Bob Shaw (1926-1993) was a legendary tattoo artist who dedicated over 51 years to the craft, beginning his journey by learning from Bert Grimm in St. Louis. He later became the owner of Bert Grimm’s World Famous Tattoo Studio in Long Beach in 1969, keeping the legacy within the Shaw family. Shaw expanded his influence by operating multiple shops near Long Beach before moving to Houston in 1979 to open Shaw’s Tattoo Studio, which his son Larry continues to run today. A pivotal figure in the industry, he served as President of the National Tattoo Association and was the third inductee into the Tattoo Hall of Fame, an award later renamed in his honor. Shaw was also known for his innovative swing-gate tattoo machine design.
