American Traditonal

American Traditional

-YouTube video included below

American Traditional Tattooing, also commonly referred to as Sailor Jerry after the founding pioneer of this style of tattooing, dates back to the 1700's when young sailors, at the mercy of war at sea, felt the need for images on their bodies to appease the angry powers of war that lay ahead. These images originally consisted of simplistic designs such as swallows, daggers and skulls:

However, as the years progressed Sailor Jerry Tattoos eventually became one of the main attributes that identified a sailor. Many other cultures had long used tattoos for identification or aesthetics, such as the Japanese, Chinese, and Pacific Islanders, but the connection with a seafaring lifestyle in European culture developed into its own unique style of tattooing.

As the war ended and Sailors came home. Their Tattoos began to get noticed. American Traditional Tattoos then blossomed beyond the province of people who were living outside the constraints of mainstream society - 'Sailors, Hobos and Circus Freaks', and into the mainstream. Today individuals from all walks of life rep Tattoos. As the popularity rose so did the quality and range of American Traditional.

Long gone were the days were individuals had to chose from a select few designs of simplistic imagery. Now tattoo shops across America have a plethora of different images to choose from. Pin-up Girls, Eagles fighting Snakes, Crawling Panthers, you name it.

What separates an American Traditional Tattoo from any other style is its simplistic bold black outlines and limited colour palette. By using such an approach, American Traditional Tattoo's can stand test of time and pop off the skin unlike any other style around. As the saying goes - Bold will Hold

Check out this video on American Traditional by Inked below