"Tattourist" Jason Tyler Grace sold his possessions and set out to travel the world in early 2010, immersing himself in life-changing experiences, personally and professionally. He says in his first Tattoo Artist Magazine column: "I had no idea at all what a huge fucking impact this [traveling] would have on me and my work or what it would do for my outlook on tattooing, the craft, the industry and the community." In that column and subsequent writing on TAM, he shares his wild and wonderful adventures, and you can indeed see the impact of them in the tattoo works he posted along the way.

Now, JTG is settling down and making NYC his home. This month, he joined the stellar crew of Kings Avenue Tattoo and will be working at both locations -- two days a week in Massapeque, Long Island and three days a week on the Bowery in Manhattan. He says on his blog:

Well sheeeeit, after exactly two and a half years on the road, two and a half years of different beds and pillows and wearing clothes pulled out of a bag rather than off of a hanger or from a drawer, after 913 days of different faces and families, after essentially being homeless, I now have a place to call home, a bed to call my own and a shop to become a part of. [...] I'm incredibly excited to have a place like this shop to finally settle down and have the opportunity to pull from all of the inspiration and experiences of my travels, all of the people I've worked with and the fascinating things I've seen.

Jason employs vastly different visual imagery, so that you may find old school traditional work next to LA-styled black & gray next to graphic abstract art throughout his portfolio. Check his tattoos on Facebook as well as his blog and website.

To make an appointment, contact Kings Avenue Tattoo via email kingsavetattoo@gmail.com or phone [LI: 516-799-5464 and NYC: 212-431-5464].