Issue No. 66

ACHZIGER DESIGN X KEITH SELLE EL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

Unlocking the Manson Family Secrets

Tattoo Artist

Marko Stamenkovic The Evolution of Todd “Dammit” Kerns

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Tattoo Artist: Marko Stamenkovic

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Kaat Monroe 22 Achziger Design x Keith Selle El Dia de los Muertos

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Lea Von Dämon 44 Unlocking the Manson Family Secrets

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The Evolution of Todd "Dammit" Kerns

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Than Nguyen 64 In an Accident? 76 Eight Tips to Protect Your Rights!

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Editor-in-Chief - Candies Deezy Liu Creative Director - Sean Hartgrove Art Director - David Rossa Features Writer: Simone Jane European Editor - Ákos Bánfalvi Staff Photographers - Radek Photography & Billy Ward

Tattoo Artist: Marko Stamenkovic Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi Kaat Monroe Words: Irena Murphy Photos: Sean Hartgrove El Día de los Muertos Collaboration Words: Simone Jane Art: Achziger Design Photos: Keith Selle Lea Von Dämon Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi Photos: Jonathan Nicholas Crescent Photography Unlocking the Manson Family Secrets Words: Simone Jane Photos courtesy of: Deborah Herman The Evolution of Todd “Dammit” Kerns Words: Simone Jane Photos: Lady Lea Photography & Adrian O’Brien Tran Nguyen Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi Photos: Lanny Nguyen In an Accident? Eight Tips to Protect Your Rights!

Words: Scott O’Sullivan, The O’Sullivan Law Firm Cover: “In Bloom” by Achziger Design

Advertising info: info@InkSpiredMagazine.com

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The Day of the Day is a holiday that originated in Mexico that celebrates the remembrance of deceased friends and family. Also known as El Día de los Muertos, it is a celebration of life that has become widely observed in other parts of the world as well as tattoo culture. The brightly colored sugar skulls that are often associated with this holiday have become imagery largely popularized in alternative culture. This year, the Mexican holiday begins on October 31st (coincidentally Halloween for the United States) and ends on November 2nd. In this special edition of InkSpired, we explore the collaboration between Achziger Design and Keith Selle with Día de los Muertos imagery.

This month’s art cover titled, “In Bloom” is a representation of Matt Achziger’s journey in overcoming the death of his daughter. “The skull represents death, the flowers represent rebirth, the woman represents finding yourself, and the bird represents embracing the future,” Achziger reveals.

In an exclusive interview with Deborah Herman, we reveal the unlocking of the Manson family secrets. Deborah cowrote Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties with Manson’s ex-girlfriend and youngest member of his family, Dianne Lake. The poignant and disturbing memoir chronicles her experiences

and life as one of “Charlie’s girls” of lost innocence, coercion, survival, and escape revealing never before seen insights into one of the twentieth century’s most notorious criminals.

Her riveting story written into words documents her healing in the aftermath.

Marko Stamenkovic graces our tattoo artist section this month. As a versatile tattooer, his art transcends various styles including brightly colored cartoons, black and grey, portraits, hyperrealism, and more. Growing up in an artistic family with constant exposure to art history books and art supplies has turned him into the well rounded tattoo artist he is today. Since his first encounter with tattoo art when he was in high school, Marko knew it was what he wanted to pursue.

With another month dedicated to the exploration of the evolution of tattoo culture and lifestyle ahead, I ask you, “what ‘InkSpires’ you?”

Signed, Candies Deezy Liu, Editor-in-Chief

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InkSpot - What “InkSpires” You? “My past emotions, experiences, and connections with others ‘InkSpired’ my tattoos. It’s the memories of the artists, the conversations, and the feelings at that particular time that make them special.” -Ada Lee “Sharing of modern art.” -@evo_ama “A memory of my dad. We spent 40 years separated and have been reunited 14 years ago. He bought me a Group of Seven painting replica I must have inked on me. To remember the 40 years lost.” -@nedbud “A picture speaks a thousand words.” -@kishenkk “‘InkSpired’ to me means a few things. As an artist, it means to adorn my body with beautiful art that tells my story. It also means inspiration. Inked people are usually the most kind people.

They all have their stories. They know what it’s like to be judged unnecessarily, most times by non-inked people. So they have ‘InkSpired’ me to judge no one.” -@plf_987 “To me it means community. When people are so different from one another and can share the same passion, I feel more connected to humanity.” -Aric Amore Follow us on Instagram at @InkSpiredMagazine and leave a comment telling us what being ‘InkSpired’ means to you for a chance to be featured in InkSpot in a future issue!

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MARKO STAMENKOVIC Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi

“I MOSTLY LIKE TO DO MY ART ON OTHER TATTOO ARTISTS BECAUSE THEY RESPECT ME AND MY WORK WHILE GIVING ME COMPLETE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT I WANT.”

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When you were young, did you think you would grow up to become an artist or work in the artistic field? Do you remember drawing and creating a lot as a child?

Yes, of course. I grow up in an artistic family, so I continuously had contact with art history books, pencils, brushes, and colors.

When did you know that you wanted to be a tattoo artist and what were those first steps you took to learn the craft?

The first time I encountered this kind of art was in high school. I met with a local tattoo artist, I showed him my drawings, and he invited me to his tattoo shop. I was their first artist who could do biomechanical drawings and made my own designs on paper based on tattoos I saw in tattoo magazines. Back in those days, good artists and tattoos weren’t as available as they are today with easy access to the internet and social media.

Can you tell us more about your shop, what it’s like working there, and what a typical day is like there?

Well, my shop is called Tattoo Factory Belgrade, and when we started with the shop it was so small that we almost didn’t have a place for two of us. That was four years ago, but today it is a different story because we are slowly growing the shop and now there are six of us: Nenad (tattoo artist), Ivan Ekser (tattoo artist), Filip (tattoo artist), Djordje (tattoo artist), Kristina (piercer) and me. This tattoo studio is more of a walk-in place because it’s in the center of the city, but a lot of realistic work is done here too. We see ourselves as more of a family than a boss/worker relationship, and the atmosphere here is very nice and chill.

Are you concentrated on your studio only or do you do guest spots as well?

I continuously make guest spots in a couple of studios around Europe, such as Art Faktors Tattoo Studio (Essen, Germany), Tattoo Art (Karlsruhe, Germany), Tattoo Studio Nadelwerk (Wels, Austria), and in MG Tattoo Studio (Skoplje, Macedonia). But most of the time I work in my own studio Tattoo Factory in Belgrade, Serbia with my crew.

Describe how you go about creating a tattoo from concept to finished design, as well as how you try to put your own unique touch on your tattoos.

I do most of my designs in Photoshop. I finished art school so I have great experience with Photoshop. I’m

"THE FIRST TIME I ENCOUNTERED THIS KIND OF ART WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL."

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a professional with this program and make designs very easily. My unique touches I do with freehand because it’s important that the tattoo is big enough so it looks nice.

This allows me to follow the structure of the muscles and body.

What was the first tattoo you ever did? Have you always worked in the same general style?

My first tattoo I did on myself. I was so afraid and didn’t know what I was doing, but I wanted to try it on somebody. I figured if I wanted to grow up as a tattoo artist, my body had to be my practice skin.

You are an incredible artist. How did your professional tattoo art journey lead you in this direction?

Thanks for the compliment! Well, I have had a lot of growing up and fails in my life but it’s all what makes you stronger and give you more power to grow up and become successful.

Describe how your role models and any other sources of inspiration have affected your tattoo style.

When I discovered MySpace back then, I saw for the first time artists like Nikko Hurtado, Joshua Carlton, Victor Portugal, and a few other artists, and I couldn’t believe that tattoos could look like that. I was used to only seeing tattoos in magazines and it was not even one-third of the quality of what those guys are capable of. From then on, the first thing I do when I wake up is look in my phone to see what my favorite artists are doing and try to figure out how they make their tattoos so amazing, what needles they use, and how to get to their level myself.

What’s one of your favorite pieces that you’ve tattooed on someone else?

The last piece is always the best, but I mostly like to do my art on other tattoo artists because they respect me and my work while giving me complete freedom to do what I want.

What is your favorite thing about being a tattoo artist?

The best are conventions! I absolutely love them, learning from other colleagues, meeting with amazing artists, and having fun speaking with them. www.Facebook.com/markotattoo2 www.Facebook.com/tattoofactorybg Instagram: @markotattooll

"MY FIRST TATTOO I DID ON MYSELF. I WAS SO AFRAID AND DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING, BUT I WANTED TO TRY IT ON SOMEBODY." 10

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KAAT MONROE Interview: Irena Murphy

Photography: Sean Hartgrove When most people think about where they made their best friends, it’s probably at school, work, or maybe church. But Kaat Monroe has made some of her best friends being a cam girl—an unlikely place for sure. The disconnection to performers that traditional viewing methods have is blurred with the advent of web streaming. People have direct access to real people and dare I say, possibly, a real connection.

An argument can be made that not all people are voyeurs to online camgirl shows. Some people cross the line of simply being a fan and give real support. Emotional encouragement and a connection that can be turned into adornment and appreciation may make some fans genuinely want to see you do well, in life and online.

Kaat went from working an array of normal jobs but nothing seemed to fit. She was not making much, living in a bad area and was usually stressed out. Never feeling motivated or energized by a job, she says that now that she’s doing cam work, she can’t imagine doing anything else. She describes it as an introvert’s dream. Now she is nestled in her condo in a prestigious area of downtown Vancouver.

Her black and grey half sleeve of a bookcase with a human brain and a raven skull holding a bookmark in its claws mirrors the actual bookcases overflowing she chooses to surround herself with at home.

A quote permanently placed on her body reads, “The real purpose of books is to trap the mind into doing its own thinking.” Doing her own thinking about being a cam model would float around in her head for three years before she’d try it out for herself. Her tattoos would become a talking piece and an easier way to break the ice and help fans find a way to connect.

HER TATTOOS WOULD BECOME A TALKING PIECE AND AN EASIER WAY TO BREAK THE ICE AND HELP FANS FIND A WAY TO CONNECT. 22

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As a self-proclaimed book and comics nerd, Kaat grew up a shy and very inward person. She says, “a lot of things scared me. And I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence. This job has given me so much self-confidence and really taught me how to love myself. And I’m also learning about other people. I didn’t expect fans to make me feel like I’m apart of a community.” A social aspect that was unexpected but welcomed.

Being a webcam performer is the reality TV of the adult film industry.

Murmurs of people complaining about how cam is taking over the porn industry reflect the same worries that actors have in mainstream television. Except in this world, performers like Kaat control their reality shows. Business is built on keeping a schedule, organizing, marketing, personality, focusing on ranking and engagement and ultimately progressing at getting better at what they do. Cam girls can make a lot of money and have a lot of control. Two key factors that appeal to anyone no matter what business you’re in. Reality TV is here to stay and so are live streaming cam performers.

Twitter:@kaatmonroe Instagram: @kaatmonroemfc

AS A SELFPROCLAIMED BOOK AND COMICS NERD, KAAT GREW UP A SHY AND VERY INWARD PERSON.

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ACHZIGER DESIGN X KEITH SELLE EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Words: Simone Jane The collaboration of Matt Achziger, one of Colorado’s most talented evolving artists, with cutting edge photographer Keith Selle, is a match made in heaven.

The hot, steamy, sexy imagery of Keith’s photos, combined with Matt’s graphic artist finishes are uniquely gorgeous. The collaboration is featured on 7 foot embellished canvases. Their upcoming and debut show featuring art honoring the Day of the Dead cannot be missed. The show will be at the Tattoo Convention in the Denver National Western Complex, October 28th30th 11 am to 9 pm and then another event at The Paranormal Palace on Halloween.

Matt has always wanted to mix the genre of photography and art and he finally had the chance when he reached out to Keith. “I was attracted to the style, glamour, and choice of models in Keith’s photography, I was magnetized to it,” Matt expressed, “and the second I got a canvas of one of his photos, I instantly knew the pieces of a puzzle fell into place.” Matt uses his art as the compass of his heart. It helps to keep him focused and moves him forward.

“Day of the Dead art is very special because the meaning of El Día de los Muertos pays tribute to your departed ancestors and the fallen,” Matt explains, “It is a very sacred holiday in Mexico.” On the Day of the Dead, the boundaries between life and death begin to blur. When Matt takes an appearance of a woman and creates the imagery of death in her face, he is trying to pay homage to the artists who invented and originated the style. “I mix graffiti in with the traditional Day of the Dead art,” Matt points out, “and I believe I am the only artist that does that.”

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“DAY OF THE DEAD ART IS VERY SPECIAL BECAUSE THE MEANING OF EL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS PAYS TRIBUTE TO YOUR DEPARTED ANCESTORS AND THE FALLEN.”

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LEA VON DÄMON Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi

Photography: Jonathan Nicholas Crescent Photography Lea Von Dämon was born and raised in Rochester, New York but spent her winters with family in Florida almost every year since she was a baby.

As a child, Lea was very into art and anime. That led her to attend local art and anime conventions in her town. After attending several conventions, she started to work with a local photographer helping them with their photo shoots and learning the industry. Shortly after this Lea started taking both film and digital photography classes and digital imaging classes to explore her talents. She also began making her own cosplay costumes.

As time went on, I would submit my art to local galleries and events, continue working as an apprentice for a local photographer, and making more elaborate costumes. This ended up leading to people becoming more and more interested in my work, but not in the way that I had imagined. I ended up having more and more photographers that would reach out to work with me as a model outside of being in cosplay. I was pretty excited to start gaining modeling experience, to learn the industry, and to work with others that share my passion. It felt good to get some serious modeling experience under my belt, and it was during that time period that I decided to take the leap and move to St. Petersburg, Florida to further my career and better off my life. Since moving to Florida, I have since been featured in over forty publications to date, including multiple international and global magazines, and online features by Playboy and Cosmopolitan. As my modeling business grew, I couldn’t help but have a part of me miss my photography. So I decided to take another leap of faith and get back into photography, and divide all of my time into my two passions. I find beauty in everything, you just have to know where to look. And that is what I want my photography to do for people, to make them see the beauty, to make the viewer feel something. From models, events, products, fashion, landscapes, pets, to family photos, and more. I love it all because I love the people and products I have the pleasure of working with. Whether it’s in front of the lens or behind it.

How you were “discovered” and how did your modeling career begin?

I actually got started through being a photographer’s assistant and cosplaying! Girls wouldn’t show up, and more and more people kept asking me to model.

How would you describe your personal style? Where do you pull your inspiration from?

My personal style is whatever I find in my closet that day. And generally always black. I’ve never really been into matching a style or look. I just know what I like and throw it on.

Sometimes I surprise myself!

What’s the best and worst thing about being a model?

The best thing would have to be all the people I get to meet.

But it can also be the worst thing. I love being able to meet so many amazing people and see their ink and hear their stories. But in the same note, this is not an easy industry, people are very cut throat and cold. You have to be the kind of person who will take a bullet for someone one minute and the next minute that person you just saved is now shooting you.

My best advice would be to keep your head up, have high blinders on and just GO.

“ALL OF MY TATTOOS HAVE SOME KIND OF MEANING OR REASON BEHIND THEM. OF COURSE, I ALSO LOVE JUST THE OVERALL LOOK OF TATTOOS. BUT FOR ME, I REALLY LOVE THE STORIES BEHIND THEM...”

Talk us through how you go about choosing your tattoos. What messages do they have, if any?

All of my tattoos have some kind of meaning or reason behind them. Of course, I also love just the overall look of tattoos. But for me, I really love the stories behind them. I would be here all day trying to explain every tattoo I have and want. But I have a tendency to have a thing for natural balance, yin and yang. Maybe that’s the Libra in me.

Is there anywhere on your body you wouldn’t get tattooed?

I don’t think I will ever tattoo my face or the center of my chest. I don’t know why but I have no plans for these areas.

How do you stay in shape?

I currently do a mix of cardio, weights, and what I would call good old outdoor exercising.

Some key staples pieces a woman should own in her wardrobe?

Bikinis, lingerie and in black… Always black!

Heels that are colorful! I love the pop of color.

And a good pair of wedges!

"MY PERSONAL STYLE IS WHATEVER I FIND IN MY CLOSET THAT DAY. AND GENERALLY ALWAYS BLACK." What tips would you give girls wanting to come into modeling at your level? What struggles have you encountered in modeling and how have you handled it?

There is no easy way. Unless you don’t have to worry about bills or any living expenses. This is a lot of very hard work. Starting off, you need to get a portfolio together and start submitting to agencies. If you prefer to do everything yourself, stay freelance. Agencies will get you bookings and magazine spreads. Freelance, you do absolutely everything yourself. I personally did 100% freelance for a very long time. Most girls at the very least invest in a manager. But I kept at it, never gave up and am now also a part of a few agencies as well as still doing my own bookings. There is a lot more to this industry besides having a pretty face and nice ink. If you want this to be your job, like it is for me and so many other girls, then you have to treat yourself as a business.

Take posing and business classes. Work your ass off.

And like I said in the beginning unless you don’t have to worry about living expenses, you have to do all of this while still working a normal job, going to school, being a mom, whatever the case may be. So never knock a model because they may end up being your nurse at the hospital. Or maybe your child’s teacher. These are the last women you want to piss off.

Five things you can’t live without?

My vape, more tattoos, green tea frappes, my dogs/fur children: Niko and Luka, and my main squeeze @Zzips www.leavondamon.com www.Facebook.com/leavondamon Instagram: @leavondamon

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UNLOCKING THE MANSON FAMILY SECRETS Words: Simone Jane

Photography: Photos courtesy of Deborah Herman Deborah Herman dreamed of being a lawyer since she was ten years old. “I was in my first year of law school but it wasn’t what I thought it would be like, I found it stressful and very uncreative,” Deborah recalled, “my brother was an amateur comedian and I would go to the comedy club and be his official laugher.” The owner of the club saw her hanging around and offered her a job, albeit unpaid, writing interviews and personality profiles for a free entertainment magazine. “I really liked it,” Deborah said, “I would get comped tickets and started having some status in the community.”

Deborah was inspired to enroll in literary journalism as a dual degree after uncovering a startling family secret. Her grandfather had been a notorious gangster. Her father felt it could have had a negative effect on the family but it was just the opposite. “All I could think of was what a great story for a book,” Deborah said.

Once Deborah graduated law from school, she practiced as a trial lawyer for a few years then started writing books. She wrote several, including a true crime, a few law books that were reviewed as self-help, and a parenting book that were all well reviewed, but still in the back of Deborah’s mind was always the idea of doing her family story. However, that project would have to wait, for something serendipitous was about to happen.

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Dianne in front of Tex Watson’s truck - one of Manson’s followers who carried out the murders. It still sits there.

Deborah and Dianne

“I WAS ALWAYS FASCINATED WITH THE MANSON CASE, ESPECIALLY THE BURGEONING RELIGIOUS CULTS.”

“I was always fascinated with the Manson case,” she explained, "especially the burgeoning religious cults.” She began doing research on the Manson family by picking up Jeff Guinn’s book, Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson. Deborah also started to watch all of the old films about Manson including Helter Skelter. The other convergence was the article that Deborah had written that is in every one of her husband, Jeff’s books entitled, The Writer’s Journey, The Path of the Spiritual Messenger. The article remains unchanged every year the book is republished. “It gets different responses,” Deborah explained, “some people would wonder why it was in there, and others would send me fan mail.”

Then the unexpected happened, this email came through the submissions department: “I am Dianne Lake, formerly known as ‘Snake’ of the Manson family girls. I have an incredible story that I would like to share with the world. I have written my experiences with the Manson family and how I came to live with them at the age of 14 to 16 years old and the consequences of that life. Now at 63, I am finally able to share this story of coming of age in the throes of drugs, sex, rock ‘n’ roll, and murder. I have been incredibly blessed, protected, and loved during my life then and now through what I can only attribute to being God’s grace. I have achieved a successful happy life as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, as well as a special education specialist with a Master’s degree. I have managed to live in Southern California my whole life with only a few people finding me, another example of God’s grace.

Because of the heightened interest in all things Manson, the release

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Remains of Barker Ranch

Member of the Family book cover

of Emma Cline’s book, The Girls, Leslie Van Houten’s recommendation for parole and Dateline’s recent segment that they wanted to interview me for (I declined because of writing this book) I think that the time is right to get it completed.

I chose you from your 2015 guidebook primarily because I loved what Deborah wrote about the Writer’s Journey and the Path of the Spiritual Messenger.

Please contact me if interested in helping me share my story with the right people.”

“Of course I wanted to help share her story,” Deborah exclaimed. “What an unexpected beautiful thing to happen? Two worlds come together at just the right time.” She had the intention of representing Dianne and the book, but after meeting her and reading the skeletal outline she had written, she asked if she could work with her. “We really hit it off,” Deborah laughs, “I mean we became besties. We even coined the term ‘Coblaborator.’”

At first, Dianne was completely disconnected from the material. “I would gently prod her because I knew what a responsibility it was to take someone through their deepest trauma,” Deborah explained. The first interviews were almost as if Dianne was flatlined. “I am intuitive, compassionate, and I have great empathy but I am not a counselor,” Deborah said, “I made her reassure me she was seeing a therapist during this difficult process.” She continued, “We took a deep, dark, and potentially dangerous journey together through one’s psyche.” Dianne and Deborah quickly got to know and trust each other to the point where they were finishing each other’s sentences. They unpacked the story slowly and had these epiphanies about what certain experiences meant to the bigger picture and how she wound up with Manson and how she was able to escape.

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DIANNE AND DEBORAH QUICKLY GOT TO KNOW AND TRUST EACH OTHER TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE FINISHING EACH OTHER’S SENTENCES.

Ballarat trade post - another place where Manson family would hang out. Photo courtesy of: Deborah Herman

Landmark where the Manson family would hang out. Photo courtesy of: Deborah Herman

“I MADE HER REASSURE ME SHE WAS SEEING A THERAPIST DURING THIS DIFFICULT PROCESS.” SHE CONTINUED, “WE TOOK A DEEP, DARK, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS JOURNEY TOGETHER THROUGH ONE’S PSYCHE.”

Deborah and her husband took a trip out to California to visit some of the sites with Dianne that she had been to with Charlie and the family. One of the places was Barker Ranch, a very isolated site in Death Valley built as a hideaway. The only place near it that could even be called civilization was a little town called Ballarat, now officially a ghost town. Tex Watson’s truck is still parked right at the outskirts. “I went inside the shed behind the ranch, in this God-forsaken place, where Dianne had contemplated suicide,” Deborah recounted, “it really helped me as her collaborator to get inside her experience and get inside her head.”

After the research was finished, Deborah was able to sit down and write the manuscript, and with the help of her editor, she was able to pace the story. “At this point, I was able to show Dianne the book,” Deborah recalled. When Dianne said to me, ‘you have done a masterful job,’ and when she read the ending and cried, it was one of the best days of my life.”

Deborah had perfectly captured Dianne’s story in her voice and through that experience had helped her to heal. Now it has opened a door to a long overdue project, the telling of Deborah’s family story. A good gangster tale is hard to resist and Deborah can’t wait to tell the story.

Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties is available where books are sold.

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THE EVOLUTION OF TODD "DAMMIT" KERNS Words: Simone Jane

Photography: Lady Lea Photography & Adrian O’Brien

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“IT IS FUNNY NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, THE IDEA OF PLAYING MUSIC WAS ALWAYS PART OF THE DEAL,”

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“I NEVER REALLY MOVED TO VEGAS, I JUST FOUND MYSELF IN VEGAS.”

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Todd “Dammit” Kerns grew up never wanting to be anything but a musician. “It is funny now that I think about it, the idea of playing music was always part of the deal,” Todd says. The first instrument he learned was the acoustic guitar, then on to the electric. He picked up the bass guitar next when he realized that no one else wanted to be the bass player. They all wanted to fill the other spots as the singer, guitar player or drummer. “The bass player always seemed to be the afterthought and I had a bass,” Todd recalls, “and it is what got me all of the gigs initially.”

Everything artistic leads to the next creative project, starting with Todd’s high school bands, and then after graduation hopping into a van to go on the road. Then there was the first serious venture. “There were actually two sets of brothers in The Age of Electric,” Todd recalls, “we got a deal out of New York, literally kids from small-town Canada, we just made enough noise.”

As soon as they got enough traction, however, personalities clashed and the band imploded. “The next record would have probably been the pivotal move for us, but it just became unbearable and we just split off,” Todd explains. The next band had two of Todd’s brothers in it called Static in Stereo. They had one self-titled record before Todd decided to take some time off to produce records in Vancouver, BC. He put out a solo record in 2004. “I found that releasing that solo record was therapeutic for me, stepping out on my own,” Todd says.

A Las Vegas move came up around 2006.

Todd had friends there that were recording and there were a lot of transplanted Canadians. “I never really moved to Vegas,” Todd noted, “I just found myself in Vegas.”

He had been floating around Vegas for three years and had put together a band called The Sin City Sinners that kept him occupied. It was 2010 when he received the Slash call.

Slash had hired a drummer named Brent Fitz, who was an old friend of Todd’s. The band already had a line-up and had started rehearsing but apparently, it wasn’t working out with the current bass player. “I got a call asking if I could be there at noon to jam,” Todd laughs, “I said, ‘sure sounds like fun!’”

Vegas being a destination place, The Sin City Sinners had been jamming with the likes of Sammy Hager and Alice Cooper.

“They are all coming and sitting in with our band on stage, it became a thing that we did, stepping on stage with almost anybody so the idea of jamming with Slash was basically what I do but on a bigger level,” Todd explains. So he drove down to LA to jam.

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Todd grew up on Guns N’ Roses’ music. There was no need to prepare. “I know every song, I can play it on guitar, bass, drums, and I can sing it,” Todd acknowledged. “I knew I was as qualified to do it as anyone else they could find, it was in my DNA. I remember playing “Night Train,” and it was never like welcome to the band, a gold watch and a handshake, we just immediately started talking about the schedule,” Todd says. That was in 2010, and fast forward to 2018 and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators are still going strong.

Todd got his first tattoo in his late teens, the word love in Japanese on his back in Calgary at a shop called the Smiling Buddha. “It started kind of small, and I decided to put it on my back in case it was a terrible mistake,” Todd laughed. Dirk Vermin, one of Todd’s favorite people and favorite artists tattooed four King playing cards on his arm held by a skeleton hand representing the 4 men in the Kern family, and a classic heart representing his Mom. Her name is Patricia and it says, Patty. “Dirk is such a Vegas personality and he has done a lot of my tattoos at his shop, Pussycat Tattoo. Todd also has the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe tattooed on his left arm and the devil version on his right arm. His family is largely Catholic but he doesn’t practice, it was more of a nod to his Grandmother who was devout. “I liked the imagery more than anything,” Todd explains, “and having this Virgin Mary on one side and this Betty Page version on the other is kind of like the dichotomy of life. How good and evil is everywhere.” He also has the opening lyrics to Jumpin’ Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones, “I was born in a crossfire hurricane…” It’s Todd’s favorite song of all time. “It is the first song I ever remember hearing. At the time it seemed so dark and heavy,” Todd recalls, “It seemed so dangerous, but listening to it now it is just a fun pop song.”

Todd has just been inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame Starwalk. He is in good company, along with fellow inductees Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, and Diana Krall. The stars are on Granville Street in Vancouver BC. Ironically, when Age of Electric first moved to Vancouver in 1991, they would stay on Granville Street, which back then was kind of seedy. “I have walked that street a gazillion times,” Todd exclaimed, “To think that the stars would end up on that very street is a crazy thing.” On the way to the movies a few nights ago in California, Todd had walked over Slash’s star. As a Canadian, this honor is equivalent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “I don’t feel like I have achieved everything I want to realize, I still feel like I am working on moving forward,” Todd says, “ and to receive something like this in the middle of the game, it feels like this is something you should get at the end of your career, but it is an amazing honor. I am still pretty speechless about it.” The Star will be unveiled on October 20th.

As a kid, all of Todd’s friends were into motorcycles and cars. Todd was into guitars. He would buy guitar magazines and just stare at all the different styles. To be able to design his own with the help of the Prestige guitar team and to actually be in those magazines has been 58

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a dream come true. Todd first picked up a Prestige guitar off the wall 20 years ago in Vancouver when the company was first up and running. “They have a more classic vintage vibe that I really resonated with,” Todd explains, “As the Slash tour was creeping up I wanted to create a new bass just for this tour so we came up with the Anti-Star,” Todd says, “and as the Guns N’ Roses’ tour was stretching on I said, ‘why don’t we make a 6 string guitar version?’” That version actually ended up being the most successful thus far, it won the best of NAMM, and it also won the Platinum award in Guitar World Magazine.

The Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators tour officially started on September 13th and has dates throughout the US until the end of November. The band will be taking a break for the month of December and will be back out for European dates in the new year.

“I DON’T FEEL LIKE I HAVE ACHIEVED EVERYTHING I WANT TO REALIZE, I STILL FEEL LIKE I AM WORKING ON MOVING FORWARD,”

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TRAN NGUYEN

Story: Ákos Bánfalvi Photography: Lanny Nguyen

Tran Nguyen is a freelance illustrator, gallery artist and muralist, based in Georgia, US. Her work is created with acrylic and colored pencil on paper, and tends to have an air of fantasy and surrealism. She has worked with clients such as VH1, Tiger Beer, World Wildlife Fund, and have showcased with galleries across the world.

How did you become an illustrator?

As a kid, I loved drawing everyday. Later on, I became more enamored with art after being exposed to Anime and American cartoons. I decided to pursue it seriously after high school by enrolling at Savannah College of Art and Design.

After four years and a BFA in illustration later, I began my journey as a freelance artist.

Tell us about your visual artist career. How did you advance to where you are today?

I started out as a gallery artist, initially showcasing with Thinkspace gallery. They were extremely instrumental in jump-starting my fine art career. From there, I expanded to commercial illustration with the help of my art representative, doing work for magazines, books, and advertising agencies.

In recent years, I’ve slowly become part of the street art scene which has given me the opportunity to paint on a larger scale.

What were the biggest inspirations for your career?

My family has played a significant role in who I am as an artist and person. They’ve taught me the true meaning of hard work and sacrifice. My parents brought my brothers and I to the States in the 90s with nothing in their pockets.

Through years of struggle and dedication, they were able to provide a comfortable life, and gave us everything they never had. This reminds me to never give up - to suck it up when times are tough and work hard.

What would you say is your strongest skill and how have you honed that skill over the years?

Facial expressions is definitely one of my strong points. I think it’s all in the eyebrows.

What has been your personal key to success?

Learning to move on from failures. It’s about being resilient and not taking it too personal. As much as it hurts, failure is the best teacher, and it’s important to move on and not grieve or fester over it.

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“I LOVE ALL SORTS OF TATTOO STYLES, BUT I MOSTLY ENJOY CLEAN, MINIMAL DESIGNS…”

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What do you enjoy most about your career?

I love the perks that come with freelancing. Aside from getting to paint for a living, I get to travel for shows and workshops and meet extraordinary artists and students. It’s the most rewarding kind of work to do.

What are some of your favorite projects that you’ve completed and why?

Being part of Tiger Beer x World Wildlife Fund’s 3890Tigers campaign as been one of the most memorable projects to work on. It was a campaign to help bring awareness to the plummeting numbers of tigers left in the wild due to poaching and habitat encroachment. It was a fulfilling project in that it was bigger than myself.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

There’s always a level of selfexpectation with every painting that I do, and when I don’t meet it, I find myself in a dark place. It’s challenging to let go when a painting goes haywire.

It’s taken me awhile to learn to move forward from failures.

Do you feel that is important for someone to be passionate about your profession to be successful?

I think passion can be somewhat synonymous with success. Passion fuels dedication and dedication is what makes someone successful at their trade.

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Do you like tattoos? Which tattoo style do you like best?

Tattoos can be insanely beautiful. I love all sorts of styles, but I mostly enjoy clean, minimal designs.

Do you remember the first time you saw a tattoo, and what your reaction was?

I think it was on TV - it was some crime show I saw as a kid. I remember thinking it was interesting that people had drawings on their body, and as a kid that loved to draw, I thought it was pretty cool.

Maybe do you see any similarity between tattoos and your paintings / illustrations?

Absolutely. They parallel each other, one just happens to be on paper while the other on skin. They both depict a personal narrative for others to interpret.

Do you have any tattoos yourself? If yes, what kind of tattoos?

I don’t have any for the time being, but maybe in the future. Something personal and encrypted.

As a visual artist, what defines a good tattoo in your eyes? What design and aesthetic qualities are you looking for?

What’s most important is how it contours the person’s form. The art needs to complement the part of the body it’s inked on so composition is key.

"I THINK PASSION CAN BE SOMEWHAT SYNONYMOUS WITH SUCCESS. PASSION FUELS DEDICATION AND DEDICATION IS WHAT MAKES SOMEONE SUCCESSFUL AT THEIR TRADE.”

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What are some common myths about your profession?

People tend to think freelance is all glory and it’s because people only see the finished work. What it really means to be a freelance artist is hours and hours alone in the studio, glued to the chair. The sweat, struggle, and lack of social interaction isn’t spotlighted but rather the accomplishments and refined work.

What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?

I’d love to explore more of the street art scene. It’s rewarding to see your work in such a large scale. It’s also wonderful to interact with the community that lives in the area you’re painting at.

"MAKE SURE YOU LIVE A LIFE THAT HAS A FILLED RESERVOIR OF INSPIRATION." Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you have heard and repeat to others?

Learn to balance your work and leisure life. It’s okay to take a vacation from time to time. Don’t burn yourself out early on. Make sure you live a life that has a filled reservoir of inspiration. www.mynameistran.com www.facebook.com/mynameistran www.instagram.com/mynameistran

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DO Call the Police to the Scene of the Accident

IN AN ACCIDENT? EIGHT TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS!

By Scott O’Sullivan The O’Sullivan Law Firm In the immediate minutes, hours, and days after a car or motorcycle accident in Denver, people do the strangest things. Sometimes they act irrationally due to the burst of adrenaline in their bodies. Other times, they are simply naïve about their own injuries, or they innocently trust the other driver to take responsibility for the damages they caused.

Whatever the reason, I’ve seen far too many personal injury cases in which the victim does something harmful to his or her own interests, thereby limiting their ability to secure the funds they need to heal or replace their property.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share the Top 8 Dos and Don’ts for the first 24 hours after your car or motorcycle accident. (You might want to print this up and put it in your glove box!)

I have literally never heard a victim say, “I sure wish I hadn’t called the police to the accident.” As the victim of someone else’s negligence, you will have the duty to prove that the other driver caused the accident. You do not want it to come down to he said/she said because a lot (A LOT!) of at-fault drivers lie after causing an accident. They may tell you to your face that they caused it and that they will “make it right.” But later they start thinking about the financial impact on their insurance and they do a 180.

A police report provides an official document of what happened. You need to make sure that the true story is captured at the scene of the accident.

DO Take Pictures of the Scene, Your Car and the Other Driver’s Car When you have pictures of the accident scene, you can more easily tell your story. (A picture is worth a thousand words!) And pictures make your story more easily understood by others. I’ve handled cases in which the pictures of the scene flip a case completely on its head: insurance companies balking, saying they won’t pay, will completely change their tune if you have pictures that prove their driver caused the accident.

DO Ask Witnesses to Share Their Story with Police As soon as you get out of the car (assuming you can), find people who saw what happened. Get them to make a statement to police or get a video of them on your phone sharing their stories. Make sure to get their names and contact information so that police and your personal injury attorney can track them down later.

DO Take a Picture of the Other Driver’s Insurance Card We used to have to hunt all over the car for a piece of paper and pencil so 76

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that we could collect the other driver’s insurance information. Just use your phone and snap a picture of the front and back.

DO Seek Medical Attention if You Are Hurt If you have the slightest concern that you were injured by the accident, head to an emergency room. I’ve seen too many victims brush off little aches and pains that later became major health issues. For example, we recently were hired by a woman who was in an accident two years ago. At the time, she didn’t seek medical attention even though she “tweaked” her back in the accident. But, as time went on, those aches and pains never subsided. Two years later, she discovered she needed back surgery. Without the proper

documentation from a hospital visit just after the accident, we had a very hard time proving that the injury was a result of the impact. (But we did it!) Consider your future health and seek immediate medical attention.

DO Give Your Own Health Insurance to the Hospital The hospital can’t do anything with the other driver’s auto insurance. Nothing.

However, it does alert them to the fact that your injuries were the result of an accident, which does impact how they handle your billing. Essentially, they will do everything in their power to avoid billing your own medical insurance because they stand to make a lot more if you receive a settlement from the other driver’s insurance. They want a piece of the money owed to you! On the other hand, if you give them your health insurance card, they are required by law to use it.

DON’T Post Anything at All on Social Media In this sharing society, we want to post everything on our social media platforms. But please think twice

before you post anything at all about your accident. Yes, the photos are probably very dramatic and impressive, but I guarantee that the other driver’s insurance company will search for them and try to use them against you.

Save them for after your case is closed.

Also, don’t post any updates about your health condition. If you have one good day and post, “Feeling better!” the insurance company will claim that they owe you nothing.

DON’T Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company You know that old saying, “Anything you say can and will be used against you?” It definitely applies to every conversation you have with the other driver’s insurance company. Under Colorado law, the other driver’s insurance company is not allowed to use any statement that you make within 15 days of the accident. However, I know for a fact (I worked in the insurance industry) that they will write down absolutely everything you say to them, looking for a way out of the case.

They will also ask for your permission to record their calls with you. NEVER let them record a statement unless you are accompanied by an attorney.

If you have any questions about this article or your accident, please contact me at 303-388-5304. www.OSullivan-Law-Firm.com www.Facebook.com/ OSullivanLawFirm

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Submit your tattoos and stories to: Submissions@InkSpiredMagazine.com.

taken). The remaining guidelines apply, as well as a notation providing us with the name and location of your tattoo artist.

Want to be InkSpired?

Tattoo Artists:

All Submissions must be e-mailed to submissions@InkSpiredMagazine.com.

If your file size is too large to e-mail, please send us a message stating as such and we will provide you with an alternative solution.

Please, DO NOT send us links to online storage or websites to view your files. Also, any photos posted in our various social media sites, while appreciated and possibly shared by us on those sites, will NOT enter you into consideration for publication.

If you are an artist who would like to submit your portfolio or flash material for publication, please send us a message and a sample of your work, and we will get in touch with you about how to move forward as this is treated more as an advertisement than a submission.

Minimum of three (3) HI-RESOLUTION images need to be submitted.

Low-res images will automatically be discounted from consideration.

Photo credit, including Photographer, Model, Hair Stylist, and Makeup Artist, needs to be included with EACH IMAGE. You also need to state which of these YOU are, so we can provide you with the correct release form for publication.

Before publication, we must receive a release form, signed and dated by yourself and ANY PERSON WHO RETAINS OWNERSHIP of the image.

We provide the release forms to you once you have been accepted for publication, but it is your responsibility to return it in a timely fashion.

Personal Tattoo Submissions: If you are not a model or photographer or another professional in these fields, but you still have an amazing tattoo or two that you would like to submit for our new "Reader's Ink" section, we will be accepting lesser-quality images such as those taken from a cellular phone or personal camera (not professionally

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