Local Limelight with Durham's Harley-riding, Pinterest-loving tattoo artist Logan Isaacson
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Logan Isaacson
Logan Isaacson of Durham's Kings Avenue Tattoo never imagined becoming a tattoo artist.
Yes, but: At age 16, the Charlotte native started getting tattooed. Years later, he landed an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop in Boone he frequented, and his career took off from there.
Now he's known for his bright and bold traditional, Americana-style and fine-line blackwork tattoos.
Driving the news: Isaacson collaborated with Two Roosters Ice Cream last month for their tattoo artist-inspired guest ice cream flavors.
- His flavor was arguably the best: Frosted animal cracker.
We talked with Isaacson about the collaboration and his career in our latest Local Limelight conversation. The Q&A has been edited for Smart Brevity.
What inspires your work? "Growing up in skateparks and eventually becoming a part of motorcycle culture has really had an impact on the style of tattooing I am attracted to," Isaacson tells Axios.
- He also gets inspiration from TV, Instagram and Pinterest. ("I'm no 'Mr. Tough Guy' just because I ride a Harley," Isaacson said. "Pinterest is my jam.")
- The biggest impact on his work has been studying other tattooers' work and the imagery they're producing, much of which comes from "historical tattoo icons and old tattoo flash that has been handed down and altered through time."
🍴Favorite restaurant in the Triangle: As a plant-based eater for more than 10 years, Chapel Hill's Coco Bistro & Bar, which "hits just right every time."
🎡 What the Triangle is missing: A year-round amusement park.
📱 The first thing he reads in the morning: He hates to admit it, but Instagram, which he uses to study tattoos.
🎧 Go-to podcasts: "Crime Junkie" and "No Lies Just BS," a tattoo culture podcast.
🏍️ Go-to long weekend spot: Weekends are prime for tattoo appointments, so he doesn't have many free ones. Charlotte, where his family lives, or anywhere he and his partner, Allison, can hop on a motorcycle and ride for extended periods of time.
🐶 Name of your pet: Allison's husky, Mowgli. Isaacson calls Mowgli his acquired son.
- "The hair shed is a nightmare for my OCD, but he is the coolest no doubt!"
🚙 How he ended up in the Triangle: After 10 years of living in Boone and working as a tattoo artist there, he was recruited to work at the Kings Avenue Tattoo's Durham location ahead of its opening.
🔒 If he could pass any law, it'd be: Requiring that everyone lock their phones away for one day a month and only be positive to one another.
- "That sounded like my proposal for Miss America, but it feels right! We need some more of that these days."
🤘 Something he's looking forward to: Blink 182 coming to town.
- "The 90s are back and better than ever!"
🔌 How he unplugs: "Honest answer: way too many hours watching TV."
- Or getting on his Harley, with no destination in mind.