We are extremely pleased to present you this exclusive interview with Mr. Myke Chambers from the United States. During a long career spanning over 3 decades, Myke has left a significant mark in the tattoo world, thanks to his classic and bold tattoos inspired by the American Traditional imagery. Let’s explore Myke’s monumental journey in the tattoo industry.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Myke Chambers and I am a Tattooer from the United States. I currently split my time between my tattoo shop Seven Swords Tattoo Company in Philadelphia, and between my other two tattoo shops in Asheville, North Carolina, Seven Swords Tattoo, Asheville, and Traveler Tattoo.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
Oh, I have always been fascinated with things that are taboo so when I saw a tattoos, I was instantly drawn to them. From a young age I was introduced to punk rock , and the punk scene. Tattoos were very common with the guys that I looked up to, but not so much in Society at that time. Sock tattoos were reserved for the “undesirables”. I quickly gravitated towards this, and my love of tattooing took off.
How and when did you start tattooing?
I started tattooing around 1991 or 1992. I started tattooing my friends with homemade equipment until I could acquire professional equipment, and some guidance from my friend Weasel, who somewhat apprenticed me in a way.
Where are you based?
I don’t know that I’m really based anywhere. I travel the world but most of the time I’m either in Philadelphia or Asheville North Carolina.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in the United States these days?
I would describe it as very main stream. It seems more and more people are less afraid of having visible tattoos and it really doesn’t matter what age. I’m seeing people in their 70s and 80s coming to get tattoos not just younger people. Oh love, that people are feeling more free to do what they want with their bodies and breaking the social norms. But at the same time I can’t help but feel that something magical about tattooing might be getting lost. I think the real magic in tattooing happens between the relationship with the tattooer and the client. People tend to lose sight of this when they’re just trying to create art. It’s a delicate balance.
How would you define your tattoo style?
I really I just do tattoos. Some people would call my style traditional, but I don’t always follow the rules of “traditional”. I like to blur the lines and just do what feels right.
What kind of tattoo projects do you like to do the most?
My favorite projects to do are on clients that I like and enjoy being around and sharing energy while creating something that they will love.
What’s the main source of inspiration for your tattoos?
I would have to say that most of my inspiration comes from classic traditional tattoo imagery.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
Keeping up with the social media song and dance that they make us do, just to stay relevant and in front of potential clients. I’m really getting tired of this but I do understand that it’s a big part of what tattooing is today in this modern age.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
The smile I see on my clients face whenever they look in the mirror after we’re finished with their tattoo.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
Oh, I love tattoo conventions because I get to meet new people from all over the world and share knowledge and friendship. If I get to make money doing it along the way that’s icing on the cake.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you have ever been to?
I do. It was in Long Beach California and I believe it was in 2001 or 2002.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
The reason has changed over the years. It used to be to go out and try and make a name for myself and see the world. These days it’s mostly to meet people and enjoy my surroundings while supporting my family. I don’t care so much about winning awards or any of that stuff. There was a time when I really cared about that but that was a long time ago. Hahah.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
I’ve been to so many amazing conventions over the years that I can’t really narrow it down to one. They all have qualities that I love in a tattoo convention and that’s typically where it puts the art first and takes care of the artist as well as giving a good experience to the attendees. I think the main thing that sets convention apart is proper promotion.
No tattooer likes to go to a convention that is absolutely dead and no people there so proper promotion has to be put in place and that’s not just running some social media posts. It’s about putting up billboards, signs on buses and trains, sending out crews to hand out flyers months in advance, it’s these things that take a lot of money, but give back in results to the promoter and the artist.
If a convention promoter is strictly, just trying to make money off of the artist paying for a booth then that’s not a convention I want to go to.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
It’s hard. Don’t mean just doing tattoos is hard. Everything that comes with it is hard. You have to live and breathe tattooing in order to make it you tattoo all day long just to come home and draw all night long just to wake up and do the same thing over and over again every day.
Your family, life and social life will suffer. Your social life will only be with other people that tattoo for the most part, and your life partners will come to resent your career.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
The list is too long and if I left someone out, I would be doing a disservice.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
Being able to support myself and my family for all these years has been pretty awesome.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
I love to draw and I love to paint.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
I’m still figuring that out currently.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Love not hate.
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