I first became interested in tattooing in my teens I got my first tattoo (a pair of boxing gloves) when I was 15 - the tattoo was done by a local tattooist working from his home. The job wasn't very good, and I knew I could do better. So I started drawing and building my own tattoo machines. I would tattoo friends and cover peoples old unwanted tattoos, not the best way to get into tattooing but the only way I knew at the time.
A few years past and I was offered a job to look after a tattoo studio in County Durham (the owner was going away for a while to H.M.P.)  I was now using professional tattoo equipment and my work was improving.
By 1993 I was working from a couple of studios at week-ends, and tattooing from home at night. Once I was confident that my work was good enough I was going to open my own place.
1995 Viking Tattoo Studio opened its doors, the studio is the first ever tattoo studio in Jarrow. After opening we started to gain a lot of interest, and have had  numerous positive features in the local Press, tattooing and motorcycling magazines.  (see articles)2000 We staged  Jarrow's first tattoo convention held at Monkton Sports Stadium. This was the first tattoo convention to take place in South Tyneside, and it was a great success. We had some of the countries top tattoo artists working at the show and also entertainment from 6 local bands, male and female exotic dancers, trade stalls, piercing and a custom motorcycle show. The convention was described by a lot of people as a "Huge tattoo party". The convention also featured in "Skin Deep" tattoo magazine and the local Press. (see articles)
2001 Lee Wright (my brother) is now working full time in the studio, after finishing his two and a half year apprenticeship under my watchful eye. Lee works in all styles of tattooing from appointment only. (check out Lee's work on the site)2004 To date the studio has went from strength to strength, we are still getting our work featured in tattoo magazines and still working at tattoo conventions both in the UK and abroad. We have won numerous awards including best black n grey work, best female, best Celtic (twice) and best male large. The future?...........even greater achievements in the tattoo art...........

    Lee Tattoos