*UPDATE* True South: Jordan Teear Relief Party
Story by Aaron (Tex) Finnin and party photos by Casey Keener:
One month ago Jordan Teear and I were high-fiving in celebration of his first 24-hour Friday 13th super party completion. It was to kick off our long-awaited 4,000 mile summer ride from Los Angles to New York City to meet up with our buddy Oliver Peck. We spent the next 48-hours recovering from messed up sleeping schedules and wrenching the final details on our bikes before heading east. That Sunday the 15th of July the absolute worst wrench was thrown into our adrenaline plan. “We didn’t even make it to the freeway,” became Jordan’s favorite line as he chuckled and told the story of his broken legs and ankles numerous times followed by one of his token light-hearted jokes over the next three weeks… (more…)
Jeff Gogué: Tattoo Expo Napoli, What An Experience…
By Jeff Gogué
When I first agreed to attend the tattoo expo in Napoli, Italy… Honestly, I had doubts I would make it. It would be my third trip to Italy in less than a year. I, of course, am honored and grateful to be invited anywhere and would continuously be on the road if it wasn’t for my responsibilities at home. I love adventure and with an ever-present awareness of my own mortality, I want to experience as much as I can before the bell tolls. I wouldn’t call myself a thrill seeker. I hardly call myself a traveler, but I do what I can to make new friends and see new places. Napoli was a new place. Different than the places I’ve been before in so many ways… (more…)
Nicki Kasper: On The Road in Napoli, Italy (VIDEO)
By Nicki Kasper
There are times in our lives that we’re blessed with real experiences, the kind of experiences that can change us if our eyes are open to them. If you sit quietly and observe… If you can really take in what’s going on around you and reflect on it for a moment, you have a chance to see so much, and you have a chance to better yourself.
Tattoo Expo Napoli was one of those experiences for me, and I’m gonna go out on a limb, to a very vulnerable place for me and try to share some things about how it all made me feel… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Nick Baxter)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered due to tattooing?
Nick Baxter: Obviously tattooing can put strain on your fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, spine and lower back. In broader terms, all of these body parts are connected, like a series of stops on a train. The physical action of sitting and extending your arms, making small, repetitive hand motions over long periods of time puts stress on the body that just goes down the continuous line of interconnected body parts. I deal with pain, strain, and discomfort in all of these areas on a regular basis… (more…)
Sean Herman: Jeff Ensminger Interview (Part II)
By Sean Herman [Editor's Note: To read Part I of this interview please click this link.]
One of my favorite [stories] from him was the story about him “tattooing” himself. It’s pretty amazing. I think Jeff is one of those great examples of someone who loves tattooing so much, they will do anything to be involved in tattooing… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Jesse Smith)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered due to tattooing?
Jesse Smith: I’ve definitely had a few issues with carpal tunnel here and there. As well as a few nerve issues in my shoulders and arms. I’ve also noticed that my hearing has suffered because of the constant buzzing over the years… (more…)
Sean Herman: Jeff Ensminger Interview (Part I)
By Sean Herman
So what did I do that night? I get home, I got the needle, the india ink, the thread, and here I am trying to poke a cross into my hand. I am like a weenie little kid, and I don’t want to poke myself with needles, so I’m trying to do it, but it just didn’t seem to want to go in. So what made the most sense to me was, ‘How do you INJECT the ink into the skin?’ I couldn’t figure that out. I was like, ‘How’s a needle going to INJECT the ink?’ So the only thing that made sense to me was to get a syringe… –Jeff Ensminger… (more…)
Marcus Kuhn: The Gypsy Gentleman Episode IV (VIDEO)
Here is just one extraordinary example of our collective creative potential when it’s put into motion! This is Marcus’ contribution to our community. If you really ‘get it’ and want to help Marcus make more or spread the word, link The Gypsy Gentleman to your own site and blog. These episodes will only get better as Marcus and his crew gain experience and a decent budget. Enjoy! -Crash
Send PayPal Donations by cut-and-pasting this link and then clicking the “donate” icon above: justgoodtattoos@yahoo.com
[More information on expanded page] (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Kari Barba)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problem have you encountered due to tattooing?
Kari Barba: I have encountered back, neck and hand pain for sure. I think we all get that.
Have you had to see a doctor, chiropractor, masseuse therapist, acupuncturist or anything similar because problems or because you want to avoid them? (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Mike Giant)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: Did you encounter any type of physical problems when you were tattooing?
Mike Giant: Yes, my neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers would always hurt after a long day of tattooing. It took its toll over the years. These days I can only tattoo once or twice a week because of the pain… (more…)
Aubrey Trufant: The Rome Experience 2012
By Aubrey Trufant
First and foremost, I would love to thank Daniele “Ceyen” Hoang of Psycho Tattoo for extending the invitation and giving my brother Alex and myself an opportunity to come tattoo and explore Roma, Italia together. I would also like to extend great thanks to Francesco Giamblanco for his exceptional tour guide work and for his undying patience and love as a co-host. The welcome was warm and easy, as they were eager to keep us entertained, busy tattooing and fed! It seemed to come all so effortlessly, their actions spoke in volumes and resonated throughout the duration of our trip and experience with them. We appreciate you! (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Seth Ciferri)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered do to tattooing?
Seth Ciferri: A lot of it is from sitting all hunched over for so long… I developed this weird muscle mass in my mid back. It was there because I had such poor posture while working, due to a lack of core strength. It’s taken years of weight training, massage therapy, and chiropractic work to get it straightened out. Core strength is KEY in maintaining good posture while working. It will help ensure a long and comfortable career… (more…)
Sean Herman: Jason Reeder Interview
By Sean Herman
So I wanted to do something different with this TAM Blog. The past three tattooers I have featured on here had been tattooing for over 10 years. I think at that point, you are starting to hit your stride a bit. I wanted to feature a different tattooist, one who hadn’t been tattooing for a long time, to get a different perspective on why he was tattooing. With tattooing becoming so everyday, being saturated on television, in magazines, it’s created a different time in tattooing, and I wanted to see if people got into tattooing for different reasons now, as opposed to 10, even 20 years ago. (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Marcus Kuhn)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problem have you encountered do to tattooing?
Marcus Kuhn: After 20 years I have pain in my number 11 acupuncture point just southeast of my right scapula as a result of the long swoop of lining and the repetitive pulse of the mag work. After four hours my shoulder becomes congested and starts to fill with fluid. like a nose when you are congested with the flu. The body is responding to the inflammation of the tissue by sending fluid to the area. At night my shoulder sometimes pulses with pain… The fluid takes three hours or more to drain. I have also lost a register of my hearing from the frequency of the ultrasonics and the running machines… (more…)
Tattoo Expo Napoli 2012 Preview
The 9th edition of Tattoo Expo Napoli is arriving, the big summer event in Naples (Italy) dedicated to the world of body art, culture and much more. The Expo, organized by the Cultural Association Napolindelebile and Micromutazioni in the huge spaces of Mostra d’Oltremare in Naples, this time will host 170 international tattoo artists, international suppliers in the business and a complex series of events scheduled during the three days (29, 30 June and 1st of July) like: art expositions, workshops, live performances (including suspensions, bondage, live music), the airbrush show and many contests… just to mention some of the attractions… (more…)
4th Annual ROC City Tattoo Convention: On the Road in Rochester, NY
By Jimmy Perlman
Unfortunately I don’t get to most tattoo conventions anymore. I know and hear about tons of great shows all over the world. Fact is, I work in a field that has me traveling between six and nine months a year so when I’m home from work it would be a real shit move to tell my wife and kid “alright now I know I was gone for a month working but I’m gonna go to this city for the weekend and hang out with some friends, have a good time and get tattooed.” (more…)
JTG: The South American Experience
By JTG
So I just left Buenos Aires after being there for a month-and-a-half or something like this… The guys from Welldone Tattoo and I started a really tough gang, this is our first group shot. We are tougher than leather… (more…)
Signatures of the Soul – Tattooing Today: Video Project Fronted by Peter Fonda (1984)
Courtesy of NZ On Screen: We have just added to our website Signatures of the Soul, the 1984 documentary fronted by Peter Fonda (directed by New Zealander Geoff Steven) that tracks the art of tattooing from New Zealand, through Samoa and the East L.A. and San Francisco scenes (including interviews with Ed Hardy and Bob Roberts) and on to Japan.
Click this link to watch full video: http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/signatures-of-the-soul-tattooing-today-1984 (more…)
TAM: World Wide Tattoo Conference Review (VIDEO)
By Crash
Some may recall my enthusiastic blog report last fall on the Paradise Tattoo Gathering… Well, I’m gonna do it again! The World Wide Tattoo Conference, brainchild of Italian tattoo artist Alex De Pase and co-hosted by Gabe Ripley and TattooNOW.com, is a new first in the tattoo world; a two-day seminar event for professional tattooers, boasting lectures from six highly respected and influential global artists. More than 200 tattoo artists from around the globe travelled to St. Charles, Illinois to attend this specialized tattoo conference… (more…)
Sean Herman: Krooked Ken (Part III)
By Sean Herman
**EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the continuation of, Sean Herman: Krooked Ken (Part II)*
Jason Reeder- What’s funny to me (and I actually talk to Sean about this a lot) is to hear you telling a story, and have the same story. You can have the people who burn their bridges and you try hard not to be that person.
Sean Herman- *I am going to interrupt the dialogue really quick: This is where I have to mention that my friend Jason Reeder came with me when I got tattooed by Ken. Jason has been tattooing for a little bit now. He started as a client of mine, and got an apprenticeship after I had tattooed him for a few years. He is a really dedicated, interesting tattooer. The next blog is going to be about how he got into tattooing, so this one gives you a little introduction to him. Now, back to the dialogue…* (more…)
Oliver Peck: On the Road in Ireland at Allstar Tattoo
By Oliver Peck(er)
Last week I continued my journey and went from Stockholm, Sweden to Limerick, Ireland to meet up with Ross Nagle and Dale Turner at Allstar Tattoo. Ross is one of my favorite tattooers and his business partner and shop manager Dale is a one-of-a-kind-guy, I love them both! I have guest-spotted there a few times in the last year or so. I love it there it is an awesome shop and all the guys are the best! Ross Nagle is an amazing tattooer, if you are not familiar with him you should definitely check him out and get a tattoo if possible, he will be coming through the States a few times this year. Ross is coming to Dallas in late April to work with me a few days at Elm St. then we are heading out to the Fresno tattoo convention, he will also be working the State of Grace convention in October… (more…)
Marcus Kuhn: The Gypsy Gentleman, Episode III (VIDEO)
Here is just one extraordinary example of our collective creative potential when it’s put into motion! This is Marcus’ contribution to our community. If you really ‘get it’ and want to help Marcus make more or spread the word, link The Gypsy Gentleman to your own site and blog. These episodes will only get better as Marcus and his crew gain experience and a decent budget. Enjoy! -Crash
Send PayPal Donations by cut-and-pasting this link and then clicking the “donate” icon above: justgoodtattoos@yahoo.com
[More information on expanded page] (more…)
Oliver Peck: On the Road at the Helsinki Ink Tattoo Convention
By Oliver Peck(er)
Alright, I was at the 18th Helsinki Ink Tattoo Convention (TAT CON! As l like to call them). It was a great show and the people who put it on (Kimmo Rosti and Tony Raita) do a great job and do everything the right way, taking care of the artists, providing copy machine, thermofax and cute girls to operate them… And they know how to operate them, which is not always the case. They are both tattooers, Tony Raita tattoos at Otherside Ink and Kimmo Rosti tattoos at Vida Loca Tattoo… (more…)
Sean Herman: Krooked Ken (Part II)
By Sean Herman
**EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the continuation of, Sean Herman: Krooked Ken (Part I)**
Krooked Ken- Finally I got to that point where I was like, “You know what, it’s fine, I’ve got a life.” I asked Gary if I could come full-time he said yes and I quit my job and have been tattooing since.
Sean Herman- What year was that?
KK- I started in ’94.
SH- Did you start working right away at his place?
KK- Yep, worked there a total of 12 years.
SH- Oh shit… (more…)
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