Trust Your Artist Series: Donovan White

Just as every tattoo has a story, so does every tattooer. This week, we spotlight artist and tattooer Donovan White of 570 Tattooing CO in Wilkes-Barre, PA and his inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and creating art through painting and tattooing.

Donovan White is not your typical tattooer. The 27-year-old tattoo artist from Wilkes-Barre PA has been tattooing for the last 8 years, but says “Tattooing has always been a dream of mine, [ever] since I was exposed to it.”. An avid artist since he was a little boy, he recalls “I got interested in tattooing when I was 12 years old and my dad got his first tattoo. As a young artist, I was blown away and knew that it was what I wanted to do.” He stays very active in his life and career, saying “No rest for the wicked. I set goals, and when I reach them I make new ones.”

Not only does Donovan’s artwork inspire us, so does his lifestyle and positive attitude. “I am an amputee as an end result of a long year and a half battle with Staph Infection from a car accident that occurred 4 years ago. I elected to have my leg taken to improve my quality of life, and to get back to living. Since that day, I haven’t looked back.” You might be asking, What’s it like, living an active life as an amputee? Donovan says, “The leg I have is a 'smart leg' - it actually has it’s own app and can be controlled by a smartphone. It even has modes to do anything from cross-country skiing to table tennis, and everything in between."

When it comes to tattoos, Donovan says “My tattoo work is a lot of realism. Mostly black and grey but I do also do color. I love any style of tattooing and always have fun with it.” His artistic skill doesn't stop there, Donovan is also a painter. "I paint [with] acrylic paint 99% of the time. My artwork work also ranges from surrealism to fine art and still life." “If I'm not tattooing I'm painting and if I'm not painting or tattooing I'm drawing." Donovan stays motivated and inspired by immersing himself in the arts, and the industry of tattooing.