Shaw’s Tattoo Studio, a beloved institution on Westheimer and Dunlavy in Houston, has officially closed its doors after 45 years of operation. The closure follows the retirement of its longtime owner and artist, Larry Shaw, who has dedicated 54 years to the art of tattooing.
Larry Shaw reflected on his journey, stating, “I’ve been tattooing 54 years, I’ve been in that location 45 [years], and I just turned 70. So I thought, ‘It’s time, so I can enjoy whatever years I have left.’” Shaw’s Tattoo Studio, which opened in 1979, holds the distinction of being Houston’s first licensed tattoo shop, a testament to its historical significance in the local tattoo scene.
Shaw is not just an artist; he is the son of renowned tattoo artist Bob Shaw and began his tattooing career alongside his father at Bert Grimm’s legendary shop in Long Beach, California. Larry got his first tattoo at 14 and was fully inked by 16, embodying the passion that would define his career.
Over the decades, Shaw earned numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Body Art Expo in Houston and the Bob Shaw Award from the National Tattoo Association in April 2013. His studio has also attracted various famous clients; notable mentions include former Rockets player Matt Bullard and Texas tattoo artist Johnny Jackson, who inked Shaquille O’Neal’s iconic tattoos during his time at Shaw’s.
As Shaw reflects on the closing of his studio, he expresses mixed emotions, saying, “I’m going to miss the shop and the clientele, which has changed a lot, but there are still some good people.” He acknowledges that the studio was not just a workplace but a passion project that occupied his daily life.
Despite the shop’s closure, Larry Shaw’s legacy will continue through his son, Larry Shaw II, who operates 3rd Generation Ink in the Heights. The closure sign encourages patrons to visit his son’s shop for continued access to Shaw’s designs. Larry Shaw II, who worked at Shaw’s for 22 years before opening his own shop in 2013, stated, “I would love to have taken over his shop [on top of 3rd Generation].”
Larry Shaw II has preserved elements of the original studio, including neon signs and flash sheets, which are now available at 3rd Generation Ink. This connection ensures that the artistry and spirit of Shaw’s Tattoo Studio remain alive in the Houston tattoo community.
Word of Larry Shaw’s retirement has spread beyond Texas, with inquiries and concerns coming from tattoo enthusiasts as far as New York and California. “I’m up and alive,” he reassured, adding, “I just want to sleep in.”
While Shaw’s Tattoo Studio may have closed, its legacy continues through the passion and commitment of both Larry Shaw and his son. The studio’s impact on the Houston tattoo scene and the personal stories woven into its walls will be remembered by clients and artists alike.
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