If You Were to Recommend Any Artist...

If you were to recommend ANY artist in ANY of the 50 states, who would it be? I'm just curious as to who (in your personal/professional) opinions is the 'top dog' overall. I know it's probably difficult since there are different styles etc, but I'm just thinking in general in regards to versatality (sp?), talent, creativity etc... and of those top picks -- what style/area do you think they absolutely excel at? (hopefully i'll get more than 1 response to this..)

I'd love to give you a response, but I feel that there are far too many artists that are so amazing that I couldn't narrow it down to 1. Also, it seems like every week I come across a new artist on this site alone who's work blows me away and I've never heard of them previously, so even if I could give you one artist, my opinion might change in a matter of days. I can give a group names as suggestions on people I've met or followed their work and the overall vibe in addition to art was very positive (and this isn't everyone so forgive me if I accidentally left anyone out)- Joe Capobianco, Eric Merrill, Julio Rodriguez, Lou Jacque, Nick Baxter, Ant Plaza, Joshua Carlton, Jack Rudy, DJ Minor, Paul Booth, Deanno Cook, Dave@ Good Clean Fun, Cap Szumski, Robert Pho, Shane O'Neal, Guy Atchinson, Ben Wahhh, Aaron Bell, Nikko, Mike Devries, Gil Montie, and the list goes on and on

If I were to choose one for myself; Guy Aitchison. I suspect that this is a loaded question, because each of these artists has his own style, and particularities that they excel at. Even if one guy can do it all, there's probably a guy out there that nail one specific idea better. TCE

...............Oh shit!!!! Did I say Guy Aitchison? I meant TAz..........................................TAz would be my first pic! TCE

I love Guy, I'd take him over someone I didn't know because he doesn't scare me (some tattoo artists have that as part of their mantra I guess) and all sorts of other things besides his amazing work, which comes first in line when thinking about any artist. Doing the work I've been doing lately, I have a new favorite of the week, for what ever new tattoo I'm thinking of....besides the rib stuff I'm working on right now...and probably the adjoining lower back piece that I might work in. I really want to do symetrical calf pieces at some point that have all of my soccer memories loaded into them...I don't know, I like Gabriel Cece alot reccently... Guy's always first for me *shrug* but I do want to collect other people, later on, or something.

I realized it was a loaded question, honestly wasn't sure if I'd get ANY responses!! I guess I should've put "If you could get work done by any artist, anywhere in the country, and you could only pick one - who would it be" But even THAT is a loaded question.

Its a good question Bee and a hard one...I am afraid that all I can do is mimic Krystofs answer exactly. TCE...Well thanks for even lumping me in the same universe as GUY but he and these new Guys coming up are light years ahead of ol TAz!!! And thats not false humility either brother it is just plain fact!!!...But thanks!...(wink wink, nudge nudge!!)

TAz, I was smooching your butt so that you'll help fix me up later. I'm sure after 35 years you're a master at color and shading!!!! I love Guy's approach and philosophy about tattooing; how things should flow with the lines of the body........................but even if I could have gotten in with him, my ideas may not have been his thing..................and now I'd hate entertain what they'd look like if HE had done them! Ahlyn makes it sound SO easy........................ TCE

hate TO entertain................................WTF!?! Damn Blackberry!!

I would recommend Anthony Plaza. I found him here on the TattooNow website and really loved his work. Granted I only have one tattoo, but he was great! I'll definitely go back to him whenever I figure out what I want to get next.

I got my tattoo done by Oogie at Island Tattoo in Staten Island and she did an awesome job. I love it still. Dozer the owner of the studio did my cousins tattoos and they came out great! I would say Island Tattoo is a great place to go...

u ppl suck

Bee, The name of the artist I was telling you about is Mike Devries. (Krystof listed him up top.) Here's his website: www.mdtattoos.com/main.html Inparticular check out the color section. The man does some amazing tattoos with wild life. Plus he's relatively close to you. 6 or so hours away, (by google map anyway) .... There's another artist who does awesome wild life work... but as usual I can't think of the name.... *sigh* more homework for the special-ed kid =)

Note to Me..............................Remember to use hollow points and place barrel in mouth to blow brains out!!!! TCE

Mikey Devries is possibly one of the best tattoo artists in the world and he has only been tattooing what 3 years now...talk about a fucking MUTANT....I LOVE his work and I hope his fucking thumbs fall off so us human artists can have a chance!!

i would pick Grime or mike roper. i do know that Guy Aitchison picked Grime and Aaron cain to do his sleeve. and Grime says mike roper can tattoo circles around him. but i love Grimes style.