Always drawing and painting from a young age, I felt limited within my small hometown of Reading. In 2008, I decided to take a chance and relocate alone, to a place with more opportunities. London.

I worked in restaurants and retail, but could not find any time for art. Until one day I met an Artist in the old Camden Market, painting a mural, we spoke which then lead me to join their art collective. IFREECANS. This was great as I was able to get involved painting large scale murals in Camden and Shoreditch, at shows like STREETFEST. I then produced commissioned work for Tiger Beer and Adidas Originals.

Eventually I fell into media based work, began modelling in editorials, competition’s, runways, music videos, TV work (with Jameson’s Whisky) whilst working a full time visual merchandiser job at AllSaints. I used to dance, never thought I would get paid for it, but landed notable jobs with PUMA and 2 Bollywood movie music videos by YASH RAJ FILMS (the second was filmed in Mumbai).

It was great, however at the time i was juggling 3 jobs and had began learning to tattoo from a Neo-Trad Tattooist (that lasted a few weeks). I needed to focus on one thing, which I decided, would be tattooing. It was very difficult to get an apprenticeship so i taught myself, from the very limited information online, books, magazines and conventions. Eventually i found an apprenticeship, didn’t learn anything but how to set up a station for other artists. I lasted 5 months. Eventually I found a ‘studio’ looking for an artist, applied and got the job, had my vaccines, built up my client base, got busy, then left the U.K lived abroad on a beach in Punta Cana & within Europe, came back to London, worked in 2 shops, then opened up my own studio in 2016. 11.11 TATTOO.

2017, I was approached by BBC World and did a tattoo documentary based on scars and survival, then around the same time by MTV, becoming a resident tattoo artist on JustTattooOfUs for 3 seasons (s3 - s5).

In 2022, after covid I added a speciality coffee shop, unfortunately had to close both studio and shop 6 months later, lost all of my drive and passion in which I had an emotional breakdown.. I worked at other peoples studios in Hackney and Soho for around a year, until i had my PTSD diagnosis confirmed.

2023 I found my own private space in North West London

..and that is just SOME of my story….

2026 let’s see what happens.

WHY DO I TATTOO ?

I tattoo because I enjoy bringing people’s visions to life, however complex or abstract that may be, I always find a way to make it work.

The feeling I get, when a client looks at the finished piece of art for the first time; smiling in the mirror, taking photos, sending to friends… That cannot be matched.

My process is a collaborative one, from the initial idea, to the final piece. I am always so honoured that someone would allow me to tattoo something permanent on their skin. Whether it is their first tattoo with me or their tenth, I still feel that way, 15 years and thousands of tattoos later.

I always make sure that i produce the best possible work I can, whilst giving the most professional service that I can.

To me, the overall experience is just as important as the beautiful piece of art you are left with. Maybe that is why so many of my clients return for many more!

Look forward to hearing from you soon

@mrj.best