Rory ‘Feen’ O’Neill

Co-Owner & Artist

Creator and joint owner of State Of The Arts Tattoo Studio. To date I have been tattooing 12 years. Self-taught (in the beginning) and we (Ryan) have had the shop for 9 years. Multi award winning artist.

I'd say I specialise in black and grey realism... which is cool... but to be honest I love almost every variant of tattoo categories. I love trying new styles or trying to perfect them all!

Although my origins are from being a so-called scratcher; I have prided myself on continuous education in every area of tattooing... from technique to hygiene; management to hospitality.

And it feels like 11 years to be honest! What I mean is that there has been so much to learn... soo much... and I’ve a feeling there is much more to do so in the future! Can’t wait!

Looking forward to seeing what twists and turns the tattoo industry will throw at us.

I am very grateful to my family for their love and support continuously. To my shop family for their love, support and unrelenting education in art.. tattoos.. patience and shite talk! A massive thank you to all my clients also... past and present. Cheers for the trust!

Forever and always Looking forward to creating.....

Gaz

Senior Artist

Art found me at the age of 4 with a crayon in hand. Since then I have never looked back, at a young age I had dreams of being a painter, a comic artist, a concept artist.... Always i remember the inspiring words spoke to me by my geography teacher " Gaz your lucky you can draw cause you can do nothing else" lol... An with that it was off to North Wales to university where I got my degree in illustration... Since then I have worked for Gruff studios painting highly detailed action shots of motorcycle racers.

  I then moved to Ramsgate Kent where I worked for Cromptons leisure machines where I was a concept designer in charge of producing graphics for gaming machines sold around the world. Always enjoying trying new things I then moved to Denbigh where I worked for Craig Bragdy design where I held the position of head designer on several big projects including a 2 mile underpass mural installation which can still be seen in Dubai to this day. Still not wanting to settle I then moved back home and through friends I met Rory, who convinced me to give tattooing a go and the rest as they say is history. I am Lucky enough to say I am an award winning, multi-published artist, I was chosen to design the 2018 Belfast tattoo convention poster and the award and poster for the 2017 Middleton tattoo convention. I have given more of myself to art than anything else in my life, and it has given me so much in return. Art is a constant journey with so many ups and downs I have enjoyed every second so far. So, with that I will leave you with a ‘lil Jim.... Good morning, oh and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night ........

Aaron ‘Burg’ McCann

Senior Artist

From a young age, I have always loved tattoos. In school, I remember drawing my own, and even looking for machines and asking how to get into it in my final year of secondary school. Alas, I went down a temporarily different path but it always wound back to the art of tattooing. It's not something truly explainable, it's just a gut feeling that this is what I'm made to do.

When I finally decided to take the plunge,I turned up on the front door step of State of the Arts, asking for advise. With their reputation living up to their name they were the only shop I could think of I'd want to go too. I remember that smell of dettol and green soap that first day, and even to this day the wave of nostalgia when it hits again reminds me of how far I've came, and how none of us truly expected me to be a representative of our illustrious studio. I came in and got my eyes opened to the amount of work and drive needed to get someone who was at the level I was, to the level I needed to be before being considered to be fit to be considering lifting a machine. Some people may have found this daunting, or maybe, they would have thought it was too much time and effort, that ordering a machine online would be easier. Not for me. For me it lit a fire under my ass. Their constant constructive criticism and support through arduous challenges brought me farther. Their monumental effort on their part was coupled with my own belief that I could do anything. This borderline arrogance led me to take on many drawing challenges which I ultimately failed, but attacked relentlessly again and again until I achieved my goal. I always have it in my head, "No one will outwork me." This mentality has driven me to work relentlessly and listen intently. Constantly being challenged to achieve a higher level has fed my relentless drive to improve.

Being alongside my two mentors who drive each other on, has only kept me hungry because I never want to be last. Maybe this hunger stems from the fact I always knew I loved tattoos. I love tattooing.

If the covid-19 crisis taught me anything, it taught me how I took for granted how much I loved tattooing and the studio. I went back to fundamentals to keep myself sharp, and found that initial "first-love-esque" feeling come back when I remembered how buzzing I was years ago to finally do this for a living. Some tell me I have the best job in the world. I don't believe that. For me, tattooing is not a job. Its a vocation. I am willing to pour my all into this for the rest of my days, and will always strive to improve. My love for tattooing means as much to me as a tattoo will mean to a client. Often I hear "you'd much rather he doing a skull or a big portrait" and yes, we all have preferences for what we like. But, I will always put the same effort to achieve as close to perfection on whatever tattoo I have signed on for doing. Even if it is a dot, I will aim to give you the best dot tattoo ever. I will take on any piece I believe I can turn into a work of art, and whilst my main strength is in black and grey, especially realism, I do not shy away from any piece that comes my way. Being in a studio that draws so many varying types of clients gave me the opportunity to become proficient in a lot of types of tattoo styles.

I hope to take myself and my work around the globe, to experience and take inspiration from other cultures. I want to visit other shops and artists, learn different techniques and styles to bring them back to our studio and develop further.

Ryan ‘Chu’ O’Neill

Co-Owner & Manager

I left school to pursue a career in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Never did I think I would be running one of the best tattoo studios in Ireland. Both Rory and myself teamed up 8 years ago - friends from 2yrs of age. I was managing a bar at the time while Rory had a studio in Dungannon. He wanted someone to come in to do the daily running of the business and let him concentrate on the art. I knew nothing about running a studio but fancied the challenge and have found that this is by far, one of the best industries to be involved in.

Down through the years we have moved 3 times due to outgrowing the premises we were in. I believe every move was getting better and closer to where we wanted to be. This would not have been possible without the people that came in to help us push on. I would like to thank each and everyone of you who helped us achieve this. From tattooists, piercers, friends and family - Thank YOU! My job is made easier with the outstanding artists above. Could not imagine working with a better bunch of people.

I would like to also thank each and every one of our clients past and present. Without you this would not be possible. Without you we would not be able to do the job we do and continue to produce amazing tattoos, some great laughs and a lot of memories. We look forward to seeing you after this pandemic.