8
.
tatted com sign up for the newsletter
CREATIVE DIRECTOR katie tawney
DESIGN DIRECTOR jake keglor
PHOTOGRAPHY jake keglor
RESEARCH
katie tawney + jake keglor
PRODUCTION
katie tawney + jake keglor
One-year subscription rate $15.00 for USA and possessions, $38.00 for Canada (includes 5% GST) adn other foreign. To order a subscription, please call 727.873.4873 or fax 727.873.4850. 140 Seventh Avenue South Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701 727.873.4873
For information on reprints and e-prints, please contact Xiaopeng Wang, 727.873 4850 or wang@mail.usf.edu. Copyright Š 2010. TATTED.
S
ello readers of this premiere and ground-breaking issue of profound journalistic ventures and breath-taking photographs of the tattoo culture of the Tampa Bay area. Who are we kidding? We noticed the absence of a publication that shows the immense talent that has collected in the tri-county area and began with a “eh, why not?” kind of approach. Quickly, the approach has morphed into something more. Tattoo magazines in general, with a few European publications being exempt have quite possibly the worst layouts and writing in the magazine world. We have tried to change that with invention of “Tatted” and sure do hope that we have accomplished the feat of bringing readers a fresh look and feel of the previously mundane and monotonous look of other publications.
S
s p r i n g 2010
march
t
april
12
don’t miss these
may march
june april
13
Jak
e
COVER STORY
17
.FAST FACTS
JAKE KEGLOR
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SENIOR-ISH AGE> 22 FAV FOOD>Burritos FAV MOVIE> First Wives Club FAV BAND> Junior Boys BEST CONCERT> Alkaline Trio FAV TATT> sugar skull om left arm
18
WWW.URBANOUTFITTERS.COM
FEATURE STORY
q business aspects of the company. Among the artists of Foolish pride, Freydo and J. Michael Taylor can be seen on countless people and some celebrities in the Tampa Bay area.
continued w
In his free time, Foolish Pride’s J. Michael workson his paintings.
aking over in 2007, Foolish Pride Tattoo has become an unmistakable part of the scenery and culture that envelopes the Downtown St. Petersburg area around Central Avenue. In the same building that was previously the Tattoo Emporium at 648 Central Ave. now stands a revamped tattoo shop filled with five award-winning and well-respected artists, all well known in the tattoo and downtown community. Tattoo Emporium was purchased in 2007 by TJ Halvorson and Brandon Pearce, two friends from Colorado that were looking to relocate and use their artistic talent away from the state that they knew all too well. They found their place in St. Petersburg. TJ was an artist at Area 51 Tattoo while in Colorado, while Brandon was a Business major at the University of Colorado at Boulder. TJ continues to tattoo at Foolish Pride, while Brandon sticks to only to piercing clients and also handles the marketing and
23
J. has been a tattoo artist for three years after a stint as a graphic designer, which was not a fulfilling career or what he envisioned it to be after his stint at the Columbus School of Art and Design in Ohio. After being escorted by police after attempting to kick his boss’ door down in frustration and anger after a dispute; J. took a hiatus and landed accidentally in the tattoo world, where he continues to excel after only 3 years.
I.A: In your career thus far, what has been the strangest tattoo request you’ve ever had? J.: God, that’s hard…I’ve had so many. Actually today I’m going to be tattooing ‘Nordic’ on our big Norwegian friend’s d!#k. I plan on taping a Pabst tallboy to it after our office manager fluffs my client up a bit. (laughing) I’m sure he will drink the tallboy after we’re done. I.A: Wow, I’m a bit flustered after that. So, on another note, what’s your favorite piece you’ve ever done? J.: That’s a tough one… if I had to choose something I’ve done, it’d be the work I did on Chris Hovan of the Buccaneers. I did his whole left arm and I really like how it turned out and it is kinda surreal to see your work on T.V. I.A: Words of wisdom for anyone looking to get into the tattoo industry? J.: Being a tattoo artist is not a job, it’s a lifestyle and it’s definitely not for everyone. I work seven days a week constantly. When I’m out, I’m not out; I’m promoting. I am constantly meeting new people and answering questions and when I’m not tattooing or ‘promoting,’ I’m painting or drawing so it’s just none stop and I think it takes a special person to do it. Some tattoo artist play the rockstar role, others are the true artist… I’m definitely more focused on the art aspect and doing quality work. It is important to stay grounded and not let things go to your head.
t
su mm er
t
q
28
B
reaking into life as a tattoo artist is no easy task. Finding a good artist willing to take on an apprentice and teach one the ropes. Then going through the motions of the apprenticeship and the ‘bitch’ work, as current apprentice Mike Jones affectionately called it. “I really hate the cleaning and stuff, but that’s just part of me paying the dues,” the 23 year-old Jones said. “I forget all that when I do get to do a tattoo, makes it all worth it.” Jones started his apprenticeship with Atomic Tattoo’s in St. Petersburg nearly 6 months ago and life for Jones has been in a tattoo shop. “I’m there pretty much all the time,” said Jones. “I love it, though.” Jones came into the tattoo scene by accident or fate, whichever one chooses to believe, although he has always has an interest in art and tattoos specifically. “Through bars and mutual friends, I knew some of the guys from Atomic. Flores asked me what I was doing with my life and I had no clue. He asked if I could draw and the rest is history, I guess.” Jones said.
Continued w
29
Morgan lives life with no cares and doesn’t care who knows it.
Life for Jones’ friend, Nick Morgan, has not reared the accidental opportunities that Jones has been lucky enough to get. Morgan is only 20 years-old, but has quickly become frustrated on his quest to begin apprenticing. “I’m doing the part time gig now, just getting by,” said Morgan. “But I am only 20, so I got some time left.” Jones did his first tattoo on Morgan’s thigh, a good and trusting friend. The old school skull and cross-bone shows the potential that the novice Jones had, with no experience at all with a tattoo gun. “He was dumb enough to let me do it,” said Jones, laughing. “I’m glad it turned out alright, for Nick’s sake.”
30
The second tattoo Jones did was on the face of one of the artists at Atomic, which read “B.C.G.M” meaning “Bitches Come Get Money.” “I was so scared,” said Jones. “If I screwed that up, there isn’t much he could do to cover it up.” Even at 20, Morgan knows about the tattoo life and culture. He lives it and his skin shows it, nearly covered head to toe. Jones isn’t far behind. Both have the heart and determination to make it, although Morgan questions his luck and whether he’s cut out for the life, which he wants so bad. “I’ll get there one day.” Morgan said. “I just want it to happen now and that’s just not realistic but I got to stay optimistic.”
SMALL BOTTLE
BIG RUSH
32
y b b bo & y e s ca
y e n w a T e By: Kati
F
e w things are more permanent than tattoos. This permanence destines couples with initials and such pieces of love and remembrance to added pressure and all too often, regret. After five years and much tribulation, Casey Miller and Bobby Brixius decided that piece of permanent art commemorating each other and their relationship. “I just thought it was fitting,” said Brixius. “After all, I do love her and always will.”
Bobby shows his love with Casey’s face on his hand, while she has his face on her inner arm.
es
Casey and
nods
just in
blushagreement.
The pieces the couple got were very personal, leaving vey little room for interpretation with the portraits of each other’s faces. Bobby has Casey on his hand and Casey has Bobby on the inside of her arm. “I don’t ever see us apart,” said Miller. “If we were to part, I would still love him and the memories we had together. I won’t regret getting the tattoo, I couldn’t.” The tatted couple also has their fair share of ink, aside from their portraits. Casey is in the middle of getting her full sleeve done on her right arm.
CONTINUED w 33
“
After all, I do love her and always will.
”
-bobby
“I am enthralled by the Hindu religion and the artwork,” said Miller. “I just really wanted a full themed sleeve, so I started with Genesh on my shoulder and moved down.” Brixius has more personal pieces. His forearm is graced by a abstract bass guitar, a rendition of the one he personally owns and plays. He has played in numerous bands in the area and continues to search for the right situation where he could use his talent and make it a fulltime, bill-paying and touring gig. of a
He also bears the logo an old band that he was part of, Code of Arms.
“We had a lot of fun in that band,” said Brixius. “Some members moved away, one went to jail
and the others just grew apart, thought it would becool to get a tattoo to commemorate good times, because in the end, that’s what it is all about… good times.” Other pieces of Brixius’ tattoos exhibit more of a message. “I have one symbol of each of the organized religions of the worlds manipulated into various poses. I’m not looking to be controversial, I just hate organized religion and the destruction and conflict they cause,” Brixius said. “They all mean something to us and the time we’ve spent together has been some of the best years of my life and I hope he would agree,” Miller said. “I’ll never forget him and don’t want to, even if it were to all go terribly wrong.”
“ 34
The time we’ve spent together has been some of the best years of my life. -Casey
”