The Tattoo Bible 2

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR THE TATTOO ENTHUSIAST
FROM THE
PUBLISHERS OF
NS
FROM GENESIS TO REVELATIO
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The Tattoo Bible
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2
the
TattooBible 2
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FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
Editor
Sion Smith
[email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 299
art editor
Gareth Evans
[email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 204
Graphic Designer
Owen Moran
[email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 203
production manager
Justine Hart
[email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 235
AccountS & ADMIN MANAGER
Emma McCrindle
[email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 207
ADMINISTRATION
Jan Schofield
Model: Kitty Couture
[email protected]
Photograph: Scott Cole
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 219
Katie-Marie Challinor
Contributors
Barbara Pavone, Trent Aitken-Smith, Discovery Channel, Woody @ Woody’s Tattoo Studio, [email protected]
Al Overdrive, Jon Patrick at The Selvedge Yard, Jake Grainger, Simon Lundh, p-mod, Telephone: 01244 663400 Ext. 220
Scott Cole, Frances Lane, Willy @ The Tattoo Museum, Ihsan Kemal. CREDIT CONTROL
Pam Coleman
COVER MODEL [email protected]
Fiona Bergson
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 215
COVER CREDITS Advertising ENQUIRIES
Front cover grid. Clockwise from top left: Bit Ethno Tattoo, Davide @ Plastic Surgery, Shawn Dee Skinner
Barber, Jake Grainger, Mirella door Gerrit Tattoo Mania. [email protected]
Telephone: 01244 663400 ext. 301
SPECIAL THANKS
As always, I find it best to point out that no man is an island when putting a book together CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS
- thus, as always, thanks must go to Gareth Evans, Owen Moran, Carly Rowe, David Gamble Katy Cuffin
and James Marks for being the team behind the scream at Jazz. On the other side of my fence, [email protected]
much of this would not have happened without having Telephone: 01244 663400 Ext. 237
Barbara Pavone and Trent Aitken-Smith around and at Publisher
whom I like to throw random assignments at with little or no David Gamble
explanation. Fear not troopers, get your catchers mitt at the
[email protected]
ready, there is more to come.
Thanks also to all of the tattooists and tattoo artists Telephone: 01244 663400
who took the time out to speak to us - we appreciate your managing director
time very much in these busy and insane times we find Stuart Mears
ourselves in!
Contributors & Thanks
[email protected]
Finally, on the home front... you know who you are. I’ll Telephone: 01244 663400
make up for it at Christmas.
The views expressed in this bookazine by the contributors

are not necessarily those of the publishers. While every effort
has been made in compiling The Tattoo Bible 2 the publishers
cannot be held responsible for any effects therefrom.
Sion Smith - Editor
Mr Sion Smith Reproduction of any matter contained in TThe Tattoo Bible
2 is prohibited without prior permission. Adverts and
advertisers appearing in The Tattoo Bible 2 carry no implied
recommendation from the bookazine or from the publishers.
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CONT ENTS WorldMags.net
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Introduction
10
A History of Tattooing
A potted history of the rise, fall and rise of
tattoo art across the ages to the modern
phenomenon it has become today. We
also take a closer look at the legends
that are August “Cap” Coleman and
Franklin Paul Rogers for good measure.
22
Schools of Tattooing
It’s a minefield out there. Exploring the
different styles of tattooing can be hard (and
thirsty) work, so here we take a sweeping
look at the styles that are available without
getting all messed up within the subgenres,
which would be a whole book in itself...
52
Getting Tattooed
A comprehensive guide to getting tattooed,
including what happens before, during and
after incuding how to look after your new art.
72
Cover-Ups
In the event that you chose badly
with your first - maybe even
second - tattoo, it doesn’t have
to be the end of the world,
so here we briefly look at
what a cover-up is and what
your options are with them.
80
Collectors
Meet a handful of people who simply
can’t get enough art on their bodies.
94
Artists
Introducing you to some of the world’s finest
artists and studios working in the field today
with some up-close and very personal words.
Becoming aTattooist
History of Tattoos
108
Seemingly, a popular career choice for
many at the moment, but is it all it’s cracked
up to be? Just how hard is it in the real
world? Here we present some wise - and
Contents
real world - words for you, including the

views of both apprentices and tattooists.
A
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Tattoo Conventions
122
With a convention seemingly around every
corner these days, we take a broad look at
what they are, what you can expect to happen
there and some of the differences between
getting tattooed at a show and a studio.
134
Tattooing and the Media
The “Ink” shows are probably the most talked
about aspect of tattooing in modern pop-
culture. For good or bad, they’re certainly here to
stay. We take a look at how they developed and
hopefully, dispel a few myths along the way.
144
Fine Art &Tattooing
We take a look at those who tattoo and paint,
use tattoo culture as inspiration for their work
and those who do both. There’s certainly no
separating the two of these any longer.
156
Glossary
A collection of tattoo related words, phrases
and slang explained for the newcomer.
A History ofContents
Tattoos
Model: Franzz
Photographer: P-mod
Inked by: Swastika, Frantz,
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55
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The Tattoo Bible
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Introduction
Are we sitting comfortably
? Really comfortably?
to hum, you won’t
Because when the needles start
.
be allowed out of the chair
rom the day you commit to your public should expect from a studio in every
first, it’s probably safe to say that the department you can think of.
desire for more will never leave. You’ll In my mind, these were all good things,
surround yourself with magazines but as I say, these are just opposing trains of
from which to pull inspiration and toy with thought about the same thing. Both valid,
designs that may look incredible but in truth both important. The education is out there
probably won’t... now and that’s what education is all about.
Since the first volume of The Tattoo Bible Being able to make decisions for yourself.
was published, many things have changed Thankfully, there are more points that we
in those short twelve months - not least the agree on than disagree. The diversity among
editorial staff at Skin Deep magazine itself. us is spectacular and this is what makes it
I mention this only because you will find the multi-cultural melting pot that it is.
a slightly different stance in this volume. With this second volume of The Tattoo
Whereas our previous Tattoo Bible author Bible, what we hope to achieve is even more
was more of a traditionalist, this author is education - when it comes to tattoos, you can
more of a popularist. never be informed enough but that’s not to
Neither is wrong, they’re simply different say we won’t have some fun along the way.
ways of looking at things - such is the beauty Far from it. The very fact that you’ve picked
of the tattoo world. Here’s a great illustration up this book means you are interested
of that for you: one school of thought, as enough to want to know more (or at the very
mentioned in volume one, is that television least, disagree and mail in angry letters).
shows such as LA Ink have thrown tattooing To back ourselves up, we’ll also be calling
into a bad light, giving a false impression on some big guns in the industry to help us
of what a tattooist's life and working day is along the way and share their knowledge,
actually like. While that may be true in part, after all, they are the ones who have gained
the other school of thought - my school of it on the coal-face.
thought - is that shows such as these opened There’s another point from the previous
the doors to the public and gave them an volume that bears repeating here as well. No
education they had otherwise not asked for tattoo is perfect. Some come pretty close (and
but sorely needed. more often than not, perfect for the collectors
They educated the public about what who brought it on in the first place), but
it was possible to have tattooed on you, each and every tattooist who is proud to call
showed that the art form had long ago themselves one, will continually strive for
risen out of the backstreets; that doctors,
teachers, fire-fighters and zoo keepers (you
name it) were wearing their hearts on their Who knows what may happen
sleeves alongside rock stars, cage fighters next. As a community we equally
The Tattoo Bible
and movie actors. It didn’t matter who you

were - you all got treated the same and left embrace and reject advancements
with a smile on your face. In opening their
doors, they also raised the bar in what the
in the art-form every day.
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Ultimately though, all any of us want from Ultimately though, all any of us want from
a tattoo is a great piece of work that we are

a tattoo is a great piece of work that we are
proud to show those interested, proud to add
proud to show those interested, proud to to our own personal collections. We can be
add to our own personal collections.

elitist about it, we can be traditionalist about
it but none of it really matters in isolation.
Tattoos are to enjoy. Tattoos are to make
that perfection nonetheless. statements - even if that statement is only to
Tattooing is indeed an organic beast and yourself. They are tribal, personal, seen by
even though it has been millennia in the millions and sometimes, seen by none bar
making, we have come a long way in a very those who created them.
short time - within some tattooists lifetimes, By the end of the book, if we have raised
templates were still being made up using your game to want better, made you pause
lamp dust and acetates. No doubt we will for just one second before you commit for a
move further still in the coming years. As lifetime, then both myself and the book have
my friend and tattooist Victor Policheri said done their job.
to me recently “we are living in an age of More importantly though, with some pride,
information and technology in which we’re a nod to the past and an eye on the future,
constantly expanding, learning and truly enjoy your art. Walk tall and bring it on!
finding new dimensions to existence” - and
The Tattoo Bible
he is right. Who knows what may happen

next. As a community we equally embrace
and reject advancements in the art-form
every day. Sion Smith
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Working With The Tattoo Industry Since 1998
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AH i s t o r y o f
ing
Pictures throuhgout this
Tattoo
section courtesy the Tattoo
Museum, Southport.
for
, people have drawn on themselves enemies in
From year dot their
done it to scare their respect
reaso ns. They have
vario us and to display
, to tell their life stories ns.
battle
cestors a n d their tribal traditio
for their an
very manner of THE ICEMAN COMETH

substance has been ‘Ötzi the Iceman’ was found
used to make the on the border between
marks permanent Austria and Italy around
and every manner of 1990. This ice age ‘collector’
instrument has been used to was found to have around
make those marks. Body fifty-seven tattoos in total. Not
A History of Tattoos
modification is as old as bad going even by today’s

cave paintings – with the standards. Some of these
first recorded tattoo hailing included a cross on the inside
from around 3300 B.C. in the of the left knee, six straight
form of a chap called Otzi… lines about fifteen
Otzi the iceman
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centimetres long above the
kidneys and numerous small
parallel lines along the
lumbar, legs and the ankles.
Some of the tattoos have
been theorised as being used
for possible therapeutic
reasons such as the treatment
of arthritis, though of course
without speaking to the man,
this cannot be proven.
IT’S A SMALL WORLD

Besides Otzi, many other
tattooed mummies have
been found to support the
ancient world’s love of
Tattooing was popular among APO ANNO

many ethnic minorities in China Here’s a fine example
of a classic tattooed
since ancient times, although mummy. Apo Anno
is (now) a famous
among the Han Chinese (the 12th century mighty
hunter and warrior of
major ethnic group) tattoos were Benguet. It is thought
that his body was
associated with the barbaric, stolen from his cave
and sold to different
criminals, gangsters and bandits. Apo Anno “handlers” until he
eventually wound
up in the National
getting some ink. In the Tarim ancient times, although met by the tribal people who Museum in Manila,
Basin, in West China, several among the Han Chinese (the had full body tattooing. The although he has
since been moved
tattooed mummies have major ethnic group) tattoos Spanish called the islands, back “home”. Those
been found, another tattooed were associated with the ‘Islas De Los Pintados’ or ’The passing by his cave
mummy (c. 300 BC) was barbaric, criminals, gangsters Islands of the Painted Ones’. these days have to
extracted from the permafrost and bandits. The traditional Tattooing in the Philippines pay courtesy to Apo
by leaving tobacco,
of Altaï and during the 1990s Han Chinese believe that the is a tribal form of coins and wine to
one female mummy and one body is a gift of parents and accomplishment and some encourage good
male on the Ukok plateau. a continuation of the tribes believed that tattoos weather. Quite an
The Ukok mummy’s tattoos bloodline of the ancestors. had magical qualities. adventure for a man
thought to be the son
had various animal designs, Damaging the body is a Tattoos were a sign of rank of a mortal and the
while the Altai mummy was grave offence. Tattooing and and power in the tribal goddess Kuyapon
tattooed with an extensive piercing (except women's ear community and many tattoos (protector of the
and detailed range of fish, piercing) are generally not could only be attained by woods, forest and
mountains).
monsters and a series of dots accepted by the community. accomplishing a task or as a
that lined up along the rite of passage. Women in
spinal column and around PHILLIPINES Filipino tribal society also
the right ankle. Tattooing has been a part of traditionally tattooed
Filipino tribal life since pre- themselves and tattooing

CHINA Hispanic colonisation of the was seen as a form of beauty
Tattooing has been popular Philippine Islands. When the among women. As for the
among many ethnic Spanish first landed in the infamous head-hunters, a
minorities in China since Philippine Islands, they were tribal member received a
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RUSSIAN PRISON TATTOOS
during the classic Greek
Russian criminal magnesium powder phrase in its own often created from
tattoos have a onto the surface right and is given burning the heel of a period, tattooing was only
complex system of of the skin, which to many tattoos that shoe and mixing the common among slaves.
symbols which can dissolves the skin have a distinct bluish soot with urine and
give quite detailed bearing the marks color and appear injected into the skin JAPAN
information about with painful caustic somewhat blurred utilizing a sharpened
the wearer. Not only burns and is totally because of the lack guitar string attached In the past, criminals were
do the symbols carry not recommended. of instruments to to an electric shaver. tattooed as a visible mark of
meaning but the This powder is gained draw fine lines. In There’s a lesson here punishment and this actually
area of the body by filing down reality, the ink is somewhere. replaced having ears and
on which they are any light alloy
placed is meaningful materials such noses removed. A criminal
also. Wearing false as lawnmower would often receive a single
or “unearned” tattoos casings and ring on their arm for each
is punishable in is a popular crime committed which
the underworld. jailhouse
Interestingly, tattoos commodity. easily conveyed their
can be voluntarily “Russian criminality. This practice was
removed (for loss of prison tattoo” eventually abolished by the
rank, new affiliation, has almost government who banned the
life style change, become
etc) by bandaging a generic art of tattooing altogether,
viewing it as barbaric and
unrespectable. Of course, this
just forced a sub culture of
criminals and outcasts, many
of whom were the old
Samurai warriors, the ’Ronin’.
These people had no place
in ‘decent society’ and were
frowned upon. They were
kept separate and simply
could not integrate into
mainstream society because
of their obvious visible tattoos.
This in turn forced them into
criminal activities which
ultimately formed the roots for
the modern Japanese mafia,
the ’Yakuza’, for which tattoos
in Japan have almost
tattoo, known as a ‘Chaklag‘, Scandinavians, they have become synonymous.
which meant they had taken been described as,
the head of an enemy tribe ‘tattooed from fingernails to SAMOA
or warrior. neck with dark blue tree The word tattoo is believed to
patterns and other figures’. have originated from the
EUROPE During the gradual process Samoan word ‘tatau‘. When
Pre-Christian Germanic, of Christianization in the Samoans were first seen
Celtic and other central Europe, tattoos were often by Europeans, one of the
and northern European considered remaining Dutch party commented,
tribes were often heavily elements of paganism and ‘They do not paint themselves,
tattooed. The Picts were generally legally as do the natives of some
famously tattooed (or prohibited. other islands, but on the lower

scarified) with elaborate Tattooing was also common part of the body they wear
dark blue woad or possibly amongst certain religious artfully woven silk tights or
copper for the blue tone groups in the ancient knee breeches.’ These woven
designs. Of the Mediterranean world but silk tights or leggings were in
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fact full leg tattoos.
In Samoa, the tradition of
applying a tattoo by hand
has been unbroken for over
two thousand years. Tools and
techniques have changed
little. The skill is often passed
from father to son, each tattoo
artist learning the craft over
many years of serving as his
father's apprentice.
It was not just the men who
received tattoos but the
women too. Their designs are
of a much lighter nature rather
than having the large areas of
solid dye which are frequently
seen in men’s tattoos. When the Spanish first landed in the
Christian missionaries from
the west attempted to purge Philippine Islands, they were met by
tattooing among the the tribal people who had full body
Samoans, thinking it barbaric
and inhumane. Many young tattooing. The Spanish called the islands,
Samoans resisted mission
schools since they forbade
‘Islas De Los Pintados’ or ’The Islands
them to wear tattoos. But, of the Painted Ones’.
thankfully, over time attitudes
relaxed toward this cultural Captain James Cook made
tradition and tattooing three voyages to the South
began to re-emerge in Pacific. When Cook and his
Samoan culture. crew returned home to
And there are many more Europe from their voyages to
examples of tattooing in the Polynesia, they told tales of
ancient world. Egypt, India, the 'tattooed savages' they
Indonesia, South America had seen.
and the Middle East all have In fact Cook's Science Officer,
a rich tattooing history. Sir Joseph Banks, returned to
England with a tattoo. Banks
SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS was a highly regarded
When Sir Martin Frobisher set member of the English
out on his second voyage aristocracy. Many of Cook's
from England in 1577, to find men, ordinary seamen and
a north west passage to sailors, came back with
China and the promise of tattoos, a tradition that would
gold ore, the captain took soon become associated with Cook first noted his
prisoner a native Inuit men of the sea in the public's observations about the
woman. Upon his return to mind and the press of the indigenous body
England the woman, who day. In the process sailors modification and is the first
had tattoos on her chin and and seamen re-introduced recorded use of the word
forehead, was a great the practice of tattooing in tattoo. In the ship's log, he
attraction at the court of Europe and it spread rapidly writes, ‘Both sexes paint their
Elizabeth I. to seaports around the globe. Bodies, Tattow, as it is called
Between 1766 and 1779, It was during these visits that in their Language. This is
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done by inlaying the Colour along came Samuel O'Reilly
of Black under their skins, in who patented the first electric
such a manner as to be tattooing machine. It was
indelible.’ based on Thomas Edison's
On a more amusing side- electric pen which punctured
track, he also states, ‘...this is a paper with a needle point.
painful operation, especially The basic design with
the Tattowing of their moving coils, a tube and a
Buttocks, it is performed but needle bar, are the
once in their Lifetimes.’ components of today's tattoo
The British Royal Court must machine. The electric tattoo
have been fascinated with machine allowed anyone to
Omai's tattoos because the obtain a reasonably priced
future King George V had and readily available tattoo.
himself inked with the 'Cross As the average person could
of Jerusalem' when he easily get a tattoo, the upper
Moving into the 1900s, travelled to the Middle East. classes turned away from it.
During a visit to Japan he Moving into the 1900s,
tattooing was on the also received a dragon on tattooing was on the decline.
decline. Most tattoo the forearm from the needles Most tattoo artists were now
of Hori Chiyo, an acclaimed found in the dodgier areas of
artists were now found tattoo master. George's sons, cities and heavily tattooed
in the dodgier areas of the Dukes of Clarence and
York were also tattooed in
folk were only finding work
with the travelling circuses
cities and heavily tattooed Japan while serving in the as ‘freaks’. Betty Broadbent
British Admiralty, travelled with Ringling
folk were only finding solidifying what would Brothers Circus in the 1930s
work with the travelling become a family tradition. and was a star attraction for
Tattooing spread among the years. It was these views
circuses as ‘freaks’. upper classes all over Europe and attitude towards tattoos
in the 19th century but that slowly pushed
particularly in Britain where it tattooing underground.
was estimated that as many This in turn led fewer people
as one in five members of the into the ‘secret society’ of
gentry were tattooed. At the artists and there were no
time, it was not uncommon schools to study the craft; let
for members of the social alone magazines like we
elite to gather in the drawing have today. Tattoo suppliers
rooms and libraries of the rarely advertised their
great country estate homes products and you had to
after dinner and partially know the right people to find
disrobe in order to show off out where to go and who to
their tattoos. see for quality tattoos.
GOING UNDERGROUND CHATHAM SQUARE

Of course, not everyone was a & CONEY ISLAND
sailor or had the money to The birthplace of the
travel so tattooing was still American style tattoo was
not huge at the time. Another Chatham Square in New

reason was that it was a slow York City. At the beginning of
and painstaking procedure. the 1900s, it was a seaport
Each puncture of the skin was and entertainment area
done by hand. But in 1891, attracting working-class
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Betty Broadbent
The original tattooed Cloud where she was with Ringling was rediscovered by
vixen! Betty was fell in love with the Brothers (Barnam Lyle Tuttle who found
born in 1909 and art. By 1927, she had & Bailey) and she she had retired to
was always rather almost completed spent the next 40 Florida and actually
innocent. At 14, she an entire bodysuit years of her life in become a tattooist
was working as a with over 350 designs and around the herself. Betty, who
nanny in Atlantic from the likes of scene. She retired died peacefully
City and a chance Charlie Wagner, from ‘exhibition’ in in 1983 was the
encounter brought Joe Van Hart, Tony 1967 and fell out of first person to be
her into contact with Rhineager and Red the public eye for a inducted into the
tattooist Jack Red Gibbons. Her first job long time until she Tattoo Hall of Fame.
losing its appeal. Not to be

outdone, the artists and their
Betty Broadbent travelled
entourage up sticks and with Ringling Brothers
headed off across the country
to Coney Island. Across the
Circus in the 1930s and
country, tattooists opened was a star attraction for
shops in areas that would
people with a bit of spare support them; cities with years. It was these views
cash. Even Samuel O'Reilly
came in from Boston to set
military bases close by,
particularly naval bases.
and attitudes towards
up shop in Chatham Square After World War II, tattoos tattoos that slowly pushed
and it was here that he took became further ‘criminalised’
on an apprentice named by their associations with
tattooing underground.
Charlie Wagner. After Marlon Brando type bikers
O'Reilly’s death, Wagner and young upstarts. Tattooing TIME FOR CHANGE NEXT UP
opened a supply business had little respect in American As time rolled on, tattooing We take a closer look
with Lew Alberts, who had culture and worse was to started to take a turn for the at two of the leading
figures who predate
trained as a wallpaper come in 1961 when an better. This can be attributed even Sailor Jerry in
designer. Alberts transferred outbreak of hepatitis brought to many causes but it is their quest for taking
his skills to the design of the tattoo world to its knees. generally believed that it was tattoo art to the
tattoos and is now noted for Though most tattoo shops men like Lyle Tuttle who masses...
redesigning a large portion had sterilization machines, changed the face of
of early tattoo flash art. few used them. Newspapers tattooing. Tuttle had been
So while tattooing was losing reported stories of blood working hard on changing
popularity across the country, poisoning, hepatitis, and artists views on health and
in Chatham Square it was other diseases. safety and general
starting to take off in a big At first, the New York City cleanliness in the studio.
way. One of the practices government gave the tattoos Things needed changing in
during these times was that an opportunity to form an the tattoo world and Tuttle
husbands would tattoo their association and self-regulate stood up and became a
wives with examples of their but for some reason, they spokesperson for the industry.
best work, who would then were not able to organize Tuttle’s work became so
walk around ‘advertising’ themselves. A health code popular, that he started
their skills. It was also during violation went into effect and appearing in magazines, on
this time that cosmetic the tattoo shops at Times television and even started
tattooing became popular; Square and Coney Island attracting celebrity clients; all
blush for cheeks, coloured were shut down. For a time, it of which was pulling the
lips and eyeliner. was difficult to get a tattoo in tattoo world out of its dark
But it wasn’t to last. In the New York. It was in fact illegal corners and though not
1920s, with prohibition and and tattoos had a terrible making it mainstream, was
then the depression, reputation. Few people certainly making it a better
Chatham Square started wanted a tattoo. world to be in.
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A P” C OL EM A N
AUGUST “C U L R OG ER S
& FR ANKLIN P A
, came a couple
a n d eve n Sailor Jerry
Before Ed Hardy the forefathers
uys who are widely considered ” Coleman and
of g gust “Cap
Tattooing – Au ntored,
of American in fl uenced and me
ng he heavily
the youngli
Yard
k, The Selvedge
. Words: Jon Patric
ul Rogers
Franklin Pa
hen you trace was a tattooist as

the history of well but it’s not
tattooing, a good known for sure and
chunk of the even Paul Rogers
great flash icons can be doubted the story. It’s
linked directly back to these not even clear who
American masters. They was responsible for
blazed a counterculture trail the handiwork
back when the only guys displayed on
and gals that sported body Coleman himself but some of sailors. There was no
ink were either in the service, it was more than likely done shortage of action or
criminals or circus and by his hand. What is known customers. The rest as they
sideshow freaks... without a doubt is that say is history. Coleman
Not much is known about around 1918, Coleman, wasted no time in becoming
August “Cap” Coleman’s dropped anchor in the navy a living tattoo legend. At one
early years other than he was town of Norfolk and set-up time, the shop was so well
born in 1884, somewhere shop. He chose a particularly known, he didn’t even bother
near Cincinnati, Ohio. He salty spot on Main Street well to list the address on his
likes to boast that his father known for strip clubs and business card.
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first tattoo from Chet Cain, a
tattooist who worked with
one of the travelling circuses.
It was through Cain that he
first heard about Cap
Coleman, the tattooist who
he was later to work with and
who had such an influence
on his life. Cain gave Rogers
some advice on tattooing,
and two years later he began
to tattoo. “I bought a tattoo kit LITTLE KNOWN
in 1928,” he writes in his HISTORICAL
autobiography. “It was a kit TATTOO
from E.J. Miller. He had a FACT 1:
Rogers started work in the mills supply place in Norfolk,
A pig tattooed on
at 13 and continued up until 1942. Virginia. It ran off dry-cell
batteries.” Rogers found out
one foot and a
rooster on the other
In his autobiography, he states, “It about the tattoo supplier were said to protect
a seaman from
through his interest in the
was nothing but hardship. It was travelling circuses. He had
drowning. Neither
animal can swim
hard for everybody.” Fortunately seen an advert for it in but it was thought
Billboard, the well known U.S. they would help get
for Rogers, he discovered entertainment magazine. “I the sailor swiftly to
shore if he fell into
tattooing and a way out of the always wanted to travel with
a circus,” he stated in a 1982
the water.
stifling conditions of the mills. interview with Ed Hardy in
In 1950, tattooing in Norfolk conditions of the cotton mills.

was declared illegal, so after This was a period of totally
thirty-two years in Norfolk, unregulated capitalism, and
Coleman relocated across the child labour laws didn’t exist.
Elizabeth River to Portsmouth. Rogers started work in the
Here he opened up a shop mills at 13 and continued up
and continued his practice until 1942. On average, Paul
until his death in 1973 when earned $3.50 a week. In his
his body was discovered in autobiography, he states, “It
the Elizabeth River. was nothing but hardship. It
Rogers was born 1905 in was hard for everybody.”
the mountains of North Fortunately for Rogers, he
Carolina. The family of five discovered tattooing and a
children lived in a log cabin way out of the stifling
in the woods. His father conditions of the mills.
earned a living as a timber Rogers’ first got interested
cutter. Rogers describes his in tattooing when a
first seven years as filled with travelling salesman visited
hardship and poverty, “but a the log cabin, when he was
way of life and what life is all still a child. He was struck by
about.” He spent much of his the design and the tall tales
childhood moving from one the man told of his time in
cotton town to the next, as the the army during the Spanish-
family sought employment in American war. In 1926, aged
the dehumanizing twenty-one, Rogers got his
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LITTLE KNOWN HISTORICAL TATTOO FACT 2:
met his wife, Helen, who was
The 5th century BC in-law, Aristagoras. hair had grown back his head and read the
Greek historian, Histiaeus shaved sufficiently to hide hidden message. The working as a snake charmer.
Herodotus, records the hair of his slave the tattoo, he was sent message instructed Rogers spent seven months of
how Histiaeus of and tattooed the to Aristagoras, who Aristagoras to begin that year travelling around
Miletus, who was message on to the shaved a rebellion. in a Model T Ford and living
being held against man's head. The slave
his will by King was told that the in an “umbrella” tent. “I had
Darius of Susa, sent procedure would cure a ball,” he told Ed
a tattooed secret his failing eyesight. Hardy. “But I only
message to his son- When the slave's grossed $247. So, I
guess I ate a lot
of peanuts that
Rogers first got year, “he
recalled,
interested in laughing.
tattooing when Rogers
explained that
a travelling during that period
salesman visited many tattooists
made their living
the log cabin, working with the
travelling shows. This
when he was still was during the great
a child. depression and times
were extremely hard.
Tattootime. “I Throughout the 1930s,
decided to to make ends meet
learn how to and to help support his
tattoo and wife and two children,
travel with the Rogers would spend his
carnival and winters working in the
work on the Cotton Mills and the
sideshow.” summers tattooing with
As well as the circus. Helen’s
learning how to stepfather owned the
tattoo, Rogers Happyland show, so the
trained hard in acrobatics. joined one of the family worked together.
“I used to train religiously,” travelling circuses. In 1932, Rogers recalled that,
he stated. “Even when I he worked on his first initially, the circus owners
started tattooing, I still sideshow in Greenville, South wanted the tattooists to
trained. I have always Carolina, where he vividly double as the tattooed man
been interested in the recalls striking up a and be on display, but later
physical end of things.” He friendship with the three- Paul was able to work
was also very careful how legged man. “He was fun to purely as a tattooist. As well
he treated his body. He be around,” mused Rogers in as working out of a mobile
never smoked, drank coffee Tattootime. “He used to kick a tattoo studio, Rogers also
or touched alcohol. football with that there third worked in an assortment of
Rogers began tattooing leg. He said that, when the poolrooms as well as army
from his bedroom, streetcar was crowded, he boot camps. “In
experimenting on himself would use that extra leg for a Spartenburg, South
and any willing neighbours. seat. He could sit on it like a Carolina, I worked in a
But he soon ran out of flesh stool.” Later that year, Rogers combination shooting
and, in his search for new joined the John T. Rae gallery and shoeshine
customers and experience, Happyland Show where he place with a jukebox,” he
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recalled. “They sold hot dogs
and bootleg whisky and
had card games going on.
They had it all covered.”
In 1942, Rogers got a
chance to get off the road
and set up his own shop in
Charleston, South Carolina. A
friend and fellow mill worker
F.A Myers, who had taken up
tattooing, invited Rogers to
go into a partnership. Up
until that time, Rogers’ largest
pay packet from millwork
was $42 for a 40-hour week.
Once he got his shop up and
running, Rogers was able to
make up to $200 a week. At
last he was able to forever
turn his back on the
exploitation and slave He was struck by the design and the tall
wages of the mills. It was
during this time that Rogers
tales the man told of his time in the army
saw many examples of Cap during the Spanish-American war.
Coleman’s tattooing on the
sailors who came through you.’ It was his way of getting
the shop. Rogers immediately them to get one of his tattoos.
recognized Coleman’s work, So, he twisted this guy’s arm
as it was far superior to any saying, “There’s one I did and
of the other tattooists working there’s another.” But the sailor
at the time. “I patterned told him, ‘This isn’t one you
myself after him,” he did.” Coleman was amazed
explained to Ed Hardy. “I that anyone could tattoo well
used to copy any tattoo I enough for him to confuse it
could off the sailors.” Rogers with one of his own.
would use celluloid sanded Later Rogers wrote to
on one side, so the rough Coleman and then visited his
surface would grab a pencil shop in Norfolk, Virginia.
lead. This way he could Coleman then offered him a
make to make a copy of job in his shop, once the war
Coleman’s tattoos. “I got a was over. “It was the job offer
copy of a Panther head that from heaven,” explains
way. A panther climbing an Chuck Eldridge. “You have to
arm, that was a new thing remember that Coleman was a five-year association
back then. I would try and considered one of the best with Coleman.
duplicate it. Shade it the tattooists in the world at that Rogers recalls Coleman
same way Coleman had.” time. It’s like Ed Hardy with mixed feelings. He was
Cap Coleman first became offering a job to some 20-year in no doubt that Coleman
aware of Rogers’ tattooing old, hotshot tattooist. Who was one of the greatest
from a sailor. Rogers explains would turn that down, given tattooists in the world, but he
the story. “Coleman would all the fantastic things one was certainly not in awe of
always say to the sailors, ‘You could learn?” his personality. “He was a
haven’t got a good one on In 1945, Rogers began very selfish guy,”
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remembered Rogers. “He tattoos, if they had been met Huck Spaulding. Rogers
would never give anyone the vaccinated. He told them it described Spaulding as ” a
time of day. Coleman was a would make them sick. “That real scratch artist,” a tattooist
people hater. Quite the way he got by using just with very limited experience
opposite of me, I was black and red all the time,” who had worked a little in
everybody’s friend. He was recalled Rogers. “Black and the travelling sideshows.
sort of a hermit and red, black and red.” Despite Rogers helped Spaulding
practically lived in the shop. these sly tricks Coleman was improve his technique and
He kept canned food there, so able to apply high quality when, in 1955, the studio
he wouldn’t have to go out. work. His work was clear and Rogers and Connelly used
And he would have a can of well shaded. Consequently, was torn down, Rogers
tinned spinach for breakfast!” his tattoo designs epitomized moved into Spaulding’s shop
In order to save money, what came to be known as half a block away on Court
Coleman would tell service the classic American-style Street, giving birth to the now
men that he couldn’t use tattooing that dominated the famous name of Spaulding
brown or green inks in the 1920s to the 1940s. and Rogers. This shop
Despite Coleman’s became home to the famous
Coleman would always eccentric personality, Rogers supply business that is
learned a great deal about known worldwide.
say to the sailors, ‘You tattooing from him, What immediately
haven’t got a good one especially about machines. distinguished this mail order
Prior to working with supply business from its
on you.’ It was his way of Coleman, Rogers had to competitors was a
getting them to get one learn everything the hard
way, through trial and error.
commitment to high quality.
Ed Hardy first noticed the
of his tattoos. While working for Coleman, company when he saw an
Rogers began fixing the advert in the back of the
machines for all the magazine – Popular
tattooists working in Norfolk. Mechanics. Most of the best
“There were 11 of them at tattooists of that time started
one point,” he stated. “And ordering through Spaulding
you could count the good and Rogers. A trend that
ones on three fingers.” continues to this day.
In 1950, Rogers’ Rogers only worked in the
association with Coleman supply business for two
came to an abrupt end. The years. He continued
city of Norfolk decided to tattooing with Spaulding for
ban tattooing. This forced four, but then in 1963, he
most of the Norfolk tattooists moved to Jacksonville,
across the Elizabeth River to Florida to tattoo with Bill
Portsmouth. Rogers Williamson. In 1970, Rogers
eventually formed a and his wife, Helen, bought a
partnership with mobile home and it was
R.L.Connelly, a talented there that Rogers found
tattooist who worked briefly much more time to focus on
with Coleman. The two set what he wanted to do most:
up shops in Petersburg, improve existing tattoo
Virginia and Jacksonville, machines and design new
North Carolina, with Rogers ones. In a portable 12-by-12-

eventually owning the foot tin shack affectionately
Jacksonville shop. called “the Iron Factory,”
While working in the Rogers spent all his time
Jacksonville shop, Rogers making unstylish but
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In order to save money,
Coleman would tell service
men that he couldn’t use
brown or green inks in the
tattoos, if they had been
vaccinated. He told them it
would make them sick. “That
way he got by using just
black and red all the time,”
recalled Rogers.
incredibly dependable Its exactly the same with Panky), the Paul Rogers LITTLE KNOWN
machines. The now popular Paul’s machines.” Tattoo Research Center HISTORICAL
slang for calling tattoo Ed Hardy is equally (PRTRC). This organization TATTOO
machines “irons” derives enthusiastic about was the recipient of Rogers’ FACT 3:
from Rogers, who first coined emphasizing the impact entire collection of tattoo
the word. Rogers’ machines have had memorabilia, flash and The word 'tattaw'
- obviously where
During the 1970s, Chuck on the development of photographs. Unlike many the word tattoo
Eldridge befriended Rogers tattooing. “I think it would be tattooists who buy collections originates from - was
and spent much of this time amazing to see a catalogue and keep them to first used in the
with him at his home in of all the different styles of themselves, the aim of the published account
of Captain Cook's
Jacksonville. “Paul was from tattooing that are being done PRTRC is to raise money to first voyage, which
the old school,” states with the machines Paul establish a museum and appeared in 1769. It
Eldridge. “His machines were made or re-worked,” he states. research centre. This centre has been suggested
built almost entirely with “That way, you could actually will then house the complete that 'tatau' is an
onomatopoeic
hand tools. Machine heads get an idea of how important Rogers collection. “So far we word. 'Tat' refers to
from around the world would Paul’s contribution has been.” have raised around $30,000,” tapping the tattooing
gather in that small shed In 1988, when Rogers states Eldridge. “The target instrument into the
and hang on every word, was working on his amount is, of course, limitless skin; 'au' to the cry of
pain from the person
hoping to gain some of Paul’s autobiography, he had but, initially, we needenough being tattooed.
understanding.” Eldridge is a stroke and was rushed to put a down payment on a
keen to emphasize just how to hospital. Later he suffered property, so we can create
important the working of a another stroke that this landmark.”
tattoo machine is. “It’s a very paralyzed his right side and Unfortunately, property in
subtle device. And it’s vital deprived him of his ability the San Francisco Bay Area,
for a good tattooist to have a to speak. Ironically, the stroke where Eldridge’s studio is
machine that is properly occurred on the 60th located, commands some of
designed and balanced. It’s anniversary of the day he the highest prices in
impossible to execute high began tattooing. He died two America. “If we can’t find a
quality work without this. It’s years later in a nursing building here,” states
an absolute prerequisite. home aged 84. Eldridge, “we’ll take the
Why do Ferraris have such a In 1993, Chuck Eldridge collection back to North
great reputation in car formed a non-profit Carolina. It’s where Paul
racing? Because they win corporation along with Ed came from and would be the
races, and you can’t do that Hardy, Alan Govenar and right thing to do. It would be
without fantastic equipment. Henk Schiffmacher (Hanky like taking Paul home.”
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Schools of
Tattooing
“WE DON’T NEED no EDUCATION
WORDS OF PINK FLOYD RING IN
EVERYBODY’S HEAD BUT IN THIS
...” THE
INSTANCE,
FF WILL GIVE
JUST A LITTLE OF THE HARD STU
YEARS TO
YOU A GREAT HEAD START IN THE
Y LOOSE
COME. THE “SCHOOLS” ARE VER
LY SERVE A
GENRE TAGS THAT WILL ACTUAL
KY ROAD
PURPOSE AS YOU TRAVEL THE ROC
WHAT.
OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT’S
s old school meets new at the art of Buena Vista

school to bring us yet Tattoo Club (for instance) -
another “school” of can you hand on heart really
tattooing, it’s no put it under the umbrella of
wonder many get confused blackwork? Where are you
as to what’s what - and there going to put the work of the
are two schools of thought likes of Yann Black and La
(apologies for unintentional Boucherie Moderne? The
pun) at play here. Some term “art-brut” has been laid
people like to have a tag to at their door but that doesn’t
hang their art on: “Hey, look really mean anything to
at my new Japanese” may anybody outside of the art
give those who like the order world - and even within those
of organisation a place to be circles it’s misinterpreted.
and a feeling of comfort that As time moves on, more and
they got what they wanted. more cross-over occurs, but to
Others much prefer to take a be fair to those who are
piece of art for what it is. beginning to get involved in
Whereas a truly Japanese the tattoo scene, the “schools”
piece can be easily do serve a very useful
categorised, over time, other purpose, albeit a very loose
influences have crept in to one, with which to get your
create neo-Japanese, but head around your choices in

“Hey, look at my new neo- the big wide world, so over
Japanese” is not a phrase the following pages, let’s take
you’re likely to hear very often a look at some of the
at all. On top of this, if we look favourites. Dig in...
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Schools ofof Tattooing
Tattooing
23
Schools
23
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Bio mechanical HING OF A

UNDERGOING SOMET
BIOMECHANICAL IS T OF BRINGING THE
CENT TIMES. THE AR
RENAISSANCE IN RE S WE ALL HAVE LIVING
BENEATH
LIK E M AC HI NE
TERMINATOR THE LAST FEW
RE HAS EXPANDED IN
OUR SKIN TO THE FO
STONE UNTURNED.
YEARS TO LEAVE NO
he combination of Kostechko all bringing

organic body different slants to the table.
elements and Giger Traditionally, the
inspired imagery biomechanical tattoo was
developed into something done in black and grey
quite special during the which allowed the artist to
early eighties following the better blend the machinery
release of Ridley Scott’s epic into human flesh and thus
Alien saga. These surreal more realistic. However, as
and futuristic creations with all schools, as the artists
fuelled both a new behind them simply get
generation of fans of the better and better, this is no
artform and tattooists all too longer the case with the
willing to bring sub- added colour bringing some
cutaneous life into the seriously brilliant artwork to
spotlight as muscle met steel. the table.
Come the nineties, the
movement took on a
different slant when Guy
Masters of
Biomechanical
Aitchison and Aaron Cain
got their hands on it and
pioneered a more organic
style that developed out of
“metal and muscle” into a Roman Abrego
www.facebook.com/
more mainstream approach artisticelement
that featured floral elements,
extremities of light and Guy Aitchison
www.hyperspacestudios.com
shade and a bucketload
more colour than the style is Ron Earhart
renowned for. www.ronearhart.blogspot.com

The style continues to grow Nick Baxter
to this day with artists such www.nickbaxter.com
as Ron Earhart, Nick Baxter,
Carson Hill and Nathan
Roman Abrego
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Roman Abrego
Rock n Roll Tattoo
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Biomechanical
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Roman Abrego
Tattoo mechanika by Michael Kozlenko Kipod Studio Simon Smith, Paradise Tattoo, High Wycombe
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Ray Hunt, Diablo Tattoo

Simon Smith, Paradise Tattoo, High Wycombe
Simon Smith, Paradise Tattoo, High Wycombe Simon Smith, Paradise Tattoo, High Wycombe
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Blacaknd
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Grey E BASICALLY
K AN D GR EY IS what it is - THEY AR
BL AC BL ACK INK
NO CH RO ME IM AG ES RENDERED USING
MO A ‘WASH’
LUTE D W ITH DI ST ILL ED WATER CREATING
DI
...
FOR LIGHTER SHADES
ome artists like to mix The key to a great black and

white ink with the grey tattoo is in the
black to achieve a gradations between the
similar effect, but this tones - a great tattooist
is not the traditional method. makes this look easy to the
To give it some background, point that when done
black and grey work is properly, it’s hardly even
thought to have originated noticeable. Across the
from within the prison following pages, you’ll find
system where there was no many different examples of
access to coloured ink but what can be achieved...
people like Jack Rudy and
Charlie Cartwright soon
Masters of
brought it out into the
mainstream - and also
introduced the single-needle
machine to the world to Black & Grey
produce realistic shading,
something that works Bob Tyrell - Night Gallery
particularly well with www.bobtyrrell.com
portraits. This plays to the
Jose Lopes - Lowrider Tattoo
strengths of the italian- www.lowridertattoostudios.com
termed technique of
Zsolt Sarkozy - Dark Arts
chiaroscuro, whereby www.darkart.hu

contrasts between light and
dark establish volume and
give tattoos a three-
dimensional appearance.
Merry Tattoo
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Mistery Tattoo Club
L'aiguille Tattouage
Lea Nahon, La boucherie Moderne Sarkozi Zsoit Dark Art Tattoo, Hungary
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ck
Blaand
Grey WorldMags.net
Krise
Al Williams, Shaded Lady, Falmouth

James Robinson, Nine Boyces St, Brighton Andy Bowler, Monki Do

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Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, Nyc Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, Nyc
Victor Policheri.
Invictus Tattoo Joao Bosco, The Family Business

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Blackwork
SOME PEOPLE LIKE NOTHING ELS
WON’T LET IT NEAR THEM! WHATE
BLACKWORK, IT IS ONE OF THE
E AND SOME PEOPLE
VER YOUR OPINION ON
MOST DIVERSE CATEGORIES
OF ANY ARTFORM:
ith blackwork, practice ‘dotwork’ - some

some would say incredible effects are
it’s not what you possible using this method
put in but what and it’s one of the most
you leave out. Indeed, the visually stimulating uses
secret to blackwork is in of black ink.
being aware of the space Most traditional tribal
around it that won’t have work also comes under this
any colour at all in order to heading and there are some
offset it properly (otherwise fine examples out in the
Alexei Zamotevski, Kipod Tattoo
known as negative space). world where a single black
The big divides come into colour has said more than
play where some do not the rest of the colour palette
think huge swathes of black could ever say.
to be “art” but those people
Masters of
will find no quarter on
these pages.
Blackwork
“Working with minimalistic
and purified line work
doesn’t leave a single
margin for error - be it the
clean, straight lines or the Yann Black
www.yourmeatismine.com
dirty, ephemeral sketchy
lines, both are as technically Xoil
www.needles-side.com
demanding as each other.”
That’s a quote from Yann Xed LeHead
www.xedtattoo.com
Black (Glamort) one of the

finest proponents of the Noon
art today. boucherie-traditionnelle.com
Also within this genre is
the fine work of those who
Xoil
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Spike's Hell
Amanda Ruby, Squidink Xoil

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Asa Aleksandar, Orca Sun. Croatia

Levi, Ohmygod, London Maohi Tattoo, Canaris Island Rosco Rebel Tattoo
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D-GRRR, Carnevil Tattoo
Spike's Hell
Asa Aleksandar, Orca Sun. Croatia Lucy Lou, Magnum Opus Tattoo Henrik Gallon, Porky Royale Tattoo
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depicted heroes and

Traditionally, Japanese tattoos
was capable of telling
their stories - one ‘single’ tattoo
nt. As you would expect,
a whole tale in it s developme
small:
these ‘single’ tattoos are not
etter known as Irezumi Sitting high in the upper

- a Japanese word that echelons is Horiyoshi III - for
defines the process of those seriously interested in
ink being inserted Japanese styles, it is worth
under the skin - the history following this fascinating
behind it is epic and strong. It master's story from its
is thought to extend back to inception but those thinking
around 10,000 BC. Most of seeking him out will be out
‘recently’, the Yayoi period of luck as he is currently
(300BC - 300AD) saw tattoo finishing work on existing
designs consisting mostly of clients and no longer accepts
spiritual connotations and new clients.
Dark Art Tattoo
status symbols before As with all aspects of
moving, as these things tend tattooing, the Japanese style
to, into the slightly negative continues to develop into
Kofun period in which tattoos ever more fascinating places.
began to be marked onto
criminals as a punishment -
an act that was later mirrored
in ancient Rome.
Them’s The Rules…
For many years, and still to
We enter a rather tricky element
this day, the Japanese style is of Japanese tattoo here; horimono
mainly associated with the is governed by a strict set of rules
Yakuza, but it has also seeped that dictate what elements may
be paired with others and those
out of Japan and into the West wishing to create an authentic
where there are many fine Japanese piece of art will no
artists capable of replicating doubt want to observe these rules
rigorously. Problems don’t arise
the style. However, for the true from combining certain creatures
Irezumi tattoo, one must travel or characters incorrectly, but
to the land of the rising sun when they are out of season and
at odds with the surrounding
and find a master - something fauna, the tattoo doesn’t conform
many people choose to do as to Japanese sensibilities. For
the story, which becomes part example, cherry blossoms and
peonies are both spring/summer
of the tattoo. flowers, whilst chrysanthemums
The technique synonymous and maple leaves are
with Irezumi is ink being representative of the autumn and

winter seasons, so flowers from the
inserted via needles mounted wrong seasons can appear
on a stick. It is a time- ‘wrong’ when lumped together.
consuming process but one
that yields fantastic results.
Matteo Cascetti
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Fortag Tattoo
Schools
Tattooing
Mike Thompson-Hill from Tantrix Body Art Matt Hunt, Modern Body Art
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Matt Hunt, Modern Body Art Hamdi, Tattoo Village 3rd Eye Tattoo
King Carlos Tattoo, Stockholm Luca Ortis

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King Carlos Tattoo, Stockholm Sabado
Schools
Tattooing
Bit Ethno Tattoo Hamdi, Tattoo Village
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School New
UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF NEW
MANNER OF STYLES AS THE TER
DESCRIBE ALL PROGRESSIONS IN
NOT TAKEN CARE OF BY ANY OF
SCHOOL COMES ALL
M TENDS TO BE USED TO
TATTOOING WHICH are
THE OTHER CATEGORIES.
s a rule, new school takes the art and sculpts it

designs are very bold to match the body it will live
and "in your face" - on. What happens next is
seemingly, within anybody’s guess, but we’re
these terms, nothing is looking forward to it all
impossible! Using big, thick the same.
lines (powerlines) and bright It can be a little hard to
colours to bring about the pin down sometimes but if
Rafael Plaisant, Vienna Electric, Rio de Janeiro
desired result, they often you ever see what appears
have a more graphic and to be a traditional design
'cartoonish' effect than other that looks like it has spent a
styles, but that's not the weekend in the desert with
whole story. Jim Morrison - that's new
New school developed school for you.
predominantly during the
late 80s and early 90s and
as the artwork became more
Masters of
New School
public and information was
shared, artists gathered
around the same pot as they
shared influences from tribal,
D-GRRR - Carnevil Tattoo
Americana, Japanese… www.d-grrr.com/carnevil/
you name it - it was brought
on board. King Carlos Tattoo
www.kingcarlostattoo.com
Technical expertise aside,
any rules have long since Victor Policheri
www.viptattoo.com
been thrown out of the

window. Artists such as Mr Greg - Rock n Roll Tattoo
www.myspace.com/
Adrian Lee at Analog Tattoo tattooedinburgh
in San Jose is possibly the
finest proponent of this as he
Sasa Aleksandar, Orca Sun Tattoo Studio, Croatia

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Mr.Greg-Rock'n'roll Tattoo Edinburgh Alexei Zamotevski, Kipod Tattoo
Nick Baldwin, Infinite Ink, Coventry Jake X

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Rich Smith Five Magics

Hexa, Precious Tattoo Rafael Plaisant, Vienna Electric, Rio De Janeiro

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Rachel McCarthy
James Robinson, Nine Boyces St, Brighton Sarkozi Zsoit Dark Art Tattoo, Hungary
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Realis m
A REASONABLY NEW TERM IN
REALISM HAS BECOME IMMENS
YEARS AS MORE AND MORE CO
THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS,
ELY POPULAR OVER RECENT
LLECTORS SEEK OUT OUT THE
HIC REPRODUCTION...
ULTIMATE IN NEAR PHOTOGRAP
he aim of the game photography favourite

here is to produce the ‘depth of field’ which uses
most lifelike items in the background to
representation of the make the items in the
subject as is humanly foreground more prominent.
possible. From faces, to The phrase is obviously
flowers and entire beasts, closely associated with
Locomotiv Tattoo
reference material is the key the term photorealsim which
to getting the best work means "looks as real as a
done. While some like to photograph".
work from photographs, If there’s one field in
there are others who prefer which we have yet to even
to work from life - which can scratch the surface, realism
be quite stunning to watch is surely it!
for those that can’t even
draw with a pencil!
It’s a style that has been
Masters of
Realism
encouraged to grow and
developed by those who
have a good grounding in
fine art and are able to
Mike DeVries - MD Studios
approach the subject with a www.mdtattoos.com
superior knowledge of colour Cecil Porter
theory and its application. www.cecilportertattoos.com
A well versed artist in Jo Harrison - Modern Body Art
colour theory has an www.modernbodyart.co.uk
unlimited box of tricks at Hexa - Precious Tattoo
www.hexa666.com
their disposal here as what

the eye sees isn’t always Andy Engel - Andy’s Tattoo
www.andys-tattoo.com
what’s there. Also into this
domain comes a great
command of the old
Hexa, Precious Tattoo

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Khan, Kids Love Ink
Andy Engel, Andys Tattoo, Kitzingen
Anabi Ettore Bechis, Cantu, Italy Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, NYC

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Matt Hunt, Modern Body Art Milano City Ink

Ettore Bechis Sarkozi Zsoit Dark Art Tattoo, Hungary Piero La Cour des Miracles
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Andy Engel, Andys Tattoo, Kitzingen
Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, NYC
James Robinson, Nine Boyces St, Brighton XTattoo

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OR AMERICANA, TRADITIONAL
ALSO KNOWN AS OLD SCHOOL
SAYS IT IS. AS IT CALLS oN THE
TATTOOING IS EXACTLY WHAT IT
“LOOKING LIKE A TATTOO”, In
TRIED AND TESTED method OF
HARK BACK TO A LIFE AT SEA.
which IMAGES ABOUND THAT
he history of the Old school tattooing is

traditional tattoo made up of simple designs
can be read that are created using a
anywhere and is the limited colour palette (due to
style of art that most would the fact that there weren’t
imagine with the skin when many colours available
the word tattoo is mentioned. during the early years) and
It drifts into the pop culture relies on a steady hand to
sensibilities of entire nations get it right. It is in this
during and after the two big simplicity that the secret lies
world wars as men came as it leaves absolutely no
home adorned with anchors, margin of error.
eagles, ships, love-hearts The newer (or neo-)
and swallows. traditional approach is to
The name Sailor Jerry take the ethics of traditional
pops up a lot when talking and push them further by
traditional. The man almost incorporating the full range
single-handedly established of colour that is available on
the standard of tattooing the market today whilst
back in the day, so that’s further embellishments can
Knukkle
hardly surprising, but he is be made by the liberal use
far from the only one to do of black shading to make
this - just the most famous. the images “pop-out”.
Lucy Lou, Magnum Opus Tattoo
Davide, Plastic Surgery Tattoo

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Tyler Alderson Tantrix Body Art Saskatoon Canada Memento Tattoo Robert Fraser, On The Road, Scotland
Schools
Tattooing
Hexa, Precious Tattoo Nick Baldwin, Infinite Ink

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Tracy Demetriou, Haunted Tattoo, London
Tracy Demetriou, Haunted Tattoo

Samez, Cherry Tattoo, Italy Mil Martinez, Diamond Jacks

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Robert Fraser, On The Road, Scotland
Samez, Cherry Tattoo, Italy

Jakub Settgast Esoteric Gentlemans Club Berlin
Schools
Tattooing
Pedro Soos Lee Masters, Penkridge Tattoo Studio, Staffs

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nt
the decisio n that you wa
You’ve made going
and no one is
to get a tattoo chair
ng in the big
to stop you getti , so what
der the needle
and going un d one
a hundred n a
next? There are back of
ns sitting in the
little questio m uch
it hurt, how
your head - does pay, where should
to
should I expect goes
done? the list
I have the tattoo at some
a closer look
on. Let’s have the
ns and see how
of those questio .
come together
final stages all
O?
WHAT IS A TATTO
esides an ace piece
of art work, what
actually is a tattoo? To
get that ink under
your skin, a tattooist will use a
tattoo machine, loaded with
a tube and, depending on
what part of the tattoo he/she
is working on, a certain
grouping of needles to push
the ink into your skin. The
needles are what gets the ink
about a millimetre under the
top layer of your skin, in an
area called the dermis.
This process, of drawing the
ink up the tube and then
Getting Tattooed
pushing it out through the

needles, is then repeated as
many times as it takes, to
create the lines, colour and
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shading that will result in workmanship will make a Getting the right amount of GET IT OFF ME!
your killer tattoo. tattoo look like you have ink into the skin is crucial in
Tattoos last and
Though, this is in no way a drawn it on with marker pen getting a nice even look to a sometimes a tattoo
detailed explanation or the and then sat in the rain for a tattoo. ’Bleeding’, where one can become an
only method used (many few hours! colour unintentionally spills embarrassment in
tattooists hand prick their Shading has come a long over into another, is an later life. Because
tattoos lie in the deep
tattoos) it is, in the most way since the early days of indication of poor shading layer of skin known
simplest of terms, the tattooing, especially within and saturation techniques. as the dermis, they
procedure that is followed to the style of realism. Good are very difficult
get the ink into your skin. But shading will have smooth to remove. Early
don’t think that because it blends and gradient shifts Design forms of tattoo
removal included
sounds easy, that it is an easy across the tattoo. Even when Quite often, the stuff of the injection or
thing to do! While it might be a tattooist uses a ‘wash’ to nightmares for tattooists. application of wine,
easy to tattoo, it is very hard create an effect in their tattoo, There are many a poor lime, garlic or pigeon
excrement.
to tattoo well. There are many you will instantly see the tattooist left at a loss for words Unsurprisingly,
people walking the streets difference between the effect when a customer walks in none of these
with terrible tattoos that prove and a poorly shaded piece. with a picture, with so much methods was
just that point and there are Like shading, poor detail it would need to be a effective.
Later removal
many factors to take into saturation can make a tattoo back piece, only to be told techniques include
account when thinking of look patchy and uneven - they want it on a tiny section dermabrasion, when
getting a tattoo - whether it is whether it is a colour tattoo or on their upper arm! Where the skin is effectively
your first tattoo or your tenth. a black and grey one. their Mum won’t spot it. Oh 'sanded down', and
excision, in which the
tattoo is surgically
LINES, SHADING A powerful line will be solid, straight, removed. Both
AND SATURATION
methods result in
have the correct thickness and show no scarring.

The holy trinity of creating an
outstanding looking tattoo signs of going off course.
because a tattooist who
masters these three, will be
creating tattoos that pop
right out of the skin and
smack you across the face.
A powerful line will be
solid, straight, have the
correct thickness and show
no signs of going off course.
Just look at the traditional
work of people like Chad
Koeplinger to see what
creating a perfect line can do
for a tattoo. Bare in mind,
many tattooists are creating
‘uneven’ or ‘shaky’ lines for
effect these days but these
Alex de Pase Tattoo Studio, Italy
are easily identifiable as their

work is still world class.
‘Blown’ lines are when a
tattooist has pushed the
needles too deep into the skin
Getting Tattooed
and the ink spreads away

from the intended line. This
sure sign of poor quality
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Prince Joely and another big no-no; Along with design, placement muscles, moving parts and
walking into a studio with a of a tattoo is very important. bits that stick out and sink in.
The first tattooed
man to be shown picture of another artist’s Look out for someone with a A good tattooist will know
publicly in England work and saying, ‘I would like portrait on their upper arm where all these places are and
was a Pacific islander this please!’ If you like that that when they put a t-shirt on, how best to place a tattoo to
known as Prince Joely. artist’s work, go to them! cuts the top of the portrait off use your body to its full effect.
Prince Joely, also
known as Giolo, was Design is so important in and you’ll understand. Or Have a look at a tattooist who
brought to England creating a good tattoo and when a tattoo has been specialises in biomechanical
in 1691 by William the best course of action is to placed in an area that when and your jaw will drop at how
Dampier, a famous sit with your chosen tattooist the wearer moves in a certain a great tattooist, who knows
buccaneer and
author of a Voyage and come up with way, their precious dog loses a about design and placement,
Around the World, an something together. You leg or two! will make the difference
account of his travels might really want a Prince Your body is a three between an average tattoo
with privateers and Charles portrait on your neck dimensional object, with and an awesome tattoo.
pirates. Dampier
explained to those but a tattooist will be able to
who came to view
Prince Joely that his
tell you whether it is going to
work or not. And give them Design is so important in creating a good
tattoos were done in
the same manner
their due credit, no matter tattoo and the best course of action is to
as the crosses and
arms of visitors
how much you love your
idea, only a good tattooist is sit with your chosen tattooist and come
to Jerusalem, but
using the sap of a
going to know whether it
really will work.
up with something together.
certain tree instead of
gunpowder.
Sadly, Prince Joely
NOT JUST
FOR CHRISTMAS
never returned home
to the Pacific. He
died in England of
smallpox. Once you’re tattooed, it’s on
you until you shuffle off this
mortal coil. So be aware, from
the off, what your end game
is. Whether you're just after a
couple of small pieces or
want an entire bodysuit, have
a plan in place from the
beginning. If you don’t, you’ll
be spending more money on
cover-ups and laser removal
treatment - which is
notoriously painful.
As much as that ‘I need a
tattoo now’ feeling will pop
up every now and then, and
boy does it, think before you
rush into the nearest studio
and get inked. Another area
where people can slip up is
the ’phase’ tattoo. You might
be a metal head now and
absolutely love KISS but will
you still be happy in twenty
Getting Tattooed
years time, with Gene

Simmons’ tongue down your
arm when your music taste
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Frances Lane
Marek Skalny - Inkdependent Tattoo&Piercing Studio
has moved to the softer stuff? are paying for an artist's
(Have you lost your mind experience and skill. You are
man! Softer? Ed.) paying for their years spent
And this is why it is so behind a tattoo machine,
important to choose the their eye for detail and
right artist because even design and their ability to
though Scratcher Jim is free produce the perfect tattoo for
today and cheap, you will you that is going to last a
have that tattoo for the rest lifetime looking good.
of your life. So choose the If it is flash work you‘re
right artist for the job and after, studios usually price
you will be walking proud according to size and detail,
There is no use going to an artist that

for years to come. which are normally
displayed on the flash racks.
PRICE specialises in Japanese pieces and asking
The cost of tattoos can vary CHOOSING
YOUR TATTOOIST
them to do a traditional design for you.
from city to city and even
from street to street but a Once you have done all your There is no use going to an
general rule of thumb is - the research and have come up artist that specialises in
less you pay, the poorer with the design idea you Japanese pieces and asking
quality tattoo you are going want, the next step is to them to do a traditional
to get! Tattoos are not cheap. choose the artist you think design for you. Sure, many
Most studios charge between will be best suited for the job. artists can work across a
The first stage is easy enough, number of styles but most of
Getting Tattooed
£60-£100 an hour, with the

big guns in the industry narrowing down your list to them will be known for a
charging more for their time. the tattooists who excel in the specific style they excel in.
When you get a tattoo, you style you are interested in. Thankfully, a lot of artists
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butt cheek rather than
turning up with a few
pictures and illustrations for
ideas, is not going to go
down well.
And don’t be disappointed
if you are told your artist has
a few months or even a year
waiting list. There is a reason
for this - their tattoos are
killer. Yeah you can go to
Billy No Mates down the
road because he’ll tattoo you
tomorrow but it isn’t going to
Frances Lane
be anywhere as good as a
top class artist’s work.
THE TIME
Close to
the bone
these days will recommend a
fellow artist if they feel the HAS COME How Long?
style you are after can be So you have ticked all the The biggest mistake most
The severity of pain produced somewhere else at boxes. You have done all customers make when going
experienced when
being tattooed
a higher quality. your research. You know for their first tattoo is thinking
depends on the Once you have chosen what you want and it is time that no matter how big or
location of the tattoo. your artist and you sit down to get something sorted. It is intricate a tattoo is - it only
The most painful to discuss the design, don’t time to contact the studio takes 40 minutes from start to
areas are those where
the skin is very close
approach it with the idea and make an appointment. finish. Because, of course, that
to the bone, such as that it is your way or the The best approach to take is how long an episode of
the ankles, elbows highway. No matter how now is to call the studio and Miami Ink is…and they
and knees. It is less great your design may be, at speak to some one. Nearly always do it in one episode.
painful to be tattooed
on more fleshy areas
the end of the day, a tattooist all studios these days will Those programmes are
such as the chest or is going to have a better idea have a website or a edited to show only
upper arms. Pain of whether it is going to work MySpace and Facebook highlights! A tattoo can take
was an important on you than you are. presence but many of them as long as this and as short
part of tattooing for
Polynesian societies.
And if you really want to prefer to be contacted by as that. There are so many
In Tahiti, the chief's make a tattoo artist’s day, telephone to arrange factors to take into
son was watched come up with something that bookings. Don’t be surprised consideration it is impossible
closely as he was is going to inspire and if you don’t get a reply when to tell until an artist sees the
tattooed for signs of
pain. In Samoa, it
challenge them. Something posting something on their final design and even then it
was often said that that is new and fresh. There is blog or website! The old could take longer or even
tattooing was the nothing that a tattooist likes fashioned means of shorter to get it done.
equivalent for men more than a design that communicating by phone is
WHERE SHOULD
of the great pain a
woman endured
blows them away. And if still the best. At least this
you’re up for something way, you have a chance to
when giving birth.
special, give your artist the ask any questions that may I HAVE IT?
opportunity to come up with be on your mind! Placement is a huge factor
something for you. There is no Usually you will be asked that good tattoo artist takes
better feeling, for a customer to come in and have a into consideration when
or a tattooist, than to go to consultation where you can tattooing. Where they place it
them with a blank piece of sit and thrash out a design can make or break your
before you get the tattoo - if
Getting Tattooed
skin and say, ‘I love your tattoo. This is something that

work, can you design you do, go prepared. you must discuss with the
something for me in your Turning up and saying you tattooist when you are in the
particular style’. would like an angel on your design stage.
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Frances Lane
If you really want to make a
tattoo artist’s day, come up with
something that is going to inspire
and challenge them. Something
that is new and fresh.
Getting Tattooed
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neck tattoos as your first
tattoo or if you are still in
college or you aren’t in
the industry yourself
because you will regret it
at some point.
FEED ME SEYMOUR
So you have got your first
tattoo and you’re hooked. It
looks great, makes you feel
on top of the world and you
had a blast while you were in
the studio. You want more of
the same but what next? Do
you stick with your artist or go
to another for something
different, do you get some old
school flash or do you really
step out and get something
done at the convention?
FL ASH & WALK-IN

STUDIOS
In days gone by, flash was
generally the only thing
available in tattoo studios.
You would walk into a shop,
flick through the flash sheets
(or racks that a lot of studios
have these days), pick a
piece that jumped out at you
and get some ink. The tattoo
artist would not design a
tattoo specifically for you; it
Don’t go for knuckle or neck for a job and you have neck was a case of ‘what you see is
tattoos as your first tattoo or if you or hand tattoos, you will be

treated differently!
what you get’.
Things have changed
are still in college or you aren’t in There is no getting away drastically over the last ten or
the industry yourself because you from the fact that even
though tattooing has
so years and now a customer
is no longer limited to what
will regret it at some point. become hugely popular in
the last five or so years, it still
they can find on a flash
sheet. Many studios offer
But, and this is very has negative connotations custom work and many more
important, as much as you for many, many people. The will only do custom work. This
love tattoos and people majority of customer facing is not to say that there is no
shouldn’t be judged because companies will only hire you longer a place for flash in the
modern tattoo studio.
Getting Tattooed
of how they like to decorate if you can cover your tattoos

their bodies - you will be! If with long sleeves or if they Customers still like to get flash
you walk into a bank asking are not visible. done, especially work of the
for a loan or you go to apply So don’t go for knuckle or old tattoo greats like Sailor
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Jerry and Ed Hardy. within seconds of their name convention, it may be wise to Signs of
When flash was the way being released as appearing approach the artist first to get faith
things worked, the majority of at a convention - so be quick the design and placement
Early Christians often
studios were walk-in studios. to make that appointment. out of the way, so that on the had the sign of the
That is, you turned up on the Though most artists will day you can get straight cross tattooed on their
day, picked your design and have ensured they are down to business. In bodies, particularly
got a tattoo. There were no booked up for the convention retrospect, if you are lucky their face or arms.
Such tattoos were
waiting lists or set they are appearing at, if you enough to pull a space with seen as a permanent
appointments. Now that are lucky, a last minute your favourite artist on the mark of the believer's
studios do custom work and cancellation can provide you day, the chances are they will faith. However,
many artists are becoming with the perfect window to want to do their own design around AD 325 the
Emperor Constantine
hugely popular, some studios get a tattoo done. But bear in as they will not have the time outlawed tattooing
are appointment only and mind that if you are thinking to sit and discuss a design for of the face because
‘private rooms’. All this means of getting work done at a hours instead of tattooing. he believed that the
is, you can’t walk-in off the face was in God's
image and should
street and have a browse
around the studio. You only A good convention will pull in artists from not be disfigured. In
all over the world, giving punters a chance

AD 787, a council of
go in if you are getting churches renounced
to get that elusive tattoo or just to see them

tattooed or you want to set up all forms of tattooing
and sealed the fate
time for a tattoo.
work their magic.
of the practice in the
Other studios opt for a mix eyes of the Christian
of both. Some of the artists church once and
will be working custom for all.
Much later, a
designs whilst others will be representation of the
offering a walk-in or quick crucifixion tattooed
design service. It is on a slave's back
important to remember that was said to preserve
the bearer from a
even though studios are whipping. It was
moving away from flash thought that no
towards custom work, Christian, however
studios that do offer flash or cruel, would lash
the image of Christ.
are willing to tattoo you on Documentary
the day, are no less better evidence of this
than custom shops who 'thought' is rather
work by appointment only! sparse.
TATTOO
CONVENTIONS
There is no better place to see
John Anderton, Nemesis Tatoo, County Durham
your favourite artist in action

than at a tattoo convention,
especially if the artist doesn’t
normally work in the country
you live in. A good
convention will pull in artists
from all over the world, giving
punters a chance to get that
elusive tattoo or just to see
them work their magic. But
Getting Tattooed
be warned, a top flight

international tattooist is
going to get booked up
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Find i n g y o u r w a y
around t h e s t u d i o
is
arrived and it
Your big day has n d
that chair a
time to get into can hat surprises await multiple room studios, light
needle. But what
go under the ugh the unsuspecting and airy or dark and
n you walk thro
you expect whe first timer? That mysterious studios. Some will
doors? first visit can be be designed to be
those hallowed daunting. Technical terms minimalist and others will
you are unfamiliar with are have the artist's life long
being thrown around, strange collected mementos
looking equipment sits at plastered all over the walls.
every turn and that buzzing But what is it you are
sound, usually associated actually looking for when
with dentists' drills, makes you step inside a studio?
you want to question why you What are the signs that this
are actually here. But once one is better than the one
you get familiar with this new down the road?
world, it is a great place to be. Like everything in life, first
impressions still count the
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
most. The moment your head
is in the door, you should be
Saying that all tattoo studios able to get a fair impression
are the same is like saying of what kind of studio, and
all bands are the same. therefore what kind of tattoo
Within a city, you will find artist, you are dealing with.
Getting Tattooed
every variation of studio that Though flash on the wall is

is available and the a good indicator of a walk-in
variations are mind-blowing. shop, it is not always the case.
You can get one room or Many artists will display flash
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tattoo
meanings
• A full-rigged ship
shows the seaman
has sailed round
Cape Horn
• An anchor indicates
he has sailed the
Atlantic Ocean
• A dragon denotes
that the bearer has
served on a China
station
• A shellback turtle
shows the sailor has
crossed the Equator
• 'Hold' tattooed on
the knuckles of one
hand and 'fast' on
the other were said
to allow the bearer
to grip the rigging
better.
sheets of their favourite

tattooists but still only do
thing that will pop into your
head is, what the hell does There is no reason, what so
custom work. The general that do? So let’s find out. ever, to reuse needles and
feeling you pick up from a
studio will usually stand you
First off, health and safety
is extremely important for a a tattooist who does this is
in good stead. A clean, fresh tattooist. Besides looking endangering your life as well as
looking studio with friendly
helpful staff is going to be far
good, keeping a studio and
‘booth’ clean is law! Even being a tight arse! Refuse to get
more appealing than more so keeping the tattooed unless you see a needle
dealing with some miserable
bastard in dirt stained,
equipment that they use to
tattoo clean is vital. come out of sealed packaging!
windowless shop.
And first impressions count life as well as being a tight
for you as the customer as Ultrasonic arse! Refuse to get tattooed
well. Waxing lyrical about Clea
ner unless you see a needle
’tattoo guns’, ’tats’ and ’loving All items that a tattooist re- come out of sealed
the pain of a tattoo’ is not uses have to go through an packaging!
going to do you any favours! ultrasonic cleaner. What this
Neither is relaying stories process will do is, loosen
about how hard you are material attached to AUTOCL AVE
because you are getting a instruments (grips, tubes etc) Once the equipment has had
tattoo or telling the tattooist by covering them with a a spin in the ultrasonic
that Billy Bob down the road special solution and then cleaner, it is time for a sauna
can do the same tattoo for £20 make them vibrate very fast in the autoclave. Autoclaves
cheaper. Walking in with an via high speed sound waves. produce very high
attitude is going to get you Do not accept needles that temperatures which kill off
thrown out the door quicker are ’re-used’ after going any blood-borne pathogens
than a fox on a rabbit. trough an ultrasonic cleaner and sterilise the equipment.
or an autoclave. There is no Vacuum autoclaves are even
Getting Tattooed
Once in the chair, you’ll

find yourself surrounded by reason, what so ever, to reuse better, as they draw air inside
a bewildering assortment of needles and a tattooist who the chamber out, which
equipment and the first does this is endangering your ensures a better clean.
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machine builders hours to mechanism, the other usually
GLOVES make, they are also a on the end of a screw. The
Tattooists should always wear tattooist's pride and joy. So spring connects to the base
gloves. End of story. And don’t annoy them by calling and a bar, which is connected
anything that they (or you) them guns. You’ll only make to the needle arm, which in
touch should be wrapped in yourself look stupid. turn is connected to the
cling film or some other needles and moves up and
protective barrier. And if you
decide to stop for a bit of fresh THE COIL TATTOO down inside the tube. Through
the contact points, the current
air, the tattooist should MACHINE flows via the coils and the
always dispose of his gloves Following on from Thomas base of the machine. This
and put on a new pair when Edison’s playing about with causes the coils to become
they are ready to start an altogether different device, electromagnetic which pulls
tattooing again. Samuel O’Reilly patented the down the bar. This does two
first tattoo machine back in things; it pulls down the
TA
ME L MACHINES the late 1800s. At the heart of it,
a coil machine is pretty much
needles and it opens the
points. Once the points are
Yes it looks like a gun but the same as a common old open, the magnet turns off
chances are, if you call it a doorbell. A metal frame and the spring assembly
gun, you are going to get a provides the base and brings the bar back, which
cuff around the head. Not encases two coils of wire causes the needles to move
only do these beautiful wrapped around an iron core. up and make contact with the
looking pieces of art take At the top of the mechanism is points. This causes the whole
a set of silver contact points cycle to happen again
(like the end of a wire), one making the needles go up
usually on a spring and down. Job done!
If you decide to stop for a bit

of fresh air, the tattooist should
Getting Tattooed
always dispose of his gloves and put

on a new pair when they are ready
to start tattooing again.
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NEEDLES
There is a huge array of Samoan
different needles available tattooing
and what needles a
Samoan tattoo artists
tattooist uses will be down used combs to apply
to their own personal their designs.
choice and what part of the On the Pacific
tattoo they are working on. island of Samoa,
tattooist carried out
For lining, a tattooist may their art by dipping
use a small grouping of the pointed teeth of
needles ranging from three combs into ink and
through to eighteen. The placing them on the
surface of the skin.
needles are usually The comb was then
grouped in a rounded tapped so that the
configuration and are teeth punctured the
sometimes referred to as skin, inserting the
ink. Both men and
Cory Norris, Grass Valley, CA, USA

‘rounds’. Single needles are women had their
hardly ever used anymore bodies tattooed and
for lining. How the needles elaborate designs
are soldered together could take several
months to complete.
affects a round's use with In Samoan tradition,
some tattooists using a tight tattoos were restricted
round for lining and a to the lower part of
looser one for confined the body.
areas that require shading.
There is a huge array of different needles

available and what needles a tattooist uses
will be down to their own personal choice and
what part of the tattoo they are working on.
Moving onto shading
and the needle count can INKS & INKPOTS
range from four to forty Inks come in big bottles
grouped together, which a tattooist will usually
depending on the scale of pour into smaller pots as and
the tattoo. Shaders are when he needs them. There
aligned in either a flush are many different makes of
level setting (flats) or inks and some tattooists are
stacked in two or more rows, even making their own inks
one on top of the other and these days. All the larger
are called magnums. bottles will be marked with
Magnums can also be batch numbers and use-by
curved to allow for dates etc. as are most
smoother edges and flats products around today.
Safwan Imago Studio
are often used for shading If a tattooist does not use all
Getting Tattooed
or small areas of colour. the ink they poured into the

Magnums also provide a smaller pots, they will throw it
great means of covering away with the other waste
large areas very quickly. used whilst tattooing.
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Tprhoecess ng to be
all like tattooi
Let's face it, we a little bit of myth
,
ded in at least Brandon Bond's hi-tech ALL OR NOTHING Studio
surroun take a
ng smoke, let's
so without blowi n s to you.
actually happe
look at what
y now you have does it body you are getting

probably heard a really hurt ? tattooed, the process is the
hundred and one same. The tattooist is taking a
different stories about This is always the first machine loaded with
the experience you are question you are asked if you needles and pushing ink into
about to undergo and have tattoos and the short the top layers of your skin.
although there will be an answer is - YES. But then as You aren’t going to fall asleep
element of truth in some of most things go, it is not as while this is being done, no
them, there will be even simple as that! Everyone has matter what that ‘hard’ guy
more ‘tall tales’ and a different pain threshold at the pub told you!
exaggeration. The thing to and everyone has places on So what does it feel like?
bear in mind is that their bodies that are more Well, like being scratched
everyone’s experience is sensitive than others. If you with needles. It isn’t a pain
different and no matter what were to sit a bunch of that is going to make you
your friends have told you, or tattooed folk down in a room want to chew through your
what you have researched - and asked them which arm to stop it but it isn’t easy
Getting Tattooed
your experience won’t be the tattoos they have had were going either.
same as theirs. So sit back the worst, each person would One thing you can
and relax and let’s take a give you a different answer. guarantee, is that some parts
journey through the big day. No matter where on your of your body are easier to
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handle than others. The
general rule of thumb is, the
fleshier the area that you are Head & Neck
FACE
getting tattooed, the less
painful it is. Places that aren’t
often exposed to daily wear
THROAT
and tear; like the inner thigh, UPPER Shoulder
behind the knees and inner
bicep; can up the pain stakes. Shoulder BREAST
(WOMEN)
Bony areas can be
problematic as well. Many CHEST (MEN)
SPINE
people will tell you that
having your elbows and INNER ARM OUTER ARM
ribs tattooed can be torture
but once again, others will ELBOW RIBCAGE
tell you it was a breeze. The
INNER STOMACH
consensus here is that it is FOREARM
more of an odd experience,
FOREARM
than painful, as it feels like LOWER BACK
the needles are hitting the
BUTTOCKS
bones. This is not the case
as the needles are not long Hand
& Wrist TOP THIGH
enough to do this. This goes
for tendons as well. Having
INNER THIGH
your wrists tattooed might
INNER THIGH
make your fingers dance
like a mad puppet but the
needles are not doing BACK OF THE KNEE
any damage. KNEE
People will also talk about
how a tattooist has ‘heavy
hands‘ or if a particular CALVES
tattooist has a ‘light touch’.
SHIN
Some tattooists do go in hard
and some areas need more
coverage (shading or
packing in colours) which
ANKLE
can make it feel worse.
FEET
And finally, one day your
body could take a five hour
sitting on your ribs and
another it won't make an
hour sitting on your upper
LIFT OFF going to get a fair amount of PainOmeter
arm. Or your body could be It’s all systems go and you’re tattoo ink on more than just Most
up for the work and your ready to get your ink on but your skin. As careful as a Discomfort
head is not playing along. there is still a few more tattooist is, ink gets
These factors, as frustrating things that can make your everywhere. It just can’t be
as they are, will only let experience a blast or helped. So whatever you do, Some
themselves be know on the something you will never don’t wear your favourite Discomfort
day. So the best advice is to do again. Ben Sherman shirt when you
Getting Tattooed
sit back and enjoy the ride, it Before you turn up for your go to get your upper arm
will be well worth it in appointment consider this, it tattooed cause you will
the end. is very likely that you are come home with a new Least
Discomfort
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multi-coloured design on it. have seen your design. Don’t more than just a tattoo! And
Where possible, wear worry if it doesn’t sport any if you are on the hairy side,
clothing appropriate to colour, the tattooist needs to you might want to trim the
where you are getting make a stencil that includes area you are getting inked
tattooed. If you are getting just the outlines, the colour beforehand to save the
your thigh done, you might will come later. tattooist going through a
find it more comfortable If nerves are getting to you dozen razors on the day.
sitting in a pair of shorts a bit at this stage, this is A bit of a wipe down with
rather than having to whip normal as well. You are some rubbing alcohol to
your jeans off because the about to undergo a lifelong make sure that the surface
tattooist just can’t reach your body changing experience… area is completely clean
leg through your Levi’s! And who wouldn’t be nervous. and then it is the moment
don’t worry if you are shy Or a little excited. And that you have been waiting for,
about getting your clothes adrenaline pumping time for the design to be laid
WHO off for those more private through your veins will down on your skin and your
WOULD HAVE areas, most studios will have help you in the long run, first clue as to how your
GUESSED! private booths if you would so all is good. tattoo is going to look
prefer to be a bit more Before you get your tattoo, on you.
Winston Churchill's
mother, Lady discreet. And remember, a the tattooist will need to There are two routes a
Randolph Churchill, tattooist sees all shapes and shave the area. This is tattooist can take from here.
had a tattoo of a sizes and bits and pieces standard procedure as they They can either place a
snake on her wrist. everyday, to them your body will need a nice smooth stencil on the area you are
They were popular for
rich aristocrats during is a canvas and they will area to work their magic. getting tattooed or draw a
that period. She chose respect it! Disposable razors are design freehand with a
a snake because By the time you are in the usually used for this and marker pen. If it is a stencil,
it could be easily chair, you will have signed a don’t accept a razor that they will place it the area
covered by a bracelet.
legal disclaimer, a standard isn’t brand new or is blunt, you have decided on and
procedure, and you will or else you will end up with you will get a chance to
If you are on the hairy side, you

might want to trim the area you
are getting inked beforehand to
save the tattooist going through a
dozen razors on the day.
Getting Tattooed
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POPULAR?
The word "tattoo" has
been in the top ten
searched terms since
Lycos started tracking
search engines.
Tattoo machine -
work with the tattooist to see
you are happy with remember, there may be If the tattooist is free handing, he
placement and size. This is more than one depending
on what they have to do will draw straight onto the area but
your last chance to make
any major changes because Needles - they should all be the same applies, now is the time to
as soon as the machine is up
and running, very little can
sealed in packs ready to use discuss last minute changes.
Tubes - will also be sealed if
change in the design. If the they are single-use or have
tattooist is free handing, he done their time in the
will draw straight onto the ultrasonic cleaner and the
area but the same applies, autoclave
now is the time to discuss
Vaseline - the tattooist will
last minute changes. And
use Vaseline or something
once again, the tattooist
similar to help the needle
knows what they are doing
do their work
so defer to their experience
as much as possible. Ink pots - with the colours
A quick note, you might that will be used
hear the term ‘free-needled’ Distilled water - to clean
bandied about. This is when the needles between colours
an artist tattoos you without Kitchen roll - used to
a stencil or any markings. It wipe the tattooed area
sounds crazy but some during the tattoo
artists will do it from time to
time and it an absolutely Gloves - to protect you and
amazing thing to see. the tattooist
Finally everything is in Power pack - a little box
place, you’re in the chair the tattooist will fiddle with
every now and then to
Getting Tattooed
and the tattooist is ready to

go, so let’s go through the ensure the correct amount of
equipment you will see on voltage is going through the Day of the Dead Portrait - by Martin Couley
their tray. tattoo machine. Couley Tattoo Studio - Newcastle
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In The Chair
You’ve made it. Everything is
in place, all checks are
complete and it is time to get
going. You have been
preparing for this for months
and it is finally coming about
but there are some things to
remember when you are
finally at this point.
You’re going to be excited
and nervous; you name it
and you will probably go
through it in the next couple
of hours. There are a couple
of steps you can take to make
sure this is the ace
experience you have been and busting up your nose as And remember to breathe What Next?
hoping it will be. well as his equipment. There and relax. Getting tattooed
First off, make sure you eat is nothing wrong with calling is one of those odd things Well, the artist’s job is
done and the quality
before your big day. Pumping time for a break - even a where you find you can of the healed tattoo is
your body full of helpful tattooist needs to take five handle the pain because firmly in your hands.
carbohydrates and protein is every now and then! you know it will stop soon or Provided you nurture
going to make it a hell of a While you are getting move onto another area. this wound and assist
its healing as best
lot easier for your body to tattooed, try and keep still as Breathe through the difficult you can, the need for
cope with what is ahead. But much as possible. Yes, you bits and relax and enjoy another trip to your
don’t eat too much either will flinch every now and the parts you find you don’t artist to tidy up any
because you don’t want to be then and you might even take strain on. Chat with the patches or dropouts
is minimal.
sitting in the chair, sick to the need to move to a more tattooist, watch a DVD or
gills, because you’re nervous comfortable position but listen to some music to
and your stomach is packed doing so while the needle is help take your mind off the
full of food! moving across your skin is not pain if you feel you are
Take some sugar based going to help things one bit. tapping out and most of all
drinks with you on the day. Finally, the whole pain - enjoy yourself!
Your body is going to start thing again. Some people
loosing sugar during the say lining hurts more than
tattoo and there is few things shading, or that black hurts FINISHING UP
better than an energy drink more than white. Once Once the tattooist is finished,
or Lucozade to get you going again, this is all subjective. he will usually wipe down
again. Do not drink alcohol Lining should be less painful the tattoo to clean up the
before your tattoo! Not only for many reasons; less excess ink and then he will
does it thin your blood which needles, the first thing to be make a final check to see
will make you bleed more but done when you’re still fresh, that he is completely happy
it is quite likely that the not so many multiple passes with the tattoo. When they
tattooist will turn you away. to complete (as in shading are happy that everything is
If you start feeling nauseous where you might get where it should be and your
or faint during the tattoo - tattooed over and over in the new tattoo is looking killer he
take a break. A tattooist would same area to get the desired will then, most likely, put
effect) but there is no set
Getting Tattooed
rather you have five minutes some healing cream on and

outside in the fresh air, measurement and each wrap it in cling-film. Now the
sipping on a Coke than you person will have a different next important step is all in
crashing to the studio floor experience of it all. your hands - aftercare.
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Aftercare by now, once

the ink is
ld have realisedthe responsibility of
your
As you shou ger in
, it’s no lon s next is totally ns
in your skin happe n
’s yours. What up and look at the optio
tattooist. It
, so let’s weigh the next week or so.
your hands
you through
that will get
e’ve said it once, the waist appear to take DECISIONS,

but it bears saying slightly longer than those on
again. Don’t pick at the upper body.This may be DECISIONS....
the scab. Simple. due to how the blood flows There are many trains of
Also worth mentioning up around the body and that old thought when it comes to
front here is that whenever devil called gravity. I’m no healing a fresh tattoo.
you’ve washed your tattoo, medical student and much None of this is set in stone
don’t go giving it a good rub like TV, we don’t need to know and it all rather depends
with a towel to dry it. Dab it a how it works, it just does. on how your tattooist was
few times with a clean towel “brought up” and their own
and let it dry off by itself. opinions on the matter. The
Those two things alone will WHAT’S GOING options range from doing The Serious Bit
put you streets ahead in the practically nothing right
healing game. ON INSIDE? across the board to keeping If you have any
With that said, let’s start Well, your skin has been it under wraps for the doubts whatsoever
about the care of
back at the beginning. Poor - broken and alien bodies duration of the body’s your tattoo, give
even worse, no - aftercare have been put beneath it. As healing process. At first, you your tattooist a call.
can destroy your tattoo. with any cut/open wound, should keep to your tattooists Seriously - one simple
When you’re done in the Big blood will flow to that point guidelines but maybe by the telephone call could
save you a world of
Chair, your tattooist will (or and begin one of the jobs it time your on your fourth or hurt and nobody will
should) give you an thrives upon. Thus, in the fifth and have spoken to mind. Better a phone
aftercare sheet that details days following the tattoo, the dozens and dozens of other call than having to
exactly how they want you to body will set about fixing the collectors, you might begin get some bits of it
reworked.
look after your tattoo. This damage. First port of call? A to form your own ideas on
may differ from studio to protective layer over the the matter. Let’s take a look
studio, but that’s OK as the area in question. Once this at your options but as we
principle will be the same. protective layer begins to said previously, you won’t
Healing will vary fall away, much like the go far wrong if you follow
depending on your genetics, effect of sunburnt skin, you the instructions given in
the size of the tattoo and will notice that the tattoo the first place...
whereabouts you applied it looks perhaps a little lifeless
and can take anything from - even in the greatest of
four to seven days. This is circumstances this will LITFA
obviously dictated by happen but this is as it A nice acronym for “leave it
should be. As soon as this
Getting Tattooed
exactly how intense the the fuck alone”, which as it

working area has been protective layer has done it’s suggests, means doing
inked. A strange rule of job and falls away, it will be nothing. Your tattoo will dry
thumb is that tattoos below back to its former self. out and become itchy using
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this method so it’s not for the
faint of heart or anybody that
can’t resist the last biscuit in
the packet. It’s a traditional
approach, works well but you
have been warned.
WRAP HER UP
Most tattooists will wrap your
tattoo in clingfilm and
advise of varying amounts Nikko Hurtado at Ignition Tattoo
of time that it should be left

on for. Keeping it wrapped THE MOIST manufactured for healing
for the first few days involves tattoos? They often contain
cleaning the tattoo three APPROACH petroleum or lanolin which
times a day with soap and Coming in to occupy the can negate the healing
water, applying the middle ground, the moist process somewhat - it’s as
aftercare ointment of choice approach means keeping much down to personal taste
and recovering with clean the tattoo clean and moist as your tattoo itself, but
clingfilm again. with a good aftercare common sense rules. At the
This should be repeated for product with no clingfilm at first sign of anything not
three or for days until all the all. This allows the tattoo to being quite as it should,
tattoo will need is some breathe without drying out discontinue use and if you
serious moisturising. and is a sensible option for need to do “something”
those trying to get on with before you see your tattooist
pretty much normal day to for advice, simply keep it
day living. clean with soap and water.
The list of products
available is not exhaustive,
Aftercare but some of the brand
names you may hear
Products bandied about include
There are rather a lot of Tattoo Goo, Tattoo Aftercare,
aftercare products on the After Inked and the
market. Much like the newcomer to the market, Ink
methods of healing, your Slinger. Bepanthen (strictly
tattooist will perhaps speaking, a nappy rash
suggest whatever has cream) and Palmer’s Cocoa
worked for them and that’s Butter (an advanced
good. As with dying your moisturiser) are also
hair and those times in your extremely popular.
James Robinson from Nine Tattoo, Brighton
life when you need to apply Ask me, and I will

a cream to the skin, you recommend one thing, ask
should probably do a patch somebody else, they will tell
test somewhere like your you another. It’s just one of
wrist to make sure you’re not the joys of getting into a
allergic. Alternatively, you tattooed life, but at the end
could do what we all do and of the day, all of these
products are well used in
Getting Tattooed
just get on with it, but don’t

say we didn’t warn you... and around the industry.
Should you use products Why not discuss while you’re
that aren’t specifically sitting in the Big Chair...
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Palmer’s INK SLINGER
Cocoa Butter A brand new
The Aftercare Formula with Vitamin product called
E This is an advanced
Company moisturiser that
‘Ink Slinger’,
formulated
After Inked Goo
Tattoo Aftercare is 100% softens, smoothes specifically for
natural, being a mix of and relieves dry those who have
beeswax, olive oil, Calendula From the USA comes After skin so is pretty a new tattoo
oil and vitamins that allow Inked, and it contains no good at revitalising or piercing to
the skin to breathe freely. THC parabens or petroleum, is older tattoos. It also care for is now
can be applied immediately suitable for vegans, and is tones skin and apparently available in the
after tattooing which enriched with the natural helps to remove stretch UK. Ink Slinger
instantly starts to soothe the antioxidant grape seed oil. It marks. I have applied this sinks without a
skin and can help to reduce is claimed that the product to a ten your-old tattoo and trace into the
the swelling that you might heals tattoos in record time over a period of time and deepest layers of
encounter after the tattooing and reduces trans-epidermal it has brought some of the your skin where
process. This is the only water loss whilst preserving faded colour back to the it not only re-
aftercare product approved the skin’s natural moisture. tattoo. It is very good for hydrates your
by the Humane Cosmetics After Inked retails in 50ml healing fresh tattoos, and it collagen; it also
Standard. It’s available from containers in the UK and is also smells of cocoa – which enhances colours
many tattoo studios or direct available from is always nice. Available of your tattoo. It is
from the manufacturers, and www.body4real.co.uk. from: FUEL, 3 The Cloisters, 8 free of odour so it
The Aftercare Company have Battersea Park Road, London. won’t clash with
produced a very informative SW8 4BG Email: info@ your perfume
aftercare brochure giving fuelrefuel.com or aftershave
guidelines to the aftercare choice, and it’s
of your new ink and
what’s more, it’s free! www.
BEPANTHEN crystal clear. A
tiny drop of Ink
tattooaftercare.co.uk Not strictly a tattoo emollient, Slinger goes a
Bepanthen is marketed long way, so it’s
Tattoo Goo Medical Body Art as a nappy rash cream only supplied in
and a cure for chapped small quantities
A unique In the aftercare kit there is a nipples. I don’t know who of 60mls and best
formula bottle of Easytattoo, a mild came up with the idea to stored at body
designed cleansing gel to keep your use this cream on fresh ink, temperature.
exclusively new tattoo clean. The Gel is but boy, does it work well.
for the hypoallergenic, bactericidal, Apply this sparingly to
treatment of fragrance-free and has a your freshly worked tattoo
new tattoos. neutral PH, so should be fine and Bepanthen keeps the
Eight different herbs, for all skin types helping scabbing to an absolute
oils, and vitamins known your new ink to heal. It also minimum, which allows your
for their natural healing has moisturisers included to skin to hold more of the ink.
properties allows the skin to help the colours in the tattoo It also stops the annoying
breath and helps to "soothe" stay bright and vibrant. itching sensation some
the tattoo as it heals. Tattoo The gel has a shelf life of 29 people get whilst their tattoo
Goo has been used on months after opening. is healing. Available from
thousands of new tattoos www.medicalbodyart.com branches of Boots, Tesco's and
with positive results and UK distributors are the other large supermarkets.
Getting Tattooed
faster healing times. Wildcat Collection Limited

For further information www.wildcat.co.uk and the
on these products go to: Belly Bar: easypiercing@
www.tattoogoo.co.uk yahoo.co.uk
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ngs about
n ally say a lot of thi
I could perso t to really get
one myself bu
Words: Woody @ Woody's Tatto
o Studio
I have ’t
cover -u ps. work - or don
what they are, why they to
into straight
may be - let’s go
work as the case nd see what somebody who
uth a
the horses mo with them has
to say.
has to deal :
actually take your seats
a n d ge ntlemen, please
Ladies
iddle me this, riddle "industry standard"

me that; who wants doesn't really come close
rid of an unwanted to describing how much
tat? Actually there the idea is revered. So
is an army of people out much so, that the pitfalls
there who given the chance are often dismissed as
of an easy change would inconsequential until well
grab for it. But surely it after the new tattoo has
cannot be possible to become a nightmare.
just lose a tattoo or find Over the years, I’ve
another one to simply seen a great deal of
easily replace it, can it? heartache associated with
A coverup, whereby a poor tattooing and poor
new tattoo replaces an coverup work which for
older one is so entrenched various reasons doesn't get
Cover-Ups
in the tattoo world that discussed with any degree
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before
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after
of equanimity relative to
the superb artwork that Do you want a quick job with less cost and less hassle or do you
fills the magazines on the want the best. Coverups nearly always have a shadowy or muddy
news stand shelves. This
article is aimed at getting look about them no matter how artistic your tattooist is.
you a great coverup by
describing the mechanics about coverups are that I deregulation and even
of working over an have tattooed professionally at the National Science
unwanted tattoo and by for twenty two years and Museum in front of top
showing the horrors that have done a great many doctors and surgeons. I am
befall the unwary. There is workshops about coverups also a member of The British
no reason why any tattoo and lasering at tattoo Medical Lasers Association.
cannot successfully be conventions for magazines, In circumstances where
covered when approached for a top laser company, for coverup is not immediately
with the right mindset. the Environmental Health achievable I have at my
My credentials for talking Department during CQC disposal a full range of
medical grade lasers that
can weaken a problem to
the point that a coverup
works. (Being as Woody was
kind enough to give up his
time for this article, we’ll let
him have that blatant plug!)
Before embarking on
a coverup, work out your
values. Do you want a
quick job with less cost and
less hassle or do you want
the best. Coverups nearly
always have a shadowy
or muddy look about them
no matter how artistic your
Cover-Ups
tattooist is. There is usually

too much compromise
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before
The new tattoo has to the same reason that if you

rub out poor work on paper
has to be so dense in
pigment relative to the old
be so dense in pigment first you will always get a one, that it intimidates the
relative to the old one, better drawing afterwards.

This is so obvious that
old one into submission.
But no matter how thick
that it intimidates the old it beggars belief that the new tattoo is, over
one into submission. anything else could be

considered. You might not
several months it will
thin out and what do you
need a lot of laser work think will happen then?
whereby the customer but any amount will be A tattoo is usually
discovers that in order to better in the long run. coverable only if it is very
get anything to come close But back to coverups, the old and weak. If you ignore
to a working image, they first thing to understand this fact you will get a
end up with something is that a coverup is not a superposition of two tattoos
that they would ordinarily coverup, it is a mixup. You which compete for the
never have chosen. If you are not painting over the same space and together
are prepared to spend more top of the old tattoo, you look ugly. If your old tattoo
time and money on pre- are mixing a new tattoo is not really old and weak
lasering, you will always get into it. It is not like painting you will need to create
Cover-Ups
a much better coverup for the walls. The new tattoo this situation with a laser
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The next thing to understand is that
black cannot be covered by anything.
Full stop. Do not deceive yourself here.
or have a tattoo which
is obviously two tattoos
mixed up. Simple as that.
The next thing to
understand is that black
cannot be covered by
anything. Full stop. Do
not deceive yourself here.
Bizarrely a great deal of
tattooists actually don't
know this simple fact. Come
to my shop and I will show
you reams of photos to
prove this. And it doesn't
matter how superb an
artist is either. What causes
so much confusion is that
colours, when first applied
are thick and appear to
do the job for a few weeks
until the colours thin out.
Look at colours in tattoos
that you see on people
in the pub because they
are real. Here you will see
after
that colours even a few

months old are transparent
while black is opaque.
When tattooists perform
a tattoo, it is usually with
black in first and colour last
and if colours could cover
black it would mean that
the black would disappear
during this process which
Cover-Ups
clearly doesn't happen.

What also confuses the
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It is exactly the
same as rubbing
out a picture on a
piece of paper first
before redrawing.
And beware of
believing photos.
a few coverups in real life
before you have one. If a
tattooist promises that they
can do you a coverup ask
to see photos of coverups
after they have had many
months of ageing. The most
deceptive photos are the
ones which are taken when
the tattoo is fresh and imply
that pastel tones will cover
black which they won't. In
issue is that an older tattoo them which is often seen

is no longer black but grey. as a large shadowy
But the grey will come back centre within the tattoo.
through colour eventually This makes a coverup
because it is fundamentally plain to see which
a thinned out black. This is shows it wasn't a great
exactly why coverups have coverup really, doesn't
Cover-Ups
a particular look about it? Make sure you see
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before
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after
summary if you have black instead of packing in committed to skin and ask Anna's Arm
in your old tattoo, even more colour which will yourself whether you would
This awful rose had
old blacks (think grey), it pancake the image and really choose that image already had a few
is likely that lasering (not create mud, consider if it weren't necessary for sessions of layering. The
cover up is part of an
cheap lasers coverup. If you unfinished and ongoing
either) will
be necessary. If you are not getting what you want in are not getting
what you want
glam rock sleeve.
It is exactly order to get a coverup it defeats the point in order to

the same as
rubbing out a of free choice doesn't it? get a coverup
it defeats
picture on a the point of
piece of paper first before taking some colour out. free choice doesn't it?
redrawing. And beware The next point is that So now we get to how to
of believing photos. tribals do not usually make get a great coverup.
The next thing to good coverups. Tribals are Firstly if you are
understand is that usually black enough to having a small, old
white does not cover bully out the old image but and weak tattoo
anything. I regularly hear for the sake of the aesthetic covered by a big,
people telling me that there will inevitably be new and strong
some tattooists suggest gaps which won't get tattoo you are well
smothering the old tattoo touched by the coverup and set up for it all to
in white first to "white- where the old tattoo will work. But these
out" the old tattoo. This clearly show through. This circumstances
simply does not work and leads to two ugly scenarios: are rare. If you
is something that you will big grotesque slabs of have lots of black
find out at your pain and black with spikes added to in your tattoo I
cost eventually. If you ever pretend that it is art, or gaps would strongly
see white in older tattoos infilled with dark colours recommend you
you will see that it is weak which make the tribal weaken it all
relative to other colours look, again like a muddy with a laser first
which is counter to what dark slab. What I have (medical grade
you would want from cover described here is very, very not eBay grade).
Cover-Ups
up colours. Again time will common. In summary, look The position of

out the truth. In summary, at the design before it is your old tattoo is
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Anna's Arm
This is the top section
of Anna’s arm before
lasering and after
retattooing.
before after
Coverups only stand a reasonable significant because the see really nice artwork
chance of working when they are

coverup, unless weakened hidden under a t-shirt
by lasering, is likely to with the muddy coverup
disproportionately bigger than be muddy and if this is clearly extending from the
what they are covering.

peripherally placed in, sleeve and on full view.
say, an armpit, no one Be realistic about sizes.
will notice as the arty bit It is usual for people to
extends down the arm and ask if a coverup can be
draws attention from the the same size as the old
coverup with attractive tattoo. Coverups only stand
imagery. Unfortunately a reasonable chance
though ninety percent of working when they
of coverups will be are disproportionately
centrally placed and bigger than what they are
it is not uncommon to covering. This is because
Cover-Ups
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Richard's Arm
Richard's arm is not
complete yet and
is ongoing but the
new work is already
working nicely.
after
any picture will usually Finally, there will always
have a balance between be exceptions to the rules
dark and light stuff and a that I have made but
small pocket of dark stuff you will have to find a
in the right place has to be tattooist experienced in
made big enough to sit on feasible coverups to advise
the old tattoo. These days, you here. No offence to
what with eBay kits, readily anyone in particular, but
available information on customers are usually so
how tattooing is done and desperate to rid themselves
magazines showing huge, of a tattoo that they are
desirable tattooing, coverup dreadful at seeing what
work is getting more is commonsensical and
necessary. But because will dismiss good advice.
the choice these days is for Therefore if you are
big stuff it can be clearly looking for a coverup
seen that coverups are not I would suggest that
working anymore without you shop around, not
lasering. Tattooists know this for the best price, but so
Cover-Ups
but it will take a long time that you get lots of well
for the public to realise this. rounded guidance.
before
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Co l l ec t o r s ng tattoos an
d
’s a fine line between havi to travel
There
. Are you prepared ly artist
being a collector nd the o n
the earth to fi
to the ends of yo ur entire
u want to offer
in the world yo
’s the line:
body to? There
atience is the key goes on in your head and - it will change every aspect
word when it comes how others will look upon of you as your memories,
to being a true you. There is little doubt feelings and opinions et al
collector. Patience though that the tenacity of are made physical - with the
and more patience. As we collectors is worth it from a entire story only known by
stated above, there are tattoo enthusiasts you and your artist.
some who will give up their perspective. Just as an art In this section, we take a
entire body to one single collector will want to look at Lepa and Geoff Ostling
artist in a unique statement purchase the best art who both have superb stories
of what cannot be possible, so the same rules to tell about their collections.
described as anything but apply to the tattoo collector - Along with this, we deemed
‘trust and love’, but there are and along those same lines, featuring Edgar Hoill as a
also those who will go in it all rather depends what worthy addition, if not
search of multiple tattoos by appeals to you as an slightly left of field
multiple artists and these individual as to which as he has
are equally valid if we’re road you choose to dedicated his
looking to nail down the go down. One career to
term correctly. thing is for sure collecting the
Such extensive collectors in a
coverage is not fascinating
for the weak array of
hearted. It will photographs.
change your Read on:
life forever
and define
you beyond
what
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Ill u s t r a t e d
The
MAN
stand out.
eoff O stli ng doesn’t beer
on G and impressive
With his clothes , grey beard
is, a 63 year
, thin hair like what he
His grayish look exactly ney. It’s
him from Syd
gut makes teacher ’s
high school u realise he
old retired come off that yo
clothes ne else.
not until the different from everyo
bit
just a little
rom head to toe, one of the main

including his genitals, hurdles over. In the
he’s covered in tattoos documentary they
of mostly native interview a doctor
Australian flowers - and when about how to go
he dies, he’s donating his skin through with it, the
to the National Museum of curators about the
Australia. There’s even a moral aspects and
whole film about that. the mortician about
When The National how to treat a body
Museum of Australia asked without skin. We also
Geoff Ostling to donate his go to Japan to look at some “Ever since my parents told
skin after his death a whole preserved Samurai skins…” me I couldn’t have one, I’ve
bunch of judicial and moral The film became a hit and wanted one, but I didn’t know
questions were raised. Who it’s won prizes at a couple of anyone who had tattoos.
owns the right to his skin after international film festivals, like Meeting the executive was
his death? Is it legal and Sydney, Amsterdam and the starting point.”
even do-able at all? Is it Toronto. It was also screened He refers to himself as “a
morally correct? three times at the Tribeca film heavily tattooed bear”, and
All these questions awoke festival where it was ‘strongly that pretty much sums it up.
the interest of the Australian recommended’, and it’s about He’s a gentle, kind and laid
film company Big Little to be sold to both American back person with a grayish
Films, and the documentary and European networks to be beard, glasses, and an
Skin became the first out of aired on TV.” “unusual” hobby, and I feel
four in their series about Geoff started getting tattoos nothing but relaxed when I
anatomy. The film is built at the age of 42, after having talk to him. He’s at ease with
around these questions, met a corporate executive himself and his life choices
Geoff explains: with a full body suit he’d and he’s still planning new
“I was showing my tattoos at never shown to his colleagues tattoos. There is still some
this seminar at the museum or clients. space on his body, mainly on
and afterwards one of the The interest was already his right arm, but the next
curators asked me if I wanted there, but this made him project is his neck and scalp.
to donate my skin. I said I had realize his long awaited As with the majority of Geoff’s
to talk to my partner first, but dream of a body suit actually body, they will probably be
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he agreed to it, so that was could come true. covered in flowers:
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A lot of people
like to put
symbols of
death, like
skulls, on their
body. Instead I
have symbols
of life. Why
flowers? It’s
simple, they’re
the body’s sex
organs
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“A lot of people like to put only for a second or two. Geoff started getting
symbols of death, like skulls, “Since the parents of all my
on their body. Instead I have former students would see it, I tattoos at the age of
symbols of life. Why flowers?
It’s simple, they’re the body’s
was a bit worried over the
outcome. A lot of them would
42, after having met a
sex organs, and I just like probably think: ‘No wonder corporate executive
plants and things that grow!” my kid’s in jail’”
His tattoos have been “It was no secret though, I with a full body suit
inked all over the world, but just didn’t say anything. I he’d never shown to his
most of them have been could have lost my job if they
created by one of the biggest found out. I’m also gay. I colleagues or clients.
artists in Australia. She calls would probably not have lost
herself eX de Medici. my job if that came out, but Geoff into something of a
“Her dad was a highly that’s another thing you just celebrity. He got invited to the
appointed politician in don’t tell people. At the end international tattoo
Canberra and he made her of the day it wasn’t that hard convention in Berlin, he gets
use a different name if she though. I just kept my private recognized in his everyday
was to become a tattoo artist. life and my job separated. Of life in Australia and the
When I saw her work I was course there was always the photos The Sydney Morning
speechless. Sadly she’s not risk of the shirt coming up a Herald took of him didn’t just
tattooing anymore since her bit and revealing the tattoos, make the paper’s own Top
paintings are now sold for but that never happened 100 Photos of the year. One of
120,000 dollars…” and since the film came out them also made it into the LA
The film also follows Geoff I’ve received almost nothing Times equivalent. “It’s
around for a couple of but positive comments, incredible how many people
months after he decided to except the occasional have seen the movie, so we’ll
go through with the donation. asshole of course!” see, maybe there will be a
He himself didn’t have any “One teacher came up to sequel. They have 80 hours
moral issues with the me and told me about his material altogether and I’ve
donation and medically tattoos. He’d never shown his already been asked once
speaking it was doable, but either, and some of them about it, but they didn’t have
there were other elements were really big.” The the 60,000 dollars they
Collectors
that made him hesitate, if documentary has made needed for it then!”
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B o d y s u i t
The Story
of a
to our
a stir whe n she first came hard to
uite
Lepa caused q at the time, it was incredibly gathered.
fact ,
attention - in photographers
the gaggle of brilliant
get near her for end as yo u can see in this
out in the n story:
Patience won let her tell her ow
we also
shoot when
y heritage is quite medium for expressing

mixed as my dad is art. In terms of my own
Nepalese and my artwork, I love drawing
mum is Bengali. things that inspire me and
I have always loved I get a lot of that inspiration
tattoos, especially the from the work of H.R. Giger
traditional Japanese styles. who designed the Aliens in
Initially, my dad introduced the movie of that name
me to tattoos. He used to love starring, Sigourney Weaver.
watching the old school Giger has influenced my
Samurai movies and we artwork no end, what more
would often end up can I say, except that he is
watching them together. pure genius.
I can remember that When deciding to get
when I first saw those tattooed, I always knew that
tattoos, I just could not I was going to get a full
believe how incredibly bodysuit; there was no
beautiful they were. I question about it. I didn’t
have been drawing want random tattoos here
and painting since and there; I had made up
before I could even my mind from an early age
write my own name that a full-scale bodysuit was
and I was very what I wanted. It was much
much in awe of harder to convince George
how we could Bone, the tattooist, that I was
actually adorn serious about this. In fact,
our bodies when I first went into his
with studio and explained my
tattoos plan to him, I don’t think he
in a way actually believed me. In
that is order that he could see just
such a how committed I was, I just
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unique kept going back to the
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This may sound masochistic,

but I do actually love the
process of getting tattooed as
much as I love the end result!
studio, but even so, George and as the years have gone
still made me wait about by, I now consider him to be
eight months before a close friend. He is the most
allowing me to undertake patient and humble person
my first sitting. George told you could ever meet, he
me that he just wanted to listens to your ideas, then
make doubly sure that I was offers his own input so that
really serious and everything he produces is
understood the implications unique, I just love his style. I
of what I was doing. do try to pop into the studio
I have had some work whenever I get the chance
done by Horiyoshi Souryou, and it seems that old friends
(kazuyoshi), Horiyoshi III’s always surround him. George
son, he tattooed some has a charisma that causes
Sakura’s, (blossoms), on people to gravitate towards
my lower left leg at him and it seems to me as an
the London observer that all of the
Tattoo people that he has tattooed
Convention over many years are still very
in 2009. close to him. I can honestly
That was a say that I love the man; I just
very special cannot say enough good
experience for things about him.
me as I adore his father's This may sound
work and I have also masochistic, but I do
modelled Horiyoshi III actually love the process of
clothing for them at the getting tattooed as much as I
convention too. The rest of love the end result! There are
my tattoo work was and is, a few spots that always seem
being done exclusively by to catch me unguarded, like
George Bone. George is not the ribs, but I think I’m
only an incredible artist, he addicted or immune to the
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is a legend in his own right, pain of the needles. I
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art is a very big part of who I
am. I imagine that they see
it as an external extension of
my inner self, maybe not
everybody’s cup of tea, but it
is what it is.
I also get mixed reactions
from the general public;
they either look at me and
tut or shake their heads,
silently disapproving, or on
the other hand look at me
with interest and
enthusiasm and ask me lots
of questions about my
tattoos. Either way it's cool, I
know what I have done is
not for everyone.
As far as the modelling
goes, it isn’t something I
actively sought out; it just
kind of found me! It really
took off after the London
Convention 2009, as that
was where I got the most
When deciding to get exposure. Since then I have
had a lot of offers from
tattooed, I always knew talented and established
that I was going to get a photographers and I am
trying to get around to
full bodysuit; there was working with some of these. I
have already modelled for
no question about it. some amazing
photographers, real artists in
generally sit for six hour their own right. People like
sessions and the after effects Ashley from Savageskin
are often worse than the photography, who did this
actual tattooing as I get shoot, also Doralba Picerno
really bruised after such and Craig Burton, to name
long sittings, but no pain, no but a few. Working with
gain, right? these individuals has
Regarding my tattoos, I given me a good basic
get mixed reactions from my introduction, as well as
family, but I have to say that direction and experience, in
we are not the most terms of modelling. In some
‘traditional’ family in the ways it’s been like a
world. We all have our own whirlwind, which I have to
likes and dislikes, we are all admit I wasn’t expecting.
very different and tend to Apart from that I haven’t
accept each other for who done anything ‘serious’ just
we are as unique yet; I’m just trying to keep
individuals and on top of my feet on the ground for
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that my family knows how the time being. Modelling
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I’m actually more
confident in front of
the camera without
any clothes, much
more so than when I
am wearing them.
has been an altogether
pleasant surprise, albeit
unexpected, so I’m just
waiting to see where it
carries me.
I love the way the camera
seems to capture my essence
and what I find fascinating is
that’s something that other
people often notice and point
out to me too. The strange
thing is that I’m actually
more confident in front of the
camera without any clothes,
much more so than when I
am wearing them.
As for the future, I want to
get into tattooing, there’s
really nothing more that
I would rather do with
the rest of my life. I
have fallen in love
with everything
about it, what more
can I say?
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On e Sh o t
One Kill
At the 2010 Lo ndon Tattoo Co
to finally bump
nvention, I had
into Edgar
the
Hoill
good fortune followi ng his work
a good two years of n was
after
. The On e Shot One Kill exhibitio
from afar made himself
attended and Hoill
particularly well spectacular:
fan s over the three day Jack Rudy
a lot of n ew This is something you won’t find
anywhere else. This is a picture of
Jack Rudy tattooing Brian Everett
and is monumental. Jack became a
dgar Hoill’s story is a see our friends in the
mentor to me - he inspires me totally
triumph of success in yearbook” – which really
and I love this so much because I
the face of adversity. If pissed me off. don’t think anybody will ever get the
ever you were looking “So one day, I went to see chance to capture this ever again.
for a life-story that illustrated the head teacher and I was Afterwards, I also took this picture of
what equal parts of hard like “what’s up with this – they Jack’s machine in close-up.
work, luck, loyalty and won’t take pictures of the
respect could get you, this Chicanos?” and he gave me
has to be it. As we squirrel the same answer that they “No, but the thing about it
ourselves away in a corner of did, that they just wanted was that I started getting
the exhibition complete with their friends in there. I didn’t really popular from doing this
TV camera crew and the think that was right and I told and everybody - even those
tribal rhythm of those Fuel them so. But one day, one of white kids - really liked my
Girls drums, he begins to tell the teachers says to me “well pictures and I would get hit
me his story: why don’t you do something up by them to take their
“I went to a high school in about it? pictures as well, but you
Texas that was about 80% “So the following semester, know, I had to say “Fuck you -
white American rich kids and I started taking pictures – this when I wanted you to take
not very many of us Latinos is like ‘93/’94 – I started our pictures you blew us off,
and every time you looked at taking pictures of all the so now I’m blowing you”. So
the school newspaper or the homies, the gangsters, all the basically I was fighting for
yearbook it was really punks - everybody that my people because the
noticeable that everybody in wasn’t your typical white Chicanos and the Latinos -
them was white and I was person. I took pictures of the we were always looked down
always saying: janitors and the lunch ladies on. For instance, our soccer
“I want to be in the yearbook” as well and all of these team was the best in the
but when I asked them why people I started putting in school but they would never
they wouldn’t take my picture the yearbook myself. do articles on them – they
to be in it, the only response I Did you ever take pictures of would feature their soccer
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ever got was “we only want to the white kids as well? team who sucked.
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This is Chico
Chico opened a lot of doors not only
for the tattoo community with his
black and grey work, but for me
personally. He was always pushing
me to do better and showing people
my work - I owe him so much. Sadly,
he passed away and he was my
friend y’know. I like to remember him
like this whenever I can.
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Horiyoshi III
I took a lot of pictures of him doing various things. They
are part of a set I have of him doing the four different
elements that he specialises in: tattooing with a machine,
Tebori, drawing and Kanji. Together, they capture the real
essence of who he is and what he does.
So, the more I did this, the

more people would identify
themselves with me and they
really liked that I was doing
something for them. This was
Houston – it was really racist
and the rich kids lived on one
side of the freeway and the
poor kids lived on the other.
So anyway, I got pretty close
with a lot of my teachers and
they always supported me
because – even though I was
always in trouble – they knew “So I said something like was working out great.
I was doing it for the right ‘Well, I’ll help you out – there’s “Then one day, one of the
reasons and they were no need to buy a camera hurricanes – I forget what its
always supportive. because I have my own name was - it wiped out the
“Eventually, I started equipment’ and then we camera store. Some trees
working in a camera store used the store equipment came down and took out the
after school and I was anyway and then just took it whole drainage system. They
meeting a lot of back - I used to do that all the had hurricane insurance but
photographers and I would time. He was actually the they didn’t have flood
go out and assist them on owner of Lowrider magazine insurance because it wasn’t
jobs and that’s how it really – so I shot some things for his in a flood area and the store
all started off. Then I started magazine and that was ended up 18 feet under water,
working for some local when I started getting so and they went bankrupt
newspapers and I would recognised by Lowrider meaning I was shit out of
shoot underground concerts which is who I work for now. luck. Luckily, the guys at the
and stuff. Then one day I met After a couple of interviews, magazine said that they
a guy who came into the they hired me as regular wanted me full time and I
store looking for some freelancer and after a couple was hired on the Wednesday.
equipment and he was really of years of all of this, I was “I had my first job to do on
stressing out because he doing OK for myself. I had the Saturday, so I packed
needed to take some pictures regular freelancing work and everything I could in my car
and his photographer had let I was the manager of the and drove on the Thursday
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him down. camera store and everything and Friday and got to work.
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Black & Grey

These are part of a set that comes from a black
So, you know, I always remind and grey documentary that I worked on for the
myself to stay grounded and History channel. A lot of people stop and look at
treat everybody with respect this I think because it’s a classic example of what
because you never know a black and grey backpiece should be like.
what kind of shit can
happen…” ...and it’s easy to
end up back on the street too, take care of them and they but internationally as well. It
right? “Oh yeah – my family is take care of me. Lowrider opened other doors too - I
always real supportive opened a lot of doors for me.” never thought I would have
though and anytime I ever When did you start to take shot Snoop Dog, or worked
start to slide backwards, they it to the exhibition stage? closely with the big Mexican
kick my ass and remind me “One of my friends, invited bands I have.”
that I’m fucking up stuff that’s me to be a judge at a The drums in the
important. People like and Lowrider show and he saw background begin to die out,
respect my work now. I’m one the stuff I was doing and he which is a good time to
of the very few people that said that he really wanted make ourselves mobile and
are allowed in some of these me to bring some stuff out to get the story behind each of
places to do my work. It’s an exhibit to see what people the display items. They say
honour to be able to do thought of it – and people that every picture tells a
things like this and the only were loving it. That was story, but somehow, every
reason I’m able to do it is really the first time that I picture doesn’t seem to tell
because they like what I do realised people could be into quite as much of a story of
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and we respect each other – I my work not only in my town, Edgar Hoill’s do.
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Artists
THE VERY
DEEP BRIN
N
G
AT
S
UR
US
E
IN
O
TO
F PR
CO
ODUCING A MAG
NTACT WITH SO
N TH E A RT
AZINE LIKE SKIN
ME INCREDIBLE
. WITHOUT QUEST
ION,THEY
GW IT HI HETHER IT
PEOPLE WORKIN TH E FU TU RE IN SOME WAY, W
NC ED
HAVE ALL INFLUE LE PICTURE.
A FE W W IS E W ORDS OR A SING
BE WITH
S
ometimes - an awful
lot of the time - it
makes you stop and
wonder just how an
artist can have gotten that
good. The answer is
inevitably a combination of
developed talent and a lot of
hard work. An awful lot of
hard work. Even when you’ve
looked at a thousand tattoos
in a single day, there are
always occasions when an
image will stop you in your
tracks and force you to
inspect it just a little bit
closer, provoking the eternal
question “how in the world
did they get that on there?”
This is a good place to
point out what I feel is an
important divide to make
within the ‘industry’ - there
are tattooists and there are being equally amazing. as what we all want on a
tattoo artists. Both equally In this section, it is these monthly basis is new things
important. A tattooist is one people we’ll be talking to for to look at and form our own
whose understanding of the no other reason than this is ideas with - don’t we?
technical aspect of the art is where a lot of the magic Thus, we present here
second to none, who will happens. It is the artists who some of the artists who have
work from a template or flash propel the art side of the shaken the tree and found
and bring about the most industry forward, who stop for themselves that good
amazing piece of work for you in your tracks and make things have fallen out of that
you. A tattoo artist on the you hanker for more. tree. There’s a lesson here
other hand, is capable of Inevitably, because their somewhere, but as always,
producing custom work work is constantly moving whatever lesson that is, it’s
seemingly straight out of forward at that artistic level, worth pointing out that none
their head, using your skin they are always great to of it came easy - particularly
for a canvas - the end result feature within the magazine in this business!
Artists
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CALLED
GRIME
A MAN
Grime first
17 years now,
Tattooing for cisco from his
move to San Fran
made the to pursue
Colorado in 1996, strictly
native n Francisco
my opinion, Sa
his passion. “In tattoo city in
most progressive
was the to be part
and I wanted
the whole world nce and learn
, I wa n ted to experie
of that
unts Grime.
from them.” reco
Contact nvolved with a variety Sword to a

of shops throughout the level of artistry well above
SKULL & SWORD
3415 CESAR CHAVEZ, years, it seems Grime most shops. Yutaro Sakai, understand when other
SAN FRANCISCO, finally struck tattoo gold Henry Lewis and Lango, people are discussing my
CA 94110 with Skull and Sword. who joined forces with own work, or other people’s
Talented guest artists aside, Grime in that order, are the work, so I think it really aids in
the studio’s three permanent distinct and masterful artists our ability to look at design
artists, in addition to Grime, at the shop’s core. and to determine subtle
help elevate Skull and But even with a portfolio as things like, you know, move
strong as this, it seems the this and change that
greatest criticisms on Grime’s because it’s going to have a
work stem from within different look, and it will
himself. “I’m hyper-critical,” make your eye move across
he admits. “I think in the past, the piece.”
I would say, 99 per cent of my “I’d wanted to tattoo
work I didn’t like at all. Now, professionally since I was 14,
I’m a little less critical of my even though it wasn’t a
work, and work in general, burning desire per se, but it
because I just see it looser - was something that was in
and some things I figure, you my head. I had mentioned it
know, that’s fine for now, or to friends and thought about
that’s as good as you’re it, so it was definitely
gonna do for the moment.” something that was on my
However, where most would radar. But I didn’t portray
consider a critical eye a myself like ‘Oh, I’m going to
curse, Grime focuses on its be this thing’, or ‘I’m going to
upside; “I think I’m fortunate do this when I get older.’ I
to have that because it’s was young, I was stuck in the
really pushed my work and moment and I didn’t know
it’s helped these guys see what I was going to do but it
things, and it’s helped me kept pursuing me, so it came
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“I think I’m fortunate to have

that because it’s really pushed
my work and it’s helped these
guys see things, and it’s helped me
understand when other people
are discussing my own work
to the point where I had to difficulty of making really
do it.” good tattoos is pretty
Following his first ever job, staggering. I’ve been
“a graffiti piece on a friends tattooing 17 years and it’s still
calf,” tattoos soon become really hard to do even a
the art that overpowered all. decent tattoo. A really, really
“I do other things, but good tattoo is really fucking
tattooing is by far the thing I hard. And that’s what
do the most and it’s the amazes me about people
medium that I’m most who think that they’re good, it
comfortable with. I know how just blows my mind.”
to get my desired effects with From this modesty comes a
tattooing easier than I even truly standout point about is to make really strong
know how to with a pencil or Grime; you can trust him. tattoos, so if it’s something
a paint or anything else.” Trust him to be honest and to that I feel is like, ‘Man, I don’t
Even so, the most surprising deliver. “There’s some stuff I know how to get that to even
aspect still remains “how don’t do,” he says. “My be a decent tattoo,’ I’ll just
hard it is,” says Grime. “The number one goal in tattooing turn it down.”
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KAT
AT
WHAT K
ID NEXT...
D
VON D
Many have
browsed
watched
thro
a n d
her television
ugh her books
created a perso
show,
, read about her
na of
in the tabloids ow the
D in their mi nds, but few kn
Kat Von nberg:
e von Drache
real Katherin
Contact passionate, at love with this and I was like, ‘I D relies on rough cuts to keep
times self- need to do this. I’m not even up with the show. Although
High Voltage Tattoo
1259 N. La Brea conscious, self- sure exactly what I’m doing, she doesn’t have a final say in
Avenue professed but I know that I want to do the editing process, she
Hollywood, CA 90038 workaholic, she’s one hell of this.’” Landing her first job at a admits, “There’s been plenty of
an artist in any medium she tattoo shop at the age of 16, it times where I was like, ‘What
www.highvoltage
tattoo.com tackles and maybe that’s was all uphill from there. Yes, the fuck? You can’t do that. I
because she never uphill: “Most people go wasn’t even in the room and
rests. Before Kat Von D through an apprenticeship you edited it that way!’”
became the master of black where somebody more “I like to believe that people
and grey portraiture that she experienced guides you are smarter than that and
is today, Katherine von through and it’s a learning don’t believe everything they
Drachenberg was a tattoo- process. I was doing see – especially when editors
enamoured teenager with no- everything unprofessionally splice up certain sentences or
one to apprentice under, but and had to learn everything there’s no continuity. Like if my
remained convinced that she the hard way, I guess.” hair is a different shade of red
had found her calling. The creation of High in every scene, I can’t dye my
“The first second I started Voltage Tattoo and the shop’s hair in ten minutes! I’ve had to
tattooing I knew that I was in inner workings are well learn to really let go of a lot of
documented on the hit that stuff.”
television show LA Ink. Not When I bring up the term
having owned a television “reality TV star” to ask about
herself in almost 14 years, Von misconceptions the public
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may have of Kat Von D, I can

almost hear her cringe. “Ugh, I
“I only book out two months in advance
hate that term. We used to be because you don’t know what’s gonna
under a Doc Series format
where it wasn’t about drama happen in two months. People think I
and then the network decided
to change it. That’s why I have
charge a million dollars to talk or
such a hard time with the something. I also don’t tattoo you on a
show, because I absolutely
hate drama.”
throne of gold!”
And that really plays into
her personality. “I’m semi- her assistant answer every
reclusive and shy and at request that’s submitted and
times self-conscious,” she adds, “I only book out two
admits. “I’m definitely not months because you don’t
perfect. I think if people just know what’s gonna happen
remembered that everybody in two months. People think I
is either somebody’s daughter charge a million dollars to
or mother or son, brother, talk or something. I also don’t
father, we’d probably treat tattoo you on a throne of gold!”
each other a lot better and she laughs. “High Voltage is a
give each other a lot more real tattoo shop and everyone
breaks. I think any who comes through gets a
preconceived perception is a real experience.”
misconception.” So how would this tattoo
One of the biggest mistakes artist extraordinaire sum
made may be in assuming herself up? Finishing the
just how hard it is to get sentence ‘Kat Von D is...’
tattooed by Von D. “I think a quickly becomes the toughest
lot of people have challenge of our conversation.
exaggerated things and “Is at a loss of words?” laughs
because of the show a lot of Von D. “I don’t know, I think I
people think I’m inaccessible.” would leave it blank and add
In reality, Von D says she and a period.”
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A BREED
APART
ista
Buena V UB
CL
TATTOO
are the most

M erschky and Simone Pfaff the pleasure
Volko I have ever had their
unassuming artists softly spoken, humble in
. Both are nal
of meeting ow n work and professio
of their perior
estimation their far su
core . This , combined with n, makes it an
to the tha n my G erma
of En glish
command company.
ute thrill to be in their
absol
Contact ou may look at their ball rolling - one that causes brand and our style.”
creations and decide much hushed conversation “You see, when you come
Buena Vista
Tattoo Club they’re not for you. You in their mother tongue to us, you have two
Peterstr.1 may also look and wanting nothing more than opportunities. The first is to
97070 Würzburg not get what’s going on. You to get this right for the record: give us total freedom to
Germany too may also fall in love. This “Well, the tattoo designs we create the art freehand - but
0049 931 702656 is what true art does - it create don’t fit into any the customer can also give a
www.buena evokes a response at the known or common styles, so certain theme if they wish,
vistatattooclub.com
emotional level that we made up our minds to maybe some keywords in
demands either taking part think of a term that would combination with a song,
or moving on. They have describe it best. We came up poem or a quote. Out of this,
branded their unique style as with Realistic Trash Polka the design will be created by
Realistic Trash Polka. It’s an because all in all, it’s a us from our understanding of
obvious question to start the mixture of realistic elements the theme. By doing it this
combined with abstract or way, we can always be sure to
sometimes, graphic parts develop our style and create
which represent the ‘trash’ completely unique designs
part of the phrase. While this that are one of a kind.”
may be an unusual Surely then, along with
combination, it’s familiar giving some clues as to what
from music, as a polka. So, the sort of person you are and the
term polka comes from our kind of design you’re looking
inspiration from the music - for in the Trash Polka style, it’s
especially from our own just as important to mention
music and songwriting. any imagery you particularly
Basically, Realistic Trash don’t want as well?
Polka is all of those things “Yes, of course, but you
combined with what mustn’t confuse that with
happens when we come telling us exactly what you
together to create. It’s simply want in the design, that’s not
the two of us, our name, our how we work. It is more an
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abstract way of working - We are at our best when

working with moods -
desperate, happiness we work together,
etcetera - that kind of input getting inspiration
lets us work to our best.”
“You see, before we became from each other and
tattoo artists, we went to art
school and through this we
discussing our ideas
learned a lot. It may be that way of working our creations. difference to
the Trash Polka style came We don’t have to explain our where we are
about from our paintings and ideas in detail to each other, now and we
drawings. Step by step, we got each of us gives an idea or continually get
more ideas to design tattoos proposal for the design that new ideas for
in this way and over time, we can be an inspiration for the upcoming
found we had many other and so on.” tattoos, so we
customers who were open “As artists it is important to are pretty sure
minded enough and trusted develop, work on new ideas that the
us. Without them, we wouldn’t and never stand still. It is bad designs will
have had a chance to tattoo for the soul to work on the change! As this is an
this style at all!” same designs for years and evolutionary process, we
“We are at our best when never create something new. cannot prophesise how our
we work together, getting This is also what we tell our designs will look when the
inspiration from each other customers - we encourage customer turns up for the
and discussing our ideas - it them to get a unique design. work! We hope though, that
is only out of this We never do anything twice our customers will like it and
environment that the style and because of this we are are as much interested in this
and the tattoo designs forced to create new things type of art as we are. Years
develop. In fact, we work so all the time. When we look ago, we both did all kinds of
closely and have so much back at a design - something styles in our tattooing but
the same style, that there is we did maybe a year ago - now we both only work in
virtually no difference in the there is always a big Trash Polka.”
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THE BL ACK
KN IGH T is a ma n forever at the
cutting
tly
Yann Black style is instan
of art. His totally unique there are
edge but still
‘Art Brut’ style
recognisable it fits within the
who are n’t sure where
those
things.
big scheme of
Contact he first thing that considered designs

needs addressing is too simplistic I’ve
GLAMORT
4411 Notre Dame why there is so much or ‘naif’, but working with already
Ouest confusion in the minimalistic and purified dabbled in, it’s actually
H4C 1S2 public acceptance of Black’s line work doesn’t leave a when people bring new
Montreal
Quebec
work, although why the single margin for error. I like ideas to me that I’ve never
Canada general populace feel a to think that my work is worked with before that
need to have to categorise constantly progressing, allows me to push my work
www.yourmeat things has always been technically and graphically forwards.”
ismine.com/
beyond me: speaking.” With a customer waiting
“Me too, but it doesn’t “Although some clients list consistently booked up at
really bother me. I do my come to me asking for least six months in advance,
own thing and people make
what they want of it – and I
wouldn’t say other tattoo
artists have really influenced
me, but people like Alex
Binnie and Xed Le Hed
definitely made me want to
start tattooing and
I think the same things were
said about them also.”
And I’ve heard those very
same confused people often
describe your work as being
simple or even child-like –
which is really just a simple
lack of understanding, yes?
“Compared to more
traditional tattoos, my work
could I suppose, be
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ART BRUT
Art Brut (raw art or
rough art) is a term
plucked out of thin
air by the French
artist Jean Dubuffet
to describe art that
is created outside of
the norm. Dubuffet’s
original statement
was actually made
with regards to
inmates of insane
asylums and the art
if you like what you see here, they produced but
later, as the phrase
you’d better get your name was brought into
added to it pretty quickly. In the mainstream
this relatively new world of and newly termed
preparing the tattoo as art ‘outsider art’ by Roger
Cardinal, it came
and not strictly as a tattoo, to describe any art
how much input can the that was outside
customer put in before Black of the mainstream
takes over? and without formal
qualification – which
“The customer input is let’s face it, isn’t
vital. Without the exchange half as cool to be
between the artist and the associated with.
client, there wouldn’t be a
tattoo. People come to me The best example of
true Art Brut seeping
because they like the into pop culture is
graphic style, so they know very clean lines – and while for the occasional the work of William
what to expect. They come we’re on the subject, is that reproductionion of a work of Kurelek whose
with an idea and I adapt it something that others have art. The black and red that I madness induced
“The Maze” (1953) was
with my style, but if one of us ever tried to replicate? use have become used for the cover
isn’t happy, we simply don’t “Definitely. Be it the clean, synonymous with my work – of Van Halen’s 1981
do the tattoo.” straight lines, or the dirty, I’ve tried other colour album Fair Warning.
Although the form itself ephemeral, sketchy lines, combinations, but it doesn’t
seems simple, it’s far from it – both are technically as really work for me.
especially trying to create demanding as each other - “Occasionally, I have seen
the illusion of mess out of and it’s all freehand, except ‘copies’ of my art and
generally it doesn’t work
“Although some clients come because of that lack of
understanding, but
to me asking for designs I’ve effectively, I guess it has
opened the doors for other
already dabbled in, it’s actually artists to try out new ideas.
when people bring new ideas to Some artists have even
adapted the style, and have
me that I’ve never worked with brought something new to
before that allows me to push my the table, exploring terrain
that I would have never
work forwards.” ventured into.”
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MAST E R O F
L I T Y
Vries
A
Mike De
RE Renow n ed for
putting ink in
his
to the skin of
Sylvester
work and
stunning realism Stallone and
ranked
ughtry , M ike DeVries is rightly Studio
Chris Da D Tattoo
’s best. With M
among the world n gth in just a few
stre n gth to stre
going from high time we
, we thought it was d.
short years lay of the lan
in to survey out the
checked
Contact opened MD Tattoo Studio everybody who

in July of 2008, so we’re a owns and runs their
MD Tattoo Studio
9545 Reseda Blvd. fairly new shop in the big own shop can attest
Unit 2 Northridge scheme of things. Most to. With the public perception love going to work not only to
CA 91324 tattoo artists have a goal of of tattoo shop management tattoo and create art, but also
www.mdtattoo opening their own shop one most likely being what they to hang out with my crew all
studio.com day and of course, that was have picked up from LA Ink day. We have a good time.
one goal of mine too, but and suchlike shows – editing MD Tattoos is an open
Tel: 818 700 2818
opening and running a shop aside – is that how things environment where we are
is not easy and at times I pan out in the real world too? working together and having
question if it’s worth it, but “In the beginning, the shop a blast doing so. We all feed
after some time, a lot of went through a few artists artistically from each other,
dedication and hard work, it that didn’t work out, but after no one has an ego, and we
has turned out to be a spending some time sorting all take tattooing very
positive experience.” things out and learning as I seriously while having fun
That’s not a statement that went along, the shop is going doing it.”
well for us. I have “The vibe in the shop is
a crew that I’m totally geared towards
very thankful for artistic creativity and all of
– they’re not only the artists are encouraged to
people that I express themselves as such
work with, but to but I also feel that in order to
me they are run a successful shop, there
family: Jeff needs to be a balance
Johnson, Katelyn between being creative and
Crane, Josh being business-minded.
Duffy, London, Being creative in artwork
and my up-and- and design, but also being
coming business-minded in the
apprentice, sense of having a good work
Jamie Parker. I ethic, keeping things neat
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and organised and more people wanted portraits when I look back
ultimately making sure the from me and I wasn’t
customer is satisfied.” complaining because I loved to when I started
“Personally speaking, when
I look back to when I started
doing it! I remember
tattooing a couple of lions in
tattooing, I was doing
tattooing, I was doing all sorts colour that people saw and all sorts of different
of different styles, just to learn liked and those were a
how to tattoo and trying to couple of pieces that helped styles, just to learn how
figure out my niche. My get the ball rolling.” to tattoo and trying to
mentor Jim Hayek did a lot of “I believe just having
amazing new skool, bright, animals growing up and FIgure out my niche
colourful work with solid loving them as pets has
outlines. He also dabbled in influenced my tattoo work, mentor, ‘How the heck is he
pin-ups and realism himself, but like I said earlier, when I doing this? These animal
so early on in my career I went into tattooing I didn’t portraits are amazing!’ That
tried the same type of work know I was going to be a had a lot of influence on me
and ended up tattooing wildlife animal portraiture as well. I love all sorts of art
some pin-ups as well - and artist, I kind of fell into it while and even though I have a
then a couple of animals and viewing some of Tom name in the realism tattoo
portraits of people, and it just Renshaw’s work during my world, that isn’t all I
started to escalate. More and apprenticeship. I asked my appreciate. I love it all!”
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The Tattoo
Republ ic un ism mea nt the uprisin
g of an exciti
ular
ng
The fall of comm the Czech Republic. One partic

counterculture
in the beginning
st udio was there from
Prague-based
tattoo republic...
lead the way for a tattoo
and helped
Contact ike the outbreak of studio during 1996, kick-

Punk during ’77 in the starting the tattoo
TRIBO / WILDCAT.CZ
Lidická 8 UK, the tattoo republic revolution.
150 00 Praha 5 counterculture arrived Initially focusing on the
Otevírací doba: and took Prague by storm, production and
Po - Pá: 9:00 - 17:00 sending it into a whirlwind of distribution of piercing for Burda and his band of
Tel: 736689472 frenzied excitement and jewellery, Tribo opened up its rebel artists to pioneer a new
Tel/Fax: 257219042
creative flair - and Michal first tattoo parlour during the tattoo movement.
e-mail: distribuce
Burda, Tribo’s founder, trail- mid-90s and hasn’t looked “You could count the shops
tattooshop.cz
blazed his way to notoriety back since. on one hand, and now there
when he set up the tattoo “We opened our first shop are hundreds of them, but
in 1996 with a friend and very few are good enough to
tattoo artist from a small city compete on an international
outside of Prague. We were level. It was really hard with
one of the first body art shops the authorities while opening
in the Czech Republic, so the the shop. They put a close eye
general attitude was that we on us and it took lot of energy
were total freaks. It was really and paperwork to prove to
unusual at that time - things them that we could do it in a
like stretched earlobes and clean and safe way, and that
multiple piercings, people we weren’t planning on
mainly associated tattoos killing someone or spreading
with criminals.” some deadly infection
Burda’s tattoo shop wasn’t throughout Prague.”
exactly welcomed with open “It was really hard to get
arms when it first dared to useful information in the
take Prague and its Czech Republic in that time.
frustrated counterculture There was no internet and
disciples in scary new no books published. From
directions. With the time to time a truck driver
authorities breathing down friend of ours brought us
their necks, sceptical and tattoo magazines bought at
resistant to the burgeoning petrol stations in Western
tattoo scene, it wasn’t easy Europe. I was travelling also.
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Berlin was always a big We were one of the

source for information and
inspiration for me.” first body art shops in
Situated and hard at work the Czech Republic, so
behind the doors of the Tribo
studio is super-versatile Peter the general attitude
Bobek, an artist who has
become renowned for his
was that we were
realism and black and grey, total freaks
and has since brought colour
to the mix which has taken a tattoo uprising and
his work to a whole new level. managing to stay on top in
Musa, Peter’s apprentice, is a such a competitive and
young-gun who has been packed market has been no
working professionally for just easy feat for Tribo, but the
one and half year. studio’s success is a result of
“Musa came out with his Tribo’s simple but effective
really unique abstract philosophy: a philosophy
aquarelle style, which has that will inevitably see them
attracted many people from tattooing productively and
all over the world”, says successfully for another 15
Michal. “After attending a years and beyond:
few conventions in Western “We aim to keep our work
Europe, his work is now at the highest possible level
becoming very popular and to educate the new
and there are many people generation of tattoo artists in
travelling from abroad to our shop. I am not talking
Prague just to be tattooed just about artistic skills but
by him.” also about personal
Emerging from a former integrity, loyalty, respect and
communist state and friendship. We will continue
beating out all odds to to do the best tattoos that we
successfully help to launch can as always.”
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Becoming a
Tattooist
These days, the various paths
are as different as the multit
to becoming a tattooist
ude of styles available to
ng a major industry,
us today. With tattooing becomi
pen want a piece of the
every dog and his marker
way to go about it?
action. But what is the correct
way?
And is there even a correct
ncreasingly, the correct and accepted

apprenticeships seem door into the world of
to be on the wane with becoming a tattooer. Some
a lot of newcomers young gun, eager to learn the
opting in favour of the many way of the ink, would find a
self-taught methods and the willing teacher, bug him
hype surrounding the tattoo enough with his eagerness to
world attracting people in it learn and his extensive
for a fast buck - artistic talent portfolio and would hopefully
or not! Words like ‘scratcher’ in the end, be accepted into
and ‘backroom’ artist are the studio. There would then
regularly bandied about to follow months, often years, of
cover anyone and everyone hard graft before they were position. It was also a way to
not taught by a fellow finally allowed to pick up a ‘test’ the students desire to
professional. But there are tattoo machine and start work in his chosen profession.
also many fine tattooists tattooing for real. So the apprentice would
born of a desire so strong, Apprenticeships are not often find himself not only
that starting in less than new, to tattooing or to any watching his teacher and
desirable conditions was the other profession. The idea is learning his craft but also
only way to begin their as old as time and in many doing all the dirty work
careers. So let’s take a closer other crafts; this was the only around the shop. This is
look at these two routes and way in. All the great painters, known as “paying your dues”.
see what each has to offer. sculptor, scholars of the past So how do you become a
served apprenticeships. It tattoo apprentice? Well, this
Becoming a Tattooist
was the done thing. It was a question is as difficult to

apprenticeships way for a ‘master’ to pass on
his knowledge and expertise
answer as the meaning of
life because more and more
Historically, tattoo to one whom he thought tattoo artists these days are
apprenticeships have been would be suitable to fill his not taking on apprentices.
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There are many reasons for

this but the two main ones
asking to be given a chance.
The precious few that can
It was also a way to ‘test’ the students
seem to be, lack of actually draw, don’t realise desire to work in his chosen profession.
dedication on the part of the
proposed apprentice and
that tattooing skin is a lot
harder than drawing on a So the apprentice would often find
more importantly, lack of any
artistic skill whatsoever.
flat piece of paper that
doesn’t move about or jump
himself not only watching his teacher
With the tattoo industry when in pain. They also and learning his craft but also doing
all the dirty work around the shop.
becoming so ‘mainstream’ don’t seem to cotton on to the
recently, seemingly fact that is takes months to
everybody wants to be a learn to use a tattoo
tattooist and they want to machine properly, to use an being a successful tattooer.
become one now. autoclave and learn how to You don’t become a great
Established artists are keep your station sterile as tattooist just by purchasing a
seeing wannabes walking well as learning how to tattoo machine and having
into their studios, without a shade, line, colour and all watched Miami Ink. It takes
portfolio, unable to draw and the other ins and outs of dedication and this is what
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All the great painters, sculptor,

scholars of the past served
apprenticeships. It was the done
thing. It was a way for a ‘master’
to pass on his knowledge and
expertise to one whom he thought
would be suitable to fill his position.
an apprenticeship teaches come across too cocky and to be a part of and being USELESS
you more than anything. full of yourself. You might be able to join in and talk FACT:
Back to the question of the best artist that has walked intelligently about ‘the
Esquire Magazine
how do you become an the streets of your chosen city greats’ will do you no harm. estimated in March
apprentice? Well, probably but any decent tattooist will A great example of how to 2002 that 1 in 8
the best answer, would be to show you the door if you think gain an apprenticeship is Americans was
draw. Then draw and draw you’re better than everyone Liam White, who is currently tattooed. Presumably
with the boom in
some more. Create a else who has been walking apprenticing at Slawit Ink in recent years, this
stunning portfolio that their path for years. Huddersfield. Liam started number could
nobody would be able to Finally, study your chosen off on his road to tattooing possibly be even
look at and then turn you field. It is not all important to by studying games design larger assuming their
research was solid in
away. Don’t worry about how know the great tattoo at Huddersfield University the first place.
to tattoo or any of the other masters of the past, or the and doing a little bit of
technical bits because that’s current trend-setters and big concept art on the side to
what the apprenticeship is guns but it will help if you make some extra cash.
all about, but you must have do! Like all other professions, “I really wanted a tattoo
the initial talent and artistic tattooists like to wax lyrical and after saving and
flair! Don’t just fill your about their heroes and the scrimping for sometime, I
portfolio with tattoo designs history of the craft they love was told to go and see PJ
either - throw in a few
paintings, illustrations and
anything else that is visually
appealing because a good
tattoo artist will want to see
your full range of experience.
Once you have your
portfolio, start knocking on
doors – and boy, are there
many doors (file under
‘paying your dues’). No
established artist is going to
Tattooing
come looking for you, they’re
Becoming
too busy keeping their

customers happy. You need to
hit the street and sell yourself.
andathe
Another important point

when trying to snag yourself
Tattooist
an apprenticeship is don’t
media
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(Paul Joyce) who was interest but not enough balls making progress with my
working out of a studio in to go for it. It turned out he portfolio in the preparation
Huddersfield. I ended up was setting up his own for interviews at studios! I
getting to my appointment studio, Slawit Ink, and started by e-mailing studio
a little early and so I sat in wanted me to be his after studio in the hope that
the studio drawing, while I apprentice. Since then, I one would get back to me
waited for him to finish. After have never looked back.” about an interview! After
my tattoo he wanted to see A little bit of luck you about 6-8 months of
my work and he really liked might say, a case of being in exchanging emails with
it. He asked me to do some the right place at the right various studios I managed
big artwork on the walls of time but not necessarily so. to land myself an interview!
the studio for some free Liam was interested in To cut a long story short they
tattoo time. Of course, this tattoos, was getting tattooed ripped apart my portfolio
deal was perfect for me! A and drew all the time - even from cover to cover to gain a
few weeks went by and me in a studio waiting for a greater knowledge of me
and PJ ended up bumping tattoo appointment! He and my ability with art!”
into each other in our local proved himself by doing the And finally, one last bit of
on my graduation night. artwork on the studio walls, advice, take your time when
After a few beers, he asked instead of flaking out and choosing the tattoo studio or
me if tattooing was never getting it done. tattooist you want to
something I would like to Maybe, luck is just another apprentice under. Learning
get into. I’d always had an word for hard work! your trade under a great
Another example of tattoo artist gives you more
Once you have your portfolio, start putting everything into than his knowledge, passion
knocking on doors – and boy, are

getting your apprenticeship and tradition - it gives you
is Mike Gibson, who is his name! Choose a less
there many doors. No established apprenticing at Rude
Studios in Headingly.
than desirable ’master’ and
you will get a less than
artist is going to come looking for Apprenticeships are not
easy to come by at all! I'd
desirable reputation.
you, they’re too busy keeping their say I've have been lucky
customers happy. You need to hit and landed on my feet! After

I'd completed, what courses
PAYING YOUR DUES
the street and sell yourself. I wanted to do within art
A DAY IN THE LIFE
and design, I started
OF AN APPRENTICE
So, your artwork is
banging and has caught
an artist’s eye. You have met
and you have the integrity
and passion needed to
succeed and you’re
prepared to do anything to
gain the knowledge of a
master tattooist - you’re in
the door but what now?
What is it actually like
working day-to-day as a
tattoo apprentice?
Hell would be the answer
most people give because it
is. You have just become the
studio’s new lackey and you
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are going to learn what basis, I will do all the

hard work is all about. The bookings, reappointing,
time has come to show the manning the phone, emails,
studio what you’re made of. Facebook and the diary. As
Back to Liam, who has we are a strictly a custom
been apprenticing for nine studio and have no flash on
months now. How is life the walls, unless we are free
treating him? “It is all going handing or it is a pre-done
really well. Every day, I learn graphic, I’ll also do the
new skills and techniques. majority of the art. Other
On top of this, I also learn than that there is also
everything that goes on keeping the studio clean,

behind the needle. I work food runs, ordering stock and
with a top set of lads, which stock checking, all outside
is always a great help, as promotional work such as
well as a great set of flyers, sorting out art for
customers. On a day to day magazines, clothing, you
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name it I generally do it! Oh money. People forget the
and serving customers.” majority of apprenticeships
“It has become more then aren't paid, so get used to
a job, it’s my way of life. working 70-75 hours a week
Whether I like it or not. I can’t for nothing! Like I said, it is
go for a meal or a drink tough but I knew it would be
without someone asking me worth it in the long run.”
to take a look at what they’ve “Slowly but surely, day by
got, or to knock them up a day, I got slightly more
design. Or usually, if we’ve accepted into the ‘Rude Boy
got any spaces free coming tattoo family’. I was now
up. But, I love it!” becoming apart of it. I would
And Michael? say the first three months the
“The first few months were kettle and mop were my best
the absolute hardest, I am friends but in the following
not even kidding! Literally months, I got to know more
making tea and sweeping about the reception side of
the floor was all I did and it things. I learnt how to book
got me the nickname of people in for tattoos, how to
‘Brew Monkey’. I would go in organise all the piercings
six days a week, two hours that came through the door
before we open just to clean and more importantly, the
the entire shop. All the handling of the money in
artist’s areas needed and out of the till. The feeling
cleaning and I had to deal of been trusted with money
with all the sterilization of was a great feeling at the
the equipment. Basically time. I started to feel a part of
making sure the artists have the team and it was really
everything they need and great! Working the reception
everything is sterile and was at times hard, as it could
ready for before we open for get busy and I had to run it
the day. It was tough having on my own if the piercer was
to do so much everyday, as busy. And been allowed
well as working another job upstairs to watch the
just so I had some sort of tattooists tattoo was a luxury!
I started by e-mailing studio after studio

in the hope that one would get back to
me about an interview! After about 6-8
months of exchanging emails with various
studios I managed to land myself an
interview! To cut a long story short they
ripped apart my portfolio from cover to
cover to gain a greater knowledge of me

and my ability with art!”
Mike Gibson, at Rude Studios in Headingly.
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More
useless
facts!
King Harold II of
England had a
number of tattoos.
After his death at the
Battle of Hastings in
1066, his tattoos were
used to identify his
body. Many other
royals throughout
history have been
tattooed. In 1862 the
Prince of Wales, later
King Edward VII, had
a Jerusalem Cross
tattooed on his arm
on a visit to the Holy
Land. When his sons,
the Duke of Clarence
and the Duke of York
(later King George
V) visited Japan in
1882 they both had
dragons tattooed on
their arms. Amongst
the Russian royal
family, Peter the
Great, Catherine the
Great and Nicholas
II all bore tattoos.
Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, whose
assassination sparked
the First World War,
was also tattooed.
Rather unsurprisingly,
royal tattoos are less
common today.
The buzz of the environment a chance to take in as

was brilliant, I really enjoyed much information as
it when I got to sit and watch possible- without distracting
them tattoo. “As time them too much from what
passed, I learnt more about they are doing! This went on
the setting up and breaking for some months before it
down of the tattoo areas, was time to have a go and
which means I started my mentor, Lee ‘Rude Boy’
looking after, more Reynolds, let me do a few
specifically, the tattooist on a lines on a grapefruit.“
day to day basis. I would run “My first initial thought
to the shops for supplies, was how freaking hard it

grab them dinner, clean was! The lines had wobbles,
round after them and when I gaps, you name it.
had the time, I watched Everything that could have
them. This is a massive step gone wrong went wrong in
and so important as you get that line. I wasn't expecting
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it to be easy but didn't apprentices who are
expect it to be as had as it thinking about getting into
was! Lee and Jon Tolley did a studio - stick with it, show
that for me, to show me that you are determined and be
it takes time to get to the thick skinned! Expect to be
position he is in. The greatest ripped to pieces and made
lesson I have learnt from fun of but above all be
been an apprentice is patient and don't give up!”
patience. You definitely
need a lot of it! After months
of watching, observing and SACRIFICING
asking questions, the time YOUR LEGS
came when Lee told me to
set up a station and to get THE SELF-TAUGHT
ready to tattoo myself. I was
nervous, excited, anxious
ROUTE
and happy all at the same And here is where we start classify them all as
time. I started by tattooing swimming in muddy water. ‘scratchers’ but this is unfair
an outline of a diamond on Over the years, with the rise on many an artist who has
my ankle. Something small in popularity of tattooing as started their career in this
and simple but that was my a career, more and more manner. Yes, there is no
first ever tattoo. How ever wannabe tattooists are denying that there are
small, wonky, uneven and choosing the self-taught many, many, people out
sketchy it was - it was still my method of gaining access to there, who have picked up a
first and I was proud of it!” the tattoo world. With tattoo tattoo machine, found an
“After this Lee started kits so freely available on the electricity outlet and with
letting me tattoo a couple of internet and no real little or no artistic ability or
friend’s legs a week. This governing body looking out idea of health and safety,
was good because it let me for the welfare of future have started tattooing. And
choose what I wanted to do customers, self-taught it is also true that these
as long as it was simple tattooists are springing ‘scratchers’ are also
stuff. I went on from here up everywhere. harming the tattoo industry
and progressed up to the The initial, knee-jerk, but not all self-taught
day I was allowed to do a response to this trend is to tattooists fall into this camp!
tiny tattoo on a paying
client. This was a huge step
as it was on someone I
didn't know. I was nervous,
sweaty and a bit of a mess
but all in all it went cool. I
knew I wasn't getting thrown
too much in the deep end,
with it been my first tattoo.
From here I just progressed
and progressed up to the
stage I am at now.”
A long hard slog and
Michael is nearly where he

wants to be, a paid tattooist
with an apprenticeship
behind him but as he says,
“Every last bit of it is worth
it!” “I would say to all
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RANDOM There are many that have
STATS FROM started out by teaching
2008 themselves and because of
their passion and love for
Most people with a
tattoo do not regret
tattoos, have grown and
getting it (84%). As progressed to become well
to the remaining established and respected
regretful ones, one tattoo artists.
in five (20%) say it‟s
because they were
Take for example, Simon
too young when Cooke, an ace tattooist who
they got the tattoo works out of Ink Spot Tattoo
while 19 percent Studio in Silverdale, just
say "it's because it
is permanent and
outside of Newcastle. “The
they are marked only thing I was ever good
for life" - funny how at, at school, was art. It’s
something so obvious been a massive part of my
can skipped over
by the truly stupid.
life from an early age,
Others say they regret whether it was graffiti on
the tattoo because walls, painting lead army
they "don't like it" figures or sitting in a field
(18%) while 16 percent
regret their tattoo
doing a watercolour…it has
because they fade always been with me. I really
over time. wanted to be either a
Harris Poll of 2,302 concept character designer
adults surveyed for films or a fantasy
online between
January 15 and illustrator for magazines.
22, 2008 by Harris That was my dream. Around
Interactive. ten years ago, I picked up on
Footnote: Don't sit airbrushing and started
there and add these
doing custom airbrush work
percentages up to see
if the math is good. It's on motorbikes and helmets. I
not our poll! did this for about three years
and even got a bike featured
in a magazine. So I thought,
’I can draw with a pencil, I
What is it actually like working can create with an airbrush

so how difficult can it be to
read up on all sorts of stuff
like anatomy, how the body
day-to-day as a tattoo apprentice? tattoo?’” Now my wife will
vouch for me on this, my
works, blood-borne disease
etc. and so I sat and taught
Hell would be the answer most saying whenever I tried myself (on paper) all I
people give because it is. You have something new was, ’how
hard can it be?’ And that’s
thought I needed to know
about tattooing. Eventually
just become the studio’s new lackey exactly what I thought with
regards to tattooing.”
my wife cracked and I went
and bought a kit off of EBay.
and you are going to learn what “I plagued my wife for Now I know it is a bad thing
hard work is all about. The time

around two months about to do but I had been around
buying a tattoo kit off of studios getting tattooed
has come to show the studio what EBay but she wouldn’t let
me. So the battle of wits
since the age of eighteen
and I knew I could create
you’re made of. began. I read books,
downloaded info of the
great art.”
“So machine in hand, I
internet, looked at forums, tried tattooing on practice
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skin which is just rubbish. I that’s what it’s all about…

also tried tattooing pig’s evolving. I am a firm believer
ears, melons, oranges and of doing something, in a
then mandarins. Finally I creative sense, at least once
thought I was ready to have a month that challenges or
a go…so I set the machine on even scares you, so you push
to my leg. Now as most your skills forward.”
tattooists know, it’s not an And looking at Simon’s
easy thing to teach and it work, you will understand
sure as hell is not easy to completely why not all self-
learn to tattoo, it takes time, taught tattooists are
patience and a whole lot of ‘scratchers’. Simon’s work is

talent. I have been tattooing amazing. He started as a
for seven years and don’t get talented and multi-skilled
me wrong, the way I tattoo is artist and followed the next
so different to the way I natural step in his career. He
started but things evolve and researched and studied the
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You will need patience. You are going to get
many a customer who, no matter how much
you draw for them and spend time with them,
are going to want more. And what about those
customers who can’t sit still in the big chair?
tattooing world as much as you don’t! There is no
he could and kept his first disrespect from walking
steps to ‘artificial’ skin, like away from a customer who
melons, instead of destroying wants a tattoo that you don’t
someone else’s skin. believe is right for them or is
All the steps he would not what you would be
have followed in an happy producing. said two words to each other. BEST TATTOO
apprenticeship, he followed Originality. Why copy When people walk into a QUOTE EVER
on his own and ultimately someone else’s work when studio, they want banter and
"Show me a man with
proved, to himself and the you have the ability within a good time. They are a tattoo and I'll show
industry, that he had made you to produce something of parting with their hard you a man with an
the right decision. your own? All the great earned cash for a world interesting past."
tattoo artists of the past had class tattoo; the last thing Jack London (author
of White Fang and
their own style, even if it was they want is a shirty tattooist
WHAT MAKES A within a set style e.g. giving them a hard time.
Call of the Wild)
GREAT TATTOOIST? traditional. Some of the best And the list could go on
As subjective as this work has come about by but at the end of the day,
question is, with personal artists being original and you and your work are going
tastes drawing you to a coming up with mixes of old to be your biggest
particular tattoo artist, there styles and new ideas. advertisement, so if you want
are a few things that do Personality. This might to establish yourself as one of
make a tattooist truly great. seem an odd one but it is the ’masters’ put your heart
Besides the ability to create important. Gone are the days and soul into it and you
a single beautiful image when you and your customer shouldn’t go too wrong.
from a pile of print outs and
a lengthy discussion with a
customer, there are a few
more skills that will help you
reach the top of your game.
Patience. You are going to
get many a customer who,
no matter how much you
draw for them and spend
time with them, are going to
want more. And what about
those customers who can’t sit
still in the big chair, or who
like to have a break every

five minutes? Yes, patience is
definitely on the list.
Integrity. Just as important
as the tattoos you do decide
to take on, are the one’s that
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Toantvtoenotions
C They’ve got it all
world
. Really
’s fi
. Just imagine
nest tattoo artists
a medley of
, piercers,
der one
some of the , all housed un )
vendors an d performers d educational
to that in teresting (an n d daily
roof. Now add a
ne art exhibits
a n d seminars, fi do I speak
workshops
do have it all. But what
, they
contests. See of course.
conventions,
of? Why, tattoo
Around since the are also increasingly

1970s, tattoo being welcomed into
conventions have more conservative,
gotten bigger, bolder exotic countries. With
and more action-packed the right budget, one
over the years. With the could easily spend an entire attractive in their own ways.
popularity of tattoos on the year traveling the globe, (Kind of like tattoo artists.)
rise, it’s no real surprise that attending a different
more and more conventions convention every week, and WHAT is a tattoo
have been popping up in
all corners of the world. With
never get bored. Sure, all
tattoo conventions have
convention?
Tattoo Conventions
stigmas slowly drifting away some of the same core It may sound like an overly
thanks to the current cultural characteristics, but they also simple question, but it does
shift surrounding the each have qualities that seem to present a logical
industry, tattoo conventions make them unique and starting point for this
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AN (ALMOST)
GENUINELY
BRILLIANT IDEA
The Braille Tattoo,
designed by Klara
Jirkova (a student
at the University of
the Arts Berlin), is a
series of implantable
surgical steel,
titanium, or medical
plastic that’s placed
under the skin. The
tattoo can then
be read via touch.
Subdermal implants
are nothing new,
but using them to
create body art for
the visually impaired
is an interesting
idea. Jirkova thinks
the implants could
be used in the divet
between thumb and
pointer finger, so
when people shake
hands they can “read”
each other’s names
and info.
Whilst the idea
behind this is
certainly interesting,
as far as we are
aware, blind people
are still able to speak
to each other thus
making the concept a
little redundant. With
some more thought
Simply put, a tattoo convention is a gathering behind it however, this
of artists looking to tattoo, collectors looking to

idea might actually
turn into something
get tattooed and individuals who simply want to

special.
spend some time fully immersed in the art and

culture that they so love.
particular section. Simply Kilkucki and Painless Jeff
put, a tattoo convention is a Baker were just some of the
gathering of artists looking great artists in attendance.
to tattoo, collectors looking to
get tattooed and individuals How tattoo
who simply want to spend conventions
some time fully immersed in
the art and culture that they
are changing...
so love. With every decade that
Tattoo conventions were passes, tattoo conventions
first held in the 1970s and the are becoming more popular,
Tattoo Conventions
first ever American National and more accessible. While

Convention took place in some remain small and may
Denver, Colorado in 1979. Don only last one day, others are
Ed Hardy, Bob Shaw, Big Walt absolute extravaganzas that
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span multiple days and

boast talent flown in from
even the most remote parts
of the world.
This year alone will see
hundreds of tattoo for being a World Heritage What to
conventions taking place in site, you know.) do at tattoo
a variety of countries, and
almost 30 of those will call
The second historic
launch took place in April
conventions...
the U.K. home. 2011 is also when Nepal decided to take Getting tattooed at a
the year that can forever an innovative approach convention is, of course, a
proudly claim it was the one towards boosting tourism fantastic opportunity
that saw the launch of two and promoting the art of because it offers the
very impressive conventions tattooing by throwing a possibility to hook up with an
in two very impressive cities. three-day international artist who might not usually
The first of those was convention in Kathmandu. be available to put some fine
Edinburgh’s premiere tattoo The move really shone a work on your skin. But if you
convention, which took light on just how much aren’t in the mood to get
place in March and was a attitudes towards tattooing tattooed, don’t worry; there is
prime example of an are changing in all areas no need to stay home! Don’t
Tattoo Conventions
unforgettable gathering of the world, and how open dismiss the other equally
happening in an the public is really memorable activities offered
unforgettable setting. becoming towards the at conventions like art
(Edinburgh has a reputation notion of tattooing. exhibits, seminars, workshops
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and even book launches and

signings (Crazy Philadelphia With stigmas slowly drifting away thanks GIRLS WITH
DRAGON
Eddie, for example, took his to the current cultural shift surrounding TATTOOS
book tour for Tattooing: The
Life and Times of Crazy the industry, tattoo conventions are also A dragon tattoo on
increasingly being welcomed into more

a woman usually
Philadelphia Eddie to several acknowledges
conservative, exotic countries.

conventions this past year). "woman as the
creator." Like the
There are also the great dragons of many
afterparties that a growing mythologies,
number of conventions are artist on the spot may prove you through the web, but you woman's true body
putting extra time and effort harder than you think. If you have your design in mind form is that of life,
the world and
into organizing. know you definitely want to and references in hand, the universe. It is
get tattooed, it’s a good idea looking through portfolios at this superior form
to do your homework and the convention is the way to
HOW TO CHOOSE
that allows her to
look up the list of artists go. Spend the time to peruse be without equal.
AN ARTIST... attending on the as many as you can and Dragon body art
also represents a
Conventions are packed convention’s website. If no find the artist whose work flowing, fluid grace
with talent and choosing an one particular tattooer strikes and style best match what that conceals a
reserve of power
just beneath the
cool surface. Studies
have shown that
women who get
dragon tattoos
become more
self-confident and
assertive.
For my money
though, to be truly
authentic, you had
better know the
subtle differences
between your
Mesopotamian,
Babylonian and
Sumerian dragons.
You never know
Tattoo Conventions
when you might be

tested!
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you’re in the market for.
MEN WITH Remember, don’t settle for an
DRAGON artist just because he/she is
TATTOOS free at the time you are
ready to get tattooed or just
Not such a snappy
title for a movie because they look friendly -
but on a man, the the art is going to be staying
dragon typically with you, well, forever.
signifies raw power.
Once you’ve chosen your
Like dragons, men
are the guardians of artist, it’s time to talk. As long
that which is sacred, as they’re not in the middle
such as women of a tattoo or busy getting
and objects of great
ready for one, it’s time to
wealth. But this must
be tempered with approach your tattooer of
wisdom, lest the choice and tell him/her
greed of dragons about your interests.
overpower the man's
Brainstorm, talk prices and
soul and turn him into
a ravenous creature set a time to get it done. If
with an insatiable you’re not feeling each other,
appetite. Men who part ways and don’t take it
get dragon tattoos
view themselves as
personally. Hey, some people have a spot ready to get some Getting
being revered for their just don’t vibe well together ink, that’s what flash and pre- tattooed at a
wisdom but feared and there’s nothing wrong made stencils are for. Some convention
for their tremendous
power. Well - if they
with thanking an artist for
their time and walking
artists will have a variety of
these laid out and ready go at
vs. in a shop...
have done their
research properly away if you’re not feeling their booths, which allows you Contrary to what some may
anyway. 100 percent. to choose the design, size and believe, getting tattooed at a
If you don’t know what you price that best suit what you’re convention is not the same
want, but do know that you looking for. as getting something done
Tattoo Conventions
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inside a shop. First off, keep that perfect but hard to

in mind that conventions are
not, by any means, serene
reach spot.
The golden rule that does Conventions may have come a long way
nor private spaces. If you remain the same in both since the ‘70s, and they may constantly
choose to get tattooed at a
convention, know that you
scenarios is that of making
an appointment to insure be evolving, but there’s always been one
will be on display, along
with your artist, and
yourself against unpleasant
surprises. Get in touch with
constant – they’re wicked fun.
passersby may regularly the artist you’re interested in Appointments are especially
stop to take a look at the art collaborating with ahead of important if the artist
that is going on your skin. If time and be sure to set a you’re interested in is the
you want a quiet one-on-one date and time if you know convention’s shining star
session with your artist, this is that they are the one and and is bound to attract
not the place for you to get only match for you. Do so by customers and spectators the
tattooed. (Note: Some going to the tattoo artist’s way that honey attracts bees.
tattooers who make the personal website or to that of (The artist in question being
journey in from out of town the convention. the sweet honey, of course.)
will spend some time before
or after a convention
working as a guest artist at a
local studio. Check out the
artist’s website to find out if
this is the case.)
A second point to be
aware of is that tricky
placements may be
completely off-limits given
the fact that artists have
limited space in which to set
Tattoo Conventions
up and not as much room as

they would usually have to
contort and twist into a
pretzel to place your art in
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SECOND BEST Tips for getting Have a good meal Make sure you’re feeling
TATTOO tattooed... beforehand. The last thing physically fit for your
QUOTE EVER you want is to be getting appointment. In other words,
Here are some key basics light-headed or, worse, if you’re sick and coughing
"The world is divided
into two kinds of and tips for getting tattooed fainting during your session. up your lungs all over the
people: those who in any setting, even on the Bring water or a sugary place, it’s probably best to not
have tattoos, and moon (although things drink with you to stay be getting tattooed that day.
those who are afraid would probably get messy hydrated and keep your No alcohol or drugs
of people with
tattoos." there, seeing as there’s no energy up, especially if it’s beforehand, please. (No
Unknown gravity and all): going to be a long sitting. explanation needed here.)
Tattoo Conventions
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Make sure you love your

design, and the artist you’re
CONTESTS
going with. Tattoo contests are often held
Remember, if you go into at the end of each day to
a convention thinking determine the best tattoos that
you’re going to get were done at the convention
particular artwork done by in a variety of categories.
a particular artist and you There is sometimes a small fee
change your mind, that’s to register, but you stand the
okay. Follow your gut. chance of winning a shiny
Tattoo Conventions
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WHAT ON FOR THE ARTIST...
EARTH ARE
YOU TALKING As great as tattoo
ABOUT? conventions are for those
looking to get work done,
"And this tattooing
had been the work of they also boast wonderful
a departed prophet opportunities for artists
and seer of his themselves. Sure, you might
island, who, by those be more cramped than you
hieroglyphic marks,
had written out on would be in your shop, and
his body a complete it’s certainly more frantic and
theory of the heavens way louder, but who doesn’t
and the earth, and a love some good times amidst
mystical treatise on
the art of attaining the fast-paced, somewhat
truth; so that hectic, hustle and bustle?
Queequeg in his own Some artists are at a point
proper person was where they have bookings
a riddle to unfold;
a wondrous work trophy that is sure to make coming out of every pore and
in one volume; but your folks proud, and sure don’t need/don’t have time to
whose mysteries not to look divine on your attend conventions, thank
even himself could mantelpiece, right next to you very much, but for every
read, though his
own live heart beat your Oscar. Judging may other artist out there, they’re a
against them; and occur by vote or there great place to meet clients,
these mysteries were may be a panel of experts connect with fellow artists
therefore destined in doing the critiquing. Some and spend a few days
the end to moulder
away with the of the categories often outside of the shop. And
living parchment included look to find the maybe even enjoy some
whereon they were best black and grey, touristy moments in a foreign
inscribed, and so colour, tribal, backpiece country. Think about it:
be unsolved to the
last." and half-sleeve. thousands of people walking
Herman Melville,
Moby-Dick
FOOTNOTE: Funny, we
couldn't find anybody
who had read Moby
Dick either. Now we
know why...
Tattoo Conventions
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For anyone looking to get tattooed,
or for anyone who wants to spend a
day or two admiring tattoos and the
culture that surrounds them, there’s
no better place to go.
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AMBAGRAMS
While we're knee
deep in media
related facts, the
ambigram was no
doubt brought to the
attention of the world
in Dan Brown's Da
Vinci Code precursor
Angels and Demons.
An ambigram is a
word that contain
words or names that
are designed to either
spell the same or
different words when
viewed upside down.
Ambigram tattoo
designs have become
extremely popular
because they rock!
If you're still not sure
what on earth I'm
talking about, turn the
book upside down.
Footnote: Yes it did

come before the Da
Vinci Code if you
read the books in
order. Nobody likes a
smartarse...
If you choose to get tattooed at a convention,

know that you will be on display, along with your
artist, and passersby may regularly stop to take a
look at the art that is going on your skin.
by your booth, looking at your FINAL WORDS...
portfolio. How can you go
wrong? You’ll also likely be Conventions may have come
sharing a relatively small a long way since the ‘70s,
space with fellow artists you and they may constantly be
might have never had the evolving, but there’s always
chance to meet otherwise. been one constant – they’re
Some tattoo conventions even wicked fun. For anyone
throw exclusive parties for the looking to get tattooed, or for
artists working the convention anyone who wants to spend
Tattoo Conventions
so that they can mingle and a day or two admiring tattoos

make connections that just and the culture that
might turn out to be extremely surrounds them, there’s no
helpful down the line. better place to go.
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If you want a quiet one-on-one

session with your artist, this is not
the place for you to get tattooed.
One final point there.) If the convention
happens to be taking place
If you’re travelling to a in a hotel, they are almost
convention from out of town, guaranteed to offer special
book a room! The last thing room rates for guests
you want is to be stranded in attending the tattoo
a questionable hotel, unable convention, so be sure to
to enjoy yourself and your call the hotel and inquire.
brand new tattoo because Why not check in at
you’re too busy worrying hoteltattoo.com - there's some
about touching the carpet great deals at large there with
with your bare feet. (I’m plenty of scope to get what
pretty sure we’ve all been you're after
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Taandtthtoe moeidniag
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that the unthinkable

It feels like only yesterday
years since a remarkable
happened. In fact, it’s been six
, it was 2005 when the first
tattoo revolution began. Yes
shop hit the North
TV series set inside a tattoo
it may seem like nothing
American airwaves. Today,
of ink on TV truly helped to
special at all, but the debut
farther away from the
drag the rebellious art form
negative stigmas that have
preconceived notions and
...
surrounded it for centuries
s tattooing becomes Park) the famed Club Tattoo

increasingly accepted located inside Las Vegas’s
and mainstream, there Planet Hollywood, notes what
are those who bow to a truly landmark move it was.
the television and the “Hats off to Carey Hart and
changes it has brought on, those guys ‘cause they
while others can’t shed their completely opened a lot of
melancholy for the good old doors for a lot of other people
days and their hatred for that they don’t get credit for.”
the box. The question then The series, however, seemed
becomes, can tattooing to be less interested in the
hold onto its integrity while unique merits of Hart &
becoming a cultural Huntington and more in the
phenomenon? Let’s take a drama the artists and
journey through tattooed customers could provide.
TV land: After just two seasons, Inked
In July 2005, A&E premiered was no more.
Inked and brought viewers Meanwhile, a different, and
inside Hart & Huntington more powerful, storm was
Tattoo Company. Located brewing over at TLC. Miami
inside the Palms Hotel and Ink, which also premiered in
Casino in Las Vegas, the shop 2005, stepped beyond the
Tattooing and the media
was a historic one, as it was threshold of Miami’s 305 Ink

the first ever to be located and featured the talents of
inside a Vegas casino. Sean owners Ami James and Chris
Dowdell, who co-owns (along Nuñez, as well as of Chris
with Thora Dowdell and Garver, Darren Brass and
Chester Bennington of Linkin apprentice Yoji Harada.
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Unlike Inked, this show was
wholeheartedly dedicated to
the art of tattooing, at least at
the beginning, and viewers
were drawn in at lightning
speed. Running for a stellar
six seasons, Miami Ink’s LA INK
success cannot be argued, Shop: High Voltage
but for those who aren’t Tattoo
impressed by the whopping On Air: August 7,
2007 – Present
114 episodes that aired, or the
Seasons: 4
fact that the show was a hit in
Episodes: 74
numerous countries Today: There isn’t
including Japan, Australia, really too much that
Brazil and England, it’s worth Aitchison and Kim Saigh, sucked in 1.5 million pairs of can be surprisingly
bearing in mind that the who further moulded eyeballs and between June revealed about
High Voltage, as
show also happened to lead misconceptions about and December of 2010, LA
the shop, artists and
to two successful spin-offs: LA tattooing simply by being Ink’s website attracted an show are as hot as
Ink and London Ink. fierce female artists, as well average of 4.5 million page ever. (Must be all
Once Miami Ink brought a as the great Corey Miller. views per month. The that high voltage.) A
remarkable addition
female tattooer on board, the Now about to premiere the astounding success of Miami
has however been the
face of tattooing began to second half of its fourth Ink should also probably be opening of Kat Von D’s
change even more rapidly. As season, LA Ink has mentioned here. During its Wonderland Gallery,
Kat Von D established herself admittedly began moving peak run from 2005 to 2008, an exciting new
artistic space right
as somewhat of an icon away from the art and the show averaged 1.2 million
next door to the shop.
through the show, it was only steering more towards the viewers per episode and to The gallery features
logical that once she left the personal, like Von D’s this day, the show’s fansite fantastic art in all
series, TLC would find a new personal relationships, and remains the third largest on of its conceivable
forms, from the current
way to continue bringing her following major artist TLC with 2.5 million page
breathtaking exhibit
to her countless fans every changes, the show now views per month from June of new works by Kevin
week. LA Ink premiered on includes a rival shop, Craig to December 2010. Llewellyn to books
August 7, 2007 and saw Von D Jackman’s American Electric. London Ink, although not and fashion.
return home to Los Angeles But no matter the as globally or commercially Address:
High Voltage Tattoo
and begin work on her own modifications, it seems that successful as Miami Ink and 1259 N. La Brea avenue
tattoo shop, High Voltage. the show can do no wrong. In LA Ink, does deserve kudos W. Hollywood, CA
Joining Von D were Hannah 2010, the season premiere for being the first to attempt
I think if you’re in the industry

you know when stuff is edited,
especially when they splice up
certain sentences and there’s
no continuity. Like my hair
is a different shade of red
in every scene. I can’t dye

my hair in ten minutes!
Kat Von D
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and bring the concept of It would appear that critics I’m like, ‘What the fuck? You
tattoos on television out of the are generally failing to look can’t do that. I wasn’t even in
United States. Mashing beyond the surface and are the room and you edited it
together Louis Molloy, the missing the positive effect that way,’” she admits. “I like
man behind David the shows have had on the to believe that people are
Beckham’s famed guardian tattoo industry. The artists smarter than that and do not
angel tattoo, Dan Gold, featured on Miami Ink, LA believe everything they see. I
Nikole Lowe and Phil Kyle, the Ink etc. did not “sell out,” think if you’re in the industry
British spin-off also debuted rather they tried to raise you know when stuff is
in 2007, around the same awareness and destigmatise edited, especially when they
time as LA Ink, but only the art of tattooing. splice up certain sentences
lasted for two seasons. Kat Von D, for example, and there’s no continuity.
Today, for all those has no final say in the Like my hair is a different
enamoured with tattooed editing room and is not shade of red in every scene. I
television, there seem to be always pleased with the can’t dye my hair in ten
just as many who rag on all final result herself. “There’s minutes! I’ve had to learn to
the shows mentioned above. been plenty of times where just really let go of a lot of
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MIAMI INK
Shop: 305 Ink
On Air: July 19,
2005 – August 21, 2008
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 114
Today: The team
made famous by
Miami Ink can now
be found working
away at Love Hate
Tattoo Studio, joined
by a myriad of other
impeccable artists
like James Hamilton
and Tim Hendricks
(who did in fact
appear on Miami Ink
in its later seasons).
But if visiting/getting
that stuff. I’ve definitely
raised a flag when it’s been It started with Inked, it still had to be the tattooed at Love Hate
isn’t enough to make
craziness of a show, it was people getting drunk

your day absolutely
too extreme or too negative unforgettable, the
and I’m like, ‘You guys can’t
and partying, yeah, but that’s the stigmatism
Love Hate Lounge,
do that,’ but pick your owned by Ami James
of tattooing you have. If [they] portrayed

battles, you know?” and Chris Nuñez, is
conveniently located
Dan Smith, who is also a
tattooing in a way like okay, there’s some man
nearby and ready
part of the High Voltage to serve up drinks
team showcased on LA Ink, and good times.
seconds that notion. “I’d love sitting with a suit on and he’s saying ‘Hi madam, Address: Love
Hate Tattoo Studio
how can I help you?,’ nobody would tune in.”
to say it’s enjoyable; I’d love
1360 Washington
to say it’s all real; I’d love to Avenue
say the people behind the Miami Beach, FL
scenes care about what Mario Barth
they’re filming, but it’s not
the case,” he says. “It’s me
doing something I love and
handing it over to someone
who has no idea about
what it means to me, or
other people who live
tattooing once the cameras
turn off.” But it’s all about
looking further, past the
drama, examining what
really matters.
“I’m not unrealistic about
what it is, and it seems that’s
where most people get
confused,” says Smith. “If
people can take something
positive away from watching
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INKED
Shop: Hart &
Huntington Tattoo
Company
On Air: July 20, 2005 -
October 17, 2006
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 40
Today: Since the end
of the show, Hart &
Huntington Tattoo the show, then that’s great, never have been possible. “I
Company has moved but I am on there to tattoo think stylistically, tattooing
out of the Palms and show what I do. I try to can definitely be regional,”
Casino and Hotel
and nestled into the use whatever exposure it’s begins Von D. “In Los Angeles,
Hard Rock Hotel and given me to educate people black and grey was
Casino, alongside about the things I feel are something that was very
Carey Hart’s rock important or the artists who prominent, it’s kind of like the
club, Wasted Space.
Two new Hart & deserve it. I’m not fooled by hometown for all the
Huntington shops the nonsense and I don’t gangster portraits and
have also opened think this is the ‘gateway to lettering and all that stuff, but
up – one in Orlando, stardom’ or anything as I think nowadays, especially
Florida and one
in Niagara Falls, ridiculous. I’m no different after the success of shows like
Ontario, Canada - from anyone because of this. LA Ink, people are open to
and if that wasn’t Instead, I try to use it to tell any kind of genre all over the
enough, Hart has people about the good guys: place. You can kind of find
launched a clothing
line featuring designs the honest, hardworking every style of tattooing
created by the various tattooers and artists that I everywhere now.” And as
artists working at Hart would be nothing without. If I attitudes change, Von D
& Huntington. can give back to tattooing in laughs, “It’s weird like, the
Address: a positive way at all, then it lady at the bookstore, the guy
Hart & Huntington
Tattoo Company
was worth it.” at the gas station and the
Hard Rock After all, without the model or whatever, they all
Hotel & Casino cameras, the positive have tattoos, so it’s kind of not
4455 Paradise Road changes that have occurred a big deal.” Can you image
Las Vegas, NV
in regard to tattooing may that a decade ago?
I’m not unrealistic about what it is, and

it seems that’s where most people get
confused, if people can take something
positive away from watching the show,
then that’s great, but I am on there to
tattoo and show what I do. I try to
use whatever exposure it’s given me to
educate people about the things I feel are

important or the artists who deserve it.
Dan Smith
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LONDON INK
Shop: London Tattoo
On Air:
September 23, 2007 –
November 23, 2008
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Today: Since the
plug was pulled on
the show, the four
artists featured on
London Ink have
gone on to work at
different shops across
the country. Louis
Molloy is the resident
artist at Manchester’s
Middleton Tattoo
Studio, Phil Kyle has
introduced Magnum
Opus Tattoo in
Brighton, Nikole Lowe
can be found at I
Love Good Times in
Shoreditch and Dan
Gold is working at 13
Ink Tattoo in Liverpool.
As for the shop itself,
London Tattoo has
been working on
building its reputation
as a great tattoo shop,
despite being owned
and run by someone
other than a tattoo
artist.
Address:
London Tattoo
332 Goswell Road,
Angel, Islington,
London
Legendary tattooer Mario on Earth, has created Intenze

Barth has gone as far as to Products and, before retiring
say that the artists on TV from the competitive circuit,
“have changed the whole he won over 200 international
history of tattooing. Anybody awards. You can continue
who says different is lying to doubting the man or you can
themselves.” If you’re shaking bow to his greatness in
your head in disagreement agreement – your call.
right about now, consider As Barth further explains,
that Barth has witnessed the he is proud of what the
evolution of the industry tattooers on TV have
firsthand, beginning his accomplished. “If I can give
career in Austria at a time every single one of them a
when the craft was outright hug and say ‘Great job,’ I will.
illegal. He also owns Think about it, it’s like, how
numerous successful shops, can you reach masses and
runs The Biggest Tattoo Show send a message? It started
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with Inked, it still had to be showed more artistry ... and

the craziness of a show, it was the viewers doubled and
people getting drunk and tripled because of that,
partying, yeah, but that’s the because now the interest
stigmatism of tattooing you factor came in. Then, of
have. If [they] portrayed course, the magic thing,
tattooing in a way like okay, what makes this world go
there’s some man sitting with round? Women, right? Men
a suit on and he’s saying ‘Hi are still cavemen, so when
madam, how can I help women came around and
you?,’ nobody would tune in.” Kat Von D came round, she
Barth also notes it was was the poster child and

Miami Ink that drove now [it was like,] ‘What?
tattooed television towards a There’s a woman tattooing?’”
more documentary format. In addition to enlightening
“In Miami Ink the step up minds internationally, Barth
[from Inked] was that they believes the shows also
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NY INK
Shop: Wooster Street
Social Club
On Air: June 2011 –
Who knows?!
Seasons: Minimum 1
Episodes: Minimum 8
Today: NY Ink will
be premiering in
June, 2011as the
latest member of
the Ink family. Eight
episodes have
already been bought
and confirmed,
but judging by the
success of Miami
Ink and LA Ink,
the network is sure
to want more. The
only hurdle will be
keeping Ami James
in New York City,
away from Love Hate
Tattoo Studio and the
fabulous weather in
Miami.
Address: Wooster
Street Social Club
43 Wooster
New York City, NY
brought about another epic It seems the bond between

change. “It opened our television and ink is destined
industry up to a way broader to stay strong until death do
audience and not only to the them part. So cozy up on the
audience, but our industry couch with your favorite
forgets this, it opened it up to snack and beverage - may I
a lot of better artists. People suggest some Sailor Jerry
like the Nikkos, all those new rum or Ed Hardy wine? - and
people, which are out there to rather than focusing on the
make enormous work, which negative, it may be time to
nobody would have touched just enjoy the art and
with a stick.” embrace all the good the
Now, for the shocker - TLC is television shows are doing for
at it again! The network has the industry. As Von D says,
already ordered eight hour- “any preconceived
long episodes of a brand new perception is a
show that will join the Ink misconception. I think the
family: NY Ink. Set to premiere most honest part of
in June 2011, the show is everything is my tattooing.”
bringing back Mr. Ami James After all, it is the real driver
himself. Moving from Miami behind the magic and
to New York City, James will attraction of each of these
be opening up a brand new television shows. Not to
shop in SoHo, Wooster Street mention, as Dan Smith points
Social Club, and taking on a out, “all of this is temporary,
whole new crew. anyway. Life is temporary.”
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t
ng Act
A r
Balanci
F i n e
& T a t t o o i n g between worki
ng
abo ut bala nce. Balance ce between
It’s all ; balan
others a nd working solo and producing art
with vas
on a flat can
producing art allowed to make
between bei gn .
on ski n; bala nce
to be perfect every single time
needing
mistakes and
WORDS:
Barbara Pavone es, it’s clear: straddling playing around with
IMAGES: the worlds of fine art pencils and paints at
As credited
and tattooing is no a young age and
easy feat. And yet, others still decide to
countless talented artists pick up a tattoo and tattooing are blended
continue to do so machine first, but whatever together.
exceptionally. Some choose the starting point, they all As you will soon discover
to begin with a fine arts end up at the same finish from the five interviews that
education, others start by line, in a world where fine art follow, the ability to go back
and forth between making
art on skin and on other,
more easily handled surface
is often a blessing, a retreat.
When it comes to tattooing,
dealing with customers isn’t
always easy, and creativity
is often limited within the
constraints of a client’s
references and ideas. When
someone asks for a
traditional koi fish, you can’t
very well offer them a
graffiti-style rendition
because you’re in an
experimental mood that
day, now can you? No, the
Fine Art And Tattoos
experimentation and
expressionism need to be left
for the canvas and without
that release, who knows
what the impact on an
artist’s tattooing would be?
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Some choose to
begin with a fine arts
education, others start
by playing around with
pencils and paints at a

young age and others
still decide to pick up a
tattoo machine first
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r e h m
nce
r P
Technical Brillia
Coulte
For rising star
hole
Co ulter
and into the
Prehm , his spiral dow
world of fine
du ri
art
n
ng his
the rabbit class he took
first art moment
began with the . “I could tell the
st udies
undergraduate paintbrush that
up a pencil and a
that I picked ng for the
what I was going to be doi nt I
it was
,” says Prehm . “From the mome
rest of my life nk I’ve
n t, I pai n ted a LOT. I don’t thi
started to pai since I
less tha n 40 hours a week
ever painted .”
ng visual art Art.com
discovered maki www.ColtPrehm
ompleting a BA at the education, in my mind, varies towards the tattoo world in

Iowa State University much from a university art 2005 when he began an
College of Art and program,” he notes. “I feel that apprenticeship with Robert
Design, as well as my training outside of the Parr at Jaded Angel Tattoo in
numerous drawing and university setting was much Iowa. As he explains, the fine
painting workshops since, more focused on technical arts background made the
Prehm has experienced first- development and transition easier in some ways,
hand the differences understanding in but certainly trickier in others.
between various methods of comparison to art school, “I think that painting, drawing
studying art. “A ‘classical’ art which seemed very much and tattooing are the same
about self-expression, almost thing, but using different
trapped in the expressionistic media and surfaces. I wish
mindset. For art to have real that I could tattoo more how I
substance and importance, I paint and I am working hard
believe that whatever the to break myself of some old
medium, it must be created tattoo habits. There aren’t
with a certain level of really tricks to producing
knowledge, care and better art. I think that it just
technical competency. I do takes a ton of time, learning
think that self-expression and and practicing.”
individual voice is important, Moving to New Mexico in
but it’s more about learning 2008, Prehm continued his

to speak well with the tattoo work at Talisman Tattoo
language you are using.” until, in early 2011, he opened
Falling into the category of up Prehm Studios.
artist-turned-tattooer, Prehm Although continuously
first decided to push his skills working on both his fine art
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For instance, in tattooing

people often think water should
be blue, hearts should be red,
grass is green and so on.
and tattooing means that the are tattooists that understand
two undoubtedly influence this concept, but in general, I
each another, there is one think that drawing and
lesson Prehm says the tattoo painting more from life and
world could take away from, studying nature would be
say, painting: “Tattooing often beneficial for all the arts,
leads to symbolic usage of tattooing included. And I am
color and drawing. For definitely not excluding
instance, in tattooing people myself from this need to learn
often think water should be more about these things
blue, hearts should be red, either - we all have infinite
grass is green and so on. In room to improve.”
reality, water and grass are a As for his greatest piece of
multitude of colours and advice, which applies to the
values and I think that pursuit of any form of art, it’s

becoming more aware of to be sure to “get a mentor. to tell me that you can’t fly
how colour and light really You need to be around with the eagles if you’re
function would be a huge people who are successful in running with the turkeys, so
development in the tattoo the field you are trying to get some eagle in your life to
community. I know that there enter. My mom always used teach you how to fly!”
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Henry
Lewis
“I’ve
Lewis
bee n
whe
pai
n
n ti
asked
Double
Trouble
ng all my life
,” says Henry
about what came g with
. Playi n
first,
the tattooing
the fine art or matter like only
ur and subject ’t
light , colo nia native isn
ca n , the so uthern Califor matter
he
from any subject
one to shy away www.TheSkullAn
dSword.com
in spiratio n .
or
owadays both a Lewis went on to apprentice

greatly skilled with Jason Schroder at Regularly
painter and tattoo
artist, his passion for
Incognito Tattoo Co. in
Pasadena and can now be
spending time in
the latter took some time to found tattooing at Skull & both the tattoo
develop. “I used to work at a Sword (alongside Grime), and
really shitty job, I worked at he’s sure as heck come a long studio and
Kinko’s, and the tattoo shop way from his first tattooing the art studio,
was a block down the street,” experience at eighteen, which
he recalls. “My friends would was actually brought about Lewis points out
go there and get tattooed,
and I had no interest in
by his art. “I lied to this cat that
I was the apprentice, when I
that, “One hand
tattooing at all. I didn’t want was only a floor dude. I washes the other.
any writing on me because, I showed him my art book,
don’t know, I was ignorant. I ‘cause I had a little black the art studio, Lewis points
thought tattooing was, when book I kept all my drawings out that, “One hand washes
I first saw it, only for in, and he was really into it. I the other. I use the painting,
gangbangers and cats that used his equipment in a that’s the expressionistic part
got lettering, so I was not kitchen in San Luis Obispo in my art, I believe. I can
interested in it.” and it was the worst piece of make a mistake and it’s
The turning point for Lewis shit ever. If I met that dude okay, and it kind of frees my
came when one of his works again today I’d give him a mind up of that perfectionist
of art showed up on a friend’s free tattoo, apologize to him,” mind space.” But even so, it
skin. “Darryl got a tattoo of a he admits and can’t help but had to be asked: Forced to
drawing I did in color. I’d laugh at the memory, “We did pick one, which would win
never seen a color tattoo and a shitty half-sleeve of a three- over the other? “None of
I was enamored by it. Since headed devil with piercings them, they’d both cancel
then, on my lunch breaks, I on it, it’s so bad.” each other out,” he says in a
would take breaks and hang Regularly spending time flash. “I couldn’t pick. I have
out at the tattoo shop.” in both the tattoo studio and to do both of ‘em.”
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Shawn B a r be r
G
PAINTIN
TATTOOS
nal artist
n g his first work as a professioting of John
Since selli ushy pain
-scale, loose, br a place for himself
in 1999 - “A large been molding
Coltrane” - Barber has artists.
’s greatest contemporary
as one of A merica of everything
boasts an eclectic mix ustration of
His portfolio
of tattoo icons to an ill the Wall
from portraits la n ded o n the cover of
that
President Obama auguration issue. www.SDBarber.c
om
nal ’s in
Street Jour
always drew as a kid,” up.” That may be so, but the

says Barber, “I think notion to pursue art full-time
that most people who didn’t come until his mid-
have been doing art twenties when Barber found
for several years, it’s himself studying art in school Painting sessions last
something they were and as a pastime. “Seeing anywhere from several hours
impulsed to do growing rapid progression and seeing to several weeks, but it all
just the personal enthusiasm starts with a photography
from the act of making session (or two, or three) and
something from nothing trust. “I’m finding more and
was very invigorating. It more that if I spend more
was pretty exciting and I than five minutes with the
think at that point I was 27 or person and I’m patient, and
28 and I didn’t work for not trying to force anything
anybody, so I was gonna do on the situation, it’s usually a
it no matter what.” Through little bit more natural. I think
his Tattooed Portraits series, the more of these paintings I
Barber has been capturing do, when people see them,
some of the tattoo world’s they’re more likely to open up
greatest on canvas for knowing that I’m not trying to
several years now. exploit them.”
Through his Tattooed

Portraits series, Barber has

been capturing some of the
tattoo world’s greatest on
canvas for several years now.
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In 2007, Barber began his

metamorphoses,
apprenticing under painter-
tattooer extraordinaire Mike
Davis. Now working with Kim
Saigh in their private Los
Angeles studio, Memoir
Tattoo, Barber is becoming
one of the contemporary
greats juggling both worlds.
So does the work get any
easier with time and
experience? “I think feeling
comfortable with my
technique gets easier, but I’m
always trying to play and try
new things, so I don’t know.
It’s the easiest job in the
world, so it’s not hard. You’re
alone doing your thing,
unlike tattooing [where] you
have to deal with another
person. I think when people

say like, you’re being ‘bold’ or
‘brave’ with your work - it’s a
fucking painting. You’re
drawing a picture, it’s not that
big of a deal.”
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oo
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Sacred Tatt
The Perfect Marriage
ular artist,
’t just about one partic
Okay, so this isn studio that’s
New York City
but it is abo ut a great tattooing.
lin e betwee n fine art and but
blurrin g the doors in 1990,
Tattoo first opened its that
Sacred anniversary
the shop’s 20th
it wasn’t until nning a major
n ge took place. Pla
a major cha es Wood and
for the place, owner W something
revamp
Kevi n W ilson decided to add .
manager n art galleryred
to the shop’s back - a www.Sac Tattoo.com
special
escribed by Wilson as separate entity to the it is about a

a fine arts gallery, company,” and although the
Sacred Gallery NYC two spaces do interact, they great New York
may be on the same are not necessarily always in City studio
floor as the tattoo studio, but sync. “Every so often we’ll
“it’s separate at the same show people who do tattoo, that’s blurring
time. It has its own separate
entrance, it has its own
but for the most part we have
people such as Shepard
the line between
Fairey who has shown with fine art and
us. He’s the guy who did the
iconic Obama “Hope” tattooing.
picture that everybody sees go for things that are a little
and he also does street art bit more fine-tuned, whether
that’s known as Obey Giant ... it be illustration or actual
It’s not necessarily just tattoo- painting, or even digital
inspired art.” work and photography.”
Although this notion may Over the years, Wilson has
seem strange at first, it however discovered the
actually makes perfect growth of an organic,
strategic sense once Wilson unexpected and great
explains it. “We don’t really interplay between the two
go after tattoo-inspired art areas. “The nice thing about
per se because coming from having a gallery and a
a business standpoint, a lot tattoo studio together is

of people will wind up, if it when people come in,
looks like flash or very especially like the fine arts
tattoo-y type art, people will community, you get a lot of
tend to just pay the money people who would have
and get a tattoo. So we try to never even wanted to come
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near a tattoo studio because

there’s certain phobias and
stigmas that could be
attached with their thinking,
like the old-school mindset.
And then they come and
they see how comfortable
the atmosphere is and how
we cater to a different type
of clientele and then next
thing you know, we find out
that we’ve started tattooing
a lot of these art people. So
it’s actually worked out
pretty well for us,” he says
and adds, “That was one of
the things we wanted to try
to be able to do: pull both
worlds together. We’ve had
clients of ours who have
been getting tattooed
purchase from the gallery
and then we’ve had people
who have purchased from

the gallery, and shown in
the gallery, wind up getting
their first tattoos from us.”
Sounds like the perfect
marriage indeed.
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Black Dog
TAMING THE
, it would read
were n ’t so close to home . Sibling
If it
g o ut of a U.S. soap opera nd
n critics a
like somethi n, hated by the
rivalry , depressio , uch to his
m
by his fans, Terry Bradley doing what
comes
loved ma n simply
bemusement
as a end of the
ds himself at the sharp
n
naturally, fi safe hands…w.terrybradley.com
stick . Bu t here, he is in ww
public
I haven’t interviewed certainly at a loss for a way family on holiday once in a

a good ‘n’ proper to navigate the future. while without having to
Irishman for years. I’d Working with both local kids worry about it. That’s not the
forgotten that once and prisoners, he has taken same thing at all.
you get us Celts started on a his “fuck the critics” “I just don’t understand art
good story, it’s hard to slow approach and delivered it – critics. When you’re artistic,
the train down… as only a true artist can – you’re always, without
A native of Shankill Road into the hands of future exception, your own best
in Belfast, his mother kept generations: and worst critic, so how can
him inside for most of his “All that nonsense about somebody who doesn’t
childhood to shield him from which brush to use and know anything about you
the troubles that were going what kind of hair the damn judge what you’re doing
on outside their front door. thing is made of – that’s not wrong? I have no time for
Finding solace in Herge’s art. Art is getting what’s them at all. The feedback
stories of Tintin, he also inside onto the canvas, or from people is what matters.
began nurturing talent whatever it is you’ve got You shouldn’t have to have
through his own art. available to paint onto. a degree to like something –
To come full circle in “You know, to the critics, I it’s a visual thing that hits
his life story so far, don’t exist. It bothered me
Bradley – a for a long time – and
successful full- sometimes, it still does. Once All that
time artist in
his own right -
you start making a name for
yourself doing something
nonsense about
now finds that you’re good at and love which brush to
himself doing, the assumption is
something that you’re this confident use and what
of an person and that people can kind of hair the

inspiration take potshots at you. But
to children, that’s not me. I’m still just damn thing is
not so much
in a similar
Terry Bradley, a guy that
loves to paint who found a
made of – that’s
situation, but way to maybe take his not art.
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when you first see a piece
and that’s pretty much the
end of it!”
“Working with kids, well, I
just don’t have the resources
to sponsor them or anything,
but what I have got is some
time and some space and
I’d really like it if we could
get some of them coming
here and being involved in
art, hanging out on the
beach and having a few
laughs but also putting
some work in and getting
the job done. I’ve also been
working with some prisoners
out in McGillian.
“There’s this one big guy
there and he had copied
some of my work and hung
it on his wall, I spent some
time with him and worked a
lot with him and the guy
ends up getting an A Level
in art which is brilliant.”
Having once owned his own
clothing shop, Bradley came
up the hard way and it was
only when a chance
conversation with John
Reynolds, the owner of the
famous PoD club in Dublin,
led to
Bradley’s first
solo art
exhibition,
that he began
to find his
feet. The night
was a huge
success and
Terry finally
started to
make some
money from
the one thing
that had
stayed with
him all his
life, but it’s
been no bed
of roses.
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Glossary
Artists
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Glossary
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’s a list of
the whole world over, here
Coined from various sources . It’s by no means
might find interesting
some tattoo terms that you . A few words
enlighten your head somewhat
comprehensive but it might others are slang
are legitimate whilst
of warning: some of the terms leave it in your capable
urable either. We’ll
terms and they’re not all favo intellige nt and
you can use to appear
and sensible hands as to which .
appear to be a total idiot
which never to use lest you
Aftercare How you take care of your Carving As in carving out some Flash Pre-designed tattoos and motifs
tattoo once you get home. PHAT lines. that appear on the walls of many
tattoo studios.
Autoclave Heat/pressure device Closers This refers to those annoying
for sterilisation. customers who know fully well that Geeking This refers to acting
you close at 10pm, and take your last stupid, or ignorant, or out of place,
B-back – A slang term for a customer who customer at 9pm, but they walk in without regard to how you appear to
chickens-out during a tattoo session. The at 9:45pm anyway, expecting you to others. Tattoo artists tend to use this
most commonly used excuse to leave is: accommodate their 2-hour tattoo request. term to refer to their clients who do
“I gotta run to the cash machine, I’ll be not know how to follow instructions,
back.” But they never return. Cosmetic tattoos To cover up blemishes, especially in matters related to taking
or after breast cancer surgery, for care of their tattoos.
Backpiece a tattoo that covers the whole example.
of the back and sometimes includes Getting inked Is another way of saying,
‘shorts’ which flow down the back of the Cover Up Covering an existing tattoo “getting tattooed.”
legs to the knee. with a new one, or to hide one’s ink from
family members with large sweaters! Goo This pertains to the cool, healing
Been needled This is another way to say: ointment tattoo artists apply to a
“been tattooed.” Dealers These are customers who new tattoo.
haggle down the tattoo price like they
Blacklight tattoo A tattoo done with are attending a body art auction. They Grinding A term similar to “creating,”
special ink that glows in the dark. Also intend to pay less than what regular as in what “grinding out some tribal
known as a ‘reactive’ or glow in the customers normally pay. tattoos” suggests.
dark tattoo.
Dermis The layer of skin that retains Gun This is a general slang term
Blackwork A tattoo done only in shades ink when a tattoo is applied. This sits for a tattoo machine. In some cases,
of black and grey. below the epidermis and above the this term may have a negative
hypodermis. connotation in association with hackers
Blowout ink spread from tattooing gone or scratchers. A term for tattoo machine
too deep. Devotion tattoo Symbolises its owner’s used primarilly by scratchers and
love for a significant other, parent, pet, loathed by artists.
Bodysuit A single design or extensive favourite band, favourite food, etc.
collection that envelops the body. This Hacker Beware of the hacker. No,
can comprise the hands and neck too, D.I.Y. tattoos Do-it-yourself tattoos. Not he doesn’t hack into computer systems;
but it more commonly used to describe recommended. this term refers to an unskilled tattoo
Japanese-style tattoos that stop at the artist who tends to cause the client
neck, wrists and ankles. Engraved This is another term for more pain and swelling than necessary.
“tattooed.” Also called a scratcher.
Cadaver This term refers to a customer
who refuses to talk to the tattoo artist Epidermis The outermost layer of skin Hori in Japanese tattooing, hori is
during the entire process of getting inked. that acts as a ‘window’, because we look prefixed to an artist’s name.
It is likely that the customer is a noob or through it to see the tattoo. A tattoo needs
just too scared about the whole process to to go a few layers into the epidermis, but Horimono The word given to tattooing
Glossary
find the energy to speak. not all the way through. in Japan.
Artists
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Hyperrealism A genre, usually cited in Moku Name for traditional New Stencil The outline of the tattoo design,
fine art but now frequently in tattooing Zealand Maori tribe tattoos. Sometimes treated and transferred to skin with
too, as the rendering of a subject to look used to specifically refer to those alcohol, that acts as a guide for the tattoo
like a high-resolution photograph i.e. designs on the face. artist while working.
extremely detailed and lifelike.
New School Bright, colourful, vivid style Suikoden - A book of Chinese legend with
Inked Refers to a person with many of modern tattooing, often cartoonish. tattooed heroes.
tattoos. It also pertains to the act of
getting tattooed. Old English A popular lettering font Swastika The culturally universal symbol of
for tattoos. peace and love, and NOT a fascist symbol.
Irons A term of affection for tattoo
machine used by artists. On The Road when an artist travels often Ta moko A traditional Maori facial tattoo.
and doesn’t have a fixed studio at which
Jailhouse Style of tattoo inspired by they work, we refer to them as being ‘on Tatau The traditional reference to the
tattoos inmates would be able to get in the road’. word ‘tattoo’ in Tahiti.
jail. Were very crude due to materials
(urine and soot for ink). Now refers to both Powerlines term used to describe the Tattoo An indelible mark or figure fixed
style (Black and Gray only) and subject thick, sculpted outlines surrounding a upon the body by insertion of pigment
matter. tattoo, most often used in new school under the skin. The name originates from
pieces. Either inserting an initial outline the sound the sticks and needle would
Kanji Japanese lettering. and then filling it out, or simply putting a make during tattooing with traditional
thick line on creates the effect. materials, "ta-tu ta-tu ta-tu"
Kara-jishi The proper placement and
observance of rules for images used for Tattoo shark Someone who has a habit
Pounding skin Refers to “tattooing
Japanese tattoos. of stealing other people’s tattoo ideas
someone.” To a virgin, this term can
and designs.
sound more brutal than necessary.
Kickin’ it into third A phrase used by
tattoo artists that describes the way they Tebori The time-honoured practice of
Pussyball Pertains to the “tennis ball”
pick up the speed on the fill, because tattooing by hand in Japan.
given to the customer who won’t stop
they know you can handle it.
whining.
Tenderfoot - Body art newbies.
Koi The Japanese term for carp.
Sailor (also known as Traditional,
The Look This describes the tell-all smile
Americana, or Sailor Jerry): Style of
Know you’re getting a tattoo A phrase when the customer first sees his new
tattoos gotten by sailors from the turn of
used by tattoo artists to refer to the act of tattoo.
the century to the 1950s. Gotten in ports
tattooing the underside of the arm. Ouch,
that’s going to hurt. like Amsterdam, San Francisco, and Tramp stamp Derogatory term for a tattoo
Coney Island. Refers to both the style of done on the lower back of women.
Lady Luck A traditionally popular tattoo drawing and subject matter (pinups,
at war time. The central figure in the anchors, bluebirds, pirate ships) Tribal Heavy black graphic
design is always a beautiful woman designs inspired by the traditional
surrounded by other signs of good Scratcher A shoddy tattooist who cares Polynesian tattooing of Tahiti, Hawaii,
fortune like a four leaf clover, a rabbit’s little for quality but loves to churn out and New Zealand.
foot, etc. The tattoo was thought to bring cheap, nasty tattoos.
luck to the owner. Whip shading term used to describe
Show your ink Another way of saying the method of pulling a large magnum
Meat A local tattoo enthusiast who “show your tattoo.” needle configuration across the skin
always has a fresh tattoo healing always to create a ‘peppered’ effect for soft
has meat. This type of collector frequents Showcase Refers to a collector who gradations. A hallmark of neotraditional
the tattoo shop, getting a tat or two in has a ton of tattoos inked by the same tattooing but also used in other schools to
short intervals. tattoo artist. create delicate backgrounds and subtle
shading.
Michaelangelo Tattoo artists coined Sleeve Refers to either a full arm or leg
this ironic term out of frustration towards tattoo. in the case of arms: half, three Wrastler This is a person who, after
certain clients who think they know quarters and full are all prefixes that fainting in the tattoo chair, still decides to
better. They are the ones who ask for can describe how much of the limb finish what he started.
“victory red” or “purple passion” and tell the tattoo covers.
the artist where and how to shade. Think: Yakuza The famously (and often heavily)
Glossary
back seat driver. Slinging ink Similar to pounding tattooed Japanese crime syndicate.
Artists
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Glossary
Artists
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159
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The Tattoo Bible 2

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A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR THE TATTOO ENTHUSIAST

The views expressed in this bookazine by the contributors

real world - words for you, including the

and movie actors. It didn’t matter who you

a tattoo is a great piece of work that we are

add to our own personal collections.

he is right. Who knows what may happen

Skin Deep Skin Shots Tattoo Master Our range of bookazines

Finding you the best Presenting tattoos past,

www.hoteltattoo.com www.bigtattooplanet.com www.tattoojam.com www.tattoofreeze.com

Please check our website for up to date offers

very manner of THE ICEMAN COMETH

modification is as old as bad going even by today’s

Otzi the iceman

IT’S A SMALL WORLD

Tattooing was popular among APO ANNO

Filipino tribal life since pre- themselves and tattooing

famously tattooed (or prohibited. other islands, but on the lower

GOING UNDERGROUND CHATHAM SQUARE

not huge at the time. Another Chatham Square in New

losing its appeal. Not to be

hen you trace was a tattooist as

stifling conditions of the mills. interview with Ed Hardy in

In 1950, tattooing in Norfolk conditions of the cotton mills.

North Carolina, with Rogers ones. In a portable 12-by-12-

s old school meets new at the art of Buena Vista

create neo-Japanese, but head around your choices in

Bio mechanical HING OF A

he combination of Kostechko all bringing

renowned for. www.ronearhart.blogspot.com

Rock n Roll Tattoo

Ray Hunt, Diablo Tattoo

ome artists like to mix The key to a great black and

chiaroscuro, whereby www.darkart.hu

Mistery Tattoo Club

Al Williams, Shaded Lady, Falmouth

James Robinson, Nine Boyces St, Brighton Andy Bowler, Monki Do

Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, Nyc Gareth Unwin, Trucolour, Nyc

Invictus Tattoo Joao Bosco, The Family Business

ith blackwork, practice ‘dotwork’ - some

Black (Glamort) one of the

Amanda Ruby, Squidink Xoil

Asa Aleksandar, Orca Sun. Croatia

D-GRRR, Carnevil Tattoo

depicted heroes and

etter known as Irezumi Sitting high in the upper

with Irezumi is ink being representative of the autumn and

King Carlos Tattoo, Stockholm Luca Ortis

King Carlos Tattoo, Stockholm Sabado

Bit Ethno Tattoo Hamdi, Tattoo Village

s a rule, new school takes the art and sculpts it

been thrown out of the

Sasa Aleksandar, Orca Sun Tattoo Studio, Croatia

Mr.Greg-Rock'n'roll Tattoo Edinburgh Alexei Zamotevski, Kipod Tattoo

Nick Baldwin, Infinite Ink, Coventry Jake X

Rich Smith Five Magics

Hexa, Precious Tattoo Rafael Plaisant, Vienna Electric, Rio De Janeiro

he aim of the game photography favourite

their disposal here as what

Hexa, Precious Tattoo