Meet Marques Anthony | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marques Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marques, why did you pursue a creative career?
I believe we’re all here to create in some way—and for me, that way is tattooing. It’s more than just art; it feels like my purpose. Every time someone sees their new tattoo in the mirror and lights up, it reminds me that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. That moment, that reaction—it’s what drives me.

I also wanted a skill that no one could take away from me. I’ve worked plenty of 9–5s, and getting laid off for no real reason never sat right with me. Tattooing gave me something solid—something that’s mine. No matter where I go or what happens, I’ll always have this craft to support myself. That freedom, that independence—it’s priceless.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a tattoo artist who specializes in black and grey realism and portrait work. What sets me apart is my attention to detail—I’m obsessed with making each piece as perfect as possible, down to the smallest things, like the eyelashes in a portrait. I want every tattoo to feel alive, like it’s telling a story.

My path into tattooing wasn’t traditional. Most artists start with an apprenticeship in a shop, learning directly from a mentor. That wasn’t the case for me. When I started looking for an apprenticeship back in 2012, it wasn’t easy. I heard a lot of “no’s,” dealt with people who didn’t have the time, or were charging insane amounts of money just to teach. So, I taught myself.

I stayed up night after night watching videos—how to stay clean, how to be sterile, what tools I needed. And of course, I studied artists working, analyzing every move. I’d be up watching tattoo videos until 4 a.m. just trying to soak it all in.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is simple: never give up on what you want to do in life. It’s not going to be easy—nothing real ever is. But you never know how close you are to your breakthrough if you quit too soon. Life’s going to test you, but if you love what you do and stay committed, it’ll pay off.

I want the world to know that my story is about building something from nothing. No handouts, no shortcuts. Just passion, patience, and persistence. That’s what my brand stands for—and that’s what every piece I do represents.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend pulled up to the city, I’m giving them the real Atlanta experience. None of that touristy, watered-down stuff. We doing it right.

Day 1 –
Soon as they land, we grabbing Slutty Vegan—that’s a must. First stop, get ‘em some food with flavor. Then hit up Ponce City Market rooftop to catch the city view, grab a drink, and set the tone for the week.

Day 2 –
They gotta come to the shop, off rip. Might even bless ‘em with a piece if they feeling bold. Then we sliding through the BeltLine—checking out murals, street art, maybe swing by Trap Music Museum. ATL is full of inspiration if you know where to look.

Day 3 –
To break up the city energy, we out to Stone Mountain. Get that headspace right. After the hike, hit South City Kitchen or Negril ATL

Day 4 –
We kicking it in Little Five Points for sure. Dinner at Busy Bee Café—OG soul food. Might slide through Apache XLR that night for live music or an open mic. The culture’s heavy over there.

Day 5 –
Whole day dedicated to food. Atlanta Breakfast Club in the morning, BQE or Old Lady Gang for lunch, and dinner at Poor Calvin’s or Twisted Soul. Just eating good all day.

Day 6 –
This the reset day. Hit Piedmont Park and chill. Then hookah at iLounge or Encore, just laid back catching a vibe with good convo.

Day 7 –
Last night, we doing it big. Either a concert, or a Hawks game if it lines up. ATL don’t sleep, so we ending it with energy. Might end up at Magic City—depends how we feeling

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this to my mom and dad. Without their love and support, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. They were behind me 100% when I first started thinking about becoming a tattoo artist. They even gave me a space to work from before I ever stepped foot in a professional shop. That belief they had in me—it meant everything. I owe my career to them.

They saw something in me before the world did, and that kind of support is something I’ll never take for granted.

Instagram: @Marqanthony.tattoo

Image Credits
All images by Marques Anthony