Thomas Lockhart

Thomas Lockhart is the esteemed owner and a highly accomplished artist at West Coast Tattoo in Vancouver, British Columbia. His journey into tattooing began after an early career transition, leading him to pursue a lifestyle rooted in artistry. Thomas’s passion for the craft drove him to learn from industry legends, including Don Nolan, Ed Hardy, Cliff Raven, Greg Irons, Ken Cameron, and Dave Shore, with the latter two, along with Zeke Owens, becoming key mentors. He developed a particular fascination with Oriental-style ink, traveling to Japan where he perfected his skills in Traditional Japanese-style tattooing under masters like Mitsuaki Owada (Hori Kin) and Yoshito Nakano (Horiyoshi III). He is recognized for his fine tattoo work and his thoughtful approach to the art form. Beyond his studio work, Thomas is also a sought-after theatrical tattoo artist, contributing his expertise to various film and television projects, including “The Crying Freeman.” His dedication to the art extends to a deep interest in pigment composition and toxicity, having researched the safety of various pigments. At West Coast Tattoo, Thomas curates a unique Tattoo Museum, showcasing a significant collection of rare artifacts acquired during his extensive travels, further establishing his prominent role in the tattoo world.