Quixotic as...fuddddge.

This month in Tattoo Savage, Toxic Addiction!

2015-06-05T06:10:00.002-07:00

Head to your newsstands to pick up the latest Tattoo Savage and see the lovely and fiesty Toxic Addiction inside... Toxic and I had to cool off from the long hot days at Durb's Hell City Phoenix -- where else but in a smokin hot Biltmore shower... you can Catch Toxic dance in person in Portland... more information on that in a bit....(Photographed by me mAry d'Aloisio, Savage article written by Halle Berry)

(We're hoping to have a lil sneak peak of things you wont see on the shelves of Walmart here as soon as I here back from her!_)

On the Road at Lady Cora's Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery in Columbus Georgia

2015-06-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery,

On the Road in Columbus, Georgia

The Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery crew

by mAry d'Aloisio
photos by mAryD and submitted by Black Lotus (Please ask permision to repost)

7401 Fortson Rd, Columbus, GA 31909

(706) 507-4704

www.blacklotustattoogallery.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Lotus-Tattoo-Gallery

Owner Lady Cora

Instagram: @blacklotustattoogallery

It's been said that tattooing is a man's world, but you wouldn't know that in Columbus, Georgia home of Lady Cora's Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery. We were welcomed with traditional southern staple of sweet tea and tons of hugs and smiles, and swept inside of the sparkling clean tattoo wonderland Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery. There was a shop full of the most endearing artists and loyal tattoo collectors and Black Lotus super-fans. Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery is ginormous, open, clean, and decorated with an amazing mix of art, jewelry, tattoo work. There is a feeling of family, southern hospitality, custom tattoo innovation, and a good solid anchoring of tattoo tradition. Lady Cora (nee Coralea Bragg) runs a tight ship, but you can definitely feel the woman's touch and dedication to the client's overall experience as well as the artists comfort and success. Simply put, Black Lotus Tattoo is a great place to get tattooed.

Nicole Hall

Skin&Ink met the fiery red-headed tattoo artist at Hell City and decided to follow her home just an hour south of Atlanta where she owns and presides over both Black Lotus AND Iron Rose Tattoo in Columbus. Lady Cora is constantly on the go and is a power house of tattoo ability in her own right, but add in the idea that she serves over 18 staff members between both shops and well, you can tell the lady is a maniac. A very organized and lovely maniac, but a maniac all the same.

John Allred

We were introduced to the tattoo crew which lined up like a military inspection to greet us. First and foremost was (Captain) Morgan, and huge handsome muscular fella who nearly always had his shirt off. He is an honest and hardcore tattoo guy, and has been backing Lady Cora's moves since the beginning. He's the kind of guy you really hope is on your side of any conflict, and can lay down seriously clean ink. Just in case a visitor got the impression that they had walked into a presumptuous art gallery, Morgan reminds us that this is indeed a tattoo shop-- no bones about it.

Mark Rice was next, and he's kind of the fatherly traditional type, very cool. John Allred is soft spoken, but upon inspection of his artwork, you can see his art does the communicating for him. Rhea Rhea is the only Black Lotus homegrown-- she apprenticed with them and decided to stay.

"She has grown incredibly solid from day one. She's our quiet strength with a feminine touch." said Lady Cora.

Miss Holly Clouse is hard to miss with her beaming smile and (at the time of the visit) bright blue dreads. Her appearance and demeanor is a good indication of the kind of beautiful delicate but solid creative tattoo work exploding from her machines.

"She provides our irresistible hippie magic!" beamed Lady Cora who is clearly smitten with the doll.

Miss Holly Clouse

The towering piercer Isaac Waters is a little intimidating, especially next to compact Nicole Hall and Jeremiah Black-- a powerhouse of a piercing team who add a lovely creative flare to the modifications available to clients at Black Lotus.

The diverse team are supported by counter women Katie Rice (Mark's daughter) and Kelly White (total babe). The clients and fans of Black Lotus should likely be included into the team, because after meeting next door neighbor Misty Reed (Rebel Belle: Soap, Sundries, and Curiosities) a southern belle covered in Black Lotus tattoo work, one gets the feeling that they are just as much a part of the team as the people paid to be there.

"Black Lotus is built on relationships....not just 'customers'. Black Lotus' mission is to blur any imaginary lines or ideas that may give someone pause about what tattoos and a tattoo shop are. We want the soccer mom to be just as comfortable and at ease about her tattoo experience as someone who's done it a hundred times." said Lady Cora.

"That all fits into the tattoo community, because ALL culture is important for ANY community that's going to thrive. Columbus is REALLY starting to embrace all forms of artistic expression. Bringing in guest artists, being a part of the monthly art walk, and joining in at EVERY opportunity to expose more people to what we do is paramount. It's not just about tattooing, it's about art as a whole." Lady Cora shared.

For a smaller town in Georgia, it seems that Black Lotus is embraced and supported by the community--even the folks they don't tattoo. They spend a lot of energy staying involved, supporting the arts, and giving whenever they can.

"We try to take every opportunity to help and improve. This is where WE live.....where our customers and friends live. These are the people and the city that make us who we are. Not giving back is NOT an option." emphasized Lady Cora.

Mark Rice

Morgan Duerfldt

Rhea Blais

"Columbus is the biggest small town on the planet. So many people here know each other--it's like this giant network. We have the added advantage of having lots of things that only much larger cities have to offer. It's a comfortable mix. My favorite activities in Columbus almost always include the music and entertainment district. That's where the most creative souls tend to be. I naturally gravitate to that. There's lots of other things here, too--an interesting Civil War Naval Museum, the river walk, white water rafting, outdoor concerts, and some AMAZING local restaurants. Columbus was important during the Reconstruction Period, so there's some pretty rich history here, too."

Check out the fine folks at Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery, and take in some of the cool sights and rich history-- just remember to stay away from the public swimming holes with that fresh tattoo!

Thanks for the fabulous sweet tea, and introducing us to your fabulous tattoo family Lady Cora-- we'll see "ya'll" on the road...

Fridge Frittata, mAryD's Church of Leftovers

2013-12-07T13:50:00.001-08:00

mAryD's Church of Leftovers

My grandparents would raise their eyebrows at my lack of fondness for tomatoes... They grew up in Chicago during the Depression, and couldn't fathom why I didn't want to just gobble up any fresh vegetable I could.

That hasn't changed, I still hate tomatoes. What's really eyebrow raising is the way my children won't eat leftovers. I mean, it's fresh, heats up quicker than a hot pocket, and is (usually) a hundred times better the next day (seriously, they've done scientific tests--lasagna, potatoes, ham--all at least 50% better if you discover them in your fridge the day after a cooking bonanza).

So whatever, my kids are spoiled and crazy (and in need of military training). My little family of four has TWO birthdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we are blended. So all that extra information means that most years I'm crying as I throw out tons and tons of my own leftovers as well as the awesome leftovers (and free Tupperware) that comes from everybody's second families. I cry (hard) as I think of the potential fuel for being better people they couldhave enjoyed. I cry for the hours I spent preparing and or talking relatives into donating ("No, we'll skip the awful dry extra turkey, but we'd probably eat the heck out of your mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or pumpkin pie!") that I'll never get back. Through my tears I literally add up the dollar amounts and the hours I have to be away from my kids to put all that great food in the trash (which has to be done to make way in our limited Tupperware/cottage cheese or margarine containers supply) for the next all-day cook-fest that probably won't get eaten or appreciated more than once either.

This year, I say enough is enough. They will eat leftovers and they will like it. Or else. (Or else "what" I don't know, I only know I should say it more often). In the meantime I'm going to do my part to church up the leftovers and not tell them (you don't go spilling the beans either).

Here is the post-Thanksgiving frittata (ish) I made from the leftovers in my fridge this morning.

Fridge Frittata

First, I started with the Hawaiian Rolls that were left out last night, they were nice and dried out this morning. I began building the base by cubing (tearing works too) the rolls into the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking pan (spray a little non stick spray first).

I used the tablespoon (or so) of softbutter that was left out to sauté the 3/4 of yellow onion that was in a sandwich bag in the door (unsure of how old that was, so I sautéed it at high heat, muhahaha).

I cut up the last bits of ham from Thanksgiving last week and heated 'em with the now translucent onions. (This smell always does wonders for my mood).

While that was working, I discovered this block of Asadero Cheese (I'm sure I didn't buy that, but whatever) that didn't get wrapped tightly and was going to dry out if I didn't use it. I cut that up and threw it in the 9x14 on top of the rolls.

In a separate bowl, I whipped up the7 eggs I had on hand with some milk(I accidentally bought a gallon after my boyfriend already bought two-d'oh!) I added a little Cajun seasoning, some dry mustard andWorcestershire and left it to the side.

I found my boyfriend's favoritesmashed potatoes from last night hidden under a jello mold, and threw little chucks of the cold smashed red potato, cheddar cheese, and sour cream mixture on top of the rolls and cheese in the 9x15 baking dish.

The ham and onion mixture was hot, so that went on top (by now the 9x14 was 3/4 full, so I was satisfied). I would have added some veggies here, but I would lose any chance of my kids eating it if I'd added the kernel corn leftovers from two days ago (but it would have been delicious!).

A poured the light yellow egg mixture on top of all that and let the egg soak into the bread while the oven preheated to 350 (Fahrenheit)(I was guessing here, but it seemed like a good plan).

I received a phone call and had to email some files, in total, I let the mixture soak up about an hour or so (if I'd wrapped it up and set it in the fridge that now had room I probably would let it set up all day, but I'm out of Saran Wrap -- tattoo wives will understand).

I decided it was time to fill the house with the smells of domestication, and put the rather heavy now full 9X20 baking dish in the oven. Right before I did, I figured it PROBABLY needed a foil cover to keep it from burning. I found out I'm also out of aluminum foil. I didn't panic, I just used a cookie sheet my kid didn't wash last night on top of the glass pan (it wasn't touching the ingredients, but watch out, 'cuz I guess this concoction rises) and set the timer to an hour and a half (the time I gave myself to write/edit this).

The phone rang again, and I had to talk an old editor/writing friend away from stepping into traffic (he's going to find some stronger narcotics, bless his heart).

The dog needed to go bark at the neighbor's mastiffs and I when I walked in from that, the timer was going off.

I removed the cookie sheet and let it brown about 15 minutes while I wrote this on my phone as I was smoking in the garage (hopefully I can clean it up while enjoying a nice slice of leftover heaven while listening to my kid grumble about being forced labor for having to do the dishes from last night).

I think I'll make a spinach salad tonight.

Let me know if anyone tries a version of this with their own leftovers!

(And hang in there, they CANNOT BE CHILDREN FOREVER... Unless of course you're my ex-husband and/or they have a trust fund, in which case it's completely likely).

xoxox

With Respect,

mAryd

219.771.4256

Exit, pursued by a bear.

-Shakespearean stage directions, The Winter's Tale, act 3, sc. 3, l. 57 {1623}

www.marydaloisio.blogspot.com

Christy Mack for Ink Addict

2013-11-12T13:06:00.002-08:00

As seen in Tattoo Savage Magazine, Christy Mack shares about her tattoos and their place in her adult film career

Christy Mack’s Tattooed Heart

Story& Photos by mAry d'Aloisio

Petite Midwestern sweetheart Christy Mack is doing big things with her tattooed life. Measuring just 5’1” tall, the little girl is attacking the world with her ginormous personality and dedication to positive living. She’s helping to break down tattoo prejudice in the mainstream adult film industry, races modified Subaru’s, and rescues dogs with an inspiring ferocity. The girl is a certified bad-ass.

Indiana native Christy Mack is well on her way to becoming 2013’s “It Girl” in the mainstream adult film industry, which is no small feat for the tattooed sweetheart. She was told very early on that her tattoos would work against her.

“My very first agent in Miami looked at me and said ‘You’re not going to get any work at all. You should never get any more tattoos and you should consider getting the ones you have removed-- it won’t help your career at all.” Christ Mack told Tattoo Savage. “It was kind of difficult at first-- but once I hit the scene, I hit the ground running. Things just took off from there. I sure threw that in his face.” She giggled.

“It’s just a combination of my look, my whole attitude, how I carry myself, my body shape and tattoos that match my personality. Mainstream has started to become more accepting towards tattoos in general.”

How tattoos would affect her career wasn’t a consideration when she got her first one, and she’s not interested in changing her mindset now. “My mom bought me my first tattoo a couple of days before my 16^th birthday. My mom has always been super cool. She doesn’t care either way—it’s the same with the porn thing, as long as I’m happy—that’s all that matters.”

Her collection of American Traditional inspired designs has grown quite a bit since. Some of her tattoos had meanings for her; some were just cool, and most of the characters on her have a name.

“My first tattoo was when I was 15, it’s on my lower back, it’s a couple of sparrows and a nautical star—I named them Fredrick and Raul.” She said. “I had three tattoos before I turned 17.”

Then she met up with her current artist John Haas from Artistic Skin Design and Endurance Tattoo in Indiana. “John Haas has pretty much always been the best artist I have ever had—he’s done the majority of my work.”

His work on her includes a cover-up of an Owl on her left arm, an Eagle and roses on the back and side of her neck for a dog-rescuing war veteran who inspired her, and some fancy traditional designs on her arms.

She did stray once to get a tattoo from Myke Chambers at Hell City --a girl face on her right forearm. “I’ve been a fan of his for years. There was no real meaning to me; I just wanted a piece from him. Her name is Penelope.”

The tattooed heart on her face was to memorialize the loss of her first rescue dog, Fannie May.

“People get tear drops when they kill people; I got a heart on my face when my dog died.” Christy Mack works a lot with rescue Pitt Bulls, and with various organizations, but one of her favorites is It’s a Pitty Rescue out of Indianapolis, IN (www.rescueapittie.org).

“They do such great work and find hundreds of dog’s homes; they're just great people.” She said.

Real must recognize real—with her fair share of haters, and folks that have an opinion about her job she had this to say:

“I am a housewife without the husband, with a passion for cars and animals and a very interesting job. For those that try to hate on me, I just realize that they aren't as happy as I am so I tend to leave them alone. Sometimes I get my little attitude though, and I tell them exactly how it is.”

Follow Christy Mack on Twitter or Instagram at @ChristyMack , and watch out for the petite ones—they pack a tremendous punch.

http://christymack.com/

Some recent work...

2013-11-04T10:03:00.001-08:00

For my brother, Tony

2013-11-04T09:38:00.001-08:00

I heard the best joke today, on the "House of Cards" TV show (and this is how I heard it, more or less).

Two girls were moving into their first dorm before their first year of college. One girl was from Atlanta, the other Connecticut somewhere. The Southern girl greeted her roommate and her parents with a smile and asked "Where are ya'll from?"

The Connecticut girl made her s.nob'by (sine nobilitate) family proud and said "I come from a place where they know better than to end a sentence with a preposition."

So the girl, struck for just a moment and asked again with a smile

"Where are ya'll from, cunt?"

fly, fly, away...

2013-11-04T09:25:00.001-08:00

Lou Reed 1942-2013

I just wanted to remember the moment I heard that the greatest most naked artist I ever knew of died, and was 71. I wanted to remember the moment so strongly that his naked stark honesty would finally be ingrained in my timorous soul that is mostly only hiding the same cum, piss, and shady motives as any of you.

Thank you Lou Reed, you were sorely needed in this world and we're better for the legacy of honesty you left us.

http://youtu.be/_EuOWLMeM9A

dime store mystery

He was lying banged and battered, skewered and bleeding

Talking crippled on the cross

Was His mind reeling and heaving, hallucinating

Fleeing what a loss

The things He hadn't touched or kissed

His senses slowly stripped away

Not like Buddha, not like Vishnu

Life wouldn't rise through Him again

I find it easy to believe

That He might question His beliefs

The beginning of the last temptation

Dime story mystery

The duality of nature, Godly nature

Human nature splits the soul

Fully human, fully divine and divided

The great immortal soul

Split into pieces, whirling pieces, opposites attract

From the front, the side, the back

The mind itself attacks

I know this feeling, I know it from before

Descartes through Hegel belief is never sure

Dime store mystery, last temptation

I was sitting, drumming, thinking, thumping, pondering

The mysteries of life

Outside the city shrieking, screaming, whispering

The mysteries of life

There's a funeral tomorrow

At St. Patrick's the bells will ring for you

Ah, what must you have been thinking

When you realized the time had come for you

I wish I hadn't thrown away my time

On so much human and so much less divine

The end of the last temptation

The end of a dime store mystery

Nestler's NEWEST !!

2012-12-20T09:54:00.002-08:00

Dave Nestler’s Bad Girl Club... drawn to menace
( SQP Publishing January 2013 )

For over a decade, Dave Nestler has made his presence known as one of the most recognized names in contemporary pinup art. His colorful photorealistic renditions of gorgeous gals have graced the pages of books and magazines worldwide. What has become a mainstay in the pinup art market is now prevalent in the tattoo community as well. Dave’s past collection of pinup art and sketchbooks have become a staple in every tattoo studios reference library. And the result are the thousands of tattoos generated from Dave’s images around the world.

For his 5th and newest book, SQP Publishing has put together a collection of Dave’s most recent Full Color paintings and Black and White sketches. Included in this collection are the original paintings that graced the covers of magazines around the world--as well as sketches pulled from his popular “How to Draw with Dave Nestler” column.

A “Must Have” for tattoo shops and pinup enthusiasts everywhere, you can find ordering info at: www.davenestler.com

Fiat Lux, Good Times with Russ Abbott!

2012-12-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

About 90 min total.

My Neck, 6 weeks later. Thanks Russ Abbott!

Reese, Remembered.

2012-11-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

See you at the next one....

It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to tattooer Alex "Reese" Grail Pursell. Reese passed away in October 24th due to a bacterial infection that spread to his heart.

Reese Pursell owned Timeless Tattoos in Kansas City, and spent something like 200 days a year traveling and tattooing. He traveled D.J.'d, and tattooed many years of his life. He owned and/or operated shops from New Orleans , NYC, to San Francisco, finally resting in the legendary tattoo town of Kansas City, MO. He loved to talk about history and food and was always quick to give the heads up if I was in need of advice on either subject. He was especially knowledgeable about the pretty tattooed girls in any given town.

He was an intelligent man, and had a heart that held fast to traditional values. He preferred hand painted signs and classic designs to the internet specials and computer generated "deals" that he felt had infested the tattoo industry. He wouldn't sell out the tattoo community, or himself. He preferred doing solid work and word of mouth clientele to internet promotion and detested the cheapening of the craft of tattooing to the "lowest common denominator". In a letter with his long time friend Mollie he said "I am very serious when it comes to the craft, history and securing the legacy of tattooing. I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN HONESTY and HARD WORK."

He was first on board to give generously to any in the tattoo family that needed help, and even very recently paid to bury his friend. He personally donated items to an art show I had for my own local humane society, and actually cared that it was for "the critters" (as he called them). Reese was not afraid of any tattoo made it his mission to treat every tattoo and customer with equal importance. Reese's name and life was full of adventure, music, and friends.

"We (as tattooers) are only as good as our last tattoo," he told me in a 2008 interview."As far as rock stars and TV celebrities, we as artists are only as famous as the mortal canvas lasts. Eventually our art dies, and our name is all that remains."

"Reese would always put other people in front of him, it was an honor knowing him." said longtime friend and fellow traveler Myke Chambers.

"It's comforting to hear how much he was loved in the tattoo community. We'd like to thank everyone for the great stories and fond memories." Said his sister J.J. Pursell.

When I talked to him about the preservation of tattoo history, and his place in it, Reese said "I don't want to fill the pages of tattoo history, but I would like a mention."

Reese is survived by a whole world of tattoo family who will sorely miss him, his shop family at Timeless, mother Jo Reese-Pursell and two sisters Amanda Pursell-Genk and J.J.Pursell. His family held a memorial service for him with tattoo family in Kansas City and they plan on spreading his ashes in some of his favorite ports including NYC, Portland Oregon, and Hawaii.

Well Reese, here's your mention. You are loved and will live on in our hearts, as timeless as they come... See you at the next one

deVita Unauthorized, by Nick Bubash

2012-11-24T11:43:00.002-08:00

deVita Unauthorized ,

a book by Nick Bubash

deVita Unauthorized chronicles and benefits a man who was at the root of a massive art and tattoo movement that began on NYC stoops in the 60's. Lovingly authored by student and long time friend Pittsburgh artist Nick Bubash, deVita Unauthorized is a replication of an original Loose-leaf portfolio made by Nick Bubash between the fall of 2001 and spring of 2003. The original 30 copies were painstakingly assembled by Bubash and was housed in a wooden box measuring 17' x 22' x 11/2'. It cover was held on by 2 wing nuts and a clivis pin and it was painted and collaged inside and out by deVita and embellished with various wooden and metal objects.

Ed Hardy and Hardy Marks publishing have reproduced the book and the collection available to the public. It includes the original pages of deVita collages, lithographs, essays, and contributions from Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, Scott Harrison, Teddy Varndel, JohnWyatt, Nick Bubash and of course, Thom deVita --heavy-hitting artists who were touched by the "art bomb" and magic that shaped and evolved tattooing as an art... waves that are still felt today as tattooing rapidly advances..

It can be ordered from Hardy Marks Publications here http://www.hardymarks.com/books/devita-unauthorized/), Last Gasp Publications and Distributing Art Publishers the price is $30.

Very few lucky folks can order the book signed with original art by contacting deVita himself at 23 overlook Place, City of Newbergh, NY 12550, or on ebay under "belle 10-1" at http://www.ebay.com/itm/deVita-Unathorized-Special-edition-12-20-signed-w-original-art-by-Thom-deVita-/120975891080?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item1c2ab99a88&nma=true&si=qVJajIRhtYG%2F3lq4NW26gYncVo0%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

for $300.

Chicken Soup for a punk rock lil boy

2012-11-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

I came home to find my boy with a bonafide fever of 102 (for the first time in 10 years!). I'm making Jewish penicillin (chicken soup) and loving life right now; the house smells fantastic and I'm remembering when my own mother would cook it for me...
a standard chicken soup: saute 2 onions, 4 carrots, 3 celery with salt & pepper. Then I put that stuff in a big pot with some broth (I use veggie bullion so I can divide in half for my vegetarian food), bay leaves, parsley, and thyme. Then I brown up an organic free range whole chicken with gloves on (ew!) and sea salt and crush black pepper on that. (I boil up the hearts and liver stuff for my puppies on the side). I divide out the veggie broth mix and add the chicken to the main pot and low simmer for about an hour or so and then pull the chicken to cool while I make Matzo balls. I make the matzo balls the way my mom did, from a box (ha!): the directions say to beat two eggs and 1/4 cup of oil together, add the mix and let stand 15 min, I wet my hands and then make lil walnut sized balls. I then pull the meat off the bones (Gloves!) and feed my puppies the skin&extra and add it to the meat batch. I bring it to a boil and add the matzo balls, roll them around a lil in the broth and then put a lid on to cook those balls for 30 min (They look like brains, hahah) at a nice steamy boil. the kids like noodles, so I added some egg noodles and cooked those.

I put it in a bowl and delivered it to my boy with plenty of water and Sons of Anarchy marathon on netflix (with Kevin smith intermissions).... the boy's fever broke by 4 pm, he took a shower and a walk, and this morning he went back to school, ready to conquer the world. It was a good time. And, we didn't have to stoop to low levels and see the quack doctor for quack antibiotics.

Chillin' at the Roast of Gill Montie

2012-10-24T11:55:00.001-07:00

Gill "The Drill" Montie

The old timers, playing nice (ish)

Gill "The Drill" Montie Gets Roasted in Cleveland

by Mary D'Aloisio

Tough guys and tuff tattoos

Gill Montie had reason to sweat under his fedora at the roast thrown after the Cleveland Rocks Tattoo Convention Memorial Day weekend. Gill Montie's history in tattooing stretches back through the decades of tough tattooing and fast living and has earned both the title of someone you don't want to cross as much as man to be respected and revered. Lining up to smack him down were some of the heaviest hitters in tattooing--a laundry list of tough guy charm and old timer cynicism who love Gill Montie enough to poke some fun at his expense. Roastmaster Lyle Tuttle rocked his legendary gold roasting vest and sharpened his tongue on a glass of grapefruit juice and tequila with a room full of people sweating their brains out to have a good time with the kings of good time.

Last meal before the roast

On stage, the lineup of folks assembled resembled a tattoo family portrait of the last supper. Lyle Tuttle led roasters and friends Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Eric Foemmel, Marshall Bennett, Edward Lee, Tyler Fyre, Bob Tyrrell, and host John Artist through one of the hands down hottest roasts in tattoo history. The introductions were made and drinks were delivered, and Lyle Tuttle sat the man of the evening on his right hand side.

"He was just bragging to me in the bar, he just earned his white wings. Use your imagination folks." chidded Tuttle, and announced the Detroit Stadium would be holding a gathering of Gill Montie's ex-wives next year.

Eric kept a good eye on Eddie; no one was shot.

Crazy Philadelphia Eddie double fisted his drinks and unloaded his pistol of wit frequently, at one point added "Nothin's changed Lyle Tuttle's still fucking things up."

"Gill learned about his sex through trial and error. In fact one of his trials is still going and for one of his 'heirs'." roasted Tuttle.

Roast Master Lyle Tuttle

The evening got off to a rough start for the venue, and the air conditioning's non-existence didn't help the chaos and the microphones needed adjusting. Once the technical difficulties were somewhat overcome, the roasting began with side show sensation sword swallower and fire breather Tyler Fyre.

Fyre started the roast off with a lovely story of a night in Texas with Gill-- the details are a bit graphic but the punchline "I know what you mean kid, I'm sore too-- I lost that hot dog five bars ago." will go down in history as the dirtiest story ever told. "I love this guy--always have, always will." said Fyre "He's an all around great guy, he is the tattooed pirate, Mr.Tattoo Mania, he is a legend."

"I lost that hot dog 4 bars ago!"

Edward Lee contributed his take "I love Gill's work. I've loved it for a long time, I studied his skulls extensively. Then I realized they were anatomically incorrect. Yeah, the eyes are incorrect, they're bulging. Turns out they're looking at a girl. I actually like this guy, when he's not being a big asshole."

Marshall Bennett made his short and sweet "It smells like a nursing home in here"

"Nothin's changed Lyle Tuttle's still fucking things up" Eddie

"But I'll get right to Gill. I've known about him forever, I heard all about his legend, and I finally got to meet him and... man what a letdown. " he laughed. "Seriously though, I've got mad respect for you, thank you."

Want some, get some.

Writer Eric Foemmel went next, and being Gill Montie's as well as Philadelphia Eddie's ghost writer, "People always ask what it's like working with Gill, I say yeah, it's bad ass. I mean look up the definition of bad ass and it isn't Gill's picture--it's his mug shot." chuckled Foemmel."I've been writing his book, and I have to show him everything I do and he says 'No you gotta take that out, that's a little sensitive' 'Nope that'll incriminate me.' 'Take out that picture, that's gonna start a war' -- I mean when we go to print that book is gonna be one page, but it will be a bestseller."

Double fisted?

Host John Artist got up and presented the Cleveland Rocks plaque for best overall female as well as plaque commemorating the roast to Gill Montie on behalf of the Cleveland Rocks convention and his partner Joseph Phillips. "I gotta be careful with Gill though, cuz he held me in his room for three hours with a pistol to my head telling me what I could and couldn't say." Half-tossed and gushing with love for Gill, Artist passed the mic to Detroit legend and long-time friend BobTyrrell.

"He just earned his white wings. Use your imagination folks" Lyle on Eddie

Black and grey master and fellow Detroit tattooer Bob Tyrrell said "There's no girls here so I'm stuck with Gill this weekend. Gill you're my hero, Lyle, you're my hero too, I have to fucking say that. " Tyrrell made fun of the hand tattoo Gill put on his right hand and the ensuing scabs and Gill's high pitched pimp voice and then admitted how fond of the piece he is "It's one of the my favorite tattoos, I'm proud to have this. I love you and you're my hero. You're one of my favorite people and I fucking love you"

Handsome devil, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie

Marshall Bennett

The roasters wore Gill's hat and passed it likes jokes about herpes. The crowd interjected an clapped as the night drew to a close. Gill got the last word on his roasters with heartfelt gratitude "Thank you so much. Just to be a part of this world, to be recognized by all of this is pretty special to me." said Gill Montie. "How lucky can we be to have all this in our lives, right? What a fine bunch of men, I'm very humbled. Thank you guys."

Philadelphia Eddie and BobTyrell

Dreams do come true... PMA with Miss Mary-Leigh!

2012-10-24T10:59:00.002-07:00

My first national cover; thank you Miss Mary-Leigh andTattoo Savage Magazine!

Nick Bubash: Hand to Gods

2012-04-06T15:46:00.003-07:00

I met artist Nick Bubash in his Pittsburgh home earlier this year, and I was shaking in my boots nervous. The man is the real deal, he performs and executes artistic endeavors with a passion that is intimidating to stand next to. Yet the opportunity presented itself, and I leapt at the opportunity.

How much do you know about his story? It's really rather interesting. He's been tattooing since the 70's (via Thom deVita on 4th St, then McKee's Rocks in Pittsburgh); he overcame some difficulties, and now works prolifically producing piece after piece of awe-inspiring art.

Bubash has the most amazingly diverse portfolio of sculpture, tattoo, and print-- and kicks ass in general. The book he made with deVita, Hardy and others "deVita Unauthorized" is being mass produced as we speak by Hardy Marks (it will be out in May, mass distributed early 2013) and he has a Warhol Museum show coming up... but even without the new stuff, dude's work is in LOU fucking Reed's private collection--and a million other places around the globe. His resume goes back to before the tattoo-art changing Ed Hardy show Eye Tattooed America in '93, and has been inspiring tattooers as artists all along the way.

Thom deVita said he was in the first school of tattooers from art school:

"Him and Ed Hardy. They influenced a whole generation of tattooers who can draw and he's never been mentioned in the magazines." said deVita on a 'inter-visit' I had with him one morning.

And, the dude is animated, he talks with his hands, tells the worst jokes, and the best stories.

"What do you call an Italian with one arm?" he asks at the beginning of our interview. "A speech impediment."

After completing a two hour interview (8,000 + words, phew!) I came to see a more well-rounded, funny, and sensitive man and gained a candid insight into his intimidating genius as an artist. I loved his work, and now I love him as a friend.

The Skin&Ink feature I wrote on him will be out next month. Viva la Bubash!

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My Skeleton and The Skin It's In

2012-04-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here's my skeleton and the skin it's in. Inspiration via an Instagram Challenge.

1. Words “Hope Sick” Script from Kevin Cole above both knees. H.O.P.E. Helping Other People Every(day) has been a fundamental tool out to help get myself outside of the self-obsessed nightmare of a sick life and reminds me that the surest way to self peace is to give without expectation of return. It is placed at my knees, visible at prayer.

2. Eyes --My crazy eyes on Kevin Cole’s left thigh. It was made by Stephanie Brown in Milwaukee Wisconsin. I think this counts.

3. Love—It’s all about love.

4. Family “Mojo & Werd” Left forearm, the anatomical heart complete with banners of my children’s nicknames. It was made by Emilio Saylor at our shop in Valpo and continues to remind me to serve their best interests with savage intensity. The raw and fleshy heart of a mother comes complete with stitches.

5. Weapons “Brass Knuckles” on my left underarm. A direct rip off of my brother Tony’s tattoo. Tony and I taught each other to fight, how to take an ass whooping, and how to survive by any means necessary. I used to say “Getting hit by a man sucks, better to grab a weapon.” To this day, (even as a pacifist) I believe the brass knuckles serve as a reminder to admit my own weakness in an area, learn a new weapon, and kick some ass.

6. Sleeve-- I have no cohesive sleeve (yet) just magnet-styled scrapbook loosely woven together in my story.

7. Biggest “Bang Your Head” a nine hour color portrait from Quiet Riot’s Mental Health album cover, made by Ron “570”Russo in Wilkes Barre,PA. When I was 5 or 6, I went to stay with my mom’s second husband’s new family—a Jimmy Swaggart loving fundamentalist bunch of 700 club Christians. The new wife Ruth was such an asshole, and beat my ass for listening to ”Satan’s music” (amongst other evil things like having impossible hair, or looking like my mother) on the newly debuted MTV—I couldn’t understand how this had any connection to Satan, or why beating me was better than me singing along to Borderline(Maddonna) . Later, the PMRC set out to ban the soundtracks and salvation of my miserable little forgotten life. Before I found music like Iron Maiden, Beastie Boys, Naked Raygun, I had felt completely helpless and small…. I felt wrong for being a fucked up poor kid whose mom left her in horrible places until I heard these amazing sounds that made it okay for me to own my anger, and told me I was not alone-- that there were others. It was cool to be pissed. I realized that, in fact, that bitch was a jerk, and I was a-okay and right on schedule. Bang your head, Ruth.

8. Smallest-This is the smallest little diamond you ever did see, until I buy myself a Tacori, that shit will be tiny.

9. Favorite—my son’s first permanent mark, at age 12. He chose the anarchy symbol and I realized I raised a proper little crusty punk.

10. Regretted—none. Even the ones I’ve had covered up.

11. Private “True” in Blue, (told ya’ I loved Madonna). It’s over my heart, tucked under my breast, a reminder to a Shakespeare quote from Polonius the windbag in Hamlet:

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

12. Hands My partner Kevin says my hands look like mittens, I love them. Ever since I was a child I would watch my hands and wonder what I could do with them… “Quixotic” on the Knuckles from Troy Timpel, Left hand compass by Emilio Saylor, Left hand/wrist poppy by James Schuhrke, right hand timepiece by Mario Desa, and some notes in between.

13. Lucky—Owl on my throat by Tim Pangburn in Philly. The events since the day I got this “job-blocker” have been a fortunate mix of hard work and dedication to a non-mainstream life. My life is authentically mine, and I’m having a blast. Someone wrote into the local town paper that “If someone has a neck tattoo they should just make it read I DON’T WANT A JOB.” While I was pissed about the statement, I realized he was right. I don’t want a job, I want a life. And as pissed as I was, I couldn’t afford to be for too long; I was busy giving back to my community, running a responsible business, booking flights, writing features, editing gorgeous photographs, and basically having the time of my life. Fuck yeah, job blocker.

14. Matching – Three umbrellas, crudely marked on our thumbs, our family crest and first priority. The guys at Umbrella Ink Tattoo are not only my co-workers but also my family. Simple and unified.

15. Portrait—Buddha by Emilio Saylor.

16. Unfinished --Southern Cross, began by Kevin when he was first in the skin… that shit hurt so bad, I’m not sure if I’ll ever finish it. It was my homeward bound, because someday I will return to the stars in the Southern Hemisphere. “The truth you might be running from is so small, but it’s as big as the promise, the promise of the coming day.”

17. First—it was a little yin-yang and a cross by with a handmade machine made from a vcr motor, sewing needles, and a bic pen. I was 12 years old and somehow my mother saw it. I have to tell you my mother was nearly 6 foot tall, large breasted, and a redhead. As she leaned over me I knew I was going to die. Instead she laughed and said “Haha, you’re gonna have to live with that piece of shit your entire life.” Joke’s on her though, my partner tattoos, and he covered it up real nice.

18. Last—To quote my friend and love Bunny Switchblade “I started with one, and I will end with one.”

19. Animal—A little Tara McPherson bunny tattooed by Patrick Cornolo during Joe Capobianco’s “quick and Painful” event in Chicago.

20. Religious—Fruit of knowledge by Zaq Weaver. “Naturally born bad.”

21. Traditional—early in my quest to learn more about history, the fundamentals of tattooing, I became enamored with what I thought was traditional tattoo. “One third black, one third color, one third skin” was what I was told to look for when judging a “traditional” piece. Funny what we think we’re going to learn and how it contrasts with reality. I still love clean lines, bold color, and the simplified symbol. I love the sailor, whore, and biker era of modern tattooing, I can relate with folks described neatly with these labels. But catching a glimpse at the human history of tattoo, and what magic, position, sentimentality, and rites of passage have been expressed in the skin through our entire history has made me appreciate what a new era “traditional” tattoo really is.

22. Tattoo by an Instagram Artist—Aren’t all tattooers on Instagram? Hahah.

23. Your Passion—The writer’s quill with my writer’s union number on it by Troy Timpel. “None but a blockhead ever wrote but for money” Says my writing mentor. Also, a Polaroid by Damian Barr “So you can have a real camera” he said. I love the tools of journalism; I’m passionate about portraiture. Whether written or caged within the captured moments of a photograph, I’m lucky to be a witness to some cool vignettes of life and the tools the universe decided I could use to share the witness.

24. Back—My upper middle lower back tramp stamp. I got it when I was 18, before fashion lowered the waistline of jeans. Yes, it’s crooked. Yes, it’s like touching the 90’s, yes I am an old-school tramp.

25. Memorial—Carol Anne, a seemingly 12 foot tall redhead with big tits and a bigger smile. She was bulletproof and my hero. She wrote and sang and was a ginormous person. She was untouchable but loving. In the end, she was the only one who could destroy herself, and she did. She’s free now, and I pray she’s found some peace. I love you mom.

26. Most Painful—This flower by Kevin Cole behind my knee, hands down. It hurt worse than two cesareans, a near fatal car wreck, and a thousand ass-whoopings combined. It alone has made me re-think how I feel about numbing spray. I made up new cusswords and healing from it was no picnic either.

27. Nature—I little section of my leg made by John Chance. Earth, air, fire, water.

28. Impulse Bonafide Paperplane, made by Nick Coella. I was on my given day of ego, out to Chicago to celebrate another deadline of word and image finding its print destiny. And MIA song “Paper planes“ came on the radio. I thought it funny and in 6 seconds I made a decision to get “Bonifide” on me permanently because my hustle is as enduring as a paperplane, my existence a blip, and life a funny funny exchange. As big as we think we are, we are just a speck of dust in the dust storm of divine comedy.

29. Funny—It’s all incredibly funny.

30. Creepy—It’s all incredibly creepy.

Annie Leibovitz-- At Work

2012-04-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

I read Annie Leibovitz's Book At Work cover to cover on a flight to India last month.

Like her images, the book remains.

I think of it often when sticking my fears to the sticking place... I wonder not so much how wrong I am, or how wrong a situation is, the job is merely to watch and record. I remember to stay detached from the action unfolding around me. I remember the best way to serve is to not jump in, but to dutifully witness. I remember to note my fears, check 'em for later, and face this shit anyway.

The things they don't teach you in school, honesty and open mindedness as a way to see and experience a situation.. These are things she shared with me, inadvertently preparing my for what I would experience in India.

I also learned to appreciate the 35mm lens on my Nikon.

A special thank you to Ms.Leibovitz for her honesty, insight, and thorough documentation of her journey.

And no, you can't borrow my copy, get yourself one here.

Reading this reinforced my love of the craft. Even in the digital age.

I forget how many characters I love that revolve around the RollingStone family of the 70's. Hunter, Tom Wolfe, Annie. These were my super heroes when I was a kid, they still are.

Can you imagine? Nixon's resignation.

The camera, the pen, the voice recorder... tools to separate me from you.

I love that she's okay with pissing people off.

Big, brass balls.

"The concerns I had before I went...were erased simply by being there."

Garden of Good and Cleavage

2012-04-06T06:22:00.001-07:00

Protein, Stencil, Go!

Getting Tattooed Since Conception.

Today Kevin Cole and I drove north the scenic way to St.Joe, Michigan. Zaq Weaver welcomed us to his Conception Gallery for a day of elegance and collaboration; I left with this amazing tattoo.

Weighty Linework

Kevin Cole and I started out early (um, for tattooers hours) and enjoyed a fantastic early spring cruise up to scenic Lake Michigan beach front village St.Joe. Zaq had a sweet drawing of the apples and blossoms for my chest. I asked him to add a flower to the business end of the branch (near my favorite asset, the cleavage) and he tweaked the drawing. We smoked some cigs and talked some shit; Zaq and I caught up on our recent travels. Kevin and Zaq went over the finer points of Zaq's arsenal of Todd Melson (Marvel Tattoo, South Bend) machines.
Zaq pulled and pushed the lines in, sculpting the line weight with elegant precision.
We took a break and I got a chance to check out the art in his gallery. I was especially "drawn" (haha) to the shadow boxes containing reclaimed pages of print decorated with pen and ink drawings. All the guys at the shop had one up (TJ Lucas and Kyle Adoni), and it was cool to see that side of their personalities.

Y'OUCH! Tough spot for a south paw to tattoo.

TJ Lucas and his girl showed up (day off) and we took some "bad mutha fuckah" photographs of the CG crew.
Getting back into the tattoo wasn't much fun, but my excitement for the piece outweighed my discomfort. Zaq worked the central apple and the branch. I don't know how he makes a twig look so elegant, but the swerves and curves of the wood grain and the creamy blend of his twig's colors instantly crowned the chest tattoo as the "most feminine" on my body.
We took another break to head out to the park and photograph Zaq's son, who just turned a year old in the perfectly lit afternoon of the beach front weather. Maddox was in a good mood, and the shoot went quickly, but I was still concerned about the pain returning to the tattoo.

Apple and Blossom Tattoo on mAry d'Aloisio by Zaq Weaver

I swallowed a bunch of ibuprofen and whined my way through the last half.
I'm surprised at how bad the top of my breast hurt. I mean really, there's a lot of cushion there. I helped stretch my breast and prayed we'd be done soon.
I was using breathing techniques and everything.
I began mentally visualizing where he was at in the tattoo, trying to gauge his reaction if I tapped out.
It wasn't necessary though, with another wipe and a pat he said we were done.
The tattoo is well made, a visually stunning to me. Thanks Zaq!

Follow up: The very next day, the appletree my family planted (to whom my tattoo honors) streched out and bloomed.
I love tattoo magic.

Grace on the Face

2011-09-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

Dawn Grace, my hero!

I recently got a chance to get tattooed by Dawn Grace at the Chicago Tattoo Factory.

measure twice...

We'd met a couple of months ago, but I'd been a huge fan of her distinct style of line work for years. I knew what I wanted and she was the proper authority in all areas... IF she would be into it was another matter....

first stencil

When I finally got the balls to ask her to tattoo my face, she thought I was crazy, and gave me the serious second degree lecture. Eventually, she relented since I'm already heavily and visibly tattooed, I run a tattoo parlor (yay Umbrella Ink!) and am fully self supporting in my craft with a good twenty years to stand on resume-wise in photography... also, I'm prepared to assemble Ferris wheels if this doesn't work out.

A very short couple of months later, she texted to let me know she had a cancellation in her schedule and could get me in for the face tattoo...

Mild to some, hardcore to others the face is a controversial area. I don't give a fuck about any side of the argument; other people's opinion of me or my appearance is not my business.

I used to be horrified of judgment of a facial scar in the area I wanted tattooed. I had earned the seemingly hideous face-defect in a street fight defending a friend when I was younger (and wilder), and I painfully tried to cover the defect to the public eye the majority of my adult life.

Older now, and with waaaay less stake in other's opinions, I wanted a pretty delicate mehndi styled phoenix feather in brown over the scar. Not to hide it, but to beautify the space, for me.

When I saw the drawing, I about died. It looked GINORMOUS!!! It was the whole phoenix! It was B-E-A-U-tiful!!! Alright, I don't care too much about other's opinions, but between the possible pain and looking like fellow Indiana native Mike Tyson, I was a bit nervous.

2nd Stencil

Final Answer, the placement is perfect.

I put on the big girl panties and showed up to talk to her face -to-face-tattoo about it. Geeze, she is the sweetest broad I know, she showed me how small she could comfortably make it. I swear to god the woman must have tiny elf sized hands.

She stenciled me up twice, and set to tattooing my face with a tight little three... I thought it would be way rougher than it was; I tried not to wince but quickly and calmly we made it through. I was keenly aware of every tiny line and dot but her bedside manner is completely sure and steady.

We made it through in about twenty minutes, and now my face is tattooed, and I love it. It's part of me, and I am so grateful for the gift.

Keep up with Dawn Grace, and her endeavors at www.dawngrace.com

"I like tattoos that look like they belong.
Like they're a part of the person's body."
Dawn Grace

it was really comfortable, up until the scar tissue.

"Not as fun as it looks." mAryd

Love her delicate touch!

Photos and toes by Kevin Cole

Scars are rad, tattoos are cooler.

Chicago, best place on planet E.

Grace

Rick Steff of Lucero Gets Tattooed on Tour

2011-09-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

"She asked me if I loved her and I showed her the tattoo."

July 9, 2011 I got to tag along with tattoo artist Gifford Kasen (www. futuretellertattoo.com) at the Vans Warp Tour in Chicago to tattoo keyboardist Rick Steff of indy heart-throb southern-fried crooners Lucero.

You need to know that I'd met Lucero front man Ben Nichols on a previous trip into Chicago to see them open for Social Distortion. I didn't get tickets to see them perform (bummer!), but bumped into Nichols later over some guacamole at the joint down the street and I was in LOVE with his tattoos. Any man with HOLD FAST on his knuckles is A-OK in my book. I love Lucero and I become a jibbling mass of nervous melancholy rebellion whenever they play.

Rick Steff is a fantastic soul, and the most gracious host on the planet. The tattoo Gifford is working on is a fun textured tribute to the keys a jazzy textured pattern of ebonies and ivories and I'm excited to see it completed.

I was surprised to learn through the course of the blazing hot day 'round the tour bus that they regularly stop and get tattooed by some of the coolest folks and have a deep seated interest in the craft of tattoo. So much that they have a logo-styled 'L-Star' tattoo brand that graces the lucky few catching them in tattoo-mode.

Hanging out and getting to know big-bear Brian Venable (guitar), soaking up Roy Berry's (drums) sweet smile, seeing John C. Stubblefield (bass) pop in and out of the bus area as he checked out other band's sets , and seeing singer Ben Nichols (guitar and vocals) dog-eared copy of The Blood Meridian haphazardly laying about, was a good flipping time. HEARING THEM FROM BACK STAGE was icing on the cake. I'm pretty sure I died a little bit, because it all seems like a fantastic lo-fi memory now...

I must have picked up some Lucero merch on the way out of the venue, because my children were super-stoked about something.... But I watched a tour bus tattoo go down, and hung with some pretty neat folks.

Rick Steff took the time to share with me some of his music history (which is rich) and his take on tattoos and tattoo culture specifically as it relates to their home-cooked brand of southern folk punk. With hopes of meeting up with Lucero in their hometown of Memphis for print, I will leave the suspense of our next shoot for the newsstands.

Take a moment to check out their newest tattoo project with Marcus Kuhn

The Gypsy Gentleman - Episode 01: New York City from Marcus Kuhn on Vimeo.

I will leave you with these images and plan on seeing me with a 'L-star' tattoo one of these days.

Thanks Gifford and Rick, it was beastly.

Little History Lesson at Work Today...

2011-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

Umbrella Ink Tattoo hears it's share of stories. Woven in and out through the days, clients come in with a neat little cross section of daily "normal" life. Sometimes they're cool, sometimes admittedly, I block them from my memory. As the counter girl, I get to filter the nonsence into facts for my tattooers... So I hear a bunch.
Yesterday, for instance, I got to hang out with the coolest younger man (super fine) getting a bearclaw with binding runes in blue. I figured the fellow to be into some sort of celtic tribalism (an odd sort) but that was not the case; turns out 'John' wanted the claw because of his love for 'bears' in the gay community. I instantly hovered near my own 'bear' the fury and unshakeable, Kevin Cole and remembered all the fantastic things about being in love with a large hairy man. John and his tattoo were a bright spot in a hectic day of shoots and learning my computer.... I *heart* distractions AND interesting people.
Upon my mandatory "union break" (that is a moment when I have to step aside from the juggling act that is my work space, go outside and hold down the porch), I saw two folks sitting out front in our break-chairs later to be introduced as Mary Ann and Ken. Suprised to see the interlopers, I asked them if they'd been helped.
"Yeah, we're waiting for the tattoo guy." said Ken roughly. "I wanna coverup."
"Oh yeah?" I said thinking they maybe Kevin's 6:30 looking to get a dragon. "He should be finishing up on this bear claw in the next ten minutes or so."
"We'll wait." Ken said. There's nothing I love more than talking with someone who doesn't want to talk to me. It's an intriguing little game... I've found they usually have the most interesting things to say.
"What are you covering up?" I ventured and the guy looked at his lady, she looked at him and pulled up his white with blue striped loose cotton short-sleeve to reveal the most fantastic and aged little Mexican mouse, an ancient take on Speedy Gonzales, complete with an unusual red, green, and white striped poncho. The lines were fat and spreading, but the image was boldly held in place through the decades.
"Holy cannoli, that's built to last, who did it?" as I stared and the tattoo.
"Tatts Thomas."
In the region of NWI we don't hear that very often. sure we get old vets with "Some guy in Detroit" or the like answers, and many many many Roy Boy responses, but a Tatts Thomas tattoo has never come through to my knowledge.
I must of had an instantly falling in love face, because the guy beamed up at me and told me the stories...

A little background history of Gib "Tatts" Thomas (if you don't already know) is available at the Tattoo Archive (special thanks to historian Chuck Eldridge who's life calling it is to document and timeline the strange and patchwork times of the history of modern tattoo), Tatts is also mentioned in nearly every historical project I've worked on in the past year with Skin&Ink dealing with tattooers from Chicago to Long Beach. He was a legend on South State Street in Chicago and had left his mark from Europe to CA he's often regarded highly in conversations and historical documentation with legends Cliff Raven, Sailor Jerry Collins, Bert Grimm, and Amund Dietzel (to name a solid few). There's even a picture floating around of the giant back piece Tatts put on NWI tattooer Roy Boy, who would end up tattooing nearly everyone I knew in NWI at one point or another. Tatts got around, he had the freedom, integrity and skills to be successful in a time when not everyone wanted to be a tattooer, and certainly not everyone could be a tattooer because of internal control and societal hangups. It was a thankless job, frowned upon the upper crust, and nearly sucker-free. Working class and proud, it wasn't the a gentle profession. But Back to Kenney, and the tattoos he's been wearing for forty-plus years:

Eagle Tatts Thomas circa 1967

Ken, known as “Kenney” in 1966-1967, had just graduated grammar school. He was fifteen years-old and the only one amongst his friends with a car. In the summer leading up to his first year in high school his friends would all pile up in his car to drive from Chicago to Kenosha Wisconson to see Tatts Thomas and get tattooed. In those hot sticky months of postwar America, getting out of the city via the road trip must have been a welcomed relief.

“Besides, you couldn’t get tattooed in Chicago without i.d., and I was only fifteen. You just showed him the money, he told you what you could get, and you where good to go, like I said I wasn’t even in high school when I got this one.”

Kenney’s friends would pull together their hard earned cash, pay for their desired tattoo, and then would give Kenny their leftover dollars so he could get something cool too.

“By the end of my freshman year I had all of these, and some on my legs.”

“They were all from Tatts Thomas --sometimes colored in by his apprentice “Greg”—we’d go see him in Kenosha, then Lake Geneva, after that we’d kind of lost track of him.” (Greg May was apprenticed by Tatts in Kenosha along the same period in time)

$5 Parrot Tatts Thomas circa 1967

Pointing to a large assortment of tattoos around his arms and leg areas, Kenney went on “These were all 7-8 dollars; the parrot I think was five dollars. Like I said I’d say ‘I want something with color—gimme that thing’ and he’d say ‘okay’ . It was all I had the money for, cuz I would bring usually 4-5 guys up there and they would pay for the gas and the tolls, and I would get whatever money was left.

“And Tats knew me, and liked me ‘cuz I always brought him people. I would go up there prolly once a month with a carload of guys. And a couple girls went up there and got stuff. That he liked, one of ‘em got a scorpion (motions around the breast area) that he looked at me smiling as he was picking up her breast and putting the tail of the scorpion around her breast. “

“I remember he had all sorts of tattoos, and that grey mustache, with the handlebars. He had a dotted line on his neck that said ‘cut here’. He had them (tattoos) on his ears, his face, and his mouth. There wasn’t a part of his body that didn’t have a tattoo. I forgot what kind of cigarettes he smoked – I think it was a non-filter, cuz he used to smoke mine all the time. Like I said, the water, he’d be smoking a cigarette and put it in the same water he rinsed his needle out in. Then when he got done, he’d take a little paper napkin, spray the tattoo with alcohol, and (makes smacking noise)

Tatts Thomas circa 1967

“Getting tattooed was different, if you showed up in the morning you got the freshly clean needles, he’d have them sterilized the night before. Clean needles and clean water. Later in the day, not as much.”

“You know, like I said I’d pick something out and he’d be like, ‘Alright where do you want it?’ then he’d stencil it wherever he wanted to do it. I mean the razor he used was the old fashioned double edge, it would just cut you up, and then he’d you down with some spray alcohol after he was done, slap a napkin on it, and say ‘Next!’That was it. And the needles he used I think were like roofing nails.” Kenney reminisced honestly.

Did you ever have any problems, and infection? I asked him, hungry to hear more. “Honest to God, no, I think the dousing with alcohol woulda’ killed anything.”

“One time I remember he was talking to the other guys, looking around, it was the Mexican mouse, he was smoking and talking to them and I asked him ‘What if you fuck up?’ And he said ‘Oh I’ll just put a fuckin ‘x’ on it, I’ll just put it somewhere else—don’t worry about it.’ I was just like “okay”

Tattoo design $10, name $2 extra. They are still sweethearts.

Tatts Thomas circa 1967

Did you ever go in drunk? “Nope, I would never. I did one time go in and try to get one somewhere else (a bumblebee on the head of his penis), and He started off and hit me with the needle once, and I had to have somebody blow in my ass to get it to come back out. You know, he said ‘what are you crying about, c’mon, that don’t hurt’ I said ‘shit’. “A bumblebee on the head of a penis is no joke… his wife Mary nodded in agreement. My partner and I made wincey faces.

“You know how they did it, was they took a towel, even if he did something like an arm, he’d wrap a towel around you and pull the skin tight with the towel between his legs, and if he wanted to make the skin tighter, he’d just yank on the towel. There was nothing gentle about it, you know he’d cut the shit outta you with the double edge razor, do what he had to do for the tattoo, spray you down with alcohol, slap a napkin on it, and out the door you went.”

"Yup, 8 bucks"

By the time we were done with our little stroll down memory lane, Kevin was done tattooing the bear claw, and came outside for his own union break. Ken and my partner talked about the tattoo he wanted to get, a Celtic symbol over the old Tatts Thomas Mexican mouse. “It’s going to be more than seven bucks” Ken guessed. “But now I’m at the point of my life where I want and can appreciate a full design instead of little stuff here and there. I guess I’ve matured a little since 1967.”

Tatts Thomas circa 1967

Haven’t we all… luckily, maturing doesn’t mean losing touch with the anonymity and autonomy that is the foundation of modern tattooing. Freedom to just take a road trip with your buddies, pick out a colorful tattoo, sit down get tattooed and leave with the souvenir of a good time. Freedom for the tattooer like Tatts Thomas to pick up and leave Chicago or Kenosha, and be able to work wherever the hell suits him at the moment, because his name alone holds integrity among his peers and clientele trusting his work.

Thanks Ken and Mary, and all the kick ass people who keep freedom alive in memory and form.

Don't Touch Me!

2011-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I'm not a tattooer, but I work in a shop and I have some visible tattoos--knuckles, hands, throat and legs—whatever. I generally like talking about my tattoos, the people who did them, where I was at, my favorite styles, etc. But what I don’t love is the lamer questions (repeatedly) and being touched without my consent.

I write/shoot for a handful of publications in the industry and find myself traveling quite a bit, and missing home frequently (but not enough to stay put).

Aphephobia-fear of being touched

If I'm in the right frame of mind, I don't mind conversing with the general public. Most times I enjoy a chance to discuss just about anything with strangers I meet in airports, coffee shops, or hotels wherever I may be when a conversation happens. I meet the neatest people through my visible insides-outsides and hear hands-on how things are going in America and elsewhere. I love the art of conversation and I end up learning some cool things (and sometimes not cool) about people and the world in general... I usually don't have a problem with people talking as long as they don't try to touch me or my tattoos uninvited (here’s where it gets tense tense).

I do get cornered on occasion when I really would rather not be-- jeans or tampon shopping, date night, security checkpoints when I’m scheduled to fly, or at my kid’s school functions.

Just Nasty, Nasty Hands

Why does this almost always accompany an unwanted touch? It accompanies (usually) a squeal and a “OH MY GOD I LOVE YOUR TATS” and then the germy hand of a stranger looms into my zen-like personal space. It becomes flight or fight.

Policeophobie, fear of cops

AND THE TSA? Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s website reads that their job is “protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.” This is not the experience I and my heavily tattooed, not wearing my hoodie, sunglasses, shoes, or watch has had. Airport security people need to tone it down a bit if they are trying to ensure my freedom to “movement and commerce”. I've missed several planes because the questions about my skin which has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not I'm a security risk (they don’t profile, right?). It absolutely affects my commerce if I miss a gig... But still, they're cop-ish enough that I feel like I'm defending the wholesome nature of my business travel by answering thoroughly the question "did that hurt?" as they point to their own throats and not karate-chopping them if the grab at me too quick.

Shame Showers muffle the screams

Generally a good duck and move, or retraction of limb is sufficient. But sometimes the offending germy hand lands and I have to go home with a scour-pad for a hot-water shame-shower for several hours, curl up with my latest self-help affirmation book and cry myself to sleep.

Okay, not really, but it is gross.

Here’s the lame questions and answers—posted here in case anyone gets stuck.

Oooh, Does that hurt?

I’ve no great replies or answers to this one; I try to stick with one- liners like “they all hurt.” “What tattoo?” and my personal favorite “Does your face hurt?” (Though variations of this switch from’ face’ to’ mom’ on occasion)… and try to be as loving and patient as I can at that moment.

The open ended “ I would never..” which is really a passive question asking a person to defend your rational behind getting tattooed.

A “Good” usually suffices; the less syllables the better for passive types.

susanscustomcreepydolls.com

What does that feel like?

“To be honest, it’s always like a million beestings, even after it heals”--just in case they were thinking of getting tattooed, I get to do them a favor of helping them out with a healthy dose of fear.

Do you have any drugs/do you want to get high?

What Would Zaphod Do?

Sigh. Usually a mom-like look with furrowed brow exposes the ridiculous nature of the question. But Dreads and tattoos, I get it. If it needs to be enunciated I like to start off with “For real? Don’t you have anything better to do with yourself? “

Did you do that yourself?

Yes, I get bored easy, like right now.

My friend, Uncle Bill Touch

Inevitably the creepy Uncle Bad-Touch type will ask me if I have them EVERYWHERE? (nudge wink, etc)

Fuck off.

Interesting

And mostly, people want to show me theirs, which usually involves disrobing and I have tried a variety of responses to this but the usual is a nod and a smile and a “I bet that was fun.” Statement, not question. Questions lead to more lame conversation. Unless they’re interesting, like I said, I’m down to talk about whatever.

Everyone loves their tattoos, even the ones from Uncle bad-Touch’s kitchen. Who am I to tell them otherwise?

What are some of your experiences? How do you handle the touches and the questions?

A Word From Our Sponsors

2011-06-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

So moving wasn't that much fun and I feel it necessary to have a little room for personal expression, still keeping the inKfidel (www.theinkfidel.com), but I want to use this for more personal stuff. So hellooo, How have you been?
How's the kids?
Sweet new tattoo, who did it??

Kevin Cole(my partner) Muny

Complaint Department

Oh me? I'm working a lot. I wo-Man the shop (www.fuckumbrellaink.com) -- counter girl still... yup. Nothing new EXCEPT I'm working a lot for Skin&Ink Magazine (Monthly convention coverage and a fun "On the Road" feature.. I'm also contributing monthly to Tattoo Savage magazine, in the ROOTs department... plus miscellaneous other free-lance-y things.... Meeting so many cool people, getting tattooed.. you know? So that's been really cool. I don't know, no garden this year (my onions didn't even come up), kids just got out for summer break... Still getting around and reading a bunch, feeding the rat when I can, you know...

Well it was good catching up, drop me a line sometime, okay? I miss your musk.
Oh pics? yes, I promise to catchup on pictures. You show me mine, I'll show you yours!
Let's streak to the quad!
Cheers!

mAryd

Exit, pursued by a bear.

-Shakespearean stage directions, The Winter's Tale, act 3, sc. 3, l. 57 {1623}

Love to see my guys at MDW

Now I write for the media corp that publishes Word Up <3

Chicago Tattoo, The Place to be in Chicago

Photography and Article by mAry d'Aloisio

gah!

Volunteering at Chicago Street Theater-From Frost Nixon

uh, Mary, the big one.

RIP GIL SCOTT HERON

We look alike

SAVAGE!

B13, best Nashville hospitality ever!

From Cape Fear Trip

Roses Aren't Red, But Mandy Wolak Is True Blue

2010-11-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Mandy (aka Inkgoddess, Milwaukee Mandy) is a loud talking albeit somewhat shy tattoo artist, hailing from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The girl is fascinating, a clever mix of flirty fun and serious. Her portfolio is a fun mix of styles, traditional with realism twist, and a new skool angle. Her clients are raving fans. She's been tattooing over eight years, is now at Absolute Tattoo and the girl is always busy. She is a truly kindhearted girl with serious dedication to the industry.

Here's what she had to say about things:

What first attracted you to tattoos, tattooing?

I fell in love with tattoos at 16 and drew up my first tattoo and had it inked on my 18th birthday when Tie Me Down was still in business.

I drew tattoos for my friends, it didn't work out that well. Then, I worked a shop called Cloud Nine and helped clients with waivers, scrubbed floors and tubes-- you know--basic bitch work. I did whatever I could until I got my apprenticeship.

I know that all too well-I can relate. So where did you apprentice?

I apprenticed at Madd Tatter Ink on 43rd and Foresthome which is now relocated in Windlake (Wisconsin), I believe. I was there for about 1 year and then I had an interview at Absolute Tattooing --I have been there since 2003. It was at Absolute when I really began learning different techniques and skills that have led me to where I am today ,doing conventions, traveling and whatnot. Because of the great opportunity of working at Absolute I have met so many talented artists and people that have really motivated me and helped me find the creative juices inside. So now that I have a little better understanding of my art and where I would like to be, in particular styles I am very fond of so I know how to promote myself for custom tattooing. It took me about 8 years to get to this point in my life. Now I strictly want to do custom work of my style of art. When I mean my style, I mean new skool and a bit traditional and a bit of realism all mixed together.

What do you love about being a tattoo artist?

photo provided by Mandy

I love almost everything about tattooing. Art can go anywhere the mind can take it and the more you keep an open mind about things like styles and learning techniques than the better artist you'll become. I think camaraderie in the shop is very important and a relationship with other local artists is definitely beneficial to growth not only in but outside your community as an artist. I have learned that you can collaborate with artists from all over the world which is made possible by Internet and digital design. If digital is not always at your fingertips then traveling and doing conventions is a great way for an artist to get his/her name out there and also expand your knowledge of who is at the top of their game in the tattoo community today.

So, what sucks about tattooing?

Only thing I really despise is all the haters but its inevitable and they are everywhere so the best way to stay at the top of your game is always try to out-do yourself because there is always someone better than you out there so just be the best you can be and people will recognize that and if they like your work then you’re in business ha-ha.

So, how about getting tattooed, as a collector, what’s important to you?

Getting tattooed, for me, is like therapy. I think that most people have a close relationship with their artist and more than likely they become friends and the bonus part is you get to walk away with kick ass art on your body forever. Tattoos are also expression for me in the fact that it is just how I want my body to look. Certain tattoos are in certain places, sometimes based on their importance in my life. I will not stop until I have everything on my body that I have in mind. I can appreciate all styles of Tattoos such as cartoons, portraits, traditional, script, etc. I do have a bit of writing on me and sometimes a picture just can’t do enough so you just gotta get the words plain and simple.

Girl, what’s that on your knuckles?

My knuckles are a good example of that I guess. PURE is on my right hand which is the sleeve of all cartoon characters from the 80's and EVOL is on my left with the sleeve of fireflies and Japanese water and cherry blossoms. Also it spells love backwards I did that purposely because my left sleeve is the adult concept so of course you have to have love and evil cause that’s life in general. My second set of knuckles spells RESTLESS when I interlock and bend my fingers sort of in a praying manner but not quite. I am restless in the sense that I am always looking to travel somewhere to tattoo and to explore, it’s my absolute favorite thing to do in life.

I love, love, love your throat piece. What’s the story behind that?

My throat is probably the most important tattoo on my body at the moment. It is for my Grandmother who passed last year in late august. It’s a polish eagle that says in Polish I will never leave you. I was her caregiver the last 2 years of her life and we formed a bond that is not very typical of grandmother/granddaughter. She became my best friend in the whole process and she is the only one on earth who never judged me and absolutely loved me for me and loved my ink just as much. Thus the placement on my throat was key I was , and am proud to be her granddaughter and she was of the most greatest importance in my life..... so what better place? I guess if I had to say it might be my favorite due to importance in life but other than that I love all my tattoos equally down to the ones that I will eventually cover. I believe even if you cover a tattoo technically it is still underneath so u never really completely get rid of it you just don’t see it, but in reality it is and always will be with you just as a person’s past is I guess. Now removing is a whole different story ha-ha.

Which tattoo do people ask you about the most?

Being a heavily tattooed woman can make for a pretty unusual and interesting time depending on where I am at the moment. I hope I don’t intimidate people as often as I hear those making snickers or comments behind my back but I have been told that quite a bit in my life. Of course to me that’s silly and is definitely not my goal. My tattoos are exactly that, MINE, which means they are for me and it’s easy to say you don’t give a shit about what anyone thinks but sometimes you have to give a shit if it’s your employer , relatives or what not deciding your fate at the moment. I am fortunate enough that tattoos , piercings and self expression are encouraged and sometimes mandatory.

What about the boys, are they intimidated by your skills or your ink?

Being a female in the tattoo industry is a whole different story. Now there are a bit more females tattooing in Milwaukee but when I started there weren’t many. I have always been in some male dominated activity from young on whether it was ice hockey or tattooing. I believe what challenges us only makes us stronger , so , a lot of times women can be way more on top of things than men because we have to strive for what we want that much harder. There are always new techniques and tools being introduced in the industry and no matter who we are or male or female it is up to us to know about them and educate our fellow artists and keep the industry moving forward. Such things are Digital Art, Neuma Machines, Rotary machines, and always new ink. The basic concept however never changes : design a great custom piece for a client, do it well, make them happy and bottom line produce great ink and they'll keep coming back for more

What are your top 5 favorite things?

well done ink on people, Aaron Cain Machines, the relationships I have built over the years with artists and clients, tattoo conventions, and my co-workers

Top 5 turn offs?

Impatient people, terrible tattoos on great looking people, tattoos on pets, Ego's, and tattooing names of significant others.

photo provided by Mandy

Do you have any advice to share for folks looking to get tattooed, what do you look for in a shop?

The best advice I could give people is, first and foremost, have a general idea of what you want . Then search for an artist or a style that you would prefer for your tattoo. A way of going about that is looking at other peoples tattoos and then check who did their ink if you like the style. Too often people look at other's ink and actually like their custom tattoo and bring that to the artist and I think people are then missing the whole point. Get custom ink! Look for cleanliness of the artists and the shop-- maybe location matters and maybe it doesn’t. Sometimes the artist you find may not be in your town, is it important enough that you may want to travel to get ink? Bottom line you have to be comfortable with the shop and artist to get the experience you’re looking for.

What do you do outside of your job? What keeps the juices flowing?

Besides tattooing I mostly draw, paint, and craft projects. I enjoy concerts and travel as much as my pocket will allow.

A definite downfall to traveling a lot is you build a wide range of clientele in other states--sometimes your base clientele at home will then sort of get neglected --so you have to keep in contact always and be up on all your e mails and facebooks and myspaces as much as possible. If I didn’t utilize the internet as much as I do for my career, I wouldn’t be where I am today-- nor would I have the base clientele that I do now.

How important is it to draw and create in other mediums?

It expands your mind there's things that arent tattooable that help you, like light sources in photography, I wish Icould do more of it.

Is your family supportive of your career choice?

Art was always my career plan but I really never thought it would have been tattooing because of my lack of knowledge about it in HS at age 16. It was pretty heartbreaking for my parents when I dropped out of college my senior year but I believe I have made the right choice. I love what I do. They have always supported me with what I want out of my life and they continue to do so. Needless to say I still have a year or 2 left of school till I get my art degree -- and now I would probably take some additional courses to help with my tattooing.

What do you feel you contribute to the tattoo industry and society in general?

I write music and poetry and am attempting to learn acoustic guitar but my main focus is still tattooing. I really don’t know that I have contributed much to the industry at all except for the ink that I put on my clients in the last 9 years. I have made it into some magazines for my art and for the ink I have on myself but really nothing major. The most important thing to me is the expression on my clients’ faces as they look at their new ink -- that’s what drives me to want to contribute as much as I can and hopefully open new doors for myself in the future.

I love what i do, I love everything about it. Its the best feeling in the world, its an honor

Convention Schedule: is still open, she's hoping to get about a lot more. Untill then Hit Mandy Wolak up at

Absolute Tattooing

N 89 W16687 Church St

Menonomee Falls, WI

262 255 4884

Absolutetattooing.com

www.myspace.com/inkgoddess226

www.facebook.com/mandywolak

Madman Across the Water--Troy Timpel's Method to the Madness

2010-10-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Troy Timpel,

Troy With Jeff Fletcher and Nick Less at Beer City

The Madman at Philadelphia Eddie's 621 Tattoo, and Beyond

I first met Troy Timpel at his Milwaukee Beer City Festival-- Hoodied up, silver hair a flyin' and work-set eyes, the man was instantly attractive to me. Admittedly, the man is fine as hell: Adidas shoes, cargo shorts, maniac eyes in a hoodie -- every time I've seen him since. As I've learned more of this ringleader, I've come to treasure the madman-type who came up in Wisconsin and was hand grown on skateboard art and punk rock, gone now to Philly to orchestrate his empire.

I'm fascinated by his art, his tattoos, but most of all I'm especially drawn to the Renaissance style in which he conducts his business life. From owning and operating one of the oldest tattoo shops in Philly, the Villain Arts publishing, the world-famous Tattoo Kingpin Tattoo conventions, to "The Compound" of artists and creative-type friends he maintains in Fishtown (Philly), then adding his interests in home brews and other miscellaneous projects. I'm sure this man never sleeps--or if he does, it is with one eye open dreaming up the next thing.

I've been tattooed by him twice in Philly at Eddies, and I love his shop more than Tony Lukes. True story: that place is is packed with amazing artists fantastic conversation, heritage, and smokin' hot-sauce artists compared only to the heaven that is my favorite greens samich at Tony Lukes.

Don Jaun, Bird, T, Mike Lebroffe and a couple of others are some of the nicest most well rounded fellas that side of the Liberty Bell. They chattered and drew and had a good time while I was inside the cozy confines of the lil' Fourth Street shop (in Old Town, Philly). We discuss spiritual versus religious themes in art as well as Troy's "furry" experience, and a myriad of other topics; nothing is taboo in Troy's temple. He surrounds himself with real folks who do real tattoos, who paint and listen and to punkrock, and who still have bands like the Cro Mags show up at their birthday parties (invite me this year Don JAUN!). Monster phoenix's and large scale drawings adorn Troy's small work area. When this guy talks about not needing the ego stroking in our interview: it totally shows. His coil machines were lovingly crafted working-mans machines (hand made by his buddy Ernie d- Delux Irons-Resurrection). All this said, the man is loved and has a nest that is fiercely 'about it'.

Center tent-post intact, the ringmaster branches out: hosting conventions everywhere. Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Philly, Chicago and soon Costa Rica--Villain Arts has hit it. His conventions are always a blast, a gathering of lovely carnival-type family, breaking bread with folks like the Show Devils, the Freak Kings, Suspensions by Crash, and Olde City Side Show--The man has a supreme talent at bringing local bands, MC’s and talent a true knack for picking the most wide variety of shit to rock the party. The conventions always appear flawless to the collectors and artists gathered-- staying and getting ink done and having a good time. Jaws are always sure to be dropped with what Troy and his friends have put together.

With all of his endeavors, the man takes in each moment with the client in his chair. He pays careful attention to the details, and dot's every filigree in the dagger, so to speak. The man is a quiet whirlwind, honest to the core, and passionate not only in his words, but his deeds. Troy continues to give of himself 150 percent charitably to his community. To say he is an asset to the tattooing/tattooed community at large is an under statement.

He says that whens it's all said and done, he'd like to travel, Spain being first on his list.-- I am sure they won't know what hit em'.

So, you're a mad man. I get that. Would you mind briefly listing all of the tattoo-related projects in which you are involved? I OWN AND OPERATE VILLAINARTS.COM WHICH FEATURES A LOT OF BOOK PROJECTS, CLOTHING, AND FINE ART. I AM GETTING READY TO UPDATE A LOT OF FINE ART ORIGINALS TO THE SITE , YEARS OF COMPULSIVE PAINTING.

You attended Art School in Wisconsin , how does that training and region work into your art today? I WENT TO MIAD(MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN).. IT GAVE ME A STRONG BASE IN GENERAL ART AND LOOSEND MY HAND UP...

Other than at Philadelphia Eddies, what's your convention schedule like, where can people get the Kingpin experience? PHILADELPHIA FEB 4,5,6, COSTA RICA MARCH 11,12,13TH, AND LOUISVILLE KY TBA.. I HAVE A FEW SHOWS THAT I AM PLANNING TO ATTEND AND START TRAVELING A BIT MORE NEXT SPRING. I HAVEN'T BEEN TRAVELING FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS NOW, BUT KIND OF MISS THE ROAD, AND THINK I'M GOING TO START DOING SOME SHOWS AGAIN IN 2011.

You paint prolifically, and I enjoy the watercolor you donated for the Art for Animals... you once told me you like painting in washes on wood in a mixed-medium capacity. Can you further describe your painting style? I PAINT COMPULSIVELY. I GUESS THE STYLE WOULD BE THE TRADITIONAL SAILOR SPIT SHADE TYPE OF WATERCOLOR, BUT I HAVE KIND OF MORPHED IT INTO TAKING IT INTO A DIFFERENT PLACE. MY NEWER WORK HAD ALOT OF SOFT LAYERING AND BUILD UPS. I DO ALOT OF PORTRAIT BUILD UP THINGS WITH IN MIXES OF STYLES TO GET DIFFERENT EFFECTS AND ALTERNATE COMPOSITIONS.

How many skateboard decks have you designed--Is there a knack to that? Because you've got that shit on lock-down. I SANDED AND PAINTED DOWN ALOT OF JUNK DECKS FLOATING AROUND MY BUILDING. ALOT OF MY ART IS PAINTED ON RANDOM THINGS I FIND AROUND THE COMPOUND. RIGHT NOW I JUST HAD MY CONSTRUCTION CREW CUT UP 20 HOTEL DOORS I STOLE OFF A DEMO SITE. THEY WERE TO SMALL TO USE IN THE COMPOUND CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING CODES, SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET PAINTED. A GOOD FRIEND AND FELLOW PHILADELPHIA EDDIES ARTIST MIKE LEBROFFE AND I ARE SETTING THEM ALL UP IN THE 3 RD FLOOR HALLWAYS. WE ARE JUST DOING TO HAVE PAINTING NIGHTS WITH RANDOM PEOPLE...

Quixotic Knuckles

Speaking of skating, and skate-art: you mentioned you were heavily influenced as a youngster by skateboard mags and the non-traditional non "highbrow" stuff within. Now that 'lowbrow, tattooing, and "alternative" have blown up corporately everywhere-- what's next? Is there a ceiling to this shit, where do you suggest the kids look to seek out the new rebellion? HEROIN! JUST KIDDING. MASS MARKETING REBELLION IS LIKE SHOOTING FISH IN A BARREL. THERE IS ALOT OF MOMENTUM BUILT UP FOR A VARIETY OF COUNTER CULTURAL THINGS THAT I LIKE. I STILL MISS GETTING IN FIGHTS WITH REDNECKS FOR BEING PUNKROCK, HAVING OLD LADIES GIVE ME DIRTY LOOKS FOR BEING TATTOOED, AND EVERYTHING BEFORE IT WAS THE TREND... CLICKING YOUR HEELS 3 TIMES DOESN'T BRING YOU BACK THERE....

What drives that amount of prolific work ethic? Do you ever sit still? I PROBABLY SHOULD BE ON SOME KIND OF A.D.D. MEDS OR SOMETHING. I JUST LIKE TO MAKE THINGS, AND REALLY ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE HAS GIVEN ME TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. I PAINT AND DRAW VERY FAST. I THINK THAT HELPS WITH THE AMOUNT OF VOLUME OF EACH I PUT OUT. I HAVE DONE FULL BACK PIECES IN 3 SITTINGS 9 HOURS. 4X8' PAINTINGS IN 6 HOUR ONE SITTING, ETC... MY HAND HAS GOTTEN PRETTY LOOSE OVER THE YEARS....

Speaking of your busy life...you "butt-dialed" me yesterday, and I admit, I stayed on the line. What was all that heavy lifting in the background? It didn't sound like tattooing, what was that? Seriously, do you ever not work? I TAKE ONE DAY OFF A WEEK, BUT I STAY BUSY. LUCKILY I LIKE WHAT I DO, AND I THINK THAT MAKES ALOT OF DIFFERENCE.

Villian Arts Entertainment at Beer city
The Freak Kings

Any clue (guess) as to how many books in which you've been mentioned or published (magazines not included)? NO IDEA. I JUST FOUND ONE RECENTLY I FORGOT ABOUT THAT I WROTE THE INTRO TO, AND THEY PUT MY NAME ON THE COVER. IT WAS COOL.. I GOT A POLISH TATTOO MAGAZINE THIS WEEK SENT TO ME. THEY INTERVIEWED ME AND EDDIE, AND GAVE US 20 SOME PAGES. IT WAS AMAZING, I THINK. DON'T REALLY KNOW BECAUSE I DON'T SPEAK POLISH, BUT IT LOOKED COOL...

How many books have you published ? INCREASING EVERY MONTH, AND ADDING TITLES. CHECK IT OUT ON VILLAINARTS.COM. WE PRINT EVERYTHING IN HOUSE, AND HAVE ALOT OF REALLY FUN TATTOO ART BOOKS.

What’s up with your tattoo work--where’s your style heading? I STILL REALLY LIKE A COMBO OF JAPANESE/TRADITIONAL. I HAVE A LITTLE FLAIR TO IT THAT I LIKE. I ALSO ENJOY DOING REALLY FUNNY WEIRD ONES, LIKE IN MY "COCK BLOCK" BOOK. THAT BOOK IS MY FAVORITE. I TATTOO EVERYTHING THOUGH, AND LIKE TO PUT A LITTLE TWIST ON IT. I STILL DO ALOT OF PORTRAIT/REALISM STUFF ALSO...

What does it take to be a Kingpin?A STRONG LIVER I GUESS... AND TO BE WILLING TO BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS...

Troy's only tattoo peeking above his shirt seam is a candle burning at both ends...

What is your favorite kind of tattoo project? I JUST DID AN ALMOST FULL LEG SLEEVE LAST WEEK THAT WAS REALLY FUN. I OUTLINED IT SUNDAY, AND COLORED THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY. HE WAS FROM PORTLAND, AND NEEDED THE WHOLE THING DONE WHILE HE WAS VISITING. IT WAS BIG, BRIGHT SEA-TURTLES JAPANESE STYLE IN WATER. WHOLE LEG OF IT. REALLY FUN. 7 HOURS OF COLOR IS THE MOST TATTOO I HAVE PUT ON SOMEONE IN ONE SITTING. I HAVE ANOTHER PIECE I AM EXCITED ABOUT ON A FRIEND OF MINE. SHE IS GETTING A JOHN THE BAPTIST FULL BACK PIECE WITH SALOME DANCING IN A REALLY SEXY STRIPPER WEDDING SCENE IN THE BACKGROUND. IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY COOL. AFTER 18 YEARS, I STILL LOVE TO TATTOO. I SEE SOME PEOPLE REALLY BURNT OUT ON IT, AND GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE TO SPOILED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.. IF THAT EVER HAPPENS TO ME, DRAG ME OUT BACK AND SHOOT ME!!!

Who’s the heaviest influence in your style? Do you have a shrine or anything for the person yet? I LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE AND LOVE THE EXPLOSION OF STYLE AND TECHNIQUE THAT SO MANY REALLY GOOD PEOPLE ARE DOING. I GOT A SLEEVE FROM PAUL BOOTH, AND IT WAS GREAT AT AN EARLY AGE IN MY CAREER TO BE ABLE TO WATCH HIM LAYER BLACK N GRAY LIKE THAT. NO SHRINES TO ANYONE, JUST A BIG FAN OF ART IN ALL MEDIUMS.

What do you love about tattooing? DEBBIE INKSMITH TOLD ME ONCE TO DO EVERY TATTOO AS IF IT WERE MY LAST. ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME. I LOVE COMING IN EVERYDAY AND TRYING TO DO SOMETHING FUN. I LOVE THAT PEOPLE GET LARGE SCALE THINGS. I HAVE DONE 4 FULL BACK PIECES AS PEOPLES FIRST TATTOOS. THAT NEVER HAPPENED IN THE 90'S. I DO MISS THE CARNIVAL CHAOS THAT WAS TATTOOING IN THE 90'S A BIT THOUGH..

What do you think sucks about it?THERE IS ALOT OF EGO FOR PEOPLE THAT TRACE OTHER PEOPLES ARTWORK FOR A LIVING. OR PEOPLE THAT DO ONE-TRICK PONY ASS SHIT AND THINK THE WORLD OWES THEM SOMETHING FOR IT. 20 YEARS AGO THE HAND FULL OF PEOPLE THAT WERE TRUE MASTERS OF CERTAIN STYLES, AND THOSE PEOPLE GOT THE ROCK STAR RESPECT THAT THEY HAD. IN 2010 THERE ARE A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE IN EVERY CITY IN AMERICA THAT CAN PROLIFICALLY DO ALL STYLES, AND CREATE A FLAIR OR STYLE OF THEIR OWN. MOST OF US DON'T NEED OUR DICKS SUCKED TO DO IT EITHER...

What’s on your bookshelf –tattoo related? I HAVE TRIED TO COLLECT EVERY BOOK I CAN. YOU NAME, IT I OWN IT. IF I DON'T HAVE IT YET, I WILL...

So is it me, or do your tattoo's hurt less than normal? I'M PRETTY LIGHT HANDED AND PRETTY QUICK. PHILADELPHIA EDDIE TOLD ME WHEN I WAS REAL YOUNG, THAT THE SPEED IS ALL IN TAKING AWAY THE TIME WHEN THE NEEDLE IS NOT IN THE SKIN.... I RUN ALL MACHINES WITH A NICE SOFT BREAKDOWN, AND RUN CUTBACKS FOR LINING AND SHADING....

You were listening to a lot of old-school hip-hop when I was last in your shop... What do you think is the funnest music to listen to while sinking ink? HIP-HOP WAS THE SALES GUYS FLAVOR THAT DAY. I LIKE A REALLY WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC. BLUES, GARAGE, METAL, STONERROCK, SWING, AND 70,80'S PUNK...

You mentioned that when you'd like to retire you'd like to travel ... is that for the world-wide domination, or just to amuse yourself? AMUSE MYSELF. I THINK I'M GOING TO TAKE A WEEK A MONTH OFF TO TRAVEL NEXT YEAR...

Must be because you're so VERY easy on the eyes... speaking of: What excites you--How do you get your kicks (not tattooing)? DRINK, PAINT, CHASE GIRLS, MOVIES ETC...

How awesome is mAryd (um, that's me)? YOU ARE AWESOME!!

What’s a girl gotta do to get a ('nother) tshirt around here, my son stole mine (what's your merch link websites)?? www.VILLAINARTS.COM

I've ordered books, belt buckles, and all sorts of shit and every delivery is flawless, and the service is supreme.

Alll Photos of Troy's artwork and tattoos are courtesy of the artist.

Thanks for your time Troy, I realize how precious it is. See you on the flip side and stay away from furries (or don't).http://www.villainarts.com/

Quixotic as...fuddddge.

This month in Tattoo Savage, Toxic Addiction!

On the Road at Lady Cora's Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery in Columbus Georgia

Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery,

On the Road in Columbus, Georgia

by mAry d'Aloisio photos by mAryD and submitted by Black Lotus (Please ask permision to repost)

7401 Fortson Rd, Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 507-4704 www.blacklotustattoogallery.com www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Lotus-Tattoo-Gallery Owner Lady Cora Instagram: @blacklotustattoogallery

Fridge Frittata, mAryD's Church of Leftovers

Christy Mack for Ink Addict

Christy Mack’s Tattooed Heart

Story& Photos by mAry d'Aloisio

Some recent work...

For my brother, Tony

fly, fly, away...

Nestler's NEWEST !!

Dave Nestler’s Bad Girl Club... drawn to menace ( SQP Publishing January 2013 )

Fiat Lux, Good Times with Russ Abbott!

Reese, Remembered.

See you at the next one....

deVita Unauthorized, by Nick Bubash

deVita Unauthorized ,

a book by Nick Bubash

Chicken Soup for a punk rock lil boy

Chillin' at the Roast of Gill Montie

Dreams do come true... PMA with Miss Mary-Leigh!

Nick Bubash: Hand to Gods

I met artist Nick Bubash in his Pittsburgh home earlier this year, and I was shaking in my boots nervous. The man is the real deal, he performs and executes artistic endeavors with a passion that is intimidating to stand next to. Yet the opportunity presented itself, and I leapt at the opportunity.

How much do you know about his story? It's really rather interesting. He's been tattooing since the 70's (via Thom deVita on 4th St, then McKee's Rocks in Pittsburgh); he overcame some difficulties, and now works prolifically producing piece after piece of awe-inspiring art.

Thom deVita said he was in the first school of tattooers from art school:

"Him and Ed Hardy. They influenced a whole generation of tattooers who can draw and he's never been mentioned in the magazines." said deVita on a 'inter-visit' I had with him one morning.

And, the dude is animated, he talks with his hands, tells the worst jokes, and the best stories.

"What do you call an Italian with one arm?" he asks at the beginning of our interview. "A speech impediment."

After completing a two hour interview (8,000 + words, phew!) I came to see a more well-rounded, funny, and sensitive man and gained a candid insight into his intimidating genius as an artist. I loved his work, and now I love him as a friend.

The Skin&Ink feature I wrote on him will be out next month. Viva la Bubash!

My Skeleton and The Skin It's In

Annie Leibovitz-- At Work

Garden of Good and Cleavage

Grace on the Face

Rick Steff of Lucero Gets Tattooed on Tour

Little History Lesson at Work Today...

Don't Touch Me!

A Word From Our Sponsors

Roses Aren't Red, But Mandy Wolak Is True Blue

Madman Across the Water--Troy Timpel's Method to the Madness

by mAry d'Aloisio
photos by mAryD and submitted by Black Lotus (Please ask permision to repost)

7401 Fortson Rd, Columbus, GA 31909

(706) 507-4704

www.blacklotustattoogallery.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Lotus-Tattoo-Gallery

Owner Lady Cora

Instagram: @blacklotustattoogallery

Dave Nestler’s Bad Girl Club... drawn to menace
( SQP Publishing January 2013 )