Nikko Hurtado

Nikko Hurtado
Born
Nicholas Humberto Hurtado

(1981-03-12) March 12, 1981
San Fernando Valley, California, U.S.
Other namesNicholas, Nick
Occupations
  • Tattoo artist
  • reality television personality

Nicholas Humberto Hurtado, known as Nikko Hurtado, is an American tattoo artist who specializes in colored portraiture.[1] His signature hyper-realistic color portraits have made him a renowned figure in the tattoo industry with a massive celebrity client list.[2] He has numerous television appearances on shows such as LA Ink, Tattoo Wars, and Ink Master,[3][4] becoming a judge on the lattermost in 2022.[5][6] Hurtado is the founder of Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia, California, and Black Anchor Los Angeles in Hollywood, California,[3][2] both within Black Anchor Worldwide.[7]

History

Background

Hurtado was born to a Mexican welder and a Hispanic housemaker in the San Fernando Valley, California, on March 12, 1981.[3][8] Hurtado was drawn to art early[9] and developed his drawing abilities through classes with his friend, tattooer Mike Demasi, at the Art Center of Pasadena. He was propelled into a tattooing career by a visit to Demasi in his Art Junkies Tattoo Studio in Hesperia.[3][8][10] It was there where he started apprenticing in 2002.[3] He has tattooed around the globe[11] and given many instructional seminars about the use of his color theory and technique.

Personal life

Hurtado is married to Joanne,[12] the mother of his three children.[9]

Career

Hurtado opened his own tattoo shop in 2010, Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia. He opened a new Black Anchor location on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, California, in 2017.[3] He has been featured on LA Ink and Ink Master, as well as several instructional DVDs.[13][14] Hurtado has become known as a go-to artist for color realism tattoos. His celebrity clients include Vanessa Bryant, Sean Combs, Dwayne Johnson, Drake, and Wale.[15]

Awards & Recognition

Hurtado first gained tattoo recognition in 2003 when a client entered the Pomona Tattoo Portrait Contest and he placed first with his color rendition of Batman.[3]

In 2012, Hurtado participated as a jury member for the Chaudesaigues Award,[16][17] an award that recognizes the career and the artistic choices of a tattoo artist.

Hurtado's first solo art show was titled "Renati" and shown at Copro Gallery[18] in Santa Monica, California, in 2013.[19]

TV Appearances

Hurtado appeared on three episodes of LA Ink with Kat Von D.[17][20]

In 2022, Hurtado became a judge on the 14th season of Ink Master, which began airing on September 7, 2022. Hurtado returned as a judge for season 15, which premiered on November 1, 2023.[21] Season 16 premiered on October 23, 2024.

See also

References

  1. ^ Marshall, Candice. "Body art at the beach". ABC Gold Coast. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b Zarvsky, Oleg. "Legendary Nikko Hurtado | iNKPPL". inkppl.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  9. ^ a b "In Conversation With: Nikko Hurtado". AugustMan Singapore. 2018-06-25. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  10. ^ "Art Junkies". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  11. ^ 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
  12. ^ "Coach Mike Bayer". Coach Mike Bayer. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  13. ^ "Nikko Hurtado - Flesh Art". Lowrider Arts. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  14. ^ "CHEECH IS UP IN SMOKE!!!". Juxtapoz Magazine. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  15. ^ "'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.
  16. ^ "Nikko Hurtado - Honorary Member of the Chaudesaigues Award". www.chaudesaigues-award.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  17. ^ a b "Nikko Hurtado". Tattoos and the tattooed. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  18. ^ "Copro Gallery". Copro Gallery. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  19. ^ "Nicholas Hurtado". Art Renewal Center. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  20. ^ Preston, Devon (2019-08-08). "Miami, NY, and LA Ink: Where are They Now?". InkedMag. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  21. ^ "'Ink Master' Judge Nikko Hurtado Talks 'New Level' of Artistry Coming to Season 15 (Exclusive)". Streaming. November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
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