Max Murphy is a talented tattoo artist from Chicago, Illinois, who brings a fresh perspective to illustrative tattooing. Before starting his tattoo career, Max earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the University of Illinois and worked as a graphic designer for five years. This experience helped him develop a strong sense of composition, which became the foundation of his unique tattoo style.

Each of Max’s tattoos is a unique work of art, created with meticulous attention to detail. His style can be described as a synthesis of various elements, techniques, and graphic design. Skillful use of color and negative space, as well as excellent compositional solutions, make his works truly memorable.

Max draws inspiration from various sources: traditional Japanese textile patterns, folklore, anime, the plant and animal world, science fiction, fantasy, and video games. This diversity of themes allows him to create distinctive and harmonious compositions.

An important element of Max Murphy’s style is the use of negative space, which allows him to create visually interesting and balanced images. Negative space helps highlight key design elements and adds depth and volume to his tattoos.

Max actively incorporates traditional Japanese patterns into his work. These patterns add sophistication and complexity to his tattoos, making them even more appealing.

In February 2023, Max Murphy became a co-owner of Living Lore Tattoo, which he founded together with tattoo artist Robyn Jones. The studio is located in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA.