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
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 ........
Conor Williamson
Artist
I’ve had an interest in art as long as I remember , doodling on myself, my friends and everything around the house. I studied GCSE art in school but was always being pushed down different paths which wouldn’t have benefited me in the long run as I always knew what I wanted to do and didn’t want to waste time.
I decided to start focusing on the art of tattooing in my own time while doing a placement to hold me over, I was then lucky enough through the course I was doing to then be able to get work experience here at State of the Arts Tattoo studio at 17 where I still am today learning and progressing daily. I feel privileged to have such an early start in the industry and look forward to what is to come in the future.
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 14 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.