Paul Taylor
Arriving in San Francisco in 1995, after working in Santa Cruz at Body Adornments, Paul Taylor followed with a few stints at some well-known local shops. In 1998, he began working with Karen Roze of Sacred Rose Tattoo in the Mission District–a post that he enjoyed for nearly 8 years and we are thrilled to have him back starting in February 2019!
Here, he enjoyed a lively shop that allowed him both creative control and space to develop his skills and amass a core clientele of dedicated customers. Being part of a walk-in street shop in an eclectic neighborhood also enabled Paul to broaden his styles.
While his tattooing shows a great diversity, it is his focus on Tribal Art and large works that has gained him some international fame. Influenced by the traditions of indigenous tattooing societies, Paul was attracted to the global reach and networking abilties of the convention circuit.
Learning the significance of ancient organic forms and incorporating them into his emerging styles, Paul’s work has garnered numerous awards and accolades in the tattoo industry, particularly with his bold tribal pieces.
Besides working with other artists around the globe, Paul has had the opportunity to witness ancient tattoo traditions first hand in his travels to Borneo, Malaysia, and Tahiti. In fact, he even tattooed a Borneo elder from the Iban tribe while learning non-electric hand-tapping techniques.
This less-invasive and more communal technique (requiring an assistant to stretch the skin taut) creates striking body works that can age well up to fifty years and evolve with the wearer. It also seems to be less painful and often is accomplished with very little to no bleeding by the subject.
In 2010, Paul opened Gifted Spider Tattoos–a private studio on Treat Avenue in the Mission District. This quiet and focused environment allows him uninterrupted time to connect with and decorate his clients, who seem to appreciate a private place to enjoy these life-changing experiences.
You can learn more about Paul by visiting his website. Please call the shop for an appointment!
