Many new school tattoo artists have begun to blur the line between tattooing and fine art. By bringing their creative genius and artistic flair into the studio, they have helped to elevate the world of tattooing into an art form in its own right. World renowned artist Guy Aitchison has dedicated most of his career to educating and expanding the minds of up and coming artists, and demonstrates the need to continually push the boundaries of artistic expression. Inspired by visionary artists such as Alex Grey and HR Giger, Guy is renowned for his striking biomechanical tattoo designs and stunning fractal landscapes. He is the author of a number of tattoo books which are collectively known as the ‘tattooist’s bible’ and showcase incredible tattoo designs alongside fine art paintings.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Guy exhibited artistic talents from a very young age. An absence of a television set in the family home resulted in him and his siblings spending most of their free time creating art. Although his parents were not artists themselves they actively encouraged artistic expression and filled their home with art supplies and books. His sister, Hannah Aitchison, is also an accomplished tattoo artist and appeared on reality series LA Ink. After finishing high school a semester early in 1985 Guy worked as an apprentice in the art department of the Jacklich Corporation for one year until he began a full time job painting album covers for Shrapnel Records. Providing the artwork for artists such as Hexx, Vinnie Moore, and David Chastain, Guy continued this work for four years until finally venturing into tattoos. After completing a two year apprenticeship at ‘Bob Oslon’s Custom Tattooing’ in Chicago, he opened his own studio ‘Guilty and Innocent Productions’ which remained successful until Guy decided to close in 1998 to pursue his painting and publishing goals.
Guy is currently involved in publishing a series of tattoo manuals called ‘Reinventing the Tattoo’ which are a must read for any aspiring tattoo artist and have sold thousands of copies. His seminars at tattoo conventions draw hundreds of admirers and he is regarded as one of the most important artists in the business. He maintains an online studio called ‘Hyperspace Studios’ alongside his wife and fellow artist Michele Wortman, which showcases his artwork, books, merchandise, and flash designs. Together with his wife Guy is breaking new ground in the tattoo industry. Travelling to numerous conventions and publishing manuals catered to artists, he is constantly developing new techniques and concepts in regard to tattooing.
Guy is known as the biomechanical wizard of tattooing. His designs are heavily influenced by Salvador Dali, Alex Grey, and Giger, and are infused with his own addition of a few organic colors to add extra layers to each piece. His 3D work is mind-blowingly realistic and is evident in a full back piece which appears to be a gateway into another dimension. The use of light and shading in the piece gives the impression that you could reach into the design and the piece fits the contours of the body beautifully. Guy is known for his ability to intricately shade each design to give different textures and levels which create the impossibly realistic designs that have become his trademark. While most artists prefer to work in gray scale to preserve the realism of their work, Guy is able to create some of the most realistic tattoos in the most vibrant colors.
His itinerary is available at his online studio along with his tattoo manuals and a gallery of his work. As a firm believer in tattooing as an art form, Guy uses his artistic vision to push the physical limitations of tattooing and seeks to recreate on flesh the intricate designs he creates on canvas. A heavy weight in the tattoo industry he is first and foremost an artist and his paintings are exhibited in galleries around the world. Together with his wife, he is taking the tattoo world by storm and will no doubt continue to inspire thousands of artists from all over the world.
Guy is unfortunately not performing tattoos at conventions at the moment but does attend them in order to give live painting performances, seminars, and promote his books. His itinerary is available at his online studio along with his tattoo manuals and a gallery of his work. His next big project is the Paradise Artist Retreat which he is promoting along with his wife and TattooNow’s Gabe Ripley. The retreat is held at Jiminy Peak Ski Resort in Western Massachusetts and focuses primarily on fine art mediums. A heavy weight in the tattoo industry he is first and foremost an artist and his paintings are exhibited in galleries around the world. Together with his wife he is taking the tattoo world by storm and will no doubt continue to inspire thousands of artists from all over the world.
