My name is Allan Buhl. I was born in Ecuador to a Latin mother and a German father. I moved to the United States when I was two years old and was raised in South Florida ever since, right here in Fort Lauderdale. I was raised in a culturally diverse family. I fell in love with art at a young age because my cousin Gabriel, who passed away in his 20s, was a talented artist. As a child, I was inspired by Gabriel, his artistic talents, and always looked up to him. It wasn't until years later that I decided to pursue art and tattooing.
I am a dedicated tattoo artist, tried and true. I apprenticed under local artists who primarily worked in the traditional style of tattooing for over 4 years, the old-school way. The apprenticeship made me who I am, and I owe everything I am as a tattooer to my mentors who guided me through this journey. I earned my way by learning all of the ins and outs of tattooing. This includes line work, saturation, and composition. I was trained to be able to tattoo anything and everything my clients request and continue to do so in my shop.
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Now, ten years into my career, I specialize in a few different styles, mostly black and gray realism and Chicano-style tattooing. I love to work in grayscale and create soft, smooth, and rich portrait-style work. There's something so special for me in a portrait tattoo.
Being able to give someone a tattoo of a loved one that they can cherish forever is the most amazing thing to me! I also really enjoy American traditional style tattooing, creating bold, clean, and crisp style tattoos. Sometimes I like to mix the styles together, creating something special.
For instance, a portrait with some solid line work or a heavily saturated background. I just can't get enough of it! Lastly, I have always found single-needle and fine line tattooing fascinating. Some of the older guys would say "they don't last", or "it'll be gone in a year" and, "you're wasting your time". My response would be, as long as you're doing them correctly they can last just as long as any tattoo out there.
I have seen 20-year-old fine line tattoos that look just as good as a 20-year-old traditional tattoo. Application, knowledge, and first-hand understanding are very important when it comes to the different styles. When I am not tattooing, you can find me with my family, probably at the beach. My heart belongs to both of them.
My family enjoys making art with me and often hangs at the shop to share moments and make memories. My life is inundated with tattoos; I wake up thinking about them, fall asleep looking at tattoos. The most important thing I was taught when I was learning under my mentors was that "you are only as good as your last tattoo." I live by that. It helps me put my all into everything I do, small or big. When you come to me, I am giving you all my years of expertise and hard work and placing them into your tattoo.
After years of working for others and traveling, I decided that it was time I opened my own shop. In the midst of a pandemic, right before the COVID lockdown, I founded Heat Wave Tattoo. A place where artists can thrive and not feel like they're being squeezed for everything they are worth. A happy and inspiring place where artists come to do what they love.
That's what Heat Wave Tattoo is. A family shop where we are family by blood and love. A shop that is culturally inspired from all over the world with incredibly talented individuals who love what they do and are passionate about tattoos. A place filled with passion, family, and a deep love for our craft. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my sanctuary.
