London Bellman seems like the sort of guy who should be tattooing in Hawaii. Or Fiji. Come to think of it, London Bellman seems like the sort of guy who should be tattooing anywhere tropical. This is because Bellman’s art is bursting with references, themes, moods and the overall aesthetics of the sea, exotic flora, fauna and just the right amount of Tiki.
Though he was born in the Pacific Northwest, Bellman grew up in Redondo Beach, California and spent his summers on Whidbey Island in Washington. It makes sense how this mixture of coastal towns and lush vegetation had its own sort of impact on Bellman’s style.
“My summers as a youth were spent on Whidbey Island in Washington and this instilled in me a deep appreciation for the green forests of the Northwest, which paralleled my love of the sea I was nurtured on.”
Bellman returned to Oregon for good in 1993, settling in Portland and opening his own tattoo and art studio: Atomic Art Studio. From here he has produced work that’s as sunny and warm as any tropical locale, despite being in the heart of a place that gets more than its share of rain.
Being a fellow Rain Coaster myself, although a slightly more northern one, I’m afforded a great sense of escape just by clicking through Bellman’s online portfolio. But the work is about more than escape; there’s an evident true love for his surroundings in the art, as well a really nice laid back feeling that typically comes from tropical and lush environments.
Keep up the great work, London!