Knives & Needles: Star Wars, Tattoos and Wookiee Cookiees
By Brynne Palmer
Star Wars and I go back a long time ago, not so far way. I grew up in a household that loved the trilogy, and have so many fond memories of it intertwined in my childhood…. (more…)
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 6)
By Victor Farinelli
Let me start by reminding y’all that the views expressed in these here ramblings are my own and do not represent the views of TAM. With that out of the way, I wanted to touch on some action going on at the TAM Facebook page. There have been some posts that have criticized TAM for allowing me to even acknowledge that Best Ink, and other tattoo shows, even exist…
One: See the first sentence. Two: Face it folks; ever since MTV’s The Real World (maybe even The Dating Game), TV has become one “reality” show after another. COPS, Survivor, Idol, Top Chef; the list goes on and on. Tattoo shows are no different. I don’t think they are going to go away anytime soon, either. Look at how many seasons American Chopper has been on. Those goofballs still get huge ratings. True “outlaw bikers” probably hate that show, just like many passionate tattoo artists hate tattoo shows… (more…)
ROC City Tattoo Expo 2013
By johndotcom
There are only two things you need to know about the ROC City Tattoo Expo…
- 1. If you are a tattooer, this show should be on your tat con list!
- 2. If you are a tattoo enthusiast, this show should be on your tat con list!
Actually, there’s more to it than that… But just like me, that’s the tall and skinny of it… I cannot begin to thank Jet (Joseph DiProjetto, Love Hate Tattoo), Shane Stevens and the whole ROC Crew for making this experience better every time I come to Rochester… (more…)
Streaming Version of Tattoo Nation Movie Available Today!
Click here to get the Streaming DVD version of Tattoo Nation.
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For years people saw tattoos as a sign of rebellion. A middle finger salute to the rest of the world. Outlaw bikers got tattoos. Sailors on leave in Singapore got tattoos. Lifers in the joint got tattoos. But now in the United States one out of every three adults under forty has a tattoo! So what happened? How did tattoo go from something that was put on you to an expression that comes from within you? Tattoo Nation tells the story of a few people who helped transform the world of tattoo, and the way we think about tattoos, forever. This is the true story of the ink revolution.
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 5)
By Victor Farinelli
Howdy folks. It’s me again here to bring you yet another exciting and death-defying episode of Best Ink Season II. This episode demonstrates to me that I am absolutely no judge of what a decent tattoo should be. I thought that most of the work that came out of this episode was pretty good. However, walking heart-attack Joe Capobianco hated most of them. I never had good taste… (more…)
Larry Brogan: How to Throw an Opening Party
Courtesy of Larry Brogan and Tattoo City
I thought I would send some info about our Grand Opening of my Tattoo City and Flower of Life Art Gallery located at 1601 State Street in Lockport, Illinois. Over two hundred people, including the mayor of Lockport, various city officials and reporters from the Lockport Legend newspaper. Friends traveled from far and wide, from Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and even Canada, to share in the occasion… (more…)
The Pacific Ink & Art Expo: Hawaii’s First Ever Tattoo Expo Breaks New Ground
By Danny Claser
In 2009 I was free and clear from break-up with a female tattoo artist who was on the show LA Ink. In the time we were together we spent a lot of time traveling the world doing tattoo conventions. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the people who attended these expos. It reminded me of being on Warped Tour when I was a traveling musician. I think I connected to this messed up, chaotic, yet beautiful carny way of life where nothing had stability yet it was stable in the storm. I missed being surrounded by people the world looked at as weirdos or circus freaks. The musicians life is not that far off from the tattooers lifestyle and somehow porn stars and gypsies all seem to fall under that umbrella as well… (more…)
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 4)
By Victor Farinelli
My fellow cynic “johndotcom” asked me the other day if this show is painful to watch. Yes it is. It makes me wish for the zombie apocalypse. I think it has to do with the real egotistical ass-hats that are on this show, including the host, Pete Wentz. I guess that is why they were picked in the first place. Some of the douchingtons are so egotistical that they don’t even realize that they are fucking up someone’s life with a shitty tattoo. Well, I guess that is why the laser removal industry is so big now… (more…)
Knives & Needles: Colin Dowling from Gold Rush Tattoo
By Brynne Palmer
Colin and I have known each other for quite a long time. Over 12 years ago, he gave me one of my very first tattoos! I am so grateful that after all this time, I have the privilege of working for and with him at Gold Rush Tattoo. Colin, an incredibly well-rounded artist, seamlessly creates beautiful Japanese pieces, American traditional and portraits as well. I’m always asking him for input on my tattooing, life and everything else, so of course I wanted to hear about and share some of his culinary talent! (more…)
Marie Sena SLC International Tattoo Convention 2013 Interview for Tattoo Artist Magazine (VIDEO)
Video by Luke Holley
Dave Waugh: Rollo
By Dave Waugh
Yesterday was the birthday of one of my biggest early influences in tattooing. His name was Mike Malone, his friends called him Rollo… I called him, Mr. Malone… (more…)
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 3)
By Victor Farinelli
Hello Folks. This is your resident dickhead back again to bring you a recap of this week’s episode from one of the most asinine shows on TV. Week three of Best Ink is pretty much like week two. For the flash challenge, the guest judges were Vanessa and Angela Simmons, founders of Pastry Brand fashionable footwear and apparel. The Simmons are daughters of Rev. Run from Run-DMC and nieces of Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam records. The flash challenge was all about branding. So now tattoo artists have to brand themselves? What the fuck is that all about? Oh, I forgot, the last challenge was all about branding too. Kids; don’t do tattoos at home. But if you’re going to, use my Easy Glow Tattoo Pigment and custom “Brickhouse” coil tattoo machine… (more…)
Knives & Needles: Lindsey Carmichael from Gold Rush Tattoo
By Brynne Palmer
My good friend and fellow tattooer, Lindsey Carmichael, is one of those incredible people who is enthusiastic about whatever he is involved in, and it really shows through in his work. His approach to tattooing is very precise, clean and thorough, qualities which can be seen in every tattoo he makes. It’s no surprise that his approach in the kitchen is very similar. When I asked him to contribute his favorite recipe, he was stoked and more than happy to share! Please enjoy the culinary stylings and wisdom of the one and only, LHC! (more…)
Paul Dobleman: Psychedelic Stories March’s WINNER!
By Paul Dobleman:
Here is the Psychedelic Stories winner for March, thanks to everyone who participated… (more…)
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 2)
By Victor Farinelli
Hello, my name is Victor, and I am an asshole (Hi,Victor). I am officially in asshole relapse mode. I don’t know what has come over me. Everytime I try not to be an asshole, the compulsion takes over. So, I have accepted my assholism and will embrace it. Today is a new day. I feel like a butterfly emerging from the cocoon. I am going to spread my wings and fly! *grin*
*single tear* *sunbeam and rainbows* (more…)
Dave Waugh: Up The Irons
By Dave Waugh
I was asked to participate in an Iron Maiden themed art show at The Pretty Pretty Collective in San Francisco. The show started Friday, March 16th and runs for two months… (more…)
Josh Egnew SLC International Tattoo Convention 2013 Interview for Tattoo Artist Magazine (VIDEO)
Video by Luke Holley
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II (Episode 1)
By Victor Farinelli
Hello friends and neighbors! It’s me again, here to give you the scoop on this shitstorm called Best Ink. First off, during the show, these little pop-up windows come up giving “industry slang.” One was “Skin- Tattoo Client.” What the fuck. The only time I have heard a customer called skin is never. Great. Now all these white trash wannabe scratchers are going to be calling their customers and clients “skins.” (Screen fades into dream sequence like a ‘70′s sitcom…) (more…)
Knives & Needles: Horitaka from State of Grace Tattoo
By Molly Kitamura
This is a blog that I started because I have a passion for food and a love for tattoos. I am a professional sushi chef of over 13 years and have worked all over the world for more than a decade. Over my travels working in various kitchens, I always noticed how many chefs are tattooed. Not only tattooed, but many heavily tattooed. I myself am pretty heavily tattooed. Not to get too deep but this has always interested me and I think that chefs and tattooers have similar personality types; artistic, transient punks who are traditionally the lowlifes of society working in a thankless profession. Tattooing and the chef profession have both seen a 180 to their popularity and reputation in recent years with TV shows and celebrity stars being formed in this modern-day atmosphere. I want to give all those tattooed chefs the chance talk about something other than food and give foodie tattooers a chance to talk about something other than their work with this blog! My friend Brynne Palmer, a tattoo artist at Gold Rush Tattoo, is a contributing writer as well as myself. And there may be others in the future! My friend Eric Alegria is helping with this blog as well! Thank you for reading this blog and follow us! There will be interesting interviews with your favorite chefs and tattooers, amazing recipes, cooking tips and beautiful photos of food and tattoos being shared here, don’t miss out! (more…)
Marty McEwen Motor City Tattoo Expo 2013 Interview for Tattoo Artist Magazine (VIDEO)
Video by Luke Holley
Erik Gillespie Motor City Tattoo Expo 2013 Interview for Tattoo Artist Magazine (VIDEO)
Video by Luke Holley
Variety: It Hurts So Good at ‘Tattoo Nation’ Premiere Opens Today 4/4/13
By Michelle Salemi (Original story appears at: http://variety.com/)
Skin artwork was not a sign of rebellion but camaraderie at the L.A. preem of D&E’s doc “Tattoo Nation” on March 28.
“There’s just such great soul in these tattoo artist, and then if you have the talent, pass it on!” tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy said before the Arclight screening.
Actor Danny Trejo, whose tattoos include a family portrait of his children on his back, gets asked a lot about his ink: “People ask me if my tattoos have hindered my career. I say, ‘For the first five years of it.’ I played inmate number one. The only thing I heard the director say was ‘Danny, take off your shirt.’ “ (more…)
Victor Farinelli: Best Ink Season II Prologue
By Victor Farinelli So… I was sitting with remote control in hand, watching reruns of Cops, surfing the Internet, and thinking about how depressed I have been ever since Ink Master Season 2 ended. There has been nothing to fill my gawking freak show void left by Ink Master, since it ended. I tried watching Black Ink Crew, but it just didn’t catch my attention. It reminded me too much of all the scratcher shops in Austin. There was no real point behind it either… (more…)
Tattoo Artist Magazine’s ‘Tattoo Nation’ Sneak Peek Opening In Theaters On 4/4/13 (VIDEO)
By Kent Smith
When approached by Eric Schwartz and John Corry (the director and producer) of Tattoo Nation over a year ago, we knew they were on to something good. While they were not apart of the industry, we knew they were doing this movie the “right way.” Eric had taken his time and developed a story that encompassed the true black and grey history of tattooing…
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