Meet Tyrone “Red” Cooley of East Point GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyrone “Red” Cooley.

Hi Tyrone “Red”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hello my name is Tyrone “Red” Cooley owner/artist at Tri-Cities Tattoo Co. Former owner of the legendary West End Tattoo in Atlanta. I started my tattoo journey in 1995 @ Electric Ladyland Tattoo in New Orleans LA. I specialize in traditional tattooing.I work with two other very talented artists. “Danger” Dave Morris of Inkmasters season 6 fame and triple OG and longtime colleague and collaborator Lord Yatta. Betweeen the three of us we can deliver on any tattoo style from photo realism to color and traditional. We have been tattooing in East Point since 2015. Covid hit us hard like most of the industry but we are still hanging in there trying to provide professional clean tattooing services to an underserved community here in southwest ATL. We often have community art exhibits and community events. Recently had an event titled “Can Control”. This exhibition was curated by Lord Yatta and his lovely wife Kimberly “Warrior Mama” Stewart-Lucas. The exhibit challenged local artists/ participants to paint/art on spray cans. The show will be running till the end of Dec. We have a live art workshop and an artist talk before a final closing event. We have more group and solo exhibitions planned for 2026! Tri-Cities Tattoo is open Tue-Sat from 12-7pm we take walk/ins and appointments! Southwest side hidden gem just minutes away from Hartsfeild-Jackson Airport.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Had to shut down a thriving business in West End because of an unfortunate attempted robbery. Like I mentioned previously Covid also hit us hard. Covid shutdown somehow flooded the market with novice would be tattooers. That along with fake social media tattoo /scratcher profiles have really hurt the industry. As with all service professions the “Color line” a long with its accompanying wealth disparity is a challenge. Example when I first came to Atlanta I was told that my work looked good but was encouraged to go see the white lady who catered to a black clientele. That white lady was “Julia Alphonso” owned and operated West End. She retired and I ended up taking over three years later. The current economic climate makes business bad for everyone just like every economic downturn Black people get the worst of it Covid was no exception. 40 percent of black small businesses closed their doors during the pandemic. So for now we just keep on doing clean work in a clean space and keep our prices fair.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Primarily I’m a tattoo artist but I also draw and paint. I specialize in traditional tattooing, bold lines and smooth shading. I apprenticed in a street shop so I had to be well versed in all styles of tattooing, so I can do it all. I like to use water colors and acrylics but it really depends on what I’m trying to do. I sometimes make use of the new digital mediums like Procreate. I have an art ‘alias’ “Dot’s Lines and Polygons” pen on paper where I use pointillism and geometric shapes fused with organic life forms . I’m most proud of being self /employed for 30 years doing what I love to do which is making cool shit with my hands! Also get to work with some of the most talented and downright coolest Artists in the city!!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have to give credit to Bobby Love Retired who apprenticed me and Lynn, Ernie Gosnell(Divorced now) and Annette Larue for giving me the opportunity to learn the ropes and see how to run a street shop properly. Also have to give a big shout out to Miya Bailey for his support and including me in his film about black tattooers “Color Outside the Lines” lastly I’d have to thank Jackie Gresham owner/artist “Art Accent Tattoo” LA for the representation and inspiration to do this at a top level!

Pricing:

• Shop min $100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tricitiestattoo.com
• Instagram: @tricitiestattoo
• Facebook: @tricitiestattoo

Image Credits
Tyrone”Red” Cooley