Matt is the one who got me into traditional styled tattoos and I absolutely fell in love. American traditional tattoos are clear and clean, and because of that it will be my go-to tattoo style.”
Now, thanks to Webster and her skill, we Sri Lankans get to experience the same tattoo style that led to a tattoo revolution, and potentially introduced the modern world to the artform.