Inkorporating His Art - Urban Ink

Antonio Robinson, a.k.a Tony, was born and raised with Southern hospitality in the charming, small town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Interested in art ever since he was a boy, Tony went to a performing arts high school in Chattanooga, where he was able to pursue his artistic expressions and refine his skills. However, upon completion of high school, Tony was primarily focused on a singing career, which led him to form a band, The Relaxed Experience. Eventually the group disbanded and this brought Tony to a crossroads in his life. He packed his bags and headed to Atlanta, Georgia, where he immediately began pursuing a career in art.

Skin and ink is how Tony felt he would best be able to share his talent with the masses, and he hooked up with mentors “Debi the Illustrator,” and Randy Keinel, who helped him develop the ability to put his art on derma. After 6 years of working as a tattoo artist, Tony decided it was time to try and find his own niche. He and a childhood friend, Terrell Day, became partners. Together the men worked vigorously to build a shop that reflects their personalities and artistic expression while catering to the desires and requests of their clientele. In such a climate, Tony feels assured that his clients will have a relaxing experience while receiving some of the best tattoo work that the city of Atlanta has to offer.

Tony prides himself on living by the motto, “Too cool to sweat,” which, by the way, is tattooed on his arm. Tony strives to be the best artist he can and lives by the rule of only concerning himself with things in life worth sweating over.

Urban Ink: How would you describe the tattoo culture in the Georgia region?

Antonio Robinson: The tattoo culture in Atlanta is diverse because this city is a melting pot, therefore people want many different kinds of artwork. People are always surprising me with what they ask for so i try to keep an open mind. One minute I could be doing a Benjamin Franklin face on top of someone’s hand and the next minute i could be doing a hair dryer tattoo on someone’s hip.

Can you tell us about Inkoroporated Tattoo & Design?

I felt like I had grown out of the typical commercial tattoo shop and it was time to take a leap of faith and do my own thing. Inkorporated original from a clothing line that two of my close friends and I had started before the shop was ever a thought. It only made sense to stick to one name.

How long were you a tattoo artist before you got involved with the tat shop, Inkorporated?

Art has been a part of my life since I was seven and tattooing is a great way to share my art. I had friend from back home who tattooed and he really got me thinking about how cool it would be to have my art on people. I found a shop down here in Atlanta and apprenticed for a year and then tattooed for 6 years after that before branching out on my own.

Does it mean anything extra special to you to be an African-American business owner? Are there any challenges that come with that?

It’s extra special to me to be a business owner period, but of course being African-American makes it that much better. You don’t see many African American business owners, and you definitely don’t see many tattoo shops owned by African Americans. Even though I haven’t a business owner for very long. I have come across a few unique challenges just being an African-American and a tattoo artist. In the shops that I have worked in, I have found that many times people looked at me like I was just a guy hanging out there and not a tattoo artist. It’s sometimes harder to be taken seriously. I would have to say the main challenge would be being the minority in the shops that i have worked at.

Aside from skill with the needle, what are the most important qualities that you believe a tattoo artist must bring to his/her work?

Aside from the technical skill, I think having an open mind is important. Also, being a good listener, because these tattoos mean something to my clients. if I wasn’t good at listening I might not be able to capture exactly what they want.

Have you ever talked someone out of a tattoo that you thought was a bad idea?

The main thing I find myself talking people out of is the size of the tattoo. The client may not be thinking about how the piece is going to look over time, but that is one of my main concerns. If do things small they tend to run together over time, so I find myself explaining that to my customers often.

What are some of the ways that you challenge yourself so you can continue to grow as an artist?

I try to keep my art fresh by doing pieces that I normally wouldn’t do , and by combining my style with my customer’s idea into a great tattoo. I’m always finding references in my daily life, so that also keeps me thinking outside the box.

When it’s all said and done, what would you like your legacy as a tattoo artist to be?

I want to be the tattoo artist who did great work and looked fly in the process. But on a serious note, someone who really care about his customers and went further that what the customer actually expected.

Published Dec 1, 2008
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