Tattoo Sighting: Matt Houston

I'm currently apprenticing to be a tattoo artist. This involves not only learning lots of technical knowledge about tattoo machines, bloodborne pathogens, and the actual process of placing ink in skin properly, but (insofar as I'm able to) also an immersion into the culture of tattooing. As a result, I follow a great deal of wonderful tattoo artists and blogs for inspiration, read a lot of magazines and books, and experience conventions.

It's remarkable to me not only how many tattoo aficionados choose to adorn themselves with representations of their BT family members, but also how many tattoo artists themselves share their lives with these great dogs. There just seems to me to be a high correspondence between loving tattoos and this particular breed (Boston Terriers are pretty badass). I've been able to collect many images representing both facets of this correspondence and I hope to share them with you.

The first one I'm offering is of a pooch named Ninja, tattooed by Matt Houston. Matt originally hails from the UK, but is currently working in Vancouver, BC, Canada at the Gastown Tattoo Parlour. He works primarily in a Neo-American Traditional style, characterized by bold lines and limited color palette. You can find more of his work on both Tumblr and Instagram.