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The "cute and creepy" signature artwork of
Columbus-based tattoo artist Gunnar Gaylord
Columbus-based tattoo artist Gunnar Gaylord
| For The Fans, By The Fans. Look Beyond The Mainstream. |
Gunnar Gaylord is one truly talented man.
He started designing fliers for local bands while he was
in high school and eventually became internationally
known for his work as a tattoo artist. His signature
“cute and creepy” art keeps him in high demand.
“When I first developed the style I became known for, I
was a new father and was going through a divorce.
The imagery of the children was born from the fact that
I was a new father and was ultimately inspired by how
cute yet devilish a child can be," Gaylord said.
"However, the original art was very emotionally driven
and heartbreak is a theme people can relate to. So my
art was driven by the playful imagery of children, but
the themes were more adult.”
Of all of Gunnar’s experiences fatherhood appears to
be his most influential. He is currently working on
writing and illustrating his first children’s story.
He started designing fliers for local bands while he was
in high school and eventually became internationally
known for his work as a tattoo artist. His signature
“cute and creepy” art keeps him in high demand.
“When I first developed the style I became known for, I
was a new father and was going through a divorce.
The imagery of the children was born from the fact that
I was a new father and was ultimately inspired by how
cute yet devilish a child can be," Gaylord said.
"However, the original art was very emotionally driven
and heartbreak is a theme people can relate to. So my
art was driven by the playful imagery of children, but
the themes were more adult.”
Of all of Gunnar’s experiences fatherhood appears to
be his most influential. He is currently working on
writing and illustrating his first children’s story.
Gaylord shoots ink at High St. Tattoo.Photos submitted.
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When I asked what his best experience as an artist was he said, “I think my favorite was when my
daughters worked on a painting with me for a Star Wars tribute art show. They were so excited
knowing their art was gonna hang in a gallery.”
When he’s not touring the U.S. he can be found exclusively at his home shop: High Street Tattoo in
Columbus, Ohio. I was happy to get the opportunity to interview him between his many projects.
Deb: Which came first, painting or tattoos?
Gunnar: “I am a tattoo artist first and painter second. I didn’t actually start painting serious till about
2002. Tattooing is my career. I love it and I'm passionate about it, but its how I make my living.
Tattooing is a service industry so it is my job to make sure my client has something they love,
something that fits them and something that will last. This can be very limiting at times artistically.
I'm fortunate because my clientele tends to be very open minded and are confident enough in my
work to give me a lot of control, but painting is something I have full control over. I'm only limited by
my imagination and my skill and fortunately those seem to progress with time. I paint for me, but I
tattoo for others.”
Deb: How long have you been tattooing?
Gunnar: “Ive been a professional tattoo artist since 1997 and have been a part of the industry since
1995. I started in Connecticut while I was in college, then moved to Columbus and worked at Stained
Skin before opening Gods and Monsters. Then I closed Gods and Monsters and moved to California
before moving back here to be near my kids.”
I was curious about the bonding experience between an artist and people getting the work done.
Gunnar told me, “A tattoo is a very personal experience for a lot of people. As an artist you become
acquainted with very intimate details of a stranger's life. This has really become even more prominent
since the reality tattoo shows appeared. People have become more interested in telling their story now;
where as when I started, clients would come into the tattoo shop, pick a design off the wall and then
pay and go. Now people want art created to tell their story, to define who they are or what they're into.”
Deb: Tell us about your new collaborative art project.
Gunnar: “My newest project is called 'STORY TO TELL.' The idea is that every person and place has
a story to tell. With all the traveling I do I've been lucky enough to meet and experience some great
people and places. I wanted to illustrate cross sections of those locations and cultures. Then, after I
layout my vision, fellow friends and artists apply their craft and vision. What I like is that this is
essentially a massive collaboration by artists of all backgrounds and styles where the final product will
actually be one large scale uniform image."
"The idea was born when I was visiting some friends in New Jersey. My friend Rich (owner of Empire
Tattoo in N.J.) had suggested we gather some guys to do a collaboration painting. So we called some
friends to come down and paint. I had this idea to lay out a painting of a scene containing the Jersey
Devil (local folklore in South Jersey). The original painting started as two 3x4 foot canvas panels. After I
sketched in the Jersey Devil, Rich picked up another panel and asked me to paint in the Atco Ghost,
another local legend. Then he picked up another and another. So, when it was complete the sketch
was 4x27 feet and went from Atlantic City to Philadelphia covering some of the things South Jersey is
known for. It's essentially my vision of South Jersey in a sketch, although some of the images were
added by the locals that know the area. When the sketch was complete, my friends came down and
began coloring in sections and adding their own vision."
"Anyhow, everyone seemed super excited about the project and people wanted to be a part of it.
So then I had the idea to take it on the road. I know a ton of great artists and I travel quite a bit, so it
seemed like a great idea. I'm bringing it to Southern California and Florida next. I don’t have a specific
timeline for completion, but I want every painting to be an event that brings people together. And when
the project is complete, I plan on doing a large showing of the complete painting (however long it is).”
“There is so much I like about the idea of this project. It really is a positive artistic endeavor which will
hopefully bring together a diverse group and unify them for a common goal. I want it to be something
people are proud to be part of.”
You can e-mail Gunnar at s2tproject@gmail.com to participate in the endeavor. Artists can apply no
matter what your experience or level of expertise is--just send your city and state with a description of
your abilities and five images of your work. Sponsors are also needed to keep the project moving.
Send him an email to get details on how to donate or find out about sponsorship packages.
To find out where in the world the project can be found next, go to: www.storytotellproject.com.
Deb: Tell me about your show coming up at the Rivet Gallery.
Gunnar: “I'm part of a two man show opening in February with artist Jeffrey Richter. The show is titled
'Broken Hearts and Party Hats' which is a name I've had in mind for this show for awhile. Its a
celebration of loneliness and it opens right on time for Valentine's Day.
"I knew when I decided to show again (this is my first showing in 4 years) that I wanted to go back to
the imagery that people had enjoyed originally. I felt it was a way to pay respect to the fans I've been
able to gather over the years. I had also just come out of a long term relationship and I felt like I had a
lot of thoughts I wanted to express. This show was very cathartic in that regard."
"The paintings stylistically differ from one another and the way the stories are told is very diverse.
This was a subconscious outcome, but I think it conveys the state of emotion I was in at the time.
This show was definitely more about creating an emotion that people could relate to rather than just
illustrating images. It was a difficult show for me, cause I worked in the same regard a method actor
would work. I really sunk myself into deep despair at times, trying to feel the emotion I was trying to
paint or draw, and then I would just let it come out. Like I said it was very cathartic, but I'm looking
forward to some more uplifting projects.”
The 'Broken Hearts and Party Hats' show will run Feb. 5 through Feb . 27 at The Rivet Gallery in
Columbus, located at 1200 North High Street.
See Gunnar’s portfolios and touring info at www.artofgunnar.com and become a friend of the artist at
www.facebook.com/artofgunnar. To make an appointment for a tattoo, contact High Street Tattoo at
614-294-8888.
daughters worked on a painting with me for a Star Wars tribute art show. They were so excited
knowing their art was gonna hang in a gallery.”
When he’s not touring the U.S. he can be found exclusively at his home shop: High Street Tattoo in
Columbus, Ohio. I was happy to get the opportunity to interview him between his many projects.
Deb: Which came first, painting or tattoos?
Gunnar: “I am a tattoo artist first and painter second. I didn’t actually start painting serious till about
2002. Tattooing is my career. I love it and I'm passionate about it, but its how I make my living.
Tattooing is a service industry so it is my job to make sure my client has something they love,
something that fits them and something that will last. This can be very limiting at times artistically.
I'm fortunate because my clientele tends to be very open minded and are confident enough in my
work to give me a lot of control, but painting is something I have full control over. I'm only limited by
my imagination and my skill and fortunately those seem to progress with time. I paint for me, but I
tattoo for others.”
Deb: How long have you been tattooing?
Gunnar: “Ive been a professional tattoo artist since 1997 and have been a part of the industry since
1995. I started in Connecticut while I was in college, then moved to Columbus and worked at Stained
Skin before opening Gods and Monsters. Then I closed Gods and Monsters and moved to California
before moving back here to be near my kids.”
I was curious about the bonding experience between an artist and people getting the work done.
Gunnar told me, “A tattoo is a very personal experience for a lot of people. As an artist you become
acquainted with very intimate details of a stranger's life. This has really become even more prominent
since the reality tattoo shows appeared. People have become more interested in telling their story now;
where as when I started, clients would come into the tattoo shop, pick a design off the wall and then
pay and go. Now people want art created to tell their story, to define who they are or what they're into.”
Deb: Tell us about your new collaborative art project.
Gunnar: “My newest project is called 'STORY TO TELL.' The idea is that every person and place has
a story to tell. With all the traveling I do I've been lucky enough to meet and experience some great
people and places. I wanted to illustrate cross sections of those locations and cultures. Then, after I
layout my vision, fellow friends and artists apply their craft and vision. What I like is that this is
essentially a massive collaboration by artists of all backgrounds and styles where the final product will
actually be one large scale uniform image."
"The idea was born when I was visiting some friends in New Jersey. My friend Rich (owner of Empire
Tattoo in N.J.) had suggested we gather some guys to do a collaboration painting. So we called some
friends to come down and paint. I had this idea to lay out a painting of a scene containing the Jersey
Devil (local folklore in South Jersey). The original painting started as two 3x4 foot canvas panels. After I
sketched in the Jersey Devil, Rich picked up another panel and asked me to paint in the Atco Ghost,
another local legend. Then he picked up another and another. So, when it was complete the sketch
was 4x27 feet and went from Atlantic City to Philadelphia covering some of the things South Jersey is
known for. It's essentially my vision of South Jersey in a sketch, although some of the images were
added by the locals that know the area. When the sketch was complete, my friends came down and
began coloring in sections and adding their own vision."
"Anyhow, everyone seemed super excited about the project and people wanted to be a part of it.
So then I had the idea to take it on the road. I know a ton of great artists and I travel quite a bit, so it
seemed like a great idea. I'm bringing it to Southern California and Florida next. I don’t have a specific
timeline for completion, but I want every painting to be an event that brings people together. And when
the project is complete, I plan on doing a large showing of the complete painting (however long it is).”
“There is so much I like about the idea of this project. It really is a positive artistic endeavor which will
hopefully bring together a diverse group and unify them for a common goal. I want it to be something
people are proud to be part of.”
You can e-mail Gunnar at s2tproject@gmail.com to participate in the endeavor. Artists can apply no
matter what your experience or level of expertise is--just send your city and state with a description of
your abilities and five images of your work. Sponsors are also needed to keep the project moving.
Send him an email to get details on how to donate or find out about sponsorship packages.
To find out where in the world the project can be found next, go to: www.storytotellproject.com.
Deb: Tell me about your show coming up at the Rivet Gallery.
Gunnar: “I'm part of a two man show opening in February with artist Jeffrey Richter. The show is titled
'Broken Hearts and Party Hats' which is a name I've had in mind for this show for awhile. Its a
celebration of loneliness and it opens right on time for Valentine's Day.
"I knew when I decided to show again (this is my first showing in 4 years) that I wanted to go back to
the imagery that people had enjoyed originally. I felt it was a way to pay respect to the fans I've been
able to gather over the years. I had also just come out of a long term relationship and I felt like I had a
lot of thoughts I wanted to express. This show was very cathartic in that regard."
"The paintings stylistically differ from one another and the way the stories are told is very diverse.
This was a subconscious outcome, but I think it conveys the state of emotion I was in at the time.
This show was definitely more about creating an emotion that people could relate to rather than just
illustrating images. It was a difficult show for me, cause I worked in the same regard a method actor
would work. I really sunk myself into deep despair at times, trying to feel the emotion I was trying to
paint or draw, and then I would just let it come out. Like I said it was very cathartic, but I'm looking
forward to some more uplifting projects.”
The 'Broken Hearts and Party Hats' show will run Feb. 5 through Feb . 27 at The Rivet Gallery in
Columbus, located at 1200 North High Street.
See Gunnar’s portfolios and touring info at www.artofgunnar.com and become a friend of the artist at
www.facebook.com/artofgunnar. To make an appointment for a tattoo, contact High Street Tattoo at
614-294-8888.
Home > Columns > Loud & Upfront in Columbus > Tattoo artist Gunnar Gaylord
Gaylord tattoos Ella Lugosi of Columbus' Viva! and The
Velvet Hearts at High Street Tattoo. All photos submitted.
Velvet Hearts at High Street Tattoo. All photos submitted.
