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Nicholas Humberto Hurtado, known as Nikko Hurtado, is an American tattoo artist who specializes in colored portraiture. His signature hyper-realistic color portraits have made him a renowned figure in the tattoo industry with a massive celebrity client list. He has numerous television appearances on shows such as LA Ink, Tattoo Wars, and Ink Master, becoming a judge on Ink Master in 2022. Hurtado is the founder of Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia, California, and Black Anchor Los Angeles in Hollywood, California, both within Black Anchor Worldwide.

History

Background

Hurtado was born to a Mexican welder and Hispanic housemaker in the San Fernando Valley, California on March 12, 1981. Hurtado was drawn to art early and develop his drawing abilities through art classes at Pasadena's Center for the Arts with a friend, tattooer Mike Demasi. It was a visit to Demasi at Art Junkies Tattoo Studio in Hesperia which springboarded him on a tattoo journey where he started apprenticing in 2002. He has tattooed around the globe and given many instructional seminars about the use of his color theory and technique.

Personal life

Hurtado is married to Joanne and is a father of three.

Career

Hurtado opened his own tattoo shop in 2010, Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia, California. He opened his new location Black Anchor in Los Angeles, California on Melrose Ave in 2017. He has been featured on LA Ink and Ink Master, as well as several instructional DVDs. Hurtado has become known as the go-to artist for color realism tattoos. His celebrity clients include Vanessa Bryant, Sean Combs, Dwayne Johnson, Drake, and Wale.

Awards & Recognition

Hurtado's first gained tattoo recognition in 2003 when a client entered the Pomona Tattoo Portrait Contest and placed first with Hurtado's color rendition of Batman.

In 2012, Hurtado participated as a jury member for the Chaudesaigues Award, an award that recognizes the career and the artistic choices of a tattoo artist.

Hurtado first solo art show in 2013 was titled "Renati" and shown at Corpro Gallery in Santa Monica, California.

TV Appearances

Hurtado has appeared on three episodes of LA Ink with Kat Von D.

In 2022, Hurtado became a judge for the 14th season of Ink Master, which began airing on September 7, 2022. Hurtado returned as a judge for Ink Master season 15, which premiered on November 1, 2023.

See also

• List of tattoo artists

References

1. Marshall, Candice. "Body art at the beach". ABC Gold Coast. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
2. ^ "Tattoo their name on your body if you love them. Get their face if you really care". Los Angeles Times. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
3. ^ "Bio". Nikko Hurtado. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
4. ^ "Nikko Hurtado". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
5. Shafer, Ellise (2022-08-05). "'Ink Master' to Return in September on Paramount+, With Joel Madden as New Host". Variety. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
6. Staff, Inked Mag (2022-08-05). "'Ink Master' is Back and You Won't Believe the New Judges". InkedMag. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
7. "BLACK ANCHOR WORLDWIDE". BLACK ANCHOR WORLDWIDE. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
8. ^ Zarvsky, Oleg. "Legendary Nikko Hurtado | iNKPPL". inkppl.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
9. ^ "In Conversation With: Nikko Hurtado". AugustMan Singapore. 2018-06-25. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
10. Killer Ink Tattoo (2017-11-14), Killer Ink Tattoo at London Tattoo Convention 2017, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2018-01-22
11. "Coach Mike Bayer". Coach Mike Bayer. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
12. "Nikko Hurtado - Flesh Art". Lowrider Arts. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
13. "CHEECH IS UP IN SMOKE!!!". Juxtapoz Magazine. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
14. "'I Was Truly Honored To Do It': Los Angeles Tattoo Artist Nikko Hurtado Discusses Tattooing Vanessa Bryant, His Passion For Portraits Of Kobe And His Connection With Clients - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. 2020-08-25. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
15. "Nikko Hurtado - Honorary Member of the Chaudesaigues Award". www.chaudesaigues-award.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
16. ^ "Nikko Hurtado". Tattoos and the tattooed. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
17. "Nicholas Hurtado". Art Renewal Center. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
18. Preston, Devon (2019-08-08). "Miami, NY, and LA Ink: Where are They Now?". InkedMag. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
19. "'Ink Master' Judge Nikko Hurtado Talks 'New Level' of Artistry Coming to Season 15 (Exclusive)". Streaming. November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-18.

External links

• Official site
• Nikko Hurato Biographical Feature on TattooDesigns.net

• American tattoo artists
• Participants in American reality television series
• Living people
• 1981 births
• Male tattoo artists