American Traditional Tattoos pt. 1 featuring Bert Grimm

Traditional tattoos refer to a certain style of tattooing once popular among sailors and sideshow performers in the early 1900s. These simple designs typically consisted of bold black outlines and a limited color scheme - red, green, the occasional blue or yellow. Designs were kept basic so artists could cover more space in less time.
I mentioned in last week's post that the invention of the electric tattoo machine made quick work of tattooing, leading to an increased number of people getting tattooed. Today we'll discuss one of the legendary traditional artists, Bert Grimm, and his role in American tattoo history.

(source)

Bert began tattooing professionally in 1912, and during the next several decades earned himself a reputation as one of the best. Often referred to as one of the fathers of modern tattooing, Bert's traditional designs are in use today. He is known not only for his own work but for the work of his protege, Bob Shaw, who later became perhaps more renowned than Bert himself. Bert's shop on the Pike, an amusement park in Long Beach, California, became a regular attractions for other future tattoo pioneers- Ed Hardy, who gained notoriety even outside the tattoo community for his traditional designs. 

Bob Shaw (via tumblr)

The initial point of traditional tattoo designs was to get as many done in as little time as possible. This allowed the artist to work on more clients, and the clients to finish the painful process quickly. And it is a painful process. 

I joined the throngs of young people getting tattooed in April 2010. Because my father's family hails from Germany, and because it was the first thing I could think of, I decided to tattoo "liebe," German for "love" on the back of my arm. I found a cheap shop and an artist who could fit me in right away. One half hour and approximately 300 curse words later, I was tattooed! 

The designs and methods practiced by Bert Grimm and his contemporaries a century ago have recently increased in popularity among young people today. Next week we will look at the contrast between tattoo acceptance then and now, and discuss the evolution of traditional designs. 

Until next week.