Tattoo Artist- Brian McCrone

Bio:
I'm thirty-one years old and haev been involved with learning or pursuing many aspects of art and its history. I studied my foundation of art at the University of Cincinnati for 2 years. From there I transferred to the Cleveland Institute of Art where I majored in drawing and minored in illustration for 3 years. I've also studied fine art at Cleveland State and local community colleges. During this period in my life I was very interested in pursuing a career in the comic book field, as well as animation. Many of my influences at this period were comic book artists including Arthur Adams, Marc Silvestri, Joe Lee, Dale Keown, and Frank Miller. Other artists who have left there mark on me include Michael Parks, Egon Sheile, Dali, John Bolton, Gustov Klimt, Brom and Derek Hess.

After wading through some odd jobs and freelance work I broke into tattooing. I designed a piece for a friend, who took it to a local shop. One thing led to another and the rest is history. I completed my apprenticeship at G&G Tattooing and spent there additional years working there. The past 3 years were spent at Legendary Tattoos. I now have a home at North Coast Body Mod where I can concentrate on custom work, as well as other avenues of art. I have been fortuante to have been trained and/or influeneced by a lot of local talent such as Toran Marshall, fingers, Chico, John Coyne, Dave & Natalie, Joe Colantonio, George Beilfelt, Shawn Ross, Marcie Gau and Mike McCandish, just to name a few.

I feel very fortunate to be able to do something I love and to be part of a great community of people in this art form. I have great respect and admiration for those who have paved the way in this business so I could be a part of it. Some of my influences now include Cory Krueger, James Kern, Mario Barth, Jime Litwalk, Cleen Rock One, Grime, Aaron Bell, Tom Strom, Eric Merrill, and everyone at Psycho Tattoos, Ken Kan at Liquid Skin for bringing me on board. I'd like to thank my friend Rich Kish for opening North Coast Body Mod, a kickass shop where I have the freedom to pursue my goals. Last but not least, I want to thank my biggest influence and greatest supporter, my weife Becky. "I would not be where I am now without her."