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- @cyd_the.kid
Photographer-@codyweberphoto
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 Staff
J luis-6
Diane H-20
Anthriller Montana-30
CYD-48
Russ & Audrey-57
Divine Angels-69
Ducky-78 Lana-94
Jean H-100
Ashley-114
FOAMING ORGANIC TATTOO WASH SAMURAI
Minimizes Inflammation and Swelling
Decreases Redness (Better Photo!)
Eliminates Afterburn Soothes Skin
Does Not Clog Artist’s Needle 5%
ARTIST NUMBING SALVE KAMIKAZE
Eliminates Needle Drag! Smooth Glide
Alleviates Pain for Longer Sessions
Tell us a little bit about yourself where are you from and what was it like growing up?
I’m J Luis SF, a professional tattoo artist based in New York City. I was born in Lima, Peru, where I was immersed in a vibrant culture of art and creativity during my upbringing. Though I initially pursued studies in gastronomy, my fascination with art led me to explore graphic design, eventually drawing me into tattoo world.
At what age did you start getting in to art?
I started diving into the world of art when I was around 26 years old. Despite not beginning at a younger age, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a dream. 26 might still be considered young, I know many colleagues who started much younger than I did. My journey highlights the idea that determination and passion can lead to remarkable achievements, regardless of when you begin
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been going for you? Did you have a rough or easy apprenticeship?
I’ve been tattooing professionally for about 10 years now, and the journey has been incredibly rewarding. My apprenticeship was a mix of both rough and easy moments. Like any craft, it had its challenges, but those challenges helped shape me into the artist I am today. Overall, it’s been a fulfilling journey filled with growth, learning, and passion for my craft.
You specialize in if im correct trad/ neotrad and fine line what got you in to those certain styles?
That’s correct! I specialize in traditional, neotraditional, and fine line tattooing. These styles really spoke to me because of their timeless appeal and versatility. Traditional and neotraditional styles have such rich history and symbolism, while fine line allows for intricate detail and a more delicate aesthetic. I love the challenge and creativity that each style brings, and they allow me to continually push the boundaries of my artistry.
Do you have any big plans coming up in the near future?
Absolutely! I’m always looking for new opportunities to grow and showcase my art. In the near future, I’m planning to participate in more tattoo conventions and events to continue sharing my work with a wider audience. I’m also exploring collaborations with other artists and I plan to seek out more guest spots at different tattoo studios across the United States. I’m eager to continue learning along the way.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?
In the tattoo and art industry, my biggest inspiration comes from the profound emotion of love itself. It’s not specific individuals, but rather the universal theme of love that fuels my creativity and passion for tattooing. Whether it’s capturing the love between partners, the love for oneself, or the love for a meaningful idea or cause, this sentiment serves as a constant source of inspiration in my work.
Do you ever travel for work and if so where are some of your favorite locations?
Absolutely! Traveling for work is one of the best parts of being a tattoo artist. One of my favorite destinations to work is my homeland, Peru. It’s always special to return and tattoo there. Additionally, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Mexico as a guest artist, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, I also love tattooing in New York, where I’m currently based. Each location brings its own unique energy and culture that inspires my work in different ways.
Proudly sponsored by:
THE YOUR TATTOO NEEDS
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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Jojoba Butter and Oils
Balances and Hydrates Skin
So tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, what was it like growing up?
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Seville, which is located in southern Spain. According to myth, the city of Seville was founded by Hercules, commonly associated with the Phoenician god Melqart, in a land the Greeks called Tartessos. Growing up in a background filled with incredible architecture, museums, sculptures, and artistic culture was priceless. My family has always been a great source of support and positive energy. Their love and encouragement have given me a solid foundation throughout my life, and I will always be grateful for that.
I have been passionate about drawing and creating things from a very young age. My curiosity has led me to explore various art forms, including sculpting, illustrating, graffiti, photography, videography, and more. During my time at art school, I became fascinated by tattoos, a unique expression of creativity and individuality, often with intricate designs and personal stories behind them. My love for tattoos has grown stronger, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me next.
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been going for you?
I discovered the art of tattooing ten years ago and started tattooing as a hobby.
I am self-taught and have worked hard to perfect my craft, but looking back, I would not recommend this approach to others who are interested in pursuing tattooing professionally. The best way to learn is through an apprenticeship under a skilled mentor. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside some incredibly talented tattoo artists worldwide, which has been invaluable. Constant exposure to different styles, techniques, and perspectives has allowed me to continue to learn and grow as an artist.
It looks like you specialize in black and grey, what got you in to that certain style? Did it pick you or did you pick it?
It happens like a happy accident; the path is made by walking. When I started this journey, I fell in love with the craft of tattooing, and I tried my hand at almost every style until I found my niche. As a self-taught artist, it was crucial for me to learn the basics. I am still as passionate about tattooing as ever, and I am eager to continue exploring new ways to express myself and learn new techniques.
You seem to travel a lot where are some of your favorite locations and why?
Traveling is an essential part of my life. It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite location because every place has something unique to offer, and discovering it is the most beautiful thing. However, my all-time favorite place to visit is where my family lives, which I consider my home. I believe that wherever you go, it becomes a part of who you are.
What are some of your biggest goals in the tattoo industry?
I have many aspirations in the tattoo industry, but helping others along the way would bring me even greater fulfillment. I aspire to use my humble knowledge to help those who are in a similar position I was in ten years ago.
Do you ever get asked to do full color tattoos?
As mentioned, I started with lettering tattoos due to my graffiti background. Shortly, I created my own designs and eventually transitioned to the New School style, which is recognized for sharp line work and vibrant colors.
I am 100% focused on black-and-grey compositions at this moment, but when it comes to my creative process, sometimes incorporating just the right amount of color can bring a piece a new level of interest and excitement. I strive to create compositions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also have strong character and visual impact.
I firmly believe in staying true to my values and principles, even if it requires me to step out of my comfort zone. I constantly strive to improve my skills and knowledge, pushing myself to reach new heights while staying true to my vision. Breaking down complex concepts into small, manageable steps helps me build a solid foundation and produce work that I am proud of.
@bossbabe_tattoos
Tell me a little bit about yourself, where are you from and what was it like growing up?
Russ and I both grew up in the northland of Kansas City, MO around the World’s of Fun area. We’re both Gen Xers, so growing up was a lot different than today, better if you ask us! Always outside, came home at dark.
Has long have you both been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you all?
I [Audrey] have only been tattooing for a little over 4 years. I started with the goal of doing permanent cosmetics, but my husband, Russ, started teaching me how to tattoo and that was that. It was like I unlocked a talent that I never knew I had and I excelled very quickly. I won my 1st award within my 1st year, as an apprentice, and have since become a multi award winning artist. It’s something I’ve become extremely passionate about and am looking forward to all the ways to consistently improve, grow and continue to push myself in my craft.
I [Russ] have been tattooing in KC for 28 years now..My journey,lol, has been wild, I started at a biker shop years ago, that’s all there was then, worked in a few over the last decade, owned 2 other shops myself prior to Divine. One in Blue Springs and one in the northland of KC. Pretty much where my KC shop is now. I was raised as a traditional artist my first decade, branched out to neotraditional and realism, lots of B&G over the years also.
many O.G. artists.
Most importantly I never stop learning , I’m always hungry, I’m always pushing myself, always asking questions and I stay teachable. I am a humble artist, love constructive criticism and learning new techniques..Ive got to pass my craft down to a few select people also and watching them grow is amazing.The journey is what you make it..
If I’m correct you all are married and own a tattoo shop together? If so how is that going for you all?
That is correct! We love what we do and the fact that we can do it together everyday! A lot of people ask us, “how can you work with your spouse everyday?” It’s pretty simple, when you share the same mindset, goals and aspirations, in not only business, but in life it makes things easy. We push each other everyday, to be the best that we can be!
This i believe is the first annual Divine Intervention tattoo convention? Please tell us and all the readers all about it and what to look forward to
Yes, this is our First Annual Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention, held at the historic Union Station’s Grand Plaza in Kansas City, MO. Not only have we comprised a list of attending artists from all over the U.S, this is a tattoo convention held BY artists FOR artists! We’ve attended conventions all over the U.S. and know what works and what doesn’t, what artists want and what they don’t, and we want to put on an Upscale, Classy, QUALITY convention like nobody has ever seen. Our primary purpose is to bring the top notch everybody and everything to our home, Kansas City Mo. We put a huge emphasis on Kansas City, although we have amazing artists from all over the US, our goal is to support KCMO! All of our vendors are local small businesses, with the addition of some larger companies. We plan on doing this every year, and our goal is anyways to raise the bar, in everything that we do!
@killintattoos
Do you all have any other big plans in the near or far future
All in all, we always have something cooking, or in the works. I think for now our focus is on always striving for improvement and success. Our plan is to use that focus on our two shops, this new convention journey and We have a large blended family! We have 6 kids in the house, 3 grown kids out of the house, 4 grandkids and we are very family oriented, another reason why we want our convention to be a family friendly environment. We know getting out of the house without your kids is damn near impossible. We are beyond blessed and excited for our future and whatever it brings.
Proudly sponsored by:
So you are currently located in Korea, are you originally born there? Tell us a little bit about yourself about what was it like growing up?
Hello, I am Kim Tae-ho who is getting a tattoo named Ducky in Korea. I was born and raised in Korea. I originally worked as a professional soccer goalkeeper. I started playing soccer in 2001 and continued my life as a soccer player for 18 years until 2018.
However, in 2018, he was injured during a game and that injury forced him to retire.
While thinking about what else to do after retirement, my brother Dino (Tattoo Artist) recommended me a tattoo artist.
Because of that, I was interested in a job as a tattoo artist, but when I saw the tattoo, I thought it was an attractive job in decorating and expressing myself in a unique way, so I decided to take a job as a tattoo artist.
At what age did you start getting in to art?
I started learning art in 2019 when I started getting tattoos. I started art at a late age. I didn’t have time to study other things because I only played soccer since I was young.
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?
I started learning tattoos in 2019. I think it’s been 6 years since I started tattooing. It was a little difficult because I started tattooing later than others. I was unfamiliar with other studies because I only exercised since I was young, but my life as a soccer player helped me a lot. I think I’ve always competed and had a habit of surviving, so I tried to work harder than others.
And I think it was fun.
Your style looks like American traditional, japanese traditional, and some neo trad, what do you call the style you are most known for? and what got you into that certain style?
When I first learned about tattoos, my brother Dino showed me that you would look good in traditional, and I fell in love with the charm of the genre called traditional, so I started studying the traditional genre. Originally, I was also interested in Orientalism, so I think I put a lot of traditional feelings into the style these days. Also, I felt the charm that I felt after seeing the American Traditional for the first time in a painting called Korean folk painting, so I thought that it would be more attractive to combine these two paintings. To name this genre, I would like to call it Oriental School that combines the East and the West.
Who are some of your biggest influences in the tattoo and art industry?
First of all, I think of my brother Dino, who recommended tattoos for me and always served as a guide in life. He is a person who always says good things when I have a hard time and guides me back to a good path when I am on a bad path. He is an artist who I am always grateful for and respect. And I think of King Kong, who taught me tattoos. He is my teacher who taught me tattoo skills and design, as well as how to live and think as a tattoo artist. Both of them are people who are indispensable in my tattoo life.
Do you ever travel for work and if so where are some of your favorite locations?
I really want to travel to many countries, but unfortunately I haven’t been to many. I’ve been there twice in total, once in Singapore and once in Hong Kong. Both are good countries. It was interesting to see the different interiors and atmospheres in each shop and country, and in both countries, the people in the stores treated me comfortably and the customers were nice.
I haven’t traveled to many countries yet, so it’s hard to pick a favorite place. I think both of them are my favorite places because they both leave me with such good memories.
Do you have any big plans for the in the near future?
I want to become a world-class tattoo artist. When I see my tattoo, I hope everyone will think that I’m a ducky tattoo artist.
I think that’s how much development and effort are needed. I want to go to conventions, experience different cultures, and develop into what I learn in them. Also, I want to carry out various projects and collaborate with companies. Finally, through that experience, I want to open a tattoo shop overseas.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
The first thing that comes to mind is that I worked on the entire upper body of one customer.
Due to the nature of the genre called traditional, I think the more various pictures are gathered, the more cool they are, and they seem to have shown the tattoo style that I am pursuing.
With those tattoos, I participated in the 2023 Inspire Korean Tattoo Convention and won the first place in the Traditional category.
Also, I met my wife now. Of course, I won first place in the convention and ran a tattoo shop, but I met my wife, a tattoo artist, because I got a tattoo
FOAMING ORGANIC TATTOO WASH SAMURAI
Minimizes Inflammation and Swelling
Decreases Redness (Better Photo!)
Eliminates Afterburn Soothes Skin
Does Not Clog Artist’s Needle 5%
ARTIST NUMBING SALVE KAMIKAZE
Eliminates Needle Drag! Smooth Glide
Alleviates Pain for Longer Sessions
Tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you from, and what was it like growing up?
I was born in a metropolitan region of Curitiba, Brazil. Since I was a child, I always liked to draw. It was my favorite pastime, but I didn’t have the support of my family to start in the artistic field earlier. I ended up working in other areas.
What was your apprenticeship like? Some people have very easy going ones and others learn under some tough people.
I got my first tattoo on my skin when I was 17 years old. I went to a tattoo artist that my mother recommended, and the result was a blackout some time later. But that was my first contact with tattooing. I got a few more tattoos after that and started to get interested in the profession.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist? and how long have you been tattooing for? How has your journey been?
When I was in my early twenties, I couldn’t find a job or a college that I liked. This gave me a very strong depression. During these psychological problems, I decided to buy a tattoo kit with a friend, and start as if it were a therapy, with no intention of becoming a tattoo artist until then. I believe this was in 2012, I have trouble with dates, haha.
I did my first tattoo on my thigh. I didn’t even know how to turn on the equipment properly. Today I understand that it was crazy. I posted it on Facebook at the time, and some people started asking me to do some tattoos too. We explained that we were just starting and asked for a symbolic value, just to buy ink and needles. I think that’s when it became a profession, but feeling the need to really understand what tattooing was, the materials and a correct application, I entered as an apprentice in a studio in downtown Curitiba, and that’s where my career began.
Your style is black and grey, but I do see some colors in your portfolio, which one do you like more? and what made you choose that certain style?
I started with fineline and watercolor, something more abstract. Together with the studio, we went to a convention in Joinville, SC, where I saw a work of a statue on the rib of a great Brazilian tattoo artist called Morbene. That was a turning point. I always drew black and gray when I was a child, I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of doing that in tattooing too.
Who are some of your biggest influences in the tattoo and art industry?
We went to a private studio with private service, I think it was 2019. And a short time later I started to evolve the results of the works, we won awards. But that was with a lot of study and dedication. I remember that at that time, and even today, a tattoo artist whose work I always admired was David Vega. He works in Austin, Texas. He would open lives tattooing and I would watch for hours. This helped a lot in the learning process, not only of portrait, but of black and gray.
Do you ever get to travel for work? If so , where are some of your favorite locations?
Now we have another daughter, and the desire to evolve my work is only increasing. I want to be a father that they can be proud of. In 2023 we started some guests in Europe, but due to health reasons we had to reschedule some. The month of September that I spent at Think Tattoo in Turin, Italy, was invigorating. I ended up making great friends and I miss being able to go back. This generated a great expectation for new guests in 2024. I hope to get back to traveling as soon as possible and start other tattoo styles this year.
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