Will NFTs turn tattoos into bunkable art?

Top tattoo artists are highly coveted and their work is on display in some of the world’s most visible real estate: LeBron James’ shoulders, Scarlett Johansson’s back, Post Malone’s face.

However, you cannot tattoo the gallery or auction at Sotheby’s. They are alive and die with their owners (unless previously deleted). It also means that the most in-demand tattoo artists will still be paid on an hourly basis, as during the apprenticeship period to decorate the biceps of sailors and bikers.

Scott Campbell, 44, a Los Angeles tattoo artist who inked Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Aniston, and Mark Jacobs, said artists usually don’t get paid on an hourly basis. It was. “Musicians aren’t rewarded for the time it takes to create a song. Never go to a gallery and wonder,” How long did the artist take to draw it? ” I will pay him for his time. “

Campbell, Mark Machado ( Mister Cartoon) And Brian Wu (Dr. Wu), I would like to change this equation.

This week, Campbell will open an online marketplace. Best of all, Tattoo artists can offer designs as permanent and tradable products in the form of NFTs.

To update: NFTAbbreviation for non-fungible token, is basically a digital stamp of authenticity that can be bought, sold, or traded like a cryptocurrency on the blockchain. This is far from the world of tattoos, where even when working on Hollywood stars, field stars are limited to about $ 1,000 per hour in a 1-3 hour session.

In this new market, customers will buy exclusive rights to the tattoo design, not the tattoo itself. “I’m selling ideas to you, not just a few hours of my life,” Campbell said. Blur the line For years between tattoos and art, he has exhibited sculptures and paintings inspired by his tattoos at galleries and art fairs. “NFTs are basically digital baseball cards.”

As a benefit of ownership, buyers get a guaranteed slot with a tattoo artist. It’s not a small thing, as it’s almost impossible to book a top tattoo artist for a celebrity out-of-orbit person.

But that is not mandatory. Some owners may choose to preserve the virgin skin.

In theory, NFT tattoo owners could ask another tattoo artist to apply the ink, but they claim that the work is pedigree-original. (Copying tattoos without the permission of the artist is a prevalent problem.)

First, All Our Best features just a handful of well-known artists. Mr. Campbell, Mister Cartoon, Dr. Wu, Grime, Sean from Texas And Tachi Compton.. Campbell plans to expand his roster and eventually open up a market for tattoo artists to sell their work.

He is not the only one to see opportunities on the blockchain. Artist in Portland, Maine, Blood UtenFor example, we sell digitally designed tattoo photos as NFTs.

There is considerable revenue potential. Prices for the first round of All Our Best NFT tattoos range from $ 1,000 to $ 10,000. Blockchain technology allows artists to pay a 10% royalties each time their work is resold.

Campbell said that unlike the current setting that “the contract only gives you Instagram posts and bragging rights,” clients can also benefit if their work is valued. “They actually have something to leave and pass on to their kids. It’s not just what’s on the arm that will get tanned and blurred anyway in 10 years.”