Shawn Barber, Tattooed Self Portrait, Dragon Back Study (Tattoo by Jason Kundell), oil on canvas, 2024.

Artist Talk: 'Painting Tattoos' with Shawn Barber

Mohawk Valley Community College will host “Painting Tattoos,” an Artist Talk with world-renowned tattoo artist and fine art painter Shawn Barber, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in Francis A. Wilcox Hall room 225, at the Utica Campus. Tickets, which are $5 general, $2 for MVCC employees, and free for students, can be purchased at mvcc.edu/tickets.

As a fine artist, Barber primarily focuses on painting, portraiture, and the documentation of tattoo culture. His acclaimed series of paintings — “The Tattooed Portraits Series” — showcases intimate renditions of tattooed individuals, combining meticulous brush strokes and loose energy. These large, figurative paintings incorporate abstract elements with explosive colors, meandering lines, and paint dripping down the canvas. With this series, Barber has created an homage and study of modern tattooing through portraits that capture the essence of historical tattoo artists, their work, their tools, and their environments. 

After years of documenting the art of tattoo, Barber became a tattooist himself in 2006. Three years later, he co-founded Memoir Tattoo in Los Angeles. Although proficient in various styles, he favors illustrative tattoo projects.

Barber’s signature brushwork has been featured in a variety of media, including advertising, music, magazines, children’s books, and entertainment. He is particularly recognized for his portrait work and has received accolades from prestigious organizations such as American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, RSVP, and The Artist’s Magazine. His paintings are held in private collections around the world and have been exhibited in solo and group shows worldwide. His latest fine art book, “Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series” (Last Gasp Books), was released in 2012. To learn more about him, visit his website, sdbarber.com.