Jonathan Shaw

Jonathan D. Shaw is a New York-born tattoo artist and writer, best known for his innovative tribal tattoos in the early nineties and his contributions as founder and managing editor of International Tattoo Art Magazine for several years.

Born in New York City, Shaw moved to Los Angeles, CA with his mother Doris Dowling at an early age. During this time Shaw was estranged from his biological father, the jazz musician Artie Shaw.

Jonathan spent a short time tattooing in Los Angeles, New Orleans and Miami before returning to his hometown of New York City where he was introduced to tattooist Spider Webb. He worked as a tattooist in Webb’s studio until he opened his own studio on 1st Street and 1st Avenue on New York's Lower East Side.

Shaw worked out of his own studio by appointment only on 1st Avenue and 1st Street until 1991, when he opened the first store-front, public tattoo parlor in New York City, Fun City Tattoo. Located at 94 St. Mark's Place in the East Village, Fun City served clients like Johnny Depp, Joe Coleman (painter), Dee Dee Ramone, Howie Pyro, Johnny Winter, Jim Jarmusch, Albert and David Maysles and Max Cavalera. In 2001, Shaw sold Fun City and moved back to Rio de Janeiro to focus solely on a writing career.

During the time Jonathan was the owner of Fun City, he became managing editor of International Tattoo Art Magazine. The magazine is self-described as "the last word on tattoo art from around the world," containing "in-depth historical research, fascinating interviews and exclusive profiles of today's cutting edge artists."

Jonathan began working on his first novel, "Narcisa Our Lady of Ashes," in July 2007. The novel was released by Heartworm Press on July 1, 2008. The story is a fictional account of a middle-aged "gypsy" named Cigano and his relationship with a prostitute and crack cocaine addict. The evolving work and characters are continued through short stories on Jonathan's blog, Scabvendor.

Shaw's second published book, "Love Songs to the Dead," was released by Heartworm Press in October, 2009.