March 14, 2017

Meet Todo Brennan of ABT Tattoo in Mcdonough

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Todo Brennan.

Todo, the founding artist of ABT Tattoo/ABT Productions, has been Tattooing since 1977. Despite this, he didn’t choose it for a career until the 80’s when in Huntington Beach, California. Todo and his wife Denise took to the road where they have met and worked with a few prestigious tattoo studios. Todo learned many different styles in tattooing while traveling, and In 1993, won best overall artist at Hollywood California’s Ink Slingers Ball. The award-winning tattoo was a photo realistic rendition of a Sorayama robot girl. Since then, photo realism has been Todo’s forte’, from portraits to bio mechanical. Todo gives credit for his achievements to Skin Deep Tattoo in Hawaii, Superior Skin Art in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Sacred Heart in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit also goes to Artist’s such as Taunee Beekman (may she rest in peace), Joe Satterwhite, Tony Olivas, Winona Martin, Wild Bill and his list of “Celebrity Clients”, Slash of “Guns and Roses”, Scott Weiland and Dean Deleo of “Stone Temple Pilots”, Joe Perry of “Aerosmith”, Toad of the “All American Rejects”, The Foo Fighters, No Doubt, Ministry, and Slipknot among many others,

Today, Todo B and Denise own ABT Tattoo in McDonough, Georgia. ABT Tattoo has been voted the Best Tattoo Studio in Georgia for the last 5 years by the Kudzu review board. We specialize in Photo Realism, Portraits, Animal Portraits, Bio Organic, Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Surrealistic and Steampunk based designs. We also have a rotating gallery of original Paintings, Digital art and Charcoal drawings that are on display at ABT Tattoo.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road through the tattoo industry has been a tremendous challenge at times. Getting my foot in the door was the first hurtle that I had to overcome. Starting out in the 1980’s it was impossible for me to get into any of the studios around Southern California, let alone get them to take me seriously enough to accept me as an apprentice. A few even quite literally pushed me out the door, laughing in my face. It wasn’t until after I subjected myself, and a few of my willing friends to the agony of my days beginning as a scratcher, that Taunee Beekman (Owner of Skin Deep Tattoo, Maui) saw my potential and offered me a job in 1991. And yes, I still wear the reminders of my beginning on my own flesh. Luckily, Taunee took me under her wing and taught me the professional side of the industry. She introduced me to some amazing techniques and people. The road has been far from smooth, but I feel if it hadn’t been for the problems I faced along the way, I wouldn’t have been pushed so hard to become the artist that I am now. I am a very thankful man, not only for the people of my past that have given me a chance, but also for my current crew. Finding the right fit for our unique and diverse family has proven to be a challenge at times. Erika, David and Gabby, all with their individual talents and personalities, fuse together to make a harmonious work environment. That’s something that I can truly say is no longer a challenge.

Please tell us about ABT Tattoo.
ABT Tattoo is an all custom tattoo studio where your individuality is always welcome and encouraged. Our peaceful art gallery atmosphere is one of the many reasons people feel comfortable here. Because of this, ABT has remained a premiere Tattoo Studio for the last eleven years and has been voted the best tattoo shop in Georgia via client reviews for the last 5 years running. Our crew strives to make your experience with us as effortlessly comfortable as possibly. Our hospitable staff sets us apart by going above and beyond to make sure all of your questions and concerns are met with knowledgeable and accurate information. This studio isn’t just dedicated to delivering beautiful pieces of customized artwork, but also providing the community with a relaxing escape from everyday life.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There is quite literally a million different answers that I could give to this question. I’m pretty sure anyone with an option would go back and change something in their life. But honestly. I think the main thing that I regret and truly do wish I could change is the fact that I permanently marked some of my closest friends and even my own skin, before I was worthy enough to even hold a tattoo machine. Oddly enough, now a days it’s actually illegal to do what I did back in the 80’s by tattooing outside of a studio and without a license. I wish I hadn’t done what I did back then, I should’ve pushed harder to get my apprenticeship in a studio before I ever put a machine to actual skin. But, I guess that’s where the expression ‘young and dumb’ comes from!

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