Mike Davis - Tattoo Artist

Mike is a 28 year old artist out of Griffin, GA. When I first saw his work, I thought to myself, "yesssss, this is what I'm talking about!". Child you don't understand! I cannot stand the new wave of kitchen-tat artists that have surfaced within the past five years. Everyone thinks that if they can draw in real life, they can tat just as good or better and of course that's not always true. 
Then you have the new age tat-fanatics that only cop kitchen tats because they're either easily affordable, free or or the tat artist goes out their way to get to their customers.  Mike's body art has a lot of definition and flavor, his faces and words legible and detailed with great shading effects. TRUST: If I were a tattoo kind of person AND lived in Georgia, I'd be his canvas !

How long have you been an artist ?
I've been drawing since I can remember. My mom said the first thing I drew was Ninja Turtles with square shells at the age of two and rest is history.. lol. I've been doing tats since 2001-ish.
What style would you define your art ?
I don't know if I have only one way to describe my style. I like experimenting with all art forms and techniques. I am open to any work but I guess I could say I'm passionate about my work and take pride in what I do if it says anything.

I can dig, so who influenced you to become an artist?
Wow, there are lot. Hmmm, throughout my life, my biggest influences were my mom, my best friend Pierre McCummings, my grandma and immediate family. They all pushed me to keep drawing. 
My inspirations as a tattoo artist are people like JD Glisson (R.I.P.), Bobbie & Chris- they all helped me get started into actually tattooing by giving me an apprenticeship in 2001-2002. I did my first real tattoo in 2002 and have been at it ever since. I'll always appreciate them for that! 
What really made me completely focus on my craft was getting laid off at a job I had because of a disagreement with my supervisor. From then I made it my goal to go into business for myself and not worry about being fired. I learned indirectly from great artists like Cartoon, Maya Bailey, Tats by Randy, Brandon Bond, the dark and so talented Paul Booth, Cory Ferguson, Guy Aitchison, Larry Brogan, and a few others I've stumbled across through Facebook and other sites as well as networking.

What are you trying to accomplish with your artwork ?
I honestly don't know fully..lol. I know I just love doing what I do and striving to constantly become a better artist and not be one dimensional. I love learning new things and techniques even from the littlest or simplest things. I do want to get celebrity clientele, start traveling, go to conventions and what not to get more exposure to the different sides of the industry. I also want to get to a level where I'm a respected role model for some!
Definitely a good thing, we need more role models ! So what do you like to do for fun when not doing art?
I like just chillin with friends and like-minded individuals. PS3, anime- I'm into all art forms just about!  I'm into ANY and EVERY kind of music, more into Neo-Soul and R&B but I love rap and rock too.  I also play a few instruments. I love pushing myself and learning new things. I'm into martial arts - I'm close to getting my black belt in Judo and I'm training in Jui-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing so I can be more well rounded. I'm training with a few great fighters- I'm currently training a few new aspects with James Richards Jr., Gregory Dennis, Robert Shonfelt and a great coach Cam Mc Hargue & Kelly El! My Judo background comes from training MOSTLY under sensai Hap Wheeler and ALOT of great friends I made through that club! And with other greats like Leo White, Steve Alphabet, Nick Lowe, Igor Yokimov, Neil Adams...
I'm getting back into music production and soon me and Pierre and Paris King are working on a clothing line as well. Some say I'm a jack of all trades but I just say I know a little about a lot of things.. lol. I'm also trying to start a local boys and girls club once I get everything laid out. There are a few more things but I'lll digress.. lol.

"I love networking and meeting new down to earth people.

 You never know just how simple a convo can open up 

doors or opportunities you never would have

 gotten or knew about. We all need to learn how to help

 one another in order to become stronger." 

Do you have any  advice people you are interested or starting out as an artist/tattoo artist ?
If you decide to get into it, just make sure you treat it like anything else in life that you're passionate about. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, have a passion and desire to stick with it and the will to learn and grow. Be able to accept and take criticism. Stay focused on your goals, WORK HARD, learn the history of your craft, WORK HARD, never limit yourself, oh and Hard Work goes a LONG way. :) 


When you decide to get your first tattoo, make sure it's something you want on your body for the rest of your life and that it speaks to YOU! I love when a tattoo has deep meaning or tells a story.

"I would like to formally thank each and every person 

who have ever blessed me with the honor of leaving

 my mark on their skin over this past decade!"

I'm just going to say this right here: I feel as though anyone who can draw a set of hands correctly is talented at art lol. Do you know how many hands I've came across on peoples bodies where some of the hands were noticeably larger than the other, fingers crooked, poorly detailed veins, knuckles fingernails, etc. so this tattoo above is definitely a good look as far as the art and the artist lol. 


This laugh now cry later (or "play now cry later" as the tattoo says) faces have got to be my favorite. Love the detail he put into both of these animated faces. They kind of look a little goofy and I can imagine me making faces like that in the mirror. Yeaaa I'm a silly one lol. Anything with a whole lot of teeth is funny to me so thats why I love those two faces. 


Did you see the detail in that fish ? Love it ! I'm a huuuge fish eater so naturally I like it for that but the scales he designed on that person's arm is that work tho :]. Once again you don't know how many people I know who would've that made that fish look sick, tortured and hungry though, I'm just sayin!


Real positive and heavily involved, I like that. I'm not saying you have to follow in his multi hobbied foot steps but having atleast one talent on your plate to work with is dope within itself- as long as you don't give up !

"Im currently working on building my own website 

but you can look me up on Facebook.

 I have a couple of folders with hundreds of pics

 of my work that I update weekly.

Just shoot me an email & everything fall in to place!"

    - Mike Davis

Interested in his work ? Want to know more about Mike Davis the tattoo artist? Say more ! Here's the 411:

Facebook:

Mike Davis

Email:

Rampage699@hotmail.com

-andweout