When You Began Tattooing:

I waited till I was 18 to get my first tattoo. At 19 I showed a stack of my sketch books at a local tattooer and got hired to draw and re-size images for him. That was 1993, since then I have worked in more than 8 studios before opening my own this year in Portland.

How You Became Interested in Tattooing:

I have been involved with art since I was a child my mother was an art student then and my father was a navy chief so there was lots of Americana images around with all the eagles and go navy bumper stickers, etc.

Favorite Style/Genre of Tattooing:

For the past 3-4 years I have specialized in traditional Asian, and American designs. Some of my favorite images to work with include Hindu, Tibetan Buddhist and Chinese/Japanese mythological and Buddhist imagery. I enjoy integrating realistic colors and aspects from nature, tastefully blending styles.

Tattoo Artists Who Inspire You Most:

Corey Kruger, Tin Tin, Don Ed Hardy, Corey Flatmo

Secular Artists Who Inspire You Most:

Da Vinci, Matisse

Other Interests and/or Hobbies:

I paint in an illustrative style in the medias of watercolor and acrylic for sale or commission. If I am left on my own that's what I do for fun.

Current Studio and Position There:

Owner of Biswell Tattoos
24 Exchange St.
Portland, Me 04103
http://www.biswelltattoos.com

How to Contact You for an Appointment:

By Phone: (207) 822-9914
By Email: jbiswell@gmail.com

From John Biswell:

"I try to create comfortable, fun and an inviting atmosphere and treat clients with both time and respect to there ideas.

My focus is on the image design, composition, and technical proficiency of the tattoo application. I create custom tattoos for people from all walks of life and love doing it be it small or large. I am pretty easy to get along with and I like just about everyone. The most creative tattoo designs take time to prepare so I prefer appointments, though I do accept walk-ins for smaller things."

VIEW JOHN'S TATTOO GALLERY/PORTFOLIO