About the Artist Mick J

I am a self taught artist, and for over 35 years have used a variety of mediums, including 30 years as tattoo artist. Due to arthritis in both wrists my outlet now is painting in oils, which I`m happy to say have sold worldwide. Originally from East London, I am now settled in beautiful Devon with it`s rich history of Pirates and folklore. 
I’ve always been drawn to faces, stories, and the feeling that an object or person can hold something deeper just beneath the surface. A lot of my work comes from that pull toward the mysterious, the historical, and the slightly unsettling.

I’m especially interested in the way time changes things — how it leaves marks on people, on objects, and on memory. That’s why skulls, weathered figures, relics, and worn textures appear so often in my paintings. They all carry a sense of history, fragility, and quiet strength that I find very compelling.

My process usually starts with research and reference, but I let the painting evolve as I work. I enjoy building layers, textures, and atmospheres that give each piece a sense of depth and presence. I’m often working with muted tones, rich shadows, and small moments of contrast that help pull the eye in.

At the end of the day, I want my paintings to feel like they’re holding a story — something a little haunting, a little beautiful, and hopefully worth spending time with.