THE family of world-renowned tattoo artist Lee John Clements, have paid tribute to him following his death, aged 42, on Monday, December 23.

The dad-of-three was known in Barry for being the co-owner of Chimera Tattoo Emporium, in Holton Road, Barry, but also as the go-to tattoo artist to sports stars and actors.

He previously owned the Chameleon studio, in High Street, and then Broad Street, in Barry.

The multi award-winning tattoo artist’s clients included New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu and World Champion boxer Lee Selby.

As a campaigner, he worked closely with local authorities advocating industry standards and pushing additional regulations for tattooing to ensure safety.

Has was also on judging panels for tattoo competitions across the world and he himself won countless awards in many different categories across during the span of his tattooing career.

Brother, Craig Clements, of Barry, said: “Lee suffered with his mental health all through his adulthood, but kept it hidden from most people.”

“He was an extremely passionate person, a very loving son, devoted father, great brother and extremely great friend to many people all over the world.

“At Barry Comprehensive School his teacher said she couldn't teach him anything but art - sometimes refusing to go to other lessons he would just sit in the art room drawing instead.

“He was massively passionate about tattooing which was his career for well over 15 years.

“He was instrumental in a lot of industry changes which shows his passion for his job.

“He just loved creating art and that could be on people, on canvas, on paper or on figures.

“He had plenty of famous clients like Jonah Lomu, Lee Selby, Lee Thomas, John Yapp, David Cotterill plus many others.

“He had a special friendship with Jonah though.

“Jonah opened his shop when he moved from High Street to Broad Street and instead of staying at the Hilton Hotel that night, Jonah opted to sleep on Lee's sofa.

“Jonah also flew Lee out to Dubai to tattoo him as well as asking Lee to go to Manchester to tattoo him when Jonah was on the show Famous and Fearless.

“When Lee was in Manchester, he also had the task of tattooing (Hollyoaks actor) Sarah Jayne Dunn.”

In his spare time, Lee had a massive passion for Warhammer and helped run a local club.

He entered some of his hand painted Warhammer figures into global competitions - some of which have been featured in Warhammer magazines.

“We remember him singing along to Justin Bieber or Backstreet boys and pretending he didn't like them," Craig said.

“He wasn't easily amused, but when you got him his laugh was infectious and very distinct.”

A fervent Cardiff Blues and Welsh National Rugby Team supporter Lee also loved reading books and painting and drawing and he often completed one-off commissioned pieces for customers.

Cardiff Blues will pay tribute to Lee at half-time when the club play Pataro Calvisano in the European Challenge Cup at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, January 18.

Lee’s funeral will take place at A G Adams funeral home, Gladstone Road, Barry, at 10am on Wednesday, January 22.

The funeral dress code is something Blues related or something blue in memory of Lee's love of Cardiff Blues.

Donations to mental health charity Mind, in memory of Lee, can be made via justgiving.com/fundraising/leejohnclements