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- @Frankiefixation
Photographer-@glennprobst1
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
6.Brookelle Bombshelle
14. Damien
28.Anuskatzz
36.Pablo De Vivo
52.Take us to church!
60.Frankie fixation
66.Candace
70.Shelby
73.Kota
76.Brie
80.Tori
84.Voodoo
92.Locked up tattoo convention
114. Divine Intervention
128. Paul Booth’s Lobster Feast
You are currently located in Pennsylvania, are you originally from there, tell us a little bit about yourself and what was it like growing up?
I grew up poor in the south side of Pittsburgh. My parents made the best out of what we did have, made sure we had a good childhood. They gave me a solid foundation to build from and I’ll always be grateful for their lessons on life.
Did you have a tough apprenticeship or a pretty easy one? Tell us a little about it.
I never had an apprenticeship. It was 2004, nobody was trying to teach anybody. Artists weren’t willing to share their knowledge back then as freely as they do today. I tried to get apprenticeships, but I was getting doors slammed in my face. So, through trial and error I taught myself. By 2007 I was tattooing full time.
How long have you been a tattoo artist, and how has your journey been going for you?
I’ve been tattooing full-time since 2007. It’s been a slow climb. I never had the opportunity to work with anyone better than myself, to learn anything from.
You are known for you dark black and grey work, what got you into that certain style of tattooing?
I was always drawn to artists like Paul Booth, Freddy Negrete, and Jack Rudy. I loved the black and grey work that came out of Cali. I loved the smooth black and grey of Freddy Negrete. I was obsessed with the evil, dark, and textured work of Paul Booth.
Tell us about house of black tattooing?
This shop is just me and my wife. It’s just us there, working to create our brand. It’s a private, appointment only studio.
How do you balance being an artist and a family man?
I don’t view them as separate entities. One hand feeds the other.
Do you have big plans for the future?
I want to stay humble, continue to be teachable. I never want to be complacent. I hope to continue pushing our business and my work with integrity and purpose.
I see that you do a lot of work out of Livorno Italy, are you originally from there? Tell us a little bit about yourself and what was it like growing up?
Hi, yes I am born and raised in in Livorno Italy a small city on the seaside of Tuscany.
Livorno is a very strange place to live it has been founded by outlaws and pirates and you can still see those influence in people habits and costumes. I remember growing up seeing all kind of people with tattoos and this really changed me.
Can you remember what got you into art?
To be honest I don’t know what to say, I don’t know the reason but since I was a kid I have always been attracted to drawing so i began to grow interest in art and untill today I still search for new inspiration and other influences all around me
How long have you been a tattoo artist, and how has the journey been going for you?
I began tattooing in 2001 it was very different from nowadays I have been self instructed since then and opened my first studio in 2005.
The turning point of my career in certainly 2012 when I moved to Milan to work at Milano city ink where I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of good artist and improve myself. Nowadays i travel a lot for guest spots and convention all around the world, I really love the opportunity to partecipate to this event especially when they are well organized and promote originality and quality just like for example they do in Frankfurt at the gods of ink tattoo convention
You seem to do a lot of the Traditional styles from Japanese to American, tell us a little bit about your style of choice and what got you into that certain style of art and tattooing?
when I started tattooing back in 2001 I began with Japanese style and only a few years later I get myself into American traditional but I have always tried to give it a little twist to make it mine.
Is there any style of tattooing you dislike, And why?
To be honest there’s not a style that I don’t like if well executed but I prefer always very bald and powerful design that will last forever instead of those fine line tattoos that you see a lot in the last few years
Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?
There are a lot of tattooers that I like I don’t want to make a rank nowadays there’s a lot of very talented artist but I still prefer the old school if I can say Coil or rotary and why?
I began with coil and for practicality and portability I started using rotary machine and tattoo pen. I don’t have any preference I still jump from one to another it depends from the kind of job or effect that I want I to achieve and from the body part that I am tattooing
October 4-6 2024
The Salem Civil Center
The Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention
The 1st Annual Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention was held in April of 2024 at Kansas City Missouri’s historic Union Station Grand Plaza. This marked the first ever tattoo convention to be held in this venue. Hosted By Russ and Audrey Quinn, tattoo Artists and owners of Divine Tattoo Parlor, located in Kansas City Missouri and Divine Tattoo Parlor North, located in Kearney Missouri. Their primary focus was bringing a family friendly atmosphere where everyone can enjoy over the top entertainment and the best Tattoo Artists from not only Kansas City, but from all around the United States. A Tattoo Convention that is For Artists By Artists, with the emphasis being on catering to the Artists and providing an experience they will not soon forget. Something else that was of great importance to Russ and Audrey was supporting Kansas City as a whole and the fellow small business owners by providing unique Vendors, most of which were from right there in the heart of Kansas City. As tattoo Artists in the industry, Russ and Audrey are multi award winning Artists and have attended conventions all over the United States, with that being said they have heard and know first-hand what Artists likes and dislikes are, about these events, therefore prompting them to host one of their own.
So, what sets Divine Intervention apart from other shows? To start, each attending Artists was provided a complimentary, white linen buffet dinner and Artists only bar at Harvey’s, a well renowned restaurant inside Union Station that overlooked the venue, exclusive Artists pricing on lodging with direct access to the venue, Artists only deals on printing services for all advertising and branding needs, just to name a few! The jaw dropping entertainment, featuring incredible performances by Kansas City Aerial Arts and the one and only Dan Sperry Shock Illusionist who has been featured on AGT, and stages all over the world. Let’s not forget an appearance made by the world champions mascot K.C. Wolf himself.
Let’s get down to the most important piece that made the 1st Annual such a successful one, the ARTISTS! The Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention hosted a plethora of incredibly talented Artists this year, including Special Guest Artist Edward Best, better known as POCH, coming all the way from California, who also was an honorary guest judge. Three incredible Seminar holders, Bob Bitner, Danny Morgan, and Jerrod Vaughn who put their all into providing impeccable knowledge, wisdom and education on the artistry of this craft. With over 40 tattoo competition categories throughout the weekend, including best of day for both color and black & Grey, there is a variety of tattoo styles to be seen. A vast variety of attending Artists from all over come to not only compete, but to provide the public with one-of-a-kind art that is forever yours. Then of course the coveted Best in Show Color and Best In Show Black & Grey with a 1st Place CASH prize of $1000 and a 2nd Place CASH prize of $500! But that’s not all... each contest winner in all categories received an assortment of gifts from Divine Interventions incredible Sponsors, Tattoo Salve by Vaughn Ara and Rockabilly Ink Tattoo Supply.
1st Place Best in Show Color- Jerrod Vaughn
2nd Place Best in Show Color- Austin Campbell
1st Place Best in Show Black & Grey - Danny Morgan
2nd Place Best in Show Black and grey - Dre King
The Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention will be coming back bigger and better next year so SAVE THE DATE, April 11th – 13th, 2025 for all up to date information and event announcements follow them on their social media platforms: IG @divineinterventiontc
FB - The Divine Intervention Tattoo Convention
TikTok- divineinterventiontc
Booth applications and Pre-Sale tickets are on sale as of July 1st, 2024, on their website www.divineinterventiontattooconvention.com
Where do I start! How do I start?
We received a phone call from our friend Paul Booth, it’s something that happens every now and then so sure, So long story short Yes! Paul, we would love to go to your seafood feast and customer appreciation party.... Yes Paul, we can also help you cook... for how many guests? up to 30 no problem! Why not!
Okay so we hang up, we go to bed thinking about the awesome opportunity we just got our selfs in to, and then the nerves and anxiety kick in since we haven’t done many seafood boils, literally Maybe 3 total lol but it’s cool we have friends and I am no stranger to cooking. I figured that part would be okay.
Now I am getting nervous about finding that much seafood to please that many guests and the almighty Paul booth. Well over 30 pounds of delicious seafood later I find myself at Paul’s house, cooking away and having fantastic conversion with guests who have either known Paul for awhile and or have been tattooed by him, Amazing stories and great times.
Oh! forgot to mention because Paul is so thoughtful he had 30 fresh off a boat beautiful lobsters brought to his house.
The guests from rock stars to tattoo artists were in awe from the size of the final seafood boil and the massive amounts of steak, to the lobsters I personally steamed and prepared with my other friend and cooked. At this point the guests were having a few drinks and exchanging their amazing tattoo stories and experiences they have had with Paul and just having so much fun. It seemed like we have known each other for years yet it was the first time many of us were meeting.
From a bon fire, tasting Paul Booth’s new coffee and making burnt smores, to his mother’s birthday, this day couldn’t have gone any better than it did. Everyone, including ourselves, we’re very thankful of Paul’s hospitality. Thank you so much Paul Booth!!!
Antimicrobial Properties
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HYDRA
PIERCING & BODY MOD SALINE RINSE
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gentle on the skin to minimize irritation and discomfort, especially those with sensitive skin.
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Non-Irritating
hypoallergenic to ensure safety on a wide range of skin types
Inhibits Keyloid growth
enriched with tea tree essential oil for its proven ability to inhibit keloid formation, ensuring a smoother healing journey
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
