Paul Lieberman
Tattoo Artist

     It was 1985 when New Jersey-born artist, Paul Lieberman, walked into Tony “The Pirate” Cambria’s tattoo studio for his first tattoo. He knew then that he had a passion for tattoos.  At that point, Paul had been drawing and painting for as long as he could remember.

     Paul's passion for art and music led him to the New Jersey underground art/punk rock/hardcore scene where he was involved in and played in several hardcore bands.  A few years later, some close friends, like Dave Shoemaker, Q-ball, and Don Juan, were either already tattooing or had already started their own apprenticeships.  

     Flash forward to 1994, Tradewinds Tattoos first opened their doors in Toms River, New Jersey.  Shop owner Shoe, along with Q-ball and Dave Shoemaker, unofficially started Paul’s apprenticeship.  Paul spent two years scrubbing tubes, making needles, cleaning bathrooms, and performing general shop duties while extensively studying the art and techniques of tattooing.  In 1996, the bird was kicked from the nest and sent to work at a traditional street shop in Point Pleasant, New Jersey under the study of tattoo legend Ernie Carafa at Tattoo City.  Along with the help of Paul Davis and Dozer, Paul continued to learn and grow doing walk-in-style traditional American tattooing.  One year later and it was back to Tradewinds to work with Q-ball, Tommy Foglia, and Kevin LeBlanc. Paul continued to work at Tradewinds until the shop closed its doors in 2008.  Between the years of 1999 and 2008, Paul also worked with Shoe at his Tattooville Linden, New Jersey location with one of several benefits being able to work next to tattoo giant and pioneer Jack Rudy, who called the shop his East Coast headquarters.  In 2008, Paul packed up his truck and made the move to Raleigh, North Carolina where he has happily called home since. 

     Over the years, Paul has continued to learn, experience, and grow as an artist and has prided himself on the quality of his work.  Because Paul is his own worst critic, he strives to put 100% of himself into his work, whether it’s the smallest rose or an elaborate back-piece.  Paul continues to paint and draw on a daily basis and loves to custom design tattoos for his clientele.  Paul prefers working in a traditional style of tattooing, but is not limited to or held back by the standard rules. Everything Paul does is strongly rooted with old-school techniques and modern sensibilities.