Issue #2 Verona by 247inkmag

Models!

Artists

Eric Andrade Big Tatty Kayne Lefty Joseph Jones Bear Marcelina S MORE INSIDE!!!!

Anastaisa Voodoo Kasey L Obsidian dreams (Jim O’conner)

And More!!!

The

Queen Of Pain Verona Fink ISSUE#2 AUG/SEPT

STAFF

Steve Azzara (RIP) President/Editor in Chief/MFIC Pamela Sellers Co owner/President/Writer Matt Sellers Writer/Creative director/Editor Chris Potts Promoter Cypress Bates Video Journalist/Writer

Contributors

Millz Marley Fame Montalvo Mike Johnston Concert/ Event Photography Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez Cover Model- @veronafink Cover Photographer-nataliekartistry

Special Thanks to...

Daniel Kearney, Lydia Bruno, Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez, Mark Lawrence, Pepe Carire, Tommy’s Supplies, New England Tattoo Expo, Villain Arts, Sellers Ink Tattoo, WildWood Sean Hightower, Walt Anderson, Battlefield Expo and anyone who we may have forgot.

Pro Team Lydia Bruno, Pammy Sellers, Pepe Carire, And Jimmy Dalessio

Table of contents Anastaisa-2 Marcelina Smokowska-10 Jacqueline K-25 Big Tatty Kayne-31 Verona Fink- 42 Eric Andrade-51 Bear-62 Kasey Lynne-75 Vladimir-81 Joseph Jones-91 VooDoo-103 Eastside Danger-109 Jim O’Connor-121 Lefty-133

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Anastasia Russia

Model- @supascorpy

Marcelina Smokowska

Poland

Interviewed By-msellersink13

@Marcelina_smokowska 10

You currently are working in Poland are you from there? Tell us a little bit about where you’re from and growing up? Yes , I’m coming from Poland also. I was growing up in a super small town, almost a village , surrounded by nature. My childhood was pretty nice, I had a chance to be around the animals I love, I was riding a horses for many years, spending my whole free time in forest. I was not a good student, in my head I was always somewhere else. I preferred to scribble in a notebook than be focused on what the teacher was saying. As a teenager… I was a terrible one. My parents gave their best for sure. It wasn’t always so colorful but I have to tell, every bad moment ,in some point helped me more to be in this art “state” I am right now.

What was your apprenticeship like and how long have you been tattooing for?

I always have a problem with a question about my tattooing years. Working regular, just as a tattooist it’s something about 6 years. I’d got my first machine a few years earlier, when I was still living in a village, but this was more just tattooing friends and people from my school, small tattoos, learning from my own mistakes. Even if this was not so long time ago, there was not so many info with tattoo knowledge in the internet as nowadays. Later , when I moved to the big city, I started to know people from the industry, who helped me to dig in more and more. I was still doing my “normal” job for some years and one day I just decided to leave it behind for real and take the risk to reach my dream. I was super lucky. I met good people on my patch, I had and still have a chance to learn from a really good artist. I am not an optimist person and I always have some doubts about my skills , but I am soooo lucky for all these guys who were kicking my ass to push me into my progress. I’m so sorry to be not so specific about my time line, but well , in Poland we say “happy person doesn’t count the time”. My memory is also pretty bad… :p anyway! From this spot I really want to say THANK YOU to Daria who was screaming at me to do a first tattoo on her wrist, on the desk in my room when I was crying and shaking like a chicken because I was so scared xxxx

Your style is really dark and “ spooky “, what got you into that style and drawings? What inspires you to make that art?

My mom is guilty! She showed me Beksiński’s paintings when I was a kid haha. Actually my dad also has something about it because he gave me a demo CD of rammstein when I was 7, I was crazy about it! With heavier music appeared this fascination about looking different than the others- also tattoos and body modifications. (Watch out what are you showing to your kids , huh ). Being older I was just grinding this diamond of oddity haha. Because of that I don’t have to look for inspirations because they’re coming to me with living my life. I love to look at the others tattoo art but I’m scared about this unconscious repeating patterns of someone else. For this moment on my instagram I’m watching more sweet animals than tattoos. Lately more I am more into sculpting my little puppets. I see that you have tattooed those very cool thorns on several clients is that just a subject you really like to draw or is it more like a signature? One day I had a customer with idea of thorns around her chest and back, like a necklace. It looked so beautiful on her , and I just fell in love how it works over the skin. That day I did the stencil but later I started to do freehands. I really enjoy drawing straight on the skin thinking about the anatomy. It’s so amazing there is so many people who want my thorns, I am really happy with every bigger composition like also with every small baby thorn filler :) 17

Do you ever travel or do guest spots? If so where are some of your favorite locations? Yes, I travel as much as I can. I really love the tattoo shop I’m working in right now so is getting harder to leave them for a longer time. There is some countries I would like to be at least one time in a year. I’m visiting places where its also something nice to see, like old architecture, cemeteries or beauty of nature. My top three for this moment is Reykjavik(Iceland), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Edinburg(scotland) so these places I want to visit more. I’m really open for guest spotting outside of Europe too someday. You also take great photos of objects and of yourself would you consider yourself a photographer and model? Or is that just for fun? Thank you! I’m not a photographer or model as well. I am just a person who watched some YouTube videos with basic knowledge and now I’m just pressing a button to catch the right moment. Sometimes on these photos there is nothing specific, sometimes is just more about how I feel in right moment. I have to tell This photoinsfagtam is more like my diary, more intimate. 19

I could be wrong but it looks like you have pet rats? If so tell us a little bit about them?

I can talk hours about them. My Friends and customers know something about it. I’m a rat mom like 5 years and I had 9 rats, for this moment I have just two. So as you can see, they don’t live too long. The best words to discribe that - rats are pets for masochist. They are so clever like mini dogs , they’re giving you so much love but in the end there is a moment when you have to pay for this love , the biggest price when they’re dying. Anyway, going back to more pleasant part , they are amazing company and it’s so interesting how different they are, like the character they have. Its so easy to get a bond with them

Who are some other tattoo artists that have inspired you in the industry? In the past I was pretty nerdy with tattooing and I would say probably now some huge surnames in the industry. And don’t take me wrong, I still really appreciate them, just my mind changed a bit and now what I understood that the biggest inspirations for me are the artists around me that I know and I see how hard they have to work. With time I realized , my inspirations in work doesn’t come just from the other tattooers because I can see now inspirations in people who does any creative job. They grow and stay all the time the same, good people with no filter and monkey brain because of the fame they got :)

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MODEL- @crackerjaxs photography-sophiarosephotographs 25

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Big Tatty Kayne USA

interview by @msellersink13

@bigtattykayne

Tell us a little bit about yourself, where your from how was life growing up?

My names Kayne, I’m 27 years old and I’m happiest when I’m with my kids or when I’m creating art. But I generally stay in a melancholic trance majority of the time. I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, mainly raised by my grandparents until the age of 11. My childhood was smooth, not too much to complain about. I love who I turned out to be, so no point in being bitter on my upbringing.

I discovered you from seeing your art, but also your nick name is fantastic, “Big tatty Kanye”, how did that become?

Yeah, Big Tatty Kayne.. 80s and 90s rap is a continuous for me, I feel like I’m the most efficient when I’m listening to that kind of music. “Big Daddy Kane” is the OG.. my buddy Joe Anderson (TatGunJoe) and I were talking one day and he said “you should really play off of Big Daddy Kane’s name and do Big Tatty Kayne” that was probably 2 years about now and I’ve kind of just stuck with it. When did you start getting into tattooing and what was your apprenticeship like? So a buddy of mine, his mom tattooed when we were kids, like elementary age kids. I remember staying at his house during elementary school and we’d sneak into her studio and take her old tattoo magazines and equipment books and try to redraw the flash that was probably an inch by and inch image. Id say that’s probably my first introduction to tattooing that I can remember and art has always been a passion of mine. In elementary I remember going on special art field trips that only a handful of students got selected to do each year.. by 16 I dropped out of high school, had a daughter and started working full time. I met this guy who was tattooing out of the crib and basically weaseled my way to his house everyday to learn from him. I was only 16 so I wasn’t going to get any legitimate education in tattooing, so I figured that this was the best route. By 18 I got into my first shop as an apprentice, stayed there for a little over a year, no tattooing yet. At 19 I got into another shop as an apprentice, this apprenticeship was a mental mindfuck full of sacrifices. 40 hour work week, financially supporting my now 3 year old daughter and 40+ hours a week at the shop.. at one point the shop had told me I wasn’t there enough, so for 8 months the most I saw my daughter was maybe 4 hours every other Sunday.. that was fucking tough. Dirt broke. Family telling me I should give up, I was pretty spent to be honest. Then at 20 I got into my third shop as an apprentice and that’s where I met Neil Reitan and this dude put on for your boy.. I mean I owe everything to him. Forever grateful. 35

When did you start getting into the New school style that seems to be your goto style? Is there a style you least like? During my apprenticeship at the first two shops I always aspired to be more of a black and grey, dark imagery kind of dude. All of my drawings were with graphite or charcoal and I felt like this translated the best.. then I met Neil and he fucked that all up for me.. after seeing the perspective warps and manipulation of shapes he was able to achieve I was hooked. All I studied after that was perspective, 2D and 3D shapes and the faces of those shapes, as well as new school or abstract artists. So right when I started tattooing in my apprenticeship is when I started to appreciate new school shit. There isn’t a style I don’t like, I just prefer and will encourage “new school” to my fullest ability because it gives me the most fulfillment, if that’s the right word? Where does your inspiration for your art come from? I have a lot that inspires me.. my biggest inspiration, my kids. The freedom and innocent actions they have.. when I’m drawing that “cartoony” stuff sometimes it makes me feel like a kid again and I hope that when people view it that it makes them feel young and innocent again. Do you ever travel for work and if so where are some on your favorite locations and why? I haven’t done a ton of traveling.. I’d like to be traveling more. I really enjoyed tattooing out East. Seemed like people really enjoyed my style of work out that way. 36

What do you like to do for fun outside of work? Hobbies ect… To be honest I don’t have a ton of hobbies anymore.. I killed a lot of that when I started tattooing, focused my efforts and my energy into being a dad and working on my art. Now I’m realizing that it probably wasn’t the healthiest thing to do, maybe a fight or flight response? I enjoy doing art.. I’d like to get back into playing basketball, maybe in a rec mens league? Eating good food is tight. I imagine having chickens would be pretty cool, something I’ve always wanted to do. But most of the time if I have extra time to do anything I throw a headset on and play video games… requires minimal to no brain function and I don’t have to think about anything other than the game. Where do you see yourself in 3 years? In three years where do I see myself.. spending more time with my kids, hopefully expressing myself through other hobbies not pertaining to tattooing, tattooing my style of work more exclusively, spending more time with my grandparents and other family members.. hopefully in my head less haha.

Verona Fink USA

Model- @veronafink Photography- nataliekartistry

Eric Andrade France

Interviewed by- @msellersink13 Artist- @erickandradeeee 51

I see your profile has the Brazil, American and France flags? Where are you from and tell us a little bit about your early life? Hello. I’m am Brazilian. I use to work in pennsylvania USA during the last 4 years and now I moved recently to Paris. I’m really enjoying this city. When did you start getting into tattooing? How long have you been tattooing for? This year I will complete 16 years as a professional tattoo artist. I had my own shop in Fortaleza, Brazil. I’m not a business man anymore. Just want to keep focused on my artwork. I see you do a lot of different styles of tattooing, what is your favorite style to tattoo and why? Traveling to different cities got me inspired in different ways. During the brasilian times I use to do more realistic and Biomech stuff. Then I had more contact to neotraditional style in the USA, and it was intense for me. Pure passion! That’s my favorite style now. But I do a lot of reforms and coverups. I love big challenges! I knew you worked in America and now you work is Paris, how is that going for you? Do you travel a lot for work? Working in the USA was really interesting. I had the opportunity to meet great artists that I admired my whole carrier. Learn more about traditional American tattoos was for real the biggest moment of that whole season. What was the most challenging tattoo you have ever done that you can remember? I really love tattoo conventions, and the most challenging moments is to finish big tattoos during those events, freehand arts or Collab pieces. The pressure, people watching, big eyes on you and all the network... I like to feel that energy. Sometimes tattoo studios are so boring! 54

What do you like to do for fun outside of work? Hobbies?

Away from the studios, I like to play guitar, drums and sing karaoke when I’m drunk haha. But I can’t keep so many days away from my biggest therapy: drawing .

Who are some artist that have inspired you in the industry? I like to search for new references/ inspirations for my arts every moment, and every month I have a new podium for then. Currently the chosen artista are Krish, William Volz, and Teresa Sharpe. Where do you see yourself in 3 years? My biggest plan for the next year is to show my artwork on conventions around the World. Europe tattoo conventions, I’m coming!

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Bear USA

Interviwed By - Pammy_sellers Artist-@tattoos_by_bear

1. I see you reside in Texas right now. Is that where you were born and raised? No, I was born in Deland,FL. I lived there for 5-7 years. My family was kind of broken up so I would say I’m mainly from Louisiana for I’ve spent most of my life there. I recently moved to Texas to work at Rebel Muse Tattoo Sudio in Lewisville, TX about a year ago almost. 2. I understand that your father is a tattoo artist as well, did you do your apprenticeship under him? So my father started tattooing in the 1993 time frame. He did have a lot of influence on me in my interest in tattooing. He had been tattooing my whole childhood. He did help me with tattooing, but the most credit to the actual act of starting my apprenticeship would have to go to my step-mom at the time. Her name is Lea Smith. She definitely taught me a lot of what I know now (foundation wise). I then took that and ran from there and pursued everything I could to get better. It has been a hard but rewarding journey. 3. You have a unique style of tattooing, is that something that you picked up from your father? Or did that style come naturally to you? So I initially started out as a black and grey/ black and grey realism artist. That was my first love. But I was actually influence but David Mushaney at my shop and always admired him and his work. I would definitely say I look up to him. But then I was at explorer conference, and they were talking about tattooing the ways you sketch. So one day I did that, and yes everything I do just comes naturally to me. I picked it up on my own. As for David, he has given me lots of tips and pointers, but this style has 100% been natural for me and I absolutely love doing it everyday.

4. In your bio it says that you started tattooing in the 9th grade, what was it like jumping in to this career at such a young age? So yes I actually started at the end of my 8th grade year. It was extremely fun and exciting. But it was very very hard to grow and experience new things. This industry is a very hard industry not to compare yourself in. I also was treated completely different than older tattoo artist, even when I was 17 with 3 years under my belt. I was working every day after school. Also I was working every weekend. It was a very busy time in my life and I did not have much of a childhood. I didn’t do any childhood things. I was at work when the shop was open, by choice. I think that everything I’ve achieved is a result in hard work and determination to make something out of myself.

5. Do you travel to conventions for work? If so, what do you enjoy most about them? And what are some of your favorite locations and events? I actually have never been to one and worked it. I have been to them, but I am actually going to Tattoo The Lou this year to work it. I actually have the support of an amazing shop and people do this. 6. Do you have a least favorite style to tattoo? I probably dislike tattooing blackouts and tribal tattoos the most.

7. Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo industry? Some of my inspirations in the tattoo industry are definitely more old school tattooers. I was raised and taught by and old school tattooer so it comes from that. Staring off, my dad. He definitely was my hero when it came to tattooing. Like I said before, he was who I looked up to all my life and I just thought he was the coolest person to walk the planet. I also look up to Bob Tyrell because of his black and grey skill set is intriguing to me. He very much understands black and grey. Bob definitely had an influence on how I tattoo, and I hope to meet him soon. Believe it or not, when I was 15 I made my instagram and the first person I ever followed was David Mushaney, and I would say he has been a pretty huge inspiration to me. I’ve gotten to know David on a more personal level and I’ve got to say, it is so inspiring to see someone still so motivated. He works hard every day and he is so professional when it comes to his craft. That in itself is amazing. Lyle Tuttle of course was a huge inspiration to me, just because of his roots and what they led to for tattooing as we know it. Mike Chambers, I met him recently, but his view on clients and the industry actually gave me so much relief to know there are other artists out there who care so much about what they do and what goes into that. He was a very knowledgeable and kind person. 8. What’s your favorite thing to do on your free time when you’re not at work? My favorite thing to do on my off time is drawing, playing video games or spending time with my wife. My wife has so much to do with my success it’s unbelievable. If there is anyone in the world who has believed in me, it is her 100%. She’s the reason I have the job I have now and she is and always been my biggest advocate. So if anyone ever learns anything from this, it is that my wife has been my key. I love her very much.

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Vladimir Austria

Interviewed by @msellersink13 Artist @kisakisenka 81

Tell us a little bit about where you’re from and what was it like growing up? I was born in a small town in Russia. My childhood was quite good; I was an active child curious about everything. As a child, I don’t remember having some special abilities and passion towards drawing. I drew just like other kids, but it wasn’t something special and unique then. Everything changed when I was a teenager. At some point it became really interesting to me, and I started drawing quite often.At the age of 16 I left my hometown for another city to study at an Art school where I spent 5 years and received the specialization of an Artist and an Art Teacher. That was an interesting period, though the learning process was kind of tough. There I got great skills and experience which I still use in my current practice. What made you get into tattooing? How was your apprenticeship?

After finishing Art school, I moved to the next city to enter the University and studied a course in Design for the next 6 years. This was when I got engaged in tattoo art. I was looking for ways to earn some money by combining my studies with a job. But no one would ever have an interest in a young Artist-Teacher then, and neither I wanted to go into a waiter’s job as I had an education and experience. Once one of my acquaintances called me and offered to visit his friend at a tattoo studio, which appeared to be not like those typical studios, but rather a small room of only 2sq. m. space. This is how I met my mentor, who eventually became my close friend, I would even call my elder brother. When I started working at the studio, we agreed that I would perform the tasks of an administrator and draw sketches for clients, there was no mention about tattoos. Eventually I started making tattoos on my own, and it got me there.

If you didn’t tattoo what would your next dream job be and why? If I wasn’t into tattoo art, I would definitely make paintings. And even though I do make them, unfortunately I do not spend as much time as I would love to. I love the old school of painting art. Those emotions and the solidarity with Nature which I feel while painting a scenery not from a photo, but exactly in the Nature, are difficult to express; I truly love those moments and enjoy every second. I am so glad to live in Austria now, there are so many wonderful places here, pure nature, the incredible Alps; it all motivates me to continue painting, and I do hope that in the future I will be able to be fully devoted to it. If you could tattoo anyone in the world who would it be and why? If I could choose for who to make tattoos, I wouldn’t be able to answer who that person was. Frankly speaking, I have never had an idol. Well there are some artists and people who inspire me, but that is not about their person, it’s a totally different thing for me. That’s why it is quite uneasy to answer this question. But if the answer is necessary, it should be a person with perfect skin for a perfect colored tattoo. I see your also a very good digital artist, do you enjoy doing that as much as tattooing? If choosing between digital and old school, I am still much closer to the second one, which in general, attracts me more than tattoo art. About a year ago I drastically changed my style; it wasn’t that easy to get over myself and start everything at the bottom, but the desire to change and try something new was stronger, so I did it. Your style is very unique, how did you get into that specific style? The idea of my style came suddenly, although some images existed before, they have formed quite recently. To talk about my style, I would like to start from the point that when the wave of first lockdown arrived, me and my friends from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus made a lot of interesting collaborations. All of us perform in different styles, so it was really amazing to combine these styles in our collaborations. I believe that each of those guys more or less influenced what I do today, and that’s a starting point. Also, I really like experiments with different techniques and styles, and it as well influenced what I am into now. One of the important things in my job is that I never prepare the sketch at home, I draw exactly in front of the client during the session, so it gives me an opportunity to do my own projects or study something new at home. That’s why I was looking for something that would allow me to draw much faster without any losses in quality and uniqueness, and save my signature in my works. As a base I used the tools of Polygonal design, abstract Calligraphy and something from Neo traditional tattoo art. For some people it may look really simple, but as the practice shows the simple things turn to be the most difficult ones from the technical point of view.

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Joseph Jones USA

Artist-ninetoestat2 Intervied by -@msellersink13

So you’re originally from Arizona, how was growing up there and what made you move to your current location? So funny story.... I was actually Made in Japan.... While my parents were stationed in Okinawa Air Force Base... I was born at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City Oklahoma. Spent a lot of my childhood in Southern California until middle school and that is when we moved to Arizona.... Where i lived for 20+ years. I made some bad choices in life..... Which led me to meeting my wife in a court mandated drug program... We have pretty much been inseperable since our first date. And we left everything behind to move across country and get custody of her daughter.... That is how I landed in my current location of Elkton Maryland! Tell us a little bit about your apprenticeship and how long have you been doing tattooing for? I have been tattooing full time for around 6 years. As far as apprenticeship..... When I was knocking on shop doors all around the Phoenix Metro area, I could not find anyone that was willing to give me a chance or the time of day as far as teaching me or letting me learn the art of tattooing. I have been into art and every medium I can learn my whole life. But instead of getting discouraged, I did what is frowned upon by most in the tattoo industry.... I taught myself on myself and fake skins, because I refused to be held back. I started from the bottom with nothing and no guidance. To bringing home 3 First Place awards at my first Tattoo Expo.... To winning the 2021 Award for Best Tattoo Studio in my county.... All because I had dreams and goals and I was determined to achieve them! You currently own your own private studio, how is that going and how did you come up with the name nine toes? I enjoy being my own boss. Operating a private studio for me is awesome because I can focus more on each and every client individually. I dont have random traffic and outside distractions while I am working with my clients which creates a more comfortable workspace for me. I like to establish a personal connection with my clients.... most become great friends and even like family over time. The name Ninetoes comes because I was diagnosed with a rare Giant Cell Bone Tumor that developed in my left pinky toe.... Which ended up having to be amputated from the foot

What’s your favorite parts about attending conventions and going to them? Do you plan on doing more conventions in the future? Attending conventions is awesome because it is great to be able to work while people can watch your techniques and styles up close and personal. I also love meeting great artists and making new friends.... Like Matt and Pammy Sellers from 247 Ink Mag! I also love going to bigger conventions to watch artists from all over the globe and see their techniques and styles of work and their process. I definately plan on attending and doing more conventions in the near future for sure! We see you do a lot of different styles, what would you say your favorite style is and why? I love doing different types and styles of tattoos.... I feel it provides growth as an artist. I am currently studying seminar courses with the WEMAKEARTISTS team out of Germany.... Studying lots of new processes and different styles. Currently I would say that I prefer Black and Grey creepy tattoos..... But my goal is to become comfortable with color realism..... But I do love doing bright and vibrant color tattoos as well! I see you’re a collector of horror and creepy Halloween masks, what made you start collecting them? And tell us a little bit about it. I do love my masks! I grew up on horror movies from a very young age. So I have always been a fan of horror. I would say my love for masks comes from some masks my dad used to have that he bought when stationed in other countries. I started collecting the horror pieces that I display now by trading artwork for masks with THE FACE OF HOLLYWOOD, a Chicago based mask maker... Then I started collecting from INFERNO EFFECTS and other sculptors from Canada and Europe! We see you like to Mountain bike and trail bike, tell us a little bit about that and what other hobbies do you have outside of work? Mountain biking is a great way to disconnect from the world and every day life.... It’s a great way to interact with nature and enjoy an exhilarating adrenaline rush in the process. My favorite is in the winter when they issue night riding permits for the trails.... I highly recommend anyone that rides to try riding at night! Aside from that.... I really enjoy shooting pool. I play a tournament every wednesday evening... But I do try to shoot whenever

i get the chance. It is a game that makes you smarter every time you play

Where do you see yourself in three years? Any big plans for yourself or nine toes? In three years I see some great things happening. As I write this I’m actually back in the Southwest in Arizona doing my first of many future planned guest spot tattoo trips! I have high hopes and big dreams... Possibly expanding my business and brand and creating something that other artists can be a part of! More guest spot travels.... More conventions..... And substantial growth of techniques and as an artist are included over the years to come! The only ways to go are up and forward and I really can’t wait to look back on this interview 3 years from now and see what changes have occurred! 100

It’s no hidden secret that you’re pretty well known for those bright pink crocs! How did you score that signature? Haha As far as the Hot Pink Crocs... Hot Pink is my favorite color. I hunted for Hot Pink Crocs for a very long time..... Literally the hardest shoe to find in a mens 11 Haha.... But pink is just kind of my thing. Most of my paintings etc... I use a lot of pink.... Its just a very beautiful and vibrant attention catching color and I love it! I usually like to play the game of “FIND THE HOT PINK CROCS FOR 100$ TATTOO DISCOUNT” when I’m out and about.... It is really fun for me and other people! So keep your eyes peeled! 101

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VooDoo

Model-@voodoo_dolllll Photographer-jeffcphotography 103

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EastSide Danger

Interviewed by @msellersink13 Artist-@bryanlpn.tattooer

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I see you work in a shop in Thailand and also Luxembourg, are you from one of those countries? And tell us and little bit about your upbringing. I’m a local boy from Chaingmai , I grew up in the Eastside of this world , Thailand is a tourist city and have many culture of asian, I have a many inspiration of these countries. At what age did you start getting into art? When I was young I like to paint and color cartoon books. When did you start tattooing and how has your journey been so far? I started tattooing around 2012 ,and yes is a long journey for me and I’m still finding the meaning of tattoo life. You have a very unique style, what category would you put it in? And did you choose that style or did it choose you? I think my style is neo-traditional in Asian / Thai character, I love to draw and learn about asian culture /local folklore and mythical creature , I very much enjoy it. Is there any tattoo styles that you want to do and why? At this moment I love asian-traditional , that’s a lot of many meaning and simple Who are some influences you have in the industry? The person who influenced me is a GOOD tattoo artist friend What do you like to do outside of work hobbies or for fun? I love to draw , hangout with friends and spend my life with my lady. What’s one thing you always wanted to do in life? Anything still finding some places in this world to make work-life-balance .

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V illain A rts.com 120

obsidiaN Jim O’conner

Dreams

Photographer-obsidiandreams Models@model_teabird @mimscreativeartistry @christina_polito @river.dreamweave @reet_brains 121

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Photographer-obsidiandreams Model-hellbentbabygirl

Photographer-@obsidiandreams Model-bittersweetgirlx 123

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Lefty USA

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Jayson David-Vattoly

Interviewed by @pammy_sellers Artist-yaboylefty

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1. How long have you been tattooing? And tell us a little bit about your journey, how did you get into it? Ect... I have been tattooing since 2015. Being a tattoo artist was honestly never a thought in my mind most my life. If I am gonna be real it was almost like an overnight interest after my friend showed me pictures and videos of modern tattooing and all the amazing art people are making out there with tattoos. Me always seeing crappy home tattoos, biker tattoos, and even some jail tattoos (all terrible), I always thought that’s just how tattoos looked like, so after seeing what artists were making out there in 2015, I just knew this was what I wanted to do 2. I see you are currently located in Florida, is that where you were born and raised? I wasn’t born in Florida but I was raised in Florida. I was born in New York but my family moved down when I was in 1st grade 3. You do a lot of anime and comic book style tattoos, when did you discover your love for that style? A few years into it. When I was younger I use to want to be a cartoonist which started with wanting to make comics to wanting to do animation for most of my life until high school when I wanted to be a game designer for about a year before I became interested in tattooing. A few years into tattooing was when I switched to doing mainly anime/manga and comic book style tattoos. 4. Do you enjoy traveling for work? As far as conventions and/or guest spots? And if so, what’s your favorite part about that? Absolutely. Traveling is one of my favorite things about this career and I plan to continue traveling more and more in the future, maybe even do a tattoo tour where I travel for a few months. My favorite part of traveling is definitely just seeing different cultures or just different scenery. It’s a nice change to leave the hometown and see stuff different from what you’re use to.

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5. Do you enjoy doing any other art mediums besides tattooing? Yes, I fairly recently got into making rugs which is the first time in a long time I found a medium I love just as much as tattooing. I also design clothing, I have been working on my own clothing brand on the side next to tattooing 6. What is one of the craziest moments or experiences you’ve had during your career? Oh jeez, where do I start? What story do I pick? One of the best expierences was traveling out to Iceland and st Kitts. Saw the northern lights in iceland and also met a tattoo artist that ended up being a close friend of mine now. Saw wild monkeys and cuttlefish in st Kitts as well as some of the best food I’ve eaten in my life. I’ve had some more crazy experiences but I’m not trying to have you all read 5 pages worth of stories hahaha

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7. Do you have any long or short term goals you’d like to tell us about? Other then the norm of owning my own tattoo shop someday, I do want to continue designing clothes and making merchandise that people love and continue to buy 8. What would be some advice you would give to a new and upcoming tattoo artist? Every bit of criticism you get, take it and use what was said to come out a better artist. I feel like that was a big thing that helped me during my apprenticeship, were the harsh words of other artists and them pointing out the flaws in my work let me know what I needed to work on. 9. What are some things you enjoy doing most when you’re not tattooing or making art? Honestly I just love to hangout with good company. Close friends and family. I also read a lot of manga on my free times, and if I’m not doing that then I’m playing video games. I don’t do to much in all honesty. Most I ever do is when I’m out traveling 132

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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