Tattoo Tony

Tattoo Tony started tattooing the the mid 80s. 

Tattoo Tony Rodriguez

Founder & Curator – Tattoo Museum of the Jersey Shore
Owner – Under My Skin Tattoo Studio, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

My Story

Anthony “Tattoo Tony” Rodriguez

Founder & Curator – Tattoo Museum of the Jersey Shore
Owner – Under My Skin Tattoo Studio, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

My Story

Anthony “Tattoo Tony” Rodriguez began his journey into tattooing in the mid-1980s, but his connection to art started long before that. Raised on the streets of Asbury Park, Tony was always drawing—constantly sketching, always creating. Family members remember him as the kid who would sit quietly in the corner with a pen and paper, completely immersed in his own world. By the time he was a pre-teen, he discovered tattooing—and from that moment on, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Determined to break into a world that wasn’t easily accessible, Tony went against advice and followed his instincts. After being told to stay away from a local tattoo shop, he did the opposite—he showed up and stayed. Sitting outside for hours, day after day, he waited for an opportunity. When the shop owner finally confronted him, Tony made it clear—he would do whatever it took to be there. That persistence paid off, and it marked the beginning of a lifelong career.

Tony earned his place the hard way. Tattooing at that time was raw, unregulated, and rooted in old-school tradition. There were no shortcuts—machines were built by hand, inks were mixed manually, and even basic sanitation looked very different than it does today. Under the mentorship of Gene Bernardo, Tony learned the fundamentals of tattooing the traditional way. Those lessons—discipline, respect for the craft, and technical skill—remain the foundation of his work to this day.

His first run in Asbury Park didn’t last—he wasn’t ready yet. But instead of giving up, Tony took his craft wherever he could. He traveled throughout Monmouth County, tattooing in bars, motels, private homes, and even his father’s strip club, Stars and Bars. Eventually, Gene gave him another shot, and Tony returned—this time becoming one of the first artists in the Long Branch shop.

That opportunity opened new doors. Tony was invited to Puerto Rico to work with a shop owned by El Indio’s family. What was supposed to be a short trip turned into a year and a half stay, allowing him to expand his experience and immerse himself deeper into the culture of tattooing. But during this time, he was also battling addiction—a struggle that would follow him for years.

In 1995, Tony hit a breaking point. After a series of mistakes and life challenges, he made the difficult decision to walk away.

Looking for a fresh start, he moved to Tennessee and opened his first studio, Anthony’s Body Expression in Cookeville. In 1999, he relocated again—this time to Florida—where he opened Tattoo Ink in Ocala. While the business grew, so did his personal struggles. His marriage eventually fell apart, and Tony returned to New Jersey determined to rebuild.

Around 2000, longtime friend George Morales gave him another opportunity at 1st Class Tattoo in Long Branch. That chance helped him get back on his feet. After leaving George’s shop, Tony went on to open Dark City Tattoo in Asbury Park with partners. But once again, personal struggles caught up to him. He lost friendships, made difficult decisions, and in 2004, he walked away from everything.

That moment became a turning point.

Tony joined a touring musician on the road, an experience that helped shift his perspective and direction in life. Eventually, he landed in Durham, North Carolina, where he opened The Iron Lily, followed by another shop—Under My Skin. For the first time in a long time, things were moving in the right direction. However, his past resurfaced, and he was extradited back to New Jersey over an old bond.

After resolving that situation, Tony made one more attempt to open a shop in Bradley Beach, New Jersey—but it didn’t succeed. Then life gave him something far more important: he found out he was going to be a father.

On January 7, 2008, Tony opened Under My Skin Tattoo Studio. Just five days later, he became a father. That moment changed everything.

From that point forward, Tony committed himself fully—to his craft, his business, and his son. He has remained clean since 2004 and continues to dedicate his life to tattooing and personal growth. Under his leadership, the studio has grown into a respected, award-winning shop known for its professionalism, strong artistic standards, and deep respect for tattoo tradition.

Today, Tony is also the founder and curator of the Tattoo Museum of the Jersey Shore—a project dedicated to preserving the legacy of tattooing, especially the artists who helped shape New Jersey’s rich tattoo history. Through artifacts, education, and storytelling, he is committed to keeping those traditions alive for future generations.

 

Press & Publications

• Tattoo Savage – 1995 (#7), 2009 (#99), 2011 (#116)

• Tattoo Review – #140

• Tattoo Society – #15, Lucky #13

• Tattoos for Men – #83

• Tattoos for Women – #99

• Skin Art Magazine – 2021 (#177)

• Tabu Tattoo – #43

• Tattooed Lifestyle – 2012 (#2)

• Fastlane Biker Magazine – Multiple issues (2010–2011)

• Rock Thiz Magazine – December 2008

Additional Features:

• Asbury Park Press

• The Aquarian

• Full Throttle Magazine

• National Tattoo Association Newsletter

• Bret Michaels Official Website – August 8, 2013

 

Awards & Recognition

 Asbury Park Press Best of the Best Tattoo Studio – 2011–2024
The Chapel of Four Chaplains – February 2025
Numerous tattoo convention awards and trophies from the late 1990s to present

 

Celebrity Clients

• Bret Michaels

• Ricky Medlocke

• Peter Keys

• Ted Poley

• Jon Rechner

• Afa Anoa’i Jr.

• Samu Anoa’i

• Gene Snitsky

• Scott Bigelow

• Vaitanoa Lloyd Anoa’i

• Butch Patrick

 

TV & Film Appearances

• Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It

• Celebrity Apprentice

• Oddities

• The Comedian

 

Now

Today, Tony continues to tattoo full-time, build custom machines, and expand both his studio and museum. With over four decades in the industry, his career stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and respect for the roots of tattooing.

From the streets of Asbury Park to becoming a respected artist, shop owner, and museum curator—it’s been a long road.

And he’s still going.

 

Contact

Under My Skin Tattoo Studio
73 Memorial Parkway
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
(732) 872-4092

 www.undermyskintat2.com
 www.facebook.com/Tattootonyrodriguez
 www.instagram.com/undermyskintat2