#11 Ryan Ashley

RVA Tattoo Convention

Artist & Models!

Electric Mordor Robert Hajun Ko 9rukim Eduardo Frankie Sketch Voodoo Manda Samantha Diane H

Ryan Ashley

Steve Azzara (RIP) President/Editor in Chief/MFIC Pamela Sellers Co owner/President/Writer Matt Sellers Writer/Creative director/Editor

Contributors

Cypress Bates Video Journalist/Writer Mike Johnston Concert/ Event Photography Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez

Cover- @ryanashleymalarkey Photographer-@shootmepeter Special Thanks to...

Daniel Kearney, Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez, Mark Lawrence, Shawn Alexander, Tommy’s Supplies, New England Tattoo Expo, Sellers Ink Tattoo, Sean Hightower, Walt Anderson, Carnival of Ink, The Most famous studio, Urbans edge tattoo after care. New England tatoo expo

Pro Team

Lydia Bruno, Pammy Sellers, Pepe Carire, And Jimmy Dalessio, Ninetoes, Nikko Gould, Josh Paul, And Mike Geyer

TOC 6-Manda 12-Electric Mordor 26-Robert 42-Samantha 48-Voodoo 60-Ryan Ashley 76-Hajun Ko 90-9rukim 102-Richmand Arts 114-Eduardo 128-Frankie Sketch 140-Diane Hurst

Manda

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Photos by @shootwjade Jade Lyon Model: xpoisonroses_

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Electric Mordor

Chile 12

Artist-electric.mordor Interviewed by-msellersink13

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If I am correct, you currently live in Chile? Are you born and raised there, Tell us a little about yourself and what it was like growing up.

That’s right, I was born and raised in a working class neighborhood in western Santiago, Chile. I was 15 years old when I did my first tattoo, I was into the hardcore and punk music movement that was standing strong in my country. It was a music video from my favorite band that made feel attracted to the tattoo world. Also, since I was a kid, I was passionate about drawing, so I understood that this is what I wanted to do in my life. That’s why at 17 years old, I bought my first tattoo set for beginners, and I started scratching friends from the hood.

How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?

I’ve been tattooing for 14 years, I started doing it before I finished school. I never had the chance to be an apprentice or access to a seminary, so it took lots of years being able to truly dedicate and tattoo fulltime. I ran into traditional tattoo just in 2014 (in my country it wasn’t easy having access to this kind of information) and felt an instant connection, it was right in that moment when I took a brush for the first time and made my first flash sheet with ecoline.

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You specialize in what looks like a Dark traditional style tattoos? what do you call your style, and what got you in to the certain style of tattooing?

This is hard to answer since I don’t feel creator of any sort of style nor to name it. I try to follow traditional tattoo rules, because over time I realized it is what works best on the skin, it has been studied and proven through the years, although I have to admit I give myself much leeway every now and then. I try to stitch to dark fantasy, collecting references from movies, books, video games and comics I enjoy since I was a kid.

What would be one style of tattooing that you would turn down and why?

To be honest, I really enjoy looking at different tattoo styles where you can spot studies and smart solutions of drawing. But you can’t call lack of style a style, I think ignorant tattoos are something I dislike.

You just created and released a book with over 100 pages of art, Tell us a little bit about your book, and what was it like making it?

This book is a selected collection of drawings I made during the last 5 years, some of them were prepared for clients, others for flash sheets or even for the pleasure of drawing. There are almost 500 designs that can be used as references to solve an idea or to create something new. It was hard work, but honestly it is created with lots of love, for the reason that it’s for me, my first contribution to tattoo. Until now I have shipped more than 400 copies all around the world. In my country, not much people have the chance to do something like this, since it’s pretty hard to live off tattooing here in Latin America, so I’m very proud to have a shot to share my work to the world.

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Do you ever get to travel for work and if so where are some of your favorite locations you have been to and why?

I’ve tattooed in different countries, specially the last couple of years, but I think my favorite place, because of my colleagues’ and clients’ warmth, is Italy. I have such nice memories from my time in that country. The food is amazing by the way.

What is one of the most memorable moments of your tattooing carrere?

Till now the Europe tour I did this year left me full of energy and pretty motivated to keep evolving on my work. If i speak about memorable moments of my career, it would be this one that I’m living right now. I feel so grateful to say that things are working out so much better than I was expecting.

What are somethings you do for fun outside of work? hobbies Ect....

I’m lucky to say that my job is what entertains me the most: drawing. But besides that, I really enjoy role playing, video games, painting Warhammer and collectible card playing like Pokemon and Magic.

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THE

YOUR TATTOO NEEDS POWERED BY PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS

Former Art teacher and professionally exhibited Artist, has been formulating natural skincare for the last 14 years.

Her knowledge of essential oils, butters and herbs has her taking a different approach to preserving tattoo art through Urban's Edge aftercare

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Eliminates the Afterburn / Soothes the Skin

Breathable Protective layer for the wound

Restores / Retains Tattoo Vibrancy

Jojoba Butter and Oils Balances and Hydrates Skin

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Robert

Germany

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Artist-@robertattoo23cm Interviewed by-msellersink13

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So taking a quick look at your profile it looks like you are currently located in germany? Are you born and raised in Germany? and what was it like growing up tell us a little about yourself?

Yes, I live in Germany now, but I was born in a small Siberian village called Chany, I grew up there, went to high school and art school, studied average, played sports, and made friends with other children. My childhood was hard, my father was an alcoholic, and my mom was not there when I was a kid, from childhood I learned to cook myself because I had a younger sister and it was necessary to feed her and myself too. When I got older I finished high school and went to college, I had to work and study because I had to pay for my education. Yes, it was hard but I got through it and I am proud of myself, I am grateful for everything that happened to me at that time and I got through it.

How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?

When I lived in a small village in Siberia, there were a couple of people who knew my parents who had tattoos and for me since childhood, it was amazing that a person under the skin can have a drawing, it struck me so much from childhood that I through the years carried it through and when I became older, I did not leave the thought to start doing tattoos, but no one took me for training, because I was too young and did not know how to draw, then I became older and began to study and work, I saved up money for training, went to him, but as it turned out, the master who taught, was just a crook who himself did not know anything and painted tattoos badly, only the second time I was able to get to normal training, where I passed the course. I still continue to study, go to seminars on tattooing or drawing, and there I draw for myself new knowledge, development does not stop 29

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Do you ever travel for work? like guest spots and or conventions and if so where are some of your favorite locations?

Yes I was often invited as a guest master to work, I used to go, but now I don’t go, I like to work in one place, now we have a big and friendly team, I like to work with my colleagues and I don’t want to go anywhere. I’ve been to conventions too, but not that often, I’ve only been to 5 conventions and I have 5 awards from them. The coolest convention I’ve been to was in Belgium, it was a very big tattoo convention and there were a lot of cool artists there. There I met a lot of people and made contacts.

Your style if very dark in many ways from heavy black to dark art, what got you into that certain style and why?

My work reflects my personal experiences, interests, and philosophy.

My childhood was far from sweet, I had to fight for a place under the sun, I lost my mother early, my father is an alcoholic, I lived in a foster home for a year, all these stages certainly left a mark on me and my art.

All of these monsters are monsters of people. My art is about monsters under the bed. My horrors are not an animated, scary enemy or evil, but a normal part of the structure of the world, the “horror” I create, it’s not scary, I’d like to be friends with it. I am about the monsters inside of us, the person who came to me chooses himself, what monster monster monster to make and walk with him, these monsters hide inside of us and are in each of us.

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Does any clients ever ask for color? and would you ever do full color tattoos?

I experimented a lot, I started with color tattoos, then did ornamental in general tried many styles in tattoos and in drawing, I came to the dark images a few years ago, in the dark tattoos I found the aesthetics for myself. I don’t do color tattoos now, I only like black and white tattoos. who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?

I inspire myself, when I started doing tattooing in me nobody believed in me and everybody said: “find a normal job!”, “it’s not serious!”, “what you do nobody is interested!”, but despite all this, I continued and grew to a good tattoo master with his own style in work, I am appreciated by brands with which I cooperate, I am appreciated by people with whom I work, I was inspired not by people’s faith in me!

Do you have any big plans coming in the near future?

I want to make my own exhibition of paintings, I have them accumulated a lot to triple this, a couple of times I have already been called to exhibitions to show their work, but as it turned out the transportation of paintings is a very complicated process and I was not ready for it then, but now in ready! I also want to further develop and grow as a tattoo master and artist.

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What hobbies do you have outside of work? what do you like to do for fun?

When I’m not working, I really like to make videos for my YouTube channel, spend time with my girlfriend, read books, and go to a bar with friends is also a good idea to relax.

In general, here everything is ordinary for me, I like to have a quiet vacation, without drinking, drugs and extreme, I prefer to be in a circle of loved ones and enjoy free time with them. Thank you all who read, I hope you were interested. Best regards, Robert Steinberg.

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Samantha

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Photographer- Lucy Loo Photography LLC Model-@Rosemary_314_

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VooDoo Doll

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Artist-@voodoo_dolllll Interviwed by-@pammy_sellers Photo by-@moonandcoven

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So tell us a little about yourself, where were you born and raised? Ect...

I was born and raised to McAllister Oklahoma, so when I was about 15, I was in and out of foster care a lot, I had an abusive alcoholic mother. Was forced to grow up rather quick with no childhood. I think that’s why I enjoy modeling so much, almost like playing pretend At what age did you discover your passion for the tattoo and body modification industry?

When I was little, I always had a passion for drawing and sketching.

It was kind of how I escaped out of the world that I was in. I knew I always wanted to do something with my artistic skill. When I was in Clarksville Tennessee, it was suggested that I try a tattoo apprenticeship I was about 39 years old.

So I understand that you use to do tattoos, and you now do piercings, suspensions, fire breathing and other body mods, tell us about your journey so far and how you got into all of it.

I took my first tattoo apprenticeship at red five in Clarksville Tennessee on tiny town Road with Tarek Thomas. I moved to Missouri and started my apprenticeship over, But discovered during that I was amazing at piercing.

That sort of took off. Fire breathing, I started during Covid as a way to entertain myself while stuck inside. Suspension I tried during our Tattoo convention, carnival of ink And fell in love. The plank of living Canvas are my mentors for human suspension

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Photographer-paparazzi_bombshell_boudoir

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You and your husband Joe also own your own tattoo magazine called the Carnival Of Ink, and you also run quite a few of your own conventions.

Tell us about that. I’m sure there’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into all of that.

Yes, me and my husband coed together the carnival of ink tattoo convention. We are the Midwest Tattoo convention. We are always looking to expand with new shows, new cities, and new people and new artist , We really enjoy this industry. We really enjoy the people in it and this is our passion. The magazine kind of came about as a way to share our amazing friends with the world You also do a lot of modeling, and I understand that you will be hosting some modeling seminars coming up, what can you tell us about your plans for that?

I’m really excited about this opportunity of Modling seminar. I had never really thought about it but my friend Loren Smith brought it to my attention that people might benefit from my experiences. It’s an educational seminar, I believe we need to focus a lot on model safety and making sure everybody is safe, photographer and model , There will be some fun things we will cover, hair, make up, posing, editing, and magazine submissions . I hope I live up to everybody’s expectations with the seminar and everybody benefits

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So it’s obvious that you juggle so much in the industry, between conventions, piercing, modeling, etc. What would you say your favorite job is in the industry? And why is it your favorite?

I’d have to say piercing. My piercing career has allowed me to fulfill my dreams and the other aspects of my life that has been a dream come true for me.

Do you have any short or long term goals coming up that you’d like to tell us about?

Long-term goal, grow the show make it as successful and amazing as possible. Give people a positive platform to showcase their art and their talent .

Short term goal this year is to buy a house.

Tell us about one of the craziest experiences that you’ve had in the industry.

I feel like in this industry you’re kind of numb to the crazy, sitting here thinking I’ve seen so much crazy stuff that at this point just seems completely normal to me. I would have to say a guy that passed out while getting his stencil on for his tattoo He had worked himself up in his own head so much. He passed out falling forward and busting his nose open on the table in front of him.

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@morbidawakening 57

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Ashley

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Artist-@ryanashleymalarkey Interviewed by-@pammy_sellers Photographer-@shootmepeter

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So tell us about your experience on Ink Master I know you were contestant and a judge and also the first female winner, so what was that like?

At this point the first time I competed it was about 8 years ago, it was a long time ago, but it was definitely one of those experiences that changed the trajectory of my life forever, even coming to this Convention (Richmond) seeing so many Ink master alumni here kind of feels like a club we get to be in and go through something so crazy that only a few people in the world understand exactly what that expreance is like and it bonds you together. And so every season I’ve done, I did season eight, and then I went and did clash of coaches, and then we did two seasons of angels, one season of grudge match and two seasons of the new one, so it’s been like seven rounds and every single season I’ve done has been really incredible and special but it’s been separate from every other one, its been its own expreince, but I’m really really thankful that it became such a big part of my life. And even for the connections and everything too, like Jesse Smith putting on this conventtion in Richmond and everything, like it kind of feels like a whole little family, its nice.

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So you do a Victorian jewelry style, when did you discover your passion for that style and start getting into that?

So before I tattooed I worked in the fashion industry for a couple of years, and what I did for that company was, I was basically an inhouse artist and designer that I specialized in lace work, beeding, embroidery, all that stuff, tiny intricate detailed stuff, and so when I came over into tattooing, basically what I had to learn was the medium, right? And then I brought all of the esthetic from fashion design sort of into tattooing, and it just kind of happened naturally, it wasn’t on purpose, it picked me. I was really lucky in Pennsylvania, in the very beginning of my career, I was lucky enough to stumble upon two separate friend groups of girls, and the first group of girls were all these like smoking hot chicks that all worked at Ulta, so thats the best advertisment you can have! The whole staff of ulta having your tattoos? And then the second group are all these smoking hot strippers from the strip club! Which is the best advertisment too because they’re fun, and gorgeus, and you know obviously their bodies are displayed, and I swear, I actually credit a lot of my success to the trust those two groups of girls gave me in Pennsylvania because they let me have free rain and I wanted to put something beautiful on them, but without their trust, I mean it could’ve been years before I convinced people to let me experiment on them, so I kind of hit the jackpot with two really cool groups of people really early on and earned their trust and it kind of just snowballed from there.

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So do you have any long or short term goals that you would like to tell us about?

So I have a three year-old right now, so my short term girl goal is basically surviving haha, day to day survival has been my biggest challenge hahaha, we’re potty tring right now, its hard haha, but we have a lot of things in the future, my husband and I, mostly my husband, but I kind of jumped on and started helping him restoring a 100 year old church, a 100 year old historic church, and it has been years. It has been years of crazy renovations, the building is like 6000 ft.² and so it’s been wild, but that’s finally finished, we’re about to for the first time open our doors and bring on some more artists, and we just want to get more into like hosting events, and excursions, and seminars. We’re really inspired by what off the map used to do, and explore and everything, and so we kind of want to bring people together in a healthy educational way, not teaching people how to tattoo, but bringing tattooers together so we can all further our knowledge and help each other. So that’s the next thing. We’re also thinking about starting a religion. Which is serious, Are you guys familiar with Alex Gray? He’s the artist that did all the tool artwork, so Alex and Allison Gray have started and nonprofit and religion called the chapel of sacred mirrors, and it’s an art based religion, and so we have been trying to talk to them about doing basically like a branch of that where it’s like tattoo based where basically it’s like a ceremony what you’re putting into the skin, its like a sacred practice, and it’s real! Thats what tattooing started as, its bringing it back to its roots.

But, we’re like half joking, my husbands not joking, I think he’s serious, but we’ll see where it goes haha.

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We talked a little bit about this already, but how is it being a new Mom? It’s horrifying! Its really scary, I realize now that I have a toddler that I have never actually been like afraid before. I worry for him more than I’ve ever worried about myself or my own life and it’s fucking terrifying. Oh my God, I was not expecting to get pregnant. It was a total surprise, and yeah it’s crazy. He’s definitely the thing I have loved most, ever, ever, ever, handsdown, like more than anything, and everyone says that, but it took me a while, it was not love at first sight either haha. I hated having an infant, it was not for me hahaha, but I like slowly fell in love with him to the point now where like my life could never be the same, like he’s just so magnificent and incredible. And yeah, its just been a really cool journey.

And one more question, what are some hobbies that you enjoy doing other than tattooing and working?

I moved to Colorado to be with Arlo, and its definatly a healthier lifestyle, we hike a lot, we live out in the desert and it’s really cool, so we spend a lot of time in nature and stuff now. I love painting and art and stuff like that, I like cooking. I like movies, you know like normal comfort stuff, stuff that feels good.

Whats your favorite dish?

To cook?! So I make these really cool goat cheese and quinoa stuffed mini peppers, like bite size, and I wrap them in bacon and put in like chicken and spinach, they’re really good! I’m not good at baking or anything. Arlo and I just had our 4 year anniversary, and my entire relationship with Arlo I’ve seen that man cook 2 times, both times were bacon after 2am, and it was for himself! Bacon for himself at 2am, twice! In 4 years haha. One time he put an english muffin in the toaster and put some cream cheese on it and honey, and for like a week because he cooked we were calling him snack daddy. SNACK DADDY!! That was it though haha 69

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Art by Dave Koenig

hley & Jesse Smith prese s A n a y R nt

SCAN ME

October 18th -20th, 2024 RichmondTattooConvention.com

Hajun Ko

South Korea

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Artist-@ @juniism_ Interviewed by-@msellersink13

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You currently live in Korea are you born and raised there? Tell us a little about your self and what was it like growing up?

- I was born in Namyangju-si, South Korea, close to Seoul. I was a good student. From elementary school to middle school, I was a student who was studying in the local gifted class. Before entering high school, all my interest in studying suddenly began to disappear. So I looked up a lot to major in other fields except general study.

The last options left were music and art. I chose music because I can play many instruments, and I thought it suited me better than I thought. But it was hard for me to focus on the music entirely. I sometimes thought I had a concentration problem. Whenever I lost concentration, I drew like a hobby. As a result, I had more time to draw, and I thought I should buy an iPad and draw. So since I bought the iPad, I have had more time to draw than to do music. And Most of what I draw with my iPad was more like a tattoo design. ---> 79

Continued 1. --------> So I wanted to learn tattoo, so I started studying tattoo through YouTube in 2020. While learning tattoos, I have gained a lot of experience by practicing a lot on Fake Skin Pad, self-tattoo, and getting tattoos from my friends. But my parents wanted to go to university with music that I had been studying, and I went to university with tattoo work.

However, I stopped studying music after the first semester of 2022. As I quit music, I didn’t upload the works I did anywhere, and my pride in the works I made started to disappear. In order to focus more on the tattoo work that I have enjoyed, I start studying tattoo in detail. I used to do tattoo work on my acquaintances, so I worked without a studio or SNS account. I searched for tattoos and felt that the tattoo market in China and Taiwan was big, and my father’s job changed to Taiwan for a year. I followed my father to Taiwan to study Chinese, to learn about people who get tattoos, and to hear opinions about tattoos that many members of the public think about. However, I couldn’t tattoo work. because it was illegal to work one in Taiwan, and I will come back to Korea after 5 weeks of going to Taiwan. From then on, I started to create a tattoo SNS account and upload the photos I worked on, and I joined the studio where the most artists in Korea are using. At the recommendation of people in the studio, I went to conventions and became interested in other genres. The best thing was to go to the U.S. to feel a different tattoo culture from Korea. This is because I have longed for tattoo artists in the United States.

At what age did you start to get in to art?

I started doing art exactly in the summer of 2019. I became interested in art by painting for more than seven hours a day.

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How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?

I’ve been studying, work tattoos for more than three years. As mentioned above, I have been doing tattoo work with my acquaintances, and my desire for tattoo is increasing, and my interest in music is gradually disappearing, so I quit music and devoted myself to tattooing.

Since I devoted myself to tattooing, I have been active, going to the studio every day and going to conventions.

Recently, I wanted to work in the U.S., so I traveled to the U.S. for preliminary research while looking for an American artist visa. Thanks to that reason, I am currently preparing for an American artist visa, and I am committed to that preparation.

Your style looks like it goes from traditional “Japanese” to fine line, to minimalist realism? What are some of the styles you do and what got you into those certain styles?

In fact, the style that I’ve been most interested in lately is the Japanese style, Irezumi style. I can work on various genres such as color realism and black and gray because of my many experience, but I’ve been most interested in oriental and Japanese-related styles lately.

I like topics related to East Asia. One of the reasons is that I am a South Korean. But the most important reason is that I like working on the tattoo that I want to get. I want to have my whole body tattooed in a Japanese style, and I think those thoughts are driving my attention to that style. Of course, thanks to that, I can create a more detailed and neat design and a more complete design.

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You have won some awards in your career so far, tell us about that?

- I won an award at a tattoo convention called the ‘Tattoostar Awards’ held in the Sejong University Convention Hall in Seoul, South Korea, in 2023. It was my first convention. Nevertheless, I won 2nd place in the Fake Skin 2D Black category, won the Black Large category in the Model Contest. I also received a competition citation. So I’m planning to participate in many conventions and expos from 2024. I will also participate in the Inspire convention that will be held in Korea in February 2024.

Do you have any big plans for the near future?

- I’m currently preparing for an American artist visa. I’m preparing one by one with the help of the professional teams that I contracted with and the artists around me. This year’s goal is to be invited to a convention or expo as a judge.

If you could travel any where in the world to tattoo where would it be and why?

- I remember the United States where I went to do some research about my artist visa. Everyone recognized tattoo artists as artists doing art, and the public was filled with fond memories of tattoos. Artists I had a lot of conversations with also received consulting and teaching from me. Also, the friends I made in the U.S. want to get tattoos from me as soon as possible. I also want to go to the U.S., share a lot of information with artists, and make tattoo works that can satisfy many people.

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Proudly sponsored by:

9rukim Korea

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Artist-@9rukim Interviewed by-@msellersink13

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9rukim So, can you tell us and our readers a little about yourself? Where are you from? What was it like growing up?

I’m 9rukim from Korea. i like pictures I’m an ordinary person Do you remember when you started getting into art? And what made you decide to become a tattoo artist?

I’ve liked drawing since I was young. But my parents were against it. So I thought I should do what I want after graduating from high school.

So, after trying various things, I ended up getting a tattoo. But I fell in love with tattoos right away. If it was an opportunity, wouldn’t it have been the thought that I should make a living doing what I like?

How long have you been getting a tattoo and how was the trip?

It’s been about 7 years and not much has happened in Korea. So I was poor for about 5 years? It’s been getting better little by little since then!

What type of apprenticeship did you have to undertake? Was it a hard time or an easy modern time? fff It was a difficult time. But I was so happy during those times. Since there weren’t many customers, I practiced self-tattooing, and the number of tattoos was close to 10. I worked really hard for the two years since I started tattooing. If you do it again now, I don’t think you can do it. I think that time made me who I am today.

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Your style is very sleek and unique. Would you call it mostly black and gray abstract? What led you to the specific style you are best known for today and why?

I think style should always please me. I enjoy the process of using ideas. So, I try to design abstract subjects with realistic materials and create designs with good ideas. That’s why I often refer to the surrealist painting style. But like I said, the style has to make me happy, so I think I’ll probably change to a new, more enjoyable style soon.

I see you can do color injection and solid color tattoos too, have people ever asked you to do full color tattoos? Have you ever tried that? doesn’t exist. But I want to try it. You have to endure the pressure of starting from scratch. I want to try it someday!!

Who is your biggest inspiration in the art and tattoo industry?

I don’t know. Many people inspire me, but these days I don’t think there is anyone who inspires me. However, I think I am trying to repack many active workers and learn more about their mindset.

What are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?

Drawing was my hobby, but as it became a job, it became difficult to find a hobby. Still, I think drawing is my hobby. I do oil paintings and colored pencil drawings. And I like traveling with my wife. Traveling with my lovely wife revitalizes me.

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Jesse Smith invited us 247inkmag to attend the following show 2023 Richmond Tattoo & Arts festtival, and well it was one of the best shows that we have been to and yes we go to Alot!

From legends of the Tattoo industry like Good Time charlie, JD Crowe, Jessse Smith, Steve tefft, the master of darkness himself Paul Booth, And many many more artist.

OUTSIDE From live paintings, Street food and vendors, To the spca of Richmond showing off beautiful animals for a cause, It was hard not to find something to do while roaming the back lot.

Inside Live burlesque, Karaoka contest, Tattoo competitions, events for people of all ages including kids, The inside had plenty of main attractions! We found a booth that had preserved tattooed human skin, to a booth that sold teddie bears haha. There was plenty to see there at Richmond tattoo convention.

The host of the show Jesse Smith showed us nothing but love providing a room to conduct interviews, to always checking in on us when he had the time ( he was very very busy running the show). He showed his guest nothing but appreciation, and his attending vendors and artist the same.

We Loved the Richmond tattoo Convetion!

@sarahmillertattoo

@mrjamesvaughn

@parrychotipradit

@paulbooth @pammy_sellers

THE

YOUR TATTOO NEEDS POWERED BY PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS

Former Art teacher and professionally exhibited Artist, has been formulating natural skincare for the last 14 years.

Her knowledge of essential oils, butters and herbs has her taking a different approach to preserving tattoo art through Urban's Edge aftercare

VEGAN FORMULA

200MG

CBD

CITRUS SCENT

SWEET MINT SCENT

WOODSY SCENT

LAVENDER SCENT

UNSCENTED

ETHICALLY SOURCED BEESWAX

Reduces / Eliminates Dry, Peeling & Scabbed skin

Absorbs into the Skin / Non-greasy feel

Eliminates the Afterburn / Soothes the Skin

Breathable Protective layer for the wound

Restores / Retains Tattoo Vibrancy

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Eduardo I Argentina

Artist-@arteduardo33 Interviewed by-msellersink13 114

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So quickly going through your profile it seems like you are in the Argentina area? tell us a little bit about yourself where you are born and what was it like growing up?

Yes, I am currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since 2017.

My name is Eduardo Iglesias, I am 32 years old, I am from the coast of Venezuela, to be more exact from Puerto La Cruz state of Anzoátegui, since my childhood I felt an innate attraction for art, cultivating passions such as oil painting, drawings and graffiti. From a very young age I showed a lot of dexterity in the part of the drawing that was not very accepted by my family, but that did not stop me, I did it for a long time in secret, since my family wanted me to study another career far from art.

Can you remember what got you into tattooing?

Of course, it was in 2010 I don’t remember the exact date, at this time I had two friends who were starting in the world of tattooing and when I saw them they aroused a deep curiosity about this form of artistic expression, in just a few months I made the decision to buy my first tattoo machine, at that moment I remember telling a friend that he also pushed me to tattoo, to let me get a tattoo, where he told me to make him some poker cards, the first contact with the skin was something incredible, it can’t even be explained, I had found my passion and my place in the world to be able to express what was in my head.

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How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been?

I have 13 years tattooing, it is a path where perseverance and discipline are fundamental to be able to grow, also adding that you must believe a lot in yourself, since at the beginning of my career I ventured into various styles ranging from letters to more complex designs, it is a path in which we always have ups and downs, since artists are always self-critical and very unconformist, which becomes a whirlwind of emotions, bringing out the best version of each of us day by day!

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What is one of the most memorable moments in your career?

It can be said that for me, every moment of my career has been memorable, even the most difficult moments because they are the ones that have helped me continue to grow as an artist, but if I had to say a memorable moment it would be in 2022 where I toured Europe as a guest artist in different recognized studios, when I returned to Argentina I won my first international prize outside my native country, Venezuela, at the tattoo festival convention where I won the first place in full color, that same year I got the second full color at the spring tattoo festival, I had a recognition from Dgn magazine, recognizing myself as the most voted by the public, obtaining several sponsors that year, then I would say that 2022 was a memorable year Again going through your profile I’m going to say that you’re a black and grey, and color realism artist, What got you into that certain style?

It was in 2015, after having gone through several styles where I decided to lean more towards the realistic style, in 2016 I went to my first seminar on realism in black and gray dictated by master Axel López and in 2017 I attended my second seminar of realism in color dictated by the phenomenon of Yomico Moreno, both artists are great references for me, from that moment I understood how important it was to listen and see the way in which other artists show their point of view to express their art, thus giving the beginning of a search to find my own style. That today is more inclined to a mixture of color realism with free style, thus using a much brighter color palette and full of high contrast!

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What is one style you would not like to do and why?

I would say that the style of tattoos that I wouldn’t like to do would be handpoke because it doesn’t catch my attention at all and I feel like I would waste a lot of time Do you have any big plans for the New Years?

Of course, this year is full of great projects such as seminars, attending several conventions in Europe and the United States, attending as a guest in large studios, in addition to the fact that this year I want to frame my tattoo style much more so that just by seeing it, people know who I am!

Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?

Wow a complicated question since I have many artists who inspire me and I respect them a lot, some of them are Roberto Carlos Sánchez, Yomico Moreno, Simone Marchi, Ralf Nonweiler, Rich Harris, Darwin Henríquez, Pablo frías, Axel Lopez, I would give Pirojenko, Sergey Shanko and I could continue naming great of my references in the world of tattooing and in the world of art I have always been inspired by Armando Reveron, Salvador Dalí, Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch.

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Frankie USA

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Artist-@frankiesketch Interviewed by-@msellersink13

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You are currently located in Maryland, are you originally from there? tell us a little bit about yourself and what was it like growing up?

Yes. I was born and raised in Maryland and it was a blast. I’ve always had this thing for art – painting, drawing, you name it. If I wasn’t creating art I was immersing myself in the world of video games.

How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you? Did you have a tough apprenticeship or was it easy going?

I’ve been tattooing for about two years, and the journey has been incredible. My apprenticeship, though challenging, provided valuable lessons. Getting the hang of tattoo machines and adjusting to the discomfort clients may feel was tough, but overcoming those challenges has been a rewarding part of my artistic growth.

The style that looks like your most know for is color, surrealism, and whimsical, how did you get into those certains styles? did you pick your path or did it pick you?

My artistic style was heavily influenced by my love for cinema and animation. Tim Burton’s movies, the enchanting world of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and animated shows like “American Dad” and “Rick and Morty” have been significant inspirations. It feels like these styles chose me, drawing me into a captivating realm where imagination and vibrant colors come to life.

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Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?

Being part of the renowned Athens Tattoo Company is a constant inspiration. Working alongside seven talented artists in my studio fuels my creativity and boosts my confidence every day. I draw inspiration not only from the tattoo industry but also from various art mediums like painting, sculpting, and even origami, allowing me to explore diverse sources and enrich my artistic perspective.

Do you ever get to travel for work and if so where are some of your favorite locations and why?

I travel a few times a year for conventions, and one of my favorite locations is Wildwood, New Jersey. The convention center right on the beach offers a unique setting, and the euphoric sunsets create a memorable backdrop for my work.

What is one of the most memorable moment in your career?

One of the most memorable moments in my career was when a loyal client got a tattoo of a promotional sticker I created. The sticker was a parody featuring my face on the Manbearpig character from South Park. It’s moments like these that make me feel truly honored and appreciated in my craft.

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Do you have any big plans coming up for the new year?

In the new year, I’m excited to continue growing as an artist, eager to meet and learn from fellow artists. It’s all about embracing opportunities for creative expansion and connecting with fellow artists.

What do you like doing outside for fun? hobbies ect...

Outside of my artistic endeavors, I find joy in going for walks with my three adorable pugs. Additionally, I love spending time at a local skatepark, cruising around, and unwinding with friends. I am always creating a good balance between leisure and creative pursuits.

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Art by Dave Koenig

y & Jesse Smith pre e l h s A n a sent Ry

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October 18th -20th, 2024 RichmondTattooConvention.com

Diane Hurst 140

Model-@diane.hurst.model Photography-@danieljeffreystudios

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To our beloved friend Steve Azzara your legacy and hard work will be rememberd and continued through your magazine and memories. We all think about you everday until we meet again ol friend.

Rip Steve Azzara Owner/ Founder / Mfic