Lee Hanna R.I.P.

[Avery Taylor]

I just read the sad news that tattoo artist Lee Hanna passed away. I did not know him personally, but I did know his work, and I had hoped to get tattooed by him someday.

My condolences to his family and friends. He was a really fucking good tattooer.

[Bryan Burk]

Lee was a big influence on a few of my friends, although I also never met him.

my best to his friends and family

[DrewDaggers]

Tattoo Artist Magazine just posted an article about him on their blog, I'll try to find it, or if anyone else has a link for it, please share.

I just found it. http://www.tattooartistmagazineblog.com hope that works.

Christopher Lee Hanna Remembered

By Hunter Spanks

In an industry filled with clones, wannabes and egos, it is hard to find someone who stands a bit above the rest with his own swagger and style. On February 4th, 2011 the tattoo industry was dealt a blow with the loss of such a man. Lee Hanna passed away and has left a void in the industry that will be a hard one fill.

Lee was a true tattooer in every sense of the word. Hell-bent on keeping traditions of the greats before us alive and well, in a day when it seems that what it once meant to be a tattooer is truly going “out the window.” Lee had a balls-to-the-wall lifestyle and attitude, living every moment at full speed. His tattoos and paintings had the grit and feel of those from a time well before his years. He had a true passion for those who had come before him and he paved the way for all of us, truly loving the art and craft of tattooing.

I have been lucky enough to have known Lee for the past 10 years. He has been an inspiration to me as a person and artist from the first time I had met him and will continue to be for the rest of my years.

I first met Lee around 2000-2001 at Blue Flame Tattoo in Raleigh where he was doing a guest spot. What presence he had. Almost intimidating at first. Quickly realizing that looks and first impressions aren’t everything. He had a way of conducting himself that he could make the most nervous college girl feel at ease and getting her first tattoo seemed like she was a veteran and would take it like a champ.

He could also shoot it to you straight when he had to. I remember such a time that first trip when he had to with me. Two girls had come in the shop one wanting a butterfly and the other a heart. Lee took the butterfly and I took the heart. Easy enough. Well, it was there first and one wanted to sit with the other. You know that sort of thing? Well, this got my panties in a bunch. It was later in the evening and I was ready to get out of there. The butterfly went quickly and now time for the heart. They come out and Lee said, “She’s ready for her heart.”

At this point I had been there stewing about this silly situation and looked at Lee and said, “What do you want me to do about it?” Lee looks at me straight faced and a bit confused and said, “I want you to get up and tattoo this fucking heart.” Which I did. Hesitantly. Ha-ha.

We had been around each other only a couple days, but I really appreciated his straight- talk back to me when I was being a little bitch. As if to say without saying, “Stand up man. You are a fucking tattooer. Now act like one and not a little whiny art-fag bitch.”

He was also one of the most giving and kind people I have ever met despite his tough looking exterior. I was never tattooed by him, but I was able to watch him tattoo and paint on many occasions. He had given me one painting by him on that first trip to Raleigh, stained with the coffee I was drinking that day. I thought “man that’s clever” watching him tattoo with efficiency and ease that few of us have. He has left me with many a fond memory in the short 10 years I got to know him. This gives me some comfort and I know that we will be able to swap stories again. Here’s to one of the leaders in an industry of followers.

Lee Hanna: February 18, 1975 to February 4, 2011…

[Avery Taylor]

This thing is killer. Thanks for the link.

[conor blue eyes]

wow. his work was always an inspiration.

anyone know what took him?

what terrible news, especially for a father of two.

god be with his family!

[John Chandler]

I was lucky enough to actually get inked by Lee best tattoos that I have rest in peace man a true lossand a true artist

[s33ktruth]

wow. his work was always an inspiration.

anyone know what took him?

what terrible news, especially for a father of two.

god be with his family!

Heart attack

[camasuch]

First off I would like to thank everyone for their kind words. I am Lee Hanna's sister. Reading stuff about him makes me smile. You can't imagine how much I miss him! I print things off that I find written about him online. I am making a scrapbook for his daughters that he left behind. They deserve to know what a kind, caring and loving person he was. He touched so many peoples lives it's unreal! Please keep telling stories about him if you have some you would like to share!! Thanks Again!!!

[s33ktruth]

Some of the first flash I've seen when I first getting tattoed is a split set with Lee Hanna and Blake Harris (I Think). I also remember him making a sheet of flash with an awesome eagle that said "Texas is the home of players & pimps". My friend Cory tattooed it recently on someone, it's awesome.

[Dhopper]

It was weird last night, I was trying to sleep and I thought I should make a thread about artist that passed away and were still young that impacted people today! I never met Lee but I saw this morning @jenniferstell posted about Lee and had to write at least this to say he is still remembered.

Two other guys I never met but still hear about Eric Masaake and Eric Hogan.

[CultExciter]

Didn't Huck Spaulding pass?

[Dhopper]

Didn't Huck Spaulding pass?

Yes, I think there is a thread about Huck's passing.