Cigar World's Artisan's Corner: Luke Wessman - Tattoo Artist, Designer, and Man of Influence

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For this Artisan’s Corner, we wanted to bring some attention to Luke Wessman, especially since it is National Tattoo Day. Luke is a renowned tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and cigar enthusiast. We were lucky enough to get in touch with him, even with his insane schedule, which includes his full-time tattoo job, golf hobby, brand collaborations, traveling, and more.

Jean: Luke, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today.

Luke: Of course, I love cigars and am honored to be profiled by you guys.

Jean: You are a busy guy. Let’s start by discussing your career as a tattoo artist. How did you get started, what inspired you, and why tattooing?

Luke: Well, that’s a long answer. Let me see if I can give you the short version. I come from very humble beginnings, and as a kid, whenever I was bored, my mom would always tell me to draw. So, my life has been rooted in art for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a rough area, I started getting tattooed at 15 years old. For me, I thought of tattoos like armor—a way to look tough as I navigated hometown gangs that would look for any reason to test you. As I got more and more tattoos, I started to meet other artists and get introduced to various styles of tattoos and tattoo art.

I became friends with a tattooer who moved into my hometown around 17 years old, and he asked me if I wanted to learn how to tattoo. I was caught off guard by this proposal but intrigued at the same time. Ultimately, I said yes and began a year-and-a-half apprenticeship, which led me to learn at a legendary tattoo shop in downtown San Diego. I started my career tattooing gangsters, bums, sailors, pimps, and prostitutes. It was the perfect start.

Jean: I see that you have been on some successful reality television shows. Can you elaborate on these?

Luke: Yes, I was fortunate enough to work at “Miami Ink” in its heyday, then after that “New York Ink,” and also appeared as a guest judge on “Ink Master.” All of these have been great stepping stones in my career.

Jean: Your artistic skills have set you up for success, doing different collaborations with many brands such as Hermes, Harley-Davidson, Topps, Urban Decay, Spotify, and Sailor Jerry. Do you have a favorite brand you have worked with?

Luke: Although I’ve been very happy and proud to have collaborated in different ways with some awesome brands, I’d have to say nothing has beaten my current partnership with Monster Energy. Over the last year and a half, they have proven in multiple ways that they are by far one of the most exceptional companies to work with. They are definitely my favorite.

Jean: And with all these opportunities, you still tattoo. That is honorable. It’s hard on your body to tattoo people for as many years as you have. You must really love this art medium.

Luke: You’re right; it is very hard on the body. I have a spinal surgery to prove it! Haha. I do love this form of art. I love the people I get to sit with, and I love being able to bring people’s ideas to life. 25 years and counting in this business.

Jean: What is the most memorable tattoo you have done on someone?

Luke: Well, I’d have to say the first tattoo I ever did on anyone was a nautical star on my older brother. The reality of the permanence hit me at that moment—the blood, the no room for error, all of that. I’ll never forget that first one. Then, one on the actor Tom Hardy’s hand was pretty cool, too.

Jean: Okay, so let’s move on to cigars! I found you on Instagram because of all the photos you posted smoking different cigars. What is your favorite cigar to smoke?

Luke: So, I have a few favorites for different reasons. I’ll name a few that I always have with me in my travel case (which holds about 6 to 8 sticks): Tatuaje, Room 101, Davidoff, Casa Del Tabaco (current favorite), Hiram & Solomon (being a Freemason, I love having a couple of those on deck), and I also keep an Acid or a Leather Rose for my lady or a friend that doesn’t really smoke as a gateway, so to speak. I still really like the discovery of finding new great ones, so I try new ones often.

Jean: Do you have a particular time of the day and drink you like to pair with your cigar?

Luke: Anytime between 9 am and 2 am, usually. On the golf course, I’ll pair one with a transfusion; at home, I’ll pair it with a nice rum like Diplomatico (Reserva Exclusiva) or lately an Irish Mule; at the cigar lounge, I’m usually pairing with a Dr. Pepper.

Jean: Maybe a partnership with a cigar brand is in your future. 😊 So, I want to discuss another project that you work on, the Lost Art of the Gentleman. Can you explain to everyone exactly what this is all about?

Luke: Well, I sure do hope so. As a cigar lover, I’d love to get more involved with the community. I started my Lost Art of the Gentleman back in 2013 while I was living in New York City. I started building a community of like-minded people based around some classic values and often forgotten aspects of what I believe to be core attributes of gentlemanly conduct. Most of the time, people focus more on the looks and accessories of a gentleman but rarely the deeper, more meaningful parts like how a man carries himself in public, his value system, and his code of ethics. Long story short, LAG is a community of like-minded men and women who realize there is a lack of general principles and core values being talked about in modern society and who are unified for the greater good.

Jean: What inspired you to start doing this?

Luke: Dating in NYC in my 30s, I was inspired by how just treating people—and women more specifically—with manners and chivalry blew people’s minds. It was there, as a single man, that I really felt a need to promote more of what I believe to be core values of a gentleman, not just suits, watches, and yachts.

Jean: Ultimately, where do you want to see this movement go?

Luke: Currently, I’m working with my business partner and dear friend Buddha, and we’re slowly looking at new opportunities to spread the brand out across more categories for tangible items for the following that wants to support our messages through various products that align with our values and hobbies. Perhaps cigars will be in there too!

Jean: I am excited to see what comes of all your hard work on this. Congrats. You deserve all the good vibes that have come your way.

Luke: Thank you for taking an interest and the time to ask me these questions. I hope the cigar world sees a lot more of me in the future.

Jean: Thank you so much again for taking the time to chat with me.

Luke: Thanks again.

"The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion." -TP

www.lukewessman.com
LostArtOfTheGentleman

Want to win an original Luke Wessman print? Head on over to our Instagram to enter for a chance to win, here.