The artists

John Lewis

Owner & tattooist

John is the owner and creator of Life & Death Tattoos, specialising in black & grey realism and all things out of the ordinary. There is really nothing too strange for him: he loves finding ways to make your tattoo completely tailored to you.

He will usually start his work straight on your skin, drawing freehand with a sharpie before the needle ever touches you, so the piece is built for your body and nobody else's. Lover of skulls. Nothing is too gory, and nothing is too plain.

In the industry well over a decade. Life & Death is John's baby, and the L&D family has grown around it ever since.

Phil Beaman

Tattooist

Phil brings a softness to hyper-realism. His landscapes, portraits and animal work are all fabulous, whether it is a celebrity portrait or something far more personal. Over seven years in, his obsession is attention to detail.

Not everyone wants full coverage, and Phil gets that: he loves single, stand-alone realism pieces just as much as a full sleeve.

On a weekend you will find him with a paintbrush in hand, working on his oil paintings.

Hollie Grace

Tattooist

Hollie brings a stunning mix of styles to Life and Death, from ornamental designs and bold black work to soft realism and delicate floral pieces.

The creativity does not stop at skin: she has painted some seriously nice skateboards that the whole studio is obsessed with.

George Geary

Tattooist

George started as the apprentice here, learning from every artist in the building, and came out the other side with a style that speaks for itself. Warlocks and dungeons or butterflies and flowers: George will truly make it his own.

When he is not painting up designs, you will find him in his garden, catching toads in the pond. We do not ask why.

Rory Hickford

Tattooist

Rory brings something totally unique to L&D: Japanese and generally cool colour pieces. A true artist who paints his own designs, and a wonder to watch work.

May Goodwin

Apprentice, also known as Tattoo Mayo

May is our apprentice here at L&D. Loving art from a young age, she has taken to tattooing like a duck to water, specialising in colour realism and crosshatch pieces.

Apprentice pieces are a brilliant way to get tattooed by a rising artist, with the whole studio watching over every line.

Joci

Studio manager

Joci is who you will reach when you send in an enquiry. She does all things bookings, social media and behind the scenes: the glue that keeps us all together. She is also the reason lunch turns up at one o'clock sharp on full-day sittings.