Inked Icon: Myke Chambers

Get to Know One of the Leading American Traditional Artists Working Today

When it comes to American Traditional heavyweights in the tattoo industry, Myke Chambers often comes to mind. A self-proclaimed “gutter punk” with tattoos literally from head to toe, Chambers comes off as someone who has plenty of crazy stories up his sleeve. But don’t let where he is now fool you: Chambers’ road to success has been anything but a smooth ride. Traveling to hell and back on more than one occasion, Chambers battled addiction for many years and spent a large portion of his life running from the law. During the ’90s and early 2000s, he lived on a death mission and believed that his life was over because his addiction had taken over. However, through rehabilitation, a love for helping others, and the courage to do the right thing, Chambers was able to turn his life around and become a mentor for those who are going through similar struggles.
Today, Chambers has made a complete 180 since he first began tattooing and is the owner of the Seven Swords Tattoo Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since leaving Austin, Texas, Chambers has made Philly his home and has had opportunities to tattoo clients from around the world. He recently returned from a trip to Ireland, where he attended the Limerick Tattoo Convention, and he has plans to attend conventions across the United States and throughout Europe for the rest of 2017.

Photo via Peter Roessler