Dillon Forte

Last updated

Dillon Forte
Born
Dillon Forte

February 1987
Santa Monica, California
CitizenshipAmerican
Occupation(s)Tattoo artist, entrepreneur
Website www.dillonforte.com

Dillon Forte (born February 1987 in Santa Monica, California) [1] [2] is an American tattoo artist and entrepreneur, based in Oakland and Venice, Los Angeles. [3] Known for his use of sacred geometry-inspired patterns, Forte has been featured in Paramount Network's The Art of Ink (2018) and the Amazon Studios comedy Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2017).

Contents

Biography

Forte was born in Santa Monica, California. His mother is a romance novelist, and his father worked as a fashion photographer. [1] He grew up in Berkeley and Oakland, [1] and got his first tattoo at 16. [2] After spending two years seeking an apprenticeship, at 19, Forte began working for tattoo artist Mark Freitas in Berkley, [1] [4] Forte saw a career in tattoo as a natural progression from his childhood interests of drawing, painting and skateboarding. [5] Inspired by reading Drunvalo Melchizedek's The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life (1999), Forte became interested in incorporating geometric patterns found in nature, [6] as well as the geometric shapes found in traditional sacred geometry. [2]

After six years, Forte opened his first tattoo studio in Oakland in 2012, [5] and opened his second on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, Los Angeles in 2019. [1] Forte developed a tetrahedral kite tattoo for artist Kat Von D, [7] and tattooed actor Chris Hemsworth in Morocco, based on a design Hemsworth's daughter made while he was filming Men in Black: International in 2018. [8] Forte additionally worked on tattoos with singer Kehlani and linebacker DeAndre Levy, [1] and in 2018 was featured in an episode of Paramount Network's The Art of Ink, focusing on geometric designs. [9]

In 2019, Forte worked with singer Usher on an elaborate head tattoo, [10] [11] and on a hand tattoo for Imagine Dragons' bassist Ben McKee. [12] In 2020, Forte launched a range of naturally derived eco-friendly tattoo products. [13]

Style

Forte's designs are inspired by sacred geometry and underlying mathematical principles found in nature, [14] and additionally by ancient cosmology, tribal and spiritual art. [8] [5] [2] Forte uses blackwork and dot work tattooing techniques. [1]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017 Jean-Claude Van Johnson Tattoo ArtistEpisode: "Run to Nowhere"
2018The Art of InkHimselfEpisode: "Geometric"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred geometry</span> Symbolic and sacred meanings ascibed to certain geometric shapes

Sacred geometry ascribes symbolic and sacred meanings to certain geometric shapes and certain geometric proportions. It is associated with the belief of a divine creator of the universal geometer. The geometry used in the design and construction of religious structures such as churches, temples, mosques, religious monuments, altars, and tabernacles has sometimes been considered sacred. The concept applies also to sacred spaces such as temenoi, sacred groves, village greens, pagodas and holy wells, Mandala Gardens and the creation of religious and spiritual art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious art</span> Art with religious subjects

Religious art is a visual representation of religious ideologies and their relationship with humans. Sacred art directly relates to religious art in the sense that its purpose is for worship and religious practices. According to one set of definitions, artworks that are inspired by religion but are not considered traditionally sacred remain under the umbrella term of religious art, but not sacred art.

Miami Ink is an American reality television series that aired on TLC from 2005 to 2008 and follows the events that took place at a tattoo shop in Miami Beach, Florida. The show led to several spin-offs, including the shows LA Ink, London Ink, NY Ink, and Madrid Ink, most of which were also broadcast on TLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tattoo artist</span> Individual who applies permanent decorative tattoos

A tattoo artist is an individual who applies permanent decorative tattoos, often in an established business called a "tattoo shop", "tattoo studio" or "tattoo parlour". Tattoo artists usually learn their craft via an apprenticeship under a trained and experienced mentor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kat Von D</span> Mexican-American tattoo artist and television personality

Katherine von Drachenberg, known professionally as Kat Von D, is a Mexican-born German-American tattoo artist, television personality, entrepreneur and recording artist. She is best known for her work as a tattoo artist on the TLC reality television show LA Ink, which premiered in the United States on August 7, 2007, and ran for four seasons. She is also known for being the former head of Kat Von D Beauty. In May 2021, Kat Von D released her first single "Exorcism" from her album Love Made Me Do It.

Yantra tattooing or Sak Yant is a form of tattooing using Indian yantra designs. It consists of sacred geometrical, animal and deity designs accompanied by Pali phrases that are said to offer power, protection, fortune, charisma and other benefits for the bearer.

<i>LA Ink</i> American reality television show

LA Ink is an American reality television show on TLC that follows the events of the High Voltage Tattoo tattoo studios in Los Angeles, California. The spin-off of TLC's Miami Ink, premiered on August 7, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Critchlow</span> British architect and mythographer

Keith Barry Critchlow was a British artist, lecturer, author, sacred geometer, professor of architecture, and a co-founder of the Temenos Academy in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamic geometric patterns</span> Geometric pattern characteristic of Muslim art

Islamic geometric patterns are one of the major forms of Islamic ornament, which tends to avoid using figurative images, as it is forbidden to create a representation of an important Islamic figure according to many holy scriptures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathematics and art</span> Relationship between mathematics and art

Mathematics and art are related in a variety of ways. Mathematics has itself been described as an art motivated by beauty. Mathematics can be discerned in arts such as music, dance, painting, architecture, sculpture, and textiles. This article focuses, however, on mathematics in the visual arts.

Nicholas Humberto Hurtado, known as Nikko Hurtado, is an American tattoo artist who specializes in colored portraiture. His signature hyper-realistic color portraits have made him a renowned figure in the tattoo industry with a massive celebrity client list. He has numerous television appearances on shows such as LA Ink, Tattoo Wars, and Ink Master, becoming a judge on Ink Master in 2022. Hurtado is the founder of Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia, California, and Black Anchor Los Angeles in Hollywood, California, both within Black Anchor Worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Ink</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Brian Todd Collins, known professionally as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles, California. His debut studio album, Up & Away (2012) was released independently and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. He then signed with RCA Records to release his debut extended play Almost Home (2013), followed by his second album and major label debut, My Own Lane the following year. The latter peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was led by the single "Show Me", which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also spawned the follow-up singles "Iz U Down" and "Main Chick". His third album, Full Speed (2015) spawned the singles "Body Language" and "Be Real", both of which received platinum certifications by the RIAA.

<i>Ink Master</i> American reality competition series

Ink Master is an American reality competition television series that originally aired on Paramount Network, now airing on the Paramount+ Streaming service and 24/7 on the Pluto app which has a channel dedicated entirely to the show. The first season originally premiered on January 17, 2012. The show is hosted by Dave Navarro who joins Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck to make up a panel of judges that decides which contestants get to continue in the competition and which go home, ultimately deciding the winner at the end. Judge Oliver Peck left the series after a controversial post from years prior in which he wore blackface resurfaced. Each season features tattoo artists who compete in various challenges assessing their tattooing and related artistic skills. They are judged by renowned tattoo artists and enthusiasts, with one or more contestants eliminated each episode. The last contestant standing each season receives a $100,000 prize, the title of Ink Master, and a feature in Inked Magazine. The series is produced by Original Media, which also produced the reality show Miami Ink.

Dana Awartani is a Saudi visual artist, of Palestinian ethnicity. She works in various mediums including painting, video art, and sand mosaic; and incorporates traditional methods of Islamic art. Awartani was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she lives today.

Ryan Ashley DiCristina, known as Ryan Ashley, is an American tattoo artist known for her appearances on the television shows Ink Master and its spin-offs. Her signature style reflects her training and experience as a fashion designer: Ashley specializes in black-and-gray designs with beadwork, lace detail, and ornamental jewels. Ashley won Ink Master's season eight competition in 2016 and in the following years returned to host a spin-off show (Angels), judge another spin-off, and judge in the main series. She co-owns a tattoo shop in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Elizabeth Whiteley is an American fine artist and designer.

Katherine "Kat" Flores, known professionally as Tatu Baby, is an American tattoo artist and reality television personality. She was a contestant on Ink Master season 2 in 2012, where she placed fourth, and season 3 of the same show in 2013, where she placed third. She starred as a main cast member in Cartel Crew (2019–2021), another reality television show based on people who have connections to drug cartels. Tatu Baby remains active as a tattoo artist in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Peck</span> American tattoo artist, restaurateur, and reality television personality

Oliver Peck is an American tattoo artist, restaurateur, and reality television personality. Along with guitarist Dave Navarro and tattoo artist Chris Nunez, he was a judge on the competition reality television show Ink Master for seasons 1 through 13. Known for his American traditional style tattoos, he is co-owner of Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas, Texas and owner of True Tattoo in Hollywood, California. His restaurant Tiki Loco was located in Deep Ellum, Dallas, before shuttering in early 2023.

Blackout tattoos are a type of tattoo that involves tattooing an area of the body completely black. Although many people get blackout tattoos as a standalone piece, they are also a method of covering up unwanted tattoos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kat Tat</span> American tattoo artist

Katrina Jackson, known professionally as Kat Tat, is an American tattoo artist, television personality, and businesswoman. She is best known for starring in the VH1 television series Black Ink Crew: Chicago.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Meet Dillon Forte". VoyageLA. April 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ledovskih, Alexander (January 21, 2019). "Interview. Dillon Forte". iNKPPL Tattoo Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  3. ↑ Tsapovsky, Flora (January 7, 2020). "A Tattoo Virgin's Journey Into the World of Ink". The Bold Italic. Medium. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  4. ↑ Preston, Devon (October 28, 2019). "An exclusive with the leading tattooer in the sacred geometry style, Dillon Forte". Inked . Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Tattoo Artist Spotlight: Dillon Forte". Tattoo.com. January 4, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Dillon Forte Opens New Sri Yantra Tattoo Studio". Tattoo Filter. January 4, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  7. ↑ Simmons, Shea (November 6, 2019). "Kat Von D's New Tattoo Completely Blacks Out Her Arm". Bustle. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Dillon Forte and the Archetypal Truths". Tattoo Life. Mediafriends Srl. 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "THE ART OF INK Geometric". Paramount Pictures. 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Usher has got a new neck and head tattoo - a geometric drawing on the back of his head". Stuff. June 11, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  11. ↑ Simeon, Aimee (June 11, 2019). "Usher Got A Huge New Tattoo — & We Didn't See It Coming". Refinery29. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ Adebowale, Temi (August 19, 2019). "Imagine Dragons' Bassist Ben McKee Has a New Cosmic-Inspired Hand Tattoo". Men's Health. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ Radic, Randall (February 18, 2020). "Tattoo Artist Dillon Forte Unveils 'Forte Tattoo Tech'". Tattoo.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  14. ↑ Barnes, Sara (May 26, 2019). "Tattoo Artist Turns Nature's Geometric Patterns into Intricate Mandalas on Skin". My Modern Met. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.