Issue 7 Marz attacks

Skylar

Staff

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 Model- itz.marz_

Cover Photographer-milqutv Special Thanks to...

Daniel Kearney, Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez, Mark Lawrence, Pepe Carire, Tommy’s Supplies, New England Tattoo Expo, Sellers Ink Tattoo, Sean Hightower, Walt Anderson, Carnival of Ink, The Most famous studio, and anyone who we may have forgot.

Pro Team

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

Table of contents

Josh-58

Marz-70

Nikko-78

ARI-90

Fallon-123

Rafael-130

ALCOHOL FREE

THE YOUR TATTOO NEEDS

SAMURAI

FOAMING ORGANIC TATTOO WASH

MINIMIZES INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING

DECREASES REDNESS (BETTER PHOTO!)

ELIMINATES AFTERBURN SOOTHES SKIN

5% LIDOCAINE 380MG CBD

KAMIKAZE

ARTIST NUMBING SALVE

ELIMINATES NEEDLE DRAG! SMOOTH GLIDE

ALLEVIATES PAIN FOR LONGER SESSIONS

DOES NOT CLOG ARTIST’S NEEDLE

ARTIST INSTAGRAM: @401TATTOO

PRO TEAM ARTIST: JIMMY BISSETTE OWNER OF 401 TATTOO AND ANTIQUITIES

Skylar

So it looks like you work in Florida are you originally from there? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am currently based out of Palm Beach Florida , I moved to Florida in 2007 from Albany New York so I guess now I am an honorary Floridian. I moved to Palm Beach in 2014 to attend Florida Atlantic University and got my bachelors in fine arts with a concentration in printmaking. In 2016 I was in my junior year of college and began my apprenticeship the second week of the school year. From that point on I worked 5 days a week at the tattoo shop and 2 days a week i was at school for 10-12 hour days. I’m glad that part of my tattoo journey is over and I can put all my focus into my career!

You have been working at the golden gecko since 2017 did you start your career there? How has your tattooing journey been so far for you?

So I completed my apprenticeship in 2017 and have been super lucky to work with and meet so many different artists. The Golden Gecko has been my home since January of 2022. I feel so grateful that I have the support I do from my family, friends, and clients who have encouraged me to develop my style and give me the freedom develop and progress as I have. I would love to start traveling more and experience tattooing more outside Florida.

Your style is really cool from animals being morphed and mixed with food to new school style glitter tattoos, what got you into these particular styles?

The snake food morphs, particularly the cupsnakes, started it all. My boyfriend Josh had a collection of snakes when we first started dating and he would always tell me when he was cleaning their tanks how weird it was how they chose to curl up in the water bowls. When he took the little noodles out to show me I immediately said they looked like cupcakes and the obsession started.

Skylar

What are some other styles you really like to do and or look at?

I really appreciate illustrative art and anything with bold line work. A very large pillar of my education in printmaking as well as tattooing was focus on line work and use of lines.

Honestly lately I have been fascinated with watching different sculpture videos and cake decorating videos, I love seeing how things are put together and the layers involved in different projects to reach a final product.

So it looks like in 2018 you were diagnosed with bipolar 2 and also have been working on your weight and from our point of view you’re doing amazing, can you tell us a little bit about living with bipolar?

In 2018 I had a mental health crisis that actually put me out of work for about a month. That month was pretty rough trying to get my mental health in order when all I would focus on was when I could get back to tattooing. Getting on my medications and removing myself from an abusive relationship I was in was the best thing I had done for myself in a long time. Now it’s coming up on 5 years since then and I try to be open about my mental health and past struggles so maybe it can help others going through similar problems and show that it can get better.

Currently I am working toward improving my physical health and some of the weight I have gained from my medications but altogether am feeling good. I still have days where it’s harder for me to focus than others but I try to use my boosts in energy and motivation to get myself as ahead as I can release some of the pressure of my lows.

You have a lot of crazy awesome art projects are they forsale and if so tell us and the readers about some of your art projects and where can we find and buy them?

Thank you ! Currently I am working on a bunch of jack-o-lantern cutout paintings and monster pies . I’m working on building up a stock of them and will work on selling them eventually! I started making these side projects as stress relief projects just for fun so it was a shock to me when followers started asking if they were for sale. I will be working on a platform to sell more pieces so anyone interested can keep an eye out on my instagram @skylar_rose_art

It appears that you are a snake mom how many do you own?

No noodles of my own presently! I am a crazy bird lady! We have Kiwi (the golden child) the green cheek conure, Peaches (the demon) the goffins cockatoo, and a cat named Birdie.

So tell us a little bit about yourself. Where were you born and raised? Ect..

I was born and raised in Connecticut and still live in Connecticut today.

At what age did you discover your passion for art?

Growing up I remember being exposed to art from my great uncle who was a phenomenal painter. We would often draw together and I thought it was amazing how he could convey ideas into pictures on paper. Eventually I discovered comic books and was blown away by the illustrations. I used to try to redraw the pictures and wanted to be a comic artist when I grew up. I’m not sure what the exact age was that I discovered my passion for art, but I like to say it was since I was able to hold a crayon.

How long have you been tattooing? And tell us about how you got into it

I have been tattooing for 14 years. I actually got into tattooing as a bit of an accidental joke. It all happened when a Tattooer that I had been friends with was tattooing me and I told him if he got tired I would take over. He said he would let me tattoo myself if I wanted, but it had to be on my ankle in case it came out like crap. Haha that way I could cover it with my sock. I tattooed the classic “mom” in a heart since my moms 40th birthday was the next day. The second I started the tattoo I knew it’s what I wanted to do as a career. Sometime after that I began my apprenticeship.

I see you specialize in new school tattoos, at what point in your career did you discover your passion for that style?

My teenage years were focused heavily on graffiti and comic art. When I drew for fun in my middle school and high school notebooks I would I would always draw in a newschool style. This was before I even knew what newschool was. Eventually I saw some newschool pieces in magazines and knew that’s how I wanted to tattoo. It was nice to know that my goofy fun drawings could actually be translated into tattoos.

You also do a lot of graffiti art and murals, tell us about that.

Graffiti has been a huge part of my life. I was always attracted to the flow of the letters and contrast of colors. I started using spray paint towards the end of high school, but I got serious about painting graffiti in 2006. I would walk train tracks with friends all day looking to find secluded walls to paint. Eventually I had a portfolio and was able to get permission walls to paint as well as a bunch of paid jobs. It’s definitely been an amazing outlet for me and something I will continue to do as long as I can.

What shop are you currently working out of? And how do you like it there?

I currently work at a private studio in Newington Connecticut called Cardinal Tattoo. I absolutely love it! It has definitely been the best studio environment for me to work in to date. We are not listed or open to the general public so it is easy to focus on tattooing without any distractions.

Do you travel to conventions for work? If so, what is your favorite part about them?

I do still travel to conventions occasionally, but I cut back on travel a lot over the years. It’s become more convenient to stay in the comfort of my studio. When I do travel I enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones. It’s always a plus to be able to get a good group of people together after the show and have downtime to talk. It’s also nice to check out new cities or places I’ve never been and experience something new.

What other hobbies do you enjoy doing outside of work?

As we talked about before I really enjoy graffiti as an outlet for myself. When I’m at home I love hanging out with my dog Enzo and playing drums.

Voo Doo

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

VEGAN FORMULA

WOODSY SCENT LAVENDER SCENT UNSCENTED SWEET MINT SCENT CITRUS SCENT ETHICAL LY SOURCED BEESWAX

Reduces / Eliminates Dry, Peeling & Scabbed skin

Breathable Protective layer for the wound

Absorbs into the Skin / Non-greasy feel

Restores / Retains

Tattoo Vibrancy

Eliminates the Afterburn / Soothes the Skin

Jojoba Butter and Oils

Balances and Hydrates

Skin

Josh

Tell us a little bit about yourself, where were you born and raised and what was it like growing up?

I was born and raised in Manawa WI. Small town. My parents grew up there. Everybody knows everybody type stuff. I was always kind of the odd ball and the friend of the underdog. Hunting and fishing was and still is a big part of my life coming up. Sports as well. I played football, wrestled and golf. Art was always a big part of my life. I was that kid that drew on his homework and was doodling when I was supposed to be paying attention. High school was tough for me. I made it tough. In and out of trouble. Always under the eye of the community for that and as my parents owned and still own a steakhouse there in town. Where I cooked and waited tables and washed dishes. Recently after taking a 7 year hiatus so to say from the area I’ve recently been going back to visit and mending old broken bridges and have been surprised with the positive feedback from the community.

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

I have been tattooing 10 years come September. Tattooing has definitely been a wild ride. Between living the rockstar lifestyle in the beginning of my career to where I’m at now and more concerned about my work and family. Tattooing has definitely been a tool to pull me out of some dark spaces and essentially saved me from myself. It’s always changing and growing and with that I try to keep up and do what I can to always learn more. As I always say… if you think you’ve made it and you can’t learn anything more… you should probably quit.

It seems like you pretty much tattoo in any style, what is your favorite style to work with and why?

Yes I enjoy most e wry style or will at least attempt it. I thoroughly enjoy tattooing portraits of animals and people and mixing surrealism within my designs if possible.

Josh

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

I would say Joe Campobianco, Niko Hurtado, Steve Butcher and Phil Garcia are some of my biggest influences in tattooing. As for in the art world in general my absolute favorite artist would be Salvador Dali.

So you were in a bad accident recently if I’m correct? Did you want to tell us a little bit about that and how did it affect your job?

Yes I was in a motorcycle wreck november 7th 2021. Back tire blew out in my at 75mph and I got highsided and thrown to the pavement at about 65 mph. No helmet. Tore all the ligaments in my clavicle. Lots of road rash. Split all my fingers wide open. My shoulder I haven’t been able to have the suregery needed for it so that hurts still everyday but I manage. It kept me out of work a few months and recovery was slow. However I’m back full force at it and still riding and a new harley.

What’s your favorite convention you goto and why?

My favorite convention by far to date is always the Carnival Of Ink. I am sponsored by the show and I love the group of artists that attend tat particular show/shows. It’s one big family and I love we all travel from all over and compete against eachother and still strive to teach eachother and can have a great time together.

So tell us a little bit about yourself where you’re from and what was it like growing up?

Hey. Name is nikko but mostly go by Jelllysquids. Im 27 started tattooing later in life I’m 5 years in now. I’m from mobile al originally. Growing up there was ok I was never much of a fan of the place most the locals never leave and have small town mentality.

What was your apprenticeship like did you have a hard or easy one?

My first apprenticeship was a joke at a rundown shop in mobile al called medusas. But luckily my main mentor chelsea huges worked with a convention travel team and she got me in with them. I would say that changed a lot for me because being around higher level artist all over the US and getting to pick there brains and learn way more then if I had stayed in the first shop

How long have you been tattooing for?

How has the journey been for you so far? I’ll hit 5 years in July And the journey has been a wild one for sure. I deff think I was insanly lucky with all the opportunities I was given to travel and learn from so many amazing artist and doing some guestspots that would help me level up my work every time. This is my childhood dream job so I’m loving the journey so far.

We see you focus on Neo traditional style art and tattoos what got you into that particular style?

I love the more illustrative work and super bright vibrant colors. I feel like there’s more freedom with it. Like the freedom to play with sizing and your pallet. Also I love line work. Nice thick outlines but tiny details to make an image pop

Is there any style you prefer not to do and why?

I am not the bigges fan of realism but mostly portraits. I feel like if I can’t draw a face perfect on paper I’m not even gonna try to do it as a tattoo

So you like to travel a lot where are some of your favorite locations to go to?

In the states. I enjoy going to Seattle Montana or Colorado the mountains are just so pretty there. Outside of the states. Japan and Switzerland

Do you have any big plans for the rest of the year?

Yea I’m trying to grow my personal brand and art stuff like good quality banners, stickers , shirts and my coloring books. And I’m aiming for some over seas guestspots to help grow my name more and learn from some amazing artist

Tattoo artist-@romantattoos

Photographer-@pixelgurlphotography

Photographer-@officialjohnfawkes

WES

You are currently located in north Carolina, is that where you were born and raised? And how was it growing up there?

Carolina born and raised in the city of Charlotte. Life as a kid was pretty rad I was adopted at a young age and giving a life much better than i was born into, Ill leave it at that.

How long have you been tattooing? And tell us a little bit about your story and how you got into it

I’ve been tattooing since 2010 which was my dream since the age 8 when I discovered the old tattoo flash,Easyriders, and tattoo magazines in my uncles bathrooms as a kid back in the early 90’s which I stole and hae in my station at the shop to this day.

You do a lot of traditional style tattoos, at what point in your career did you discover your passion for that style?

Traditional tattooing just makes sense bold, colorful flat designs with a cartoony look is what I seen growing up my family comes from 1%er world and all of them are very decorated with 80’s spaulding and rodgers designs with a splash of cherry creek so those are the things I drew as a kid coming up I’m not limited to that style but thats what you get with my designs.

I see you travel to a lot of tattoo conventions for work, what are some of your favorite things about the conventions? And what are some of your favorite locations to travel to?

Tattooing conventions to me is a weekend of fellowship with my brothers and sisters that live the same lifestyle as me. You get to meet so many different walks of life who tell a story with the wonderful art of tattooing plus I get to tattoo along side some of the best in the business. Its allowed me to meet so many tattooers I’ve looked up too my whole career. I find myself doing more shows up north like Philly, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and one of my favorite shows The great appalachian tatoo show in Hagerstown MD.

WES

Do you have a least favorite style to tattoo? And if so why?

My least favorite style of tattooing has to be realistic tattoos the ole photo copy method LOL I’m not really a fan of that style just a recreation making shapes and shades of the family pet or a portrait somthing I dont wanna be responsible for fucking up, plus I just love tattoos that look like tattoos that are built to last.

Who are some of your biggest influences in the tattoo industry?

Some of my biggest influences in tattooing are, Norman Collins, Bert Grimm, Amund Dietzel, Lyle Tuttle, Mildred Hull, and that Shaws.

Tell us about one of your most memorable moments or experiences in your career

Two years into tattooing December 2012 I survived traumatic brain aneurysm from methamphetamine overdose leaving me hospitalized and left me thinking I would never do anything ever again I took a year off to get my function back in order I began to tattoo again and sobered up which led to focusing on my kids and being the best person I could be for myself and them. Flash forward to now I’m an award winning artist who travels the states makng cool tattoos for tons of people.

What are some other hobbies you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of tattooing I co-own Salt and Pepper apparel with my beautiful wife Nya. I paint tattoo flash daily and run up and down the highway taking my three kids to little league games AAU basketball school funtions and whatever other mischief we can find making memories every step of the way.

Artist Spotlight!

Artist-@artofpaulhicks

Artist-artofjerad

Artist-@carlsanderstattoo

Artist-@darryldarko629

Artist-@mark.warwick.1612

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

VEGAN FORMULA

WOODSY SCENT LAVENDER SCENT UNSCENTED SWEET MINT SCENT CITRUS SCENT ETHICAL LY SOURCED BEESWAX

Reduces / Eliminates Dry, Peeling & Scabbed skin

Breathable Protective layer for the wound

Absorbs into the Skin / Non-greasy feel

Restores / Retains

Tattoo Vibrancy

Eliminates the Afterburn / Soothes the Skin

Jojoba Butter and Oils

Balances and Hydrates

Skin

Rafael

Are you born and raised in Brazil? tell us a little about yourself?

Yes, born and raised in São Paulo. Most of my family are still in Brazil so I go back every year or two to visit. I live in Cardiff, South Wales now after spending many years travelling around, eventually ending up in a great shop which is essentially now my “base”, the shop I love to come back to after guesting in other shops.

How long have you been in the tattoo industry? how has the journey been for you so far?

I’ve been a tattoo artist for 14 years. To be honest, I can’t complain. I’m doing what I love, meeting amazing people and seeing amazing places. And I know this journey isn’t close to the end. I’m super thankful and lucky to be a tattoo artist

your style seems be like black and grey traditional if i’m correct, what got you into that certain style?

Yes, I would say black traditional. I started doing new school, totally opposite of what I’m doing now because new school is full of colours with dynamic proportions and designs, but in 2019 I started painting some black flash sheets and after a few black trad tattoos, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

who are some of your biggest inspirations? tattoo world and art world?

Ben Cordey, Mildred Hull, Don Ed Hardy, Bert Grimm, Lyle Tuttle, Maud Wagner, Amund Dietzel, Jonathan Shaw, Huck Spaulding, George Burchett , Sailor Vern, Sailor Jerry, Owen Jensen are all huge inspirations to me.

do you ever travel for work? if so where are some of your favorite locations to go to?

I travelled for a few years in a row and after visiting some great places, I got a few favourite ones: Edinburgh/Scotland ,Saint gallen/Switzerland , Mannheim/Germany

what are some hobbies you have outside or work? what do you like to do for fun?

I paint a lot, play video games and watch anime. Love to go out for some good food and play some pool.

Do you have any big plans for the rest of the year?

Attending conventions and keep guesting in great shops in Europe and The UK

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.

Steve Azzara Owner/ Founder / Mfic