Jenna Crook had not considered a career as a tattoo artist until that night in 2014. After meeting a new friend on Toronto Island, she noticed the incredible level of detail of her self-applied tattoos — and something clicked.
“I grew up thinking of tattoos essentially as one style of art — one I didn’t personally like, so I paid little attention to it,” says Crook. Crook: “I received my first tattoo at the age of 21.” [them] The next week was my first tattoo. “I was obsessed.
Crook purchased her first tattooing device and went on a journey she didn’t expect: Crook became a full time tattoo artist. She uses a less carefree and messy approach to tattoo design, which is a departure from what the “good” idea is.
This style has been popularized in Toronto and Montreal by Gen Z. The new tattoo style challenges conventions and rejects tattoo industry ideals. It is unorthodox and more free-form. Crook is among many artists that are challenging the status quo and creating space for a new type of tattoo design.
Online as notcoolneverwas in her unique style, she plays with American classic in an unconventional way. She uses sketch-like lines and plays with the darkness of images by shading or disproportionately line work. She has more than 45k Instagram followers.
“Instagram in particular… gave access to a free image-based marketing platform and a worldwide audience,” she says. “A lot of the newer styles that we have seen entering tattooing are already familiar to us in art,” she says. [and] The design world of years”
Crook is an artist who enjoys drawing “badly” while still enjoying what she makes. Crook also employs Old English typography and makes illegible tattoos. She has been influenced by classical paintings, web ads, and at times, a “trash shot” taken on the streets.
She says that she plays first and obsesses about creating work later. “It’s not always easy, but I try. Now I have more options because my tattoo capabilities aren’t as limited.
The way people tattoo has changed dramatically thanks to social media
Emerik is a Montreal tattoo artist, also known as dirtyl00ks Instagram user sahmi nassi says that social media is responsible for the popularity of messy, freeform tattooing. His belief is that the popularity of reworking traditional designs encourages clients to experiment with a different style, while underground tattoos are more common.
He tells me that before those platforms were invented, there weren’t many styles available. I would have had to go into shops or magazines looking for them. It’s a trend that is more widely known and people are eager to learn about it. They haven’t seen any similar styles before.
Emerik’s tattooing style deconstructs traditionalist designs and typography with their own rough and sketch-like twist — “bathroom stall drawings,” as he describes them.
He says, “I want my drawing sheets to look like the fake tattoo stickers sheets that I had so much fun as a child.” I draw fast and can tattoo very quickly. “My drawings can be done in one shot.
Although Emerik can do custom work, most of his flash tattoos are done by clients. Clients choose from old records, logos and other inspirations. He even uses Old West tropes when creating his artwork.
Tattooing is a tradition that has existed for ages. Many of the styles that are currently popular today were often reworked from older pieces. We take inspiration from the past and add our own spin to it.
There is always criticism for going against the grain. Emerik said he gets negative feedback on Instagram.
“I get a lot of hate from older white men who have been tattooing for a lot of years…taking time out of their day to write mean [comments]He said. Recent incident: A New Jersey tattoo artist mocked him by creating a fake flash page in Emerik’s style.
Emerik says, “I usually just reply with a silly answer that confuses people.” Emerik: “It appears that people do not care about paintings or any other forms of art.” [being experimental]But tattoos are not allowed, and must adhere to a strict code of cleanliness.
Crook also shares the same sentiment and says that artists should be open to new styles. Crook says, “It is always humorous to me how open-minded artists can become.” “As long a tattoo can be done legally and consensually with no misunderstandings, I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t remain between the client and tattoo artist.”
When locally-inspired trends go global
A sharper, cyber-inspired style is also popular. While they might appear to be contradictory in design, these styles have been embraced by one another due to their non-conformist approach. People with more playful tattoos may have gothic-cyber designs along with them. People love both styles because of their uniqueness and complementing each other.
Montreal is home to Gothic sigilism. This style, with its sharp lines, wings-like features, and intricate cyber-esque detailing has made it a favourite of Montreal’s tattoo artists. For artist Céleste Bonnier, who goes by underyourskin_x_ Instagram’s curvature plays an important role in her designs. Although her style is a Montreal-based artist, she now focuses on tribal ornamental designs.
“I believe people see it more as art.” [rather] She says that like is a sign of what they are connected to. Bonnier attributes the revival of popular styles for tattooing in 2000 to this. Bonnier states that the latest tattoo styles and designs are inspired from other styles and have been “reshaped.”
This isn’t a limited area. There are many inspiring scenes from places such as New York, Berlin, and Brussels that have had an impact on tattoo design trends all over the globe. Most artists travel regularly and are open to international opportunities.
Emerik states, “It’s an important part of my job if I want it.” I travel to New York, Los Angeles and Toronto quite often. It’s been a while since I worked in Europe. You meet many inspiring artists, and you get to know new clients.
Toronto vs. Montreal – A story of two cities
Rene Shin from Chicago, also known as fancycrotch Instagram user Shin, who has tattooed in North America. She spent some time in Toronto and Montreal. Shin believes that Montreal has more variety in tattoo styles than Toronto.
She says, “I believe Toronto is very into detail. Like feminine and fine-line work.” After apprenticing in Korea she noticed that Toronto had a lot to do with Korean tattoo artists. Many artists are skilled in detailed work and have learned from Korean tattoo artists.
Shin was just 20 when she began her career in tattooing during the pandemic. She had lost her job. Her work is described as neotribal and includes dark gothic themes, chains, and symmetry. Shin was booked from North America to Europe after her first success.
Shin sees Montreal as more innovative and unorthodox. It is a mix of European and North American influences that makes it different from Toronto. Emerik also shared this sentiment, emphasizing Toronto’s inexpensibility.
Emerik says that Montreal’s scene is more adventurous and strange than Toronto. You can try out more art projects and retry it if you fail because there is no constant hustle for rent payment.
Crook said that these tattoo styles are still very popular in Toronto and Montreal. She is excited to watch the future of tattoo artists because they have cyclical designs.
There have always been tattoo styles that are not accepted by the first time they enter tattooing, as in fine art. Crook states that younger artists are challenging the traditional tattooing standards and often reject them. I can’t wait for the style that these kids will bring to us in years.
