NICK HEMSTREET

My name is Nick Hemstreet, I am a tattooer and fine artist based in Denver, Colorado.  I have been tattooing for 11 years.  I am a classically trained oil painter through the Watts Atelier of the Arts under Jeff Watts and other amazing fine artists. Growing up in numerous countries in Latin America along with multiple states countrywide, I was exposed to a multitude of different styles of art spanning the globe from a very early age.  Over the years my tastes in art have gone from perfect rendering of photographs with graphite to now impressionistic realism inspired by the Russian impressionists.  The Impressionists’ mix of bright and exaggerated colors have inspired my tattoos and paintings of late.  Instead of rendering and “showing off” how much detail can be put into a piece, I prefer to involve those that view my work by making areas of my work more detailed than others; creating depth, atmosphere and emotion.  I view tattooing as another medium, similar to oil on canvas or charcoal on paper.  I consciously and meticulously try to blend my style of painting into my love for tattooing for a unique painterly look to my tattoos.  This painterly approach to my tattoos set me apart from other artists who just try to render from a photograph and mimic every other realism artist out there.

I strive to create the best work environment and experience at my studio.   Owning my own private studio in down town Denver not only allows me to control the focus of my work but I am able to provide the best experience for my clientele.  My clientele enjoy a giant 50” screen TV to watch any movie or listen to any music they like while getting their custom artwork tattooed on them.  As my clients know, I treat them as friends.  As new clientele meet with me for their consultation and determine if I am the perfect fit for the work they decide to to entrust to an artist, likewise, I do the same to my clientele creating a bond and vision between us for their piece.  I feel that there are many great tattooers out there who can do a good job, but why my clients constantly return to me for more work, is the experience I provide for them.  After all… getting stabbed with needles for hours upon hours sucks as it is, no need for your artist to be a jerk on top of that.

For more info about me check out my interview in the Westword from a few years ago: