UNDER THE SKIN MAGAZINE
Edition 1 October 2013 TATTOO GALLERY - CONVENTION LOOK BACK Terrifying Tales KHANDIE KhISSES JACK RABBIT SLIM CHRIS 51 - THE force of star wars PARTNERS IN CRIME - THE TALBOTS Convention Coverage - Teesside Tattoo Royale in pictures matthew james gallery AND MUCH MORE....
IAN ROBERT MCKOWN DOTWORK DAMIan SAM BOYCE NIPPER FILIP PASIEKA 1
CONTENTS
H
aving been an avid reader of magazines dating back to ‘Jackie’ and ‘Smash Hits’ I do love a good read. But with today’s social sites such as Instagram and
Facebook, does the world really need a new magazine? Well yes I think it does, but Dotwork Damian 4
it needs a different kind. A fun, free magazine that’s informative, professional and yet not too serious.
S
o Under the Skin??? Well we have no swanky ethos, no agenda, no false
promises and no revolution. We’re not going to claim what we are doing hasn’t been done before, it probably has. Life is an adventure and people’s thirst for knowledge and information never alters. Passion and creativity
Nipper 8
always need a platform to shine and with new talent emerging all the time I’m excited to start this new project. So why publish a free magazine? In short…why not? Does sharing great art, culture and talented people need a price?
Filip Pasieka 12
As an editor I have been working on a lifestyle magazine for the past three years, (Gladstone Magazine). It is now time to take this brilliant experience and take it down a different path. My biggest passions are art and tattoos, there is an abundance of new amazing talent and also a vast heritage of great tattoo artists still working daily and trying to maintain old school values and morals. This is what I love, past, current and future side by side. In order to appreciate where tattooing is today and what the future holds, we must also respect the past. These are the men and indeed women who made it the profession we have today. I could sit for hours chatting to people with a tale to share. Creative people are amazing; they inspire me, enrich my understanding and excite me. You know when you are sat among friends/colleagues and your conversation regarding your interests can flow like a fine wine? Well the magazine will be a little like that. We will have great international artists, UK artists, unknown artists that are breathtaking, the creative crafts that have emerged or spiral from tattooing. The performers you know and love from conventions, bands that are great, music debates. Who knows? So I hope you will join us and share what makes the tattoo community so much fun to be part of. Cover by Dotwork Damien Editor:Ness Hay editor@undertheskinmagazine.co.uk
Contributors: Ness Hay Kate Sheard Ant Nicholls Steve Mannion Under The Skin 70 Lime St Liverpool L1 1JN
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Ian Robert McKown
Maahy Art 36
Rockabilly Mafia 53
Sam Boyce 20
Partners in Crime 40
Royale Pictorial 55
Jack Rabbit Slim 30
Chris 51 43
Matthew James 59
Khandie Kisses 34
Terror Tales 49
Teesside 62
S
Chris 51 Wayne Simmons Hazel Nicholls
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Interview: Ness Hay Dot work Damian is based at The Blue Dragon Tattoo Studio, Brighton. UK. Specialising in dotwork, sacred geometry and dot realism tattoo work. For a while I have been a secret fan of this man, his work amazes me. I am a huge dotwork fan. Damian adds his own interpretation of this style. I am unsure if Damian walks or if he just floats on a wave of tranquillity. This man is one happy positive vibe of love, peace and calm. I really enjoyed our interview so I asked Damian’s boss to help me with this introduction as he knows him best: Mick told me, “Damian approached me 3yrs ago to join our team, and at the time I didn’t really have room for another artist, but after seeing his dotwork, I knew I had to find space for him. From day one at our shop, he has strived to push himself forward in tattooing, not only in dotwork , but in all styles. He is a great member of our team and is always chilled out and very humble about his work, which is refreshing in this day and age. All in all, when Dotwork Damian joined us I had a right f***ing result!”
DOTWORK DAMIAN Precision, patience and
perfection. We talk to Dotwork Damien about his distinctive style of dotwork and realism.
I always knew this is what my life would be about; from around 5 years old I knew I’d be tattooed having seen family members tattoos. I tried to gain an apprenteship for roughly 11 years, I now know that I didn’t deserve an apprentIceship at that time, I simply didn’t work hard enough or want it complete-
Tell me a little bit about your art, what styles, reference materials, mediums do you prefer?
ly enough. It is far too easy and common to blame the industry for not giving opportunities to those wanting to tattoo, but to blame others for not being where you want to be in
I work mainly in dots with Black gel pens and
my opinion is cowardice.
pencils. I collect images everyday from medieval door hinges to anatomical illustrations.
DOTWORK DAMIAN
Reference material is all around us, when you start to look for it and you pay attention to
Your currently working at Blue Dragon Tattoo, have you worked here since your apprentice days?
your surroundings you will never run out of
BLUE DRAGON 94 North road, Brighton, BN1 1YE
inspiration.
I joined the Blue Dragon family around two years ago, I believe this move is when I found
Do you have an art education background?
the direction I wanted my work to take.
No, I always liked drawing but I had no for-
TEl: 01273 624278 WEBSITE: http://www.bluedragontattoo.co.uk
mal education or training.
How did you find yourself within the tattooing profession, was it intentional or did it just grow organically towards tattooing?
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I was recently attracted to your art as it is very unique. What got you interested in this style of combining dot work, lines and art?
it. In my eyes everything is a collection of shapes, patterns and dots. When I joined The Blue Dragon, (owner and artist) Mick J told me to “concentrate on the shapes of things rather than the whole object. Your brain is constantly tricking you, filling in the gaps for you” He is
Most of the dotwork I see is pattern based, I love repeating patterns, optical illussions and intricate mandalas. Dotwork can be so fine and detailed that over the last couple of years I’ve been experimenting by taking that detail and combining it with realism. I’m not sure my work falls under the dotwork category sometimes and is more dot realism or pure pointillism.
right. This has helped me and my art more than I can express.
Who is your favourite non tattoo artist? Ernst Haeckel. I would love to tattoo some of his drawings.
You have your own tattoos upon your body; tell me about them, who is the artist? I tattooed myself a lot when I first started, The tattoo I have from Jondix is on my hand, I had this done before I was tattooing. This was more about giving myself no way back and to work harder and become a tattoo artist. My stomach, ribs and chest are by Alex Binnie and this was not only great for the tattoo itself but to see his studio in London and
Do you feel dot work is well represented within convention competitions?
see all the great artists who were there at the time and learn from what I saw. I now have the honour of tattooing other artists, this remains one of my biggest achievements in tattooing.
I have only ever tattooed at The Brighton Tattoo Convention but I do plan to attend some conventions next year with a view to entering my work in whatever category I feel it should be in, I’m unsure how competion judging works. If I enter a tattoo that happens to be mostly dots would that make it ineligible for a black and grey category or a realism one? My reason for wanting to attend more conventions and hopfully win an award is really for The Blue Dragon. It is approaching the 25 year anniversary of our studio and I’d like to thank everyone I’ve worked with there by giving them a shiny trinket.
Dot work must take longer to achieve the desired effect. Do you ever get customers who don’t understand that this style cannot be compared to the more well-known methods when booking time and pricing? I have heard people say this but I really don’t think it does take longer than other styles of tattooing . Perhaps handpoking would? I don’t know. What machine dotwork and handpoking both offer in my experience is a calmer almost meditative approach to the giving and receiving of the tattoo. They both have very fast healing times. In most cases 3-4 days and this is due to the application, a gentle measured approach to each dot causing as little trauma to the skin as possible. It is not uncommon for people to sleep during an all day sitting.
Who would you say has influenced you to appreciate art and geometry? I am influenced by almost everything I see. When you start noticing patterns and repeatition in nature you see it everywhere and when you start seeing the geometry around you it never turns off. it has completely changed my view of the world and everything in
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I believe it is important to feel what we are doing to people. I have tattoos
a laptop and let them choose what they like, I have customers who like
from Jondix, Alan Gilby, Alex Binnie, Patrick Huttlinger, Matt Perry and Will
episodes of Q.I others find Only Fools and Horses helps. Some watch
Barbour Brown.
the UFC. My aim is to make the tattooing experience as comfortable as possible and if that means if an audio book. Meditation or sharing your
The tattoo I have from Jondix is on my hand, I had this done before I was
stories is your method of relaxation then that’s cool with me.
tattooing, this was more about giving myself no way back and to work harder and become a tattoo artist. My stomach, ribs and chest are by Alex Binnie and this was not only great for the tattoo itself but to see his studio
Everyone has a comfortable item of clothing that they seem to wear all the time, what is yours?
in London and see all the great artists who were there at the time and learn from what I saw. I now have the honour of tattooing other artists,
I do enjoy nice slippers.
this remains one of my biggest achievements in tattooing.
All good tattooists never‌.. (Finish the sentence) If you could tandem tattoo/collaborate with another artist on a huge back piece , who would you select?
finish their tea.
I would love to do a collaboration with Mick J, my work would not be as it
Anything you would like to add?
is without his influence. I would like to thank everybody who has allowed me to tattoo them and
What is your favourite music to tattoo to?
my beautiful lady Amy for her constant support regarding my obssessive relationship with tattooing.
Jonny Cash probably. When A Boy Named Sue comes on everyone joins in. Most of my customers have different preferences when it comes to their appointment and how they best tackle a long sitting. I often set up
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NIPPER DARREN WILLIAMS
Nipper, where did this nickname originate from? The nickname originated from school, always been very very small, hence Nipper. my earliest memory of being called that was junior school when one of the kids father’s commented that I was indeed a Nipper and from then on in that was what I was known. It’s weird being an old Nipper, kind of wish it was one of those cool tattoo related names but sadly not.
How did your interest in tattooing develop and where did your decision to become a tattooist come from? I started as an illustrative artist doing large canvas work, book covers, albums and airbrushing motorcycle helmets, tanks, and leather jackets. It was the early 90’s and it was the thing to do back then. I know what you are thinking but it was really cool once. My younger brother had just turned 18 and he went to the local tattoo parlour wearing one of my jackets. The tattooist asked who did it and gave me a message meet up. I popped in and was asked if I would like to learn the art. I count myself incredibly lucky to be given that opportunity. Before then I never realised how diverse and beautiful tattoos could be, so I just wanted to learn more and more and I was truly hooked.
What was your first contact with tattoos, when did you get one? Haha well…….. I was a very small sixteen year old with a social awkwardness only accountants could fully understand. So I had to find a way of getting the girls. I tried fighting and got hurt…. a lot, I gave that one up. I started to learn guitar but all I could play was Smoke on the Water and that didn’t go down that well. So after noticing tattoos on some of the older lads I decided to go to the local erm… tattooist and get a tattoo. I ended up in a dark room in the back of a house and I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared. I was ushered upstairs to his tattooing den and proceeded to get a wonky flying eyeball with bats wings on my arm. I feinted twice and as I recall was sick a little. I went home and was promptly grounded. Still didn’t get the girl either.
Did you embark on a formal apprenticeship as a tattooist? Yes I started an apprenticeship in the early nineties. My mentor was a Mr Steve Prunty. He opened a shop in my local town and that’s where I am now based.
How did your career path develop? I started with the usual studio chores, tea making, stencil making, needle making and everything that goes with that. I did that for some time before being finally let loose on skin.
Bridgend Tattoo Studio 102 Nolton St Bridgend CF31 3BP TEl: 01656 668644 FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/bridgeendtattoostudio
We were a totally flash driven shop at that time so I spent almost a decade doing tribal, little devils, weird panthers and dolphins. Fun as they were at the time and although I dabbled I never really leaned the custom side of things so I started to get left behind a bit. It wasn’t until I started working with other artists that I started to see the light. The day it all changed for me was the day I started to work with Chris Harrison and with a lot of motivation from Ronnie Huxford (shop manager and now business partner)
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NIPPER FROM BRIDGEND TATTOO STUDIO IS ONE OF THOSE CHARACTERS THAT YOU HAVE TO LOVE. HE FOUND HIS PLACE WITHIN TATTOOING AND ART VIA AN OLD LEATHER JACKET, SOME POST TATTOO SICKNESS AND A GOOD OLD TRADITIONAL GROUNDING BY HIS PARENTS. THANKFULLY THIS NEVER PUT NIPPER OFF AND HE HAS DEVELOPED INTO AN ARTIST THAT WE LOVE. HIS WORK HAS DEVELOPED SO RAPIDLY OVER THE YEARS AND HE’S BECOME AN ARTIST WHO’S WORK I FOLLOW CLOSELY. WHEN YOU HAVE TO TILT YOUR HEAD SIDEWAYS AND GO, “OOOOOO” IT ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE. FOR A MAN WITH SUCH A LOVELY SMILE, TALENT AND FRIENDLY OUTLOOK ON LIFE HE FINDS THE ONLY THING MISSING IN HIS WORK WORLD IS A MARSHMALLOW DISPENSER … GLAD I CAUGHT UP WITH NIPPER, HE IS A SWEETHEART AND A REAL TALENT!!
I finally started to get it.
couldn’t progress as quickly as I have in the past five years.
In the last five years my tattooing has changed completely and I am trying to push forward every day. Now I’m in a very happy place indeed.
As an artist do you ever approach fellow artists you admire and ask them for advice or do you feel the learning curve is a singular quest?
How do you balance realism and creativity? How do you decide which way you learn and develop? By emotion? Clients wishes? Other reasons? I truly believe you have to move with the times. You have to remain relevant. That’s a mistake I have made in the past and one I won’t make again.
Yes and No. I watch a lot at conventions. I am still a bit awkward with
You have to put small a part of yourself in everything you do and you
people I admire so I find it difficult to ask outright. But I have met so
have to love what you do. There are so many different things that a client
many great people and artists that offer their advice so freely to me that
wants that without putting your stamp on it, it would become stagnant.
it makes up for that and I have learned a hell of lot that way. I used to
Photoshop has definitely helped me out with that.
believe I could do it all myself but I without the help of so many people I
Interview: Ness Hay
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Often I see an inclination that the more creative the artist is, the less say the client has? What is your opinion on this “client and canvas”? I guess it happens to all artists and it’s the same with musicians and writers. There is a fine line between your client’s wishes and personal style, taste etc. It can be difficult sometimes but without the client you wouldn’t have work but without your personal style you wouldn’t have clients so it’s a juggling act. I have nothing against those who only do their thing, they will always have people seeking them out. As long as there’s a demand, there will always be work and that’s what makes tattooing such an interesting place to live.
Outside of tattooing where is Nippers passion? I love great food and music, without my guitar I would be lost. Nothing like getting home from the studio and busting out a few bars of Cowboys from Hell.
I heard a crazy story about you, Japan and Israel. Want to enrich me on the truth here :) ? I’ll tell you over a beer some time. Haha . It’s a tale of intrigue and suspense.
What was the last book you read ? Think it was The Long Earth by Terry Pratchet and Stephen Baxter.
Everyone has a favourite tshirt that they reach for often.. Describe yours It has to be my old offspring t-shirt. It’s always the first thing I put in my suitcase whenever I go anywhere. Love that thing .
What they really should have in a tattoo studio to make my day better, but they won’t allow it is? Ok ill keep it clean. Haha . It has to be Morgan Freedman welcoming people at the door and……………. a marshmallow dispenser …
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FILIP PASIEKA Polish born Filip Pasieka is a difficult artist to place into a genre. I was initially attracted to Filip’s black and grey work. I then soon realised he is a great all round tattooist and definitely not a one trick pony. For such a talented artist he readily admits he is still trying to find his own style. Within today’s profession an artist that can create an extensive portfolio already has the key to longevity. Combine that with a beautiful, friendly and helpful personality and I hope this artist is here to stay! His desire to learn every aspect of his profession is admirable and despite Filip and myself having a language barrier, he was lovely and as I said to him, if our interview was to be done in his first language I would be in trouble! What are your roots Filip, country of birth, education etc and how did you find yourself being a tattooist at INTERSKIN studios – STAINES? I was born in Poland and spent 28 years of my life doing a lot of different things. Being in bands, working in printers/advertising agencies etc kept me busy.
more and more. Then I discovered colour realism and again, offering really cheap tattooing just to get better with colour and build up my portfolio.
I first came across you as an artist back in 2011 and have to say your creative flair has continued to grow to great results. Did this just happen organically as a natural progression or have you been working new techniques? Apart from tattooing I’m trying to paint and draw whenever I can. I buy every dvd about tattooing (black & grey or colour). I’vemost probably watched all tattoo related videos on Youtube. I believe that hard work pays off and if you really want to achieve something you have to work your butt off.
You have achieved some exquisite dry brush paintings and have said you take inspiration from Igor Kazarin. When did you first discover his techniques and adopt them? Pre or post tattooing? Also has mastering this technique assisted you in soft shading on tattoos? (Minus the solvent obviously ha ha )
I came to England in 2006 and almost straight away started work in one of the tattoo shops in Slough (I know scary:)))) It was a proper high street
I’m still fairly new to dry brush; there are only few pieces that I’ve finished.
shop,. I spent most of the time doing random stuff like: tribal, stars, script
It just takes way too much time and I get bored really easily haha. Dry
etc.
brush is very similar to tattooing, you are using brushes like you were
After 4 years I moved to Interskin. This still was a high street shop but I did
using needles in tattooing, but you can’t compare those two things as the
have more freedom to do more ambitious stuff other than script or stars.
dry brush is easier to screw up.
I started offering portraits (still drawing them every day) for a really good price and it kicked off from there. I’ve built up quite a strong customer base and wanted to push myself
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What do you feel most passionate towards black and grey or colour tattoos?
I think the hardest part of being tattooist is the positions that I have to work in sometimes; my back does not like me very much then. Apart from that I would not say there’s anything else, or maybe stupid people that
I used to be a massive fan of black and grey but since I’ve discovered
come to the shop but I would not say that’s hard thing dealing with them.
colour I could do colour tattoos every day.
Most of the time it is actually funny…
I’m still trying to achieve my own style in tattooing (which is not easy). Most of my colour pieces are not hyper realistic and colours are not exactly accurate but that is where my imagination takes over. I don’t want to
After a day in work, what is your favourite meal and past time?
be another copy machine. I admire most of hyper/photo realistic artists, don’t get me wrong but I
I work all the time. After work I draw(mostly digitally :)and prepare
just want to be different, that’s all.
designs/ideas for customers. I’m trying to paint more but I still don’t find enough time for that.
Do you enjoy working tattoo conventions or do you feel like you are working “in a fish bowl” with so many people watching?
On my days off I’m trying to spend my time with my family and enjoy it as much as I can.
hung over) working in an uncomfortable environment just makes you
Filip Pasieka Interskin Studios 29 Clarence St Staines TW18 4SY
tired.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/filip.pasieka
I do fair few conventions in a year but this is love/hate relationship). I love them but at the same time I hate them. I love them because I have a chance to meet other artists and potential customers and I love when there’s a lot of people around my booth. I hate them because of all the travelling; waking up early (sometimes
I started doing more guest spots lately and I’m really enjoying it, it’s always better when you can spend some time with other artists, one to one not like at the conventions with the entire crowd etc.
Interview: Ness Hay
The hardest part about being a tattoo artist for you is?
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IAN ROBERT MCKOWN
Interview: Ness Hay
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Ian Robert McKown started tattooing in 2003 in Boulder, Colorado. He attributes his big turning point in tattooing, and more importantly, his art was when he picked up an art magazine containing an article written by David A. Leffel, an American artist who paints in the classic Flemish/Dutch old master style. His art focuses upon Light & Shadow, no surprise that is also the title of his new book. It shines a light (see what I did there) on how to approach monochromatic and value based works in charcoals, inks and oils. Tipped as a must have tool for anyone serious about reproduction work, including tattooing. Visually, he is a big hairy faced man with a gentle soul. He oozes compassion for life and a passion for art and fellow artists.
Ian you are Colorado based now but am I right in thinking you were born here in England?
designs, bold lines and bright colors. After getting into oil painting my interests shifted to a more “painterly” aesthetic.
With a name like Ian Robert McKown you might think that. I’m from the states, but my ancestors are from the lowlands of Scotland.
Have you contacted him and told him how he inspired you? I will be taking a 5 day workshop with him early in 2014 and will indeed
You started tattooing in 2003, What career did you have prior to this?
tell him what kind of impact he has had on my life and my art.
I have had many jobs over the years, but the one right before I took up tat-
Your work often shows emotions within people that are often missed within a busy lifestyle. Being a bit of a “tree hugger” myself I am interested to know about you as a man. Belief systems and philosophy and what makes Ian tick. Tell me about your passions…
tooing was restaurant management. I wore a tie and a button-up to work every day, if you can imagine that?
Who inspired you to start in 2003. Or the years before? You know, I’d already been getting tattooed since 1991, and it never really occurred to me that I should try my hand at tattooing. The tipping
My passion is art. Its my one true voice. In so far as what belief systems I
point for me was when I sort of offhandedly asked my artist what it took
espouse to, I don’t have any ready made answers. I believe in being kind
to become a tattooer. His name is Chris Smith and he afforded me doing
and generous with what I have. I believe that with the clock ticking
all of the things that some apprenticeships miss, like needle building and
on all of our lives, we have a great responsibility to constantly shape our
machine construction.
world in the best way we see fit. For me, my legacy is art, the art I made and those who learned a bit from me. The older you get, the easier it is
You openly admit that it was artist David A. Leffel who had a great awakening for you in art. This gent has a philosophy of painting. He seeks to understand the process of painting in the way a theoretical physicist seeks to understand the universe. Were you a spiritual deep thinker pre David A. Leffel?
to see this ever-expanding pyramid of influence you’ve had on the world. You teach one person, they teach two, they teach 4 etc. Hopefully as the eons tick past, the ripples you started are still pushing forward.
As far as I know, I’m no more or less “deep” since beginning my path in art. A better way of phrasing things would be to say I’m a bit more sensitive towards my visual in emotional stimulus. When I began tattooing I’d hoped to become a well rounded new school tattooer with highly stylized
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What is your favourite medium to show your work? Skin or other?
What would a perfect day be for Ian? Wake up. Drink coffee and enjoy some breakfast, maybe a pastry. Paint or
Oils. On canvas or board.
tattoo while listening to music. Eat. Watch a movie with someone special and pet my cats.
Your Light & Shadow book is receiving some amazing feedback. Some would be inclined to not want to share their uniqueness and remain closed about their techniques in monochromatic and value based works in charcoals, inks and oils. Do you feel this is an integral part of being a great artist and indeed person by enriching others?
IAN ROBERT MCKOWN DENVER, CO, United States Website http://www.ianrobertmckown.com http://www.glassjawjuggernaut.blogspot.com
I was indeed guarded for a number of years about my approach and
Email: ianrobertmckown@facebook.com
techniques. But as an artist you have to understand that you can either be secretive, with the worries of wondering whether others will surpass you if you share your secrets, or you can freely share what you know and have the freedom to not care so much if someone passes you by or tried to emulate you. One of the greatest rewards of knowing a thing is teaching someone else to know it as well. I no longer hold anything back.
Three qualities you admire in humans? Kindness. Selflessness. Compassion.
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SAM BOYCE
In order to understand where tattooing is today you also
need to respect the old time long serving artists. I was delighted when Sam Boyce agreed to an interview with the magazine although initially a little concerned as this chap is not much older than me! Sam Boyce opened Timeless Ink Tattoo Studio in 2006 after 12 years tattooing in Germany at Kevin Heaths Exclusive Tattoos in Heilbronn. Sam loves tattooing and combined with well over 29 years as a tattoo artist has established Timeless Ink Tattoo Studio as one of the UK’s finest! All styles of tattooing are done at the studio, Sam has a reputation for bright solid colour and super clean line work second to none. He also has a reputation for posesssing what all good old timers should have; funny banter, a degree in sarcasm and masters in morals and respect within tattooing heritage. Sam’s work is impeccable and a great example of experience within the profession. I was introduced to Sam by Nigel Kurt, he and Sam worked together long ago and he holds so much respect for Sam. I was shocked to find during our interview that Sam was unaware of his adoration. Sam is an artist with so much experience and wealth of creativity yet such a lovely man, down to earth and such
humility as he tells me he “still wants to be better”. Childhood, what were you like at school? Half and half really. That’s a hard one that. Now then, where do I start with that one? I used to get away with murder, put it that way.
So you were a lovable rogue then with a cheeky smile? Kind of yeah. Murdered somebody and got away with it when I was three.
Yeah, good parenting comes in the form of a bag of Lime. Every mother packs the son off with lime to school. Ha ha Yeah I was happy, I suppose. Bit rough around the edges, but happy.
Did you get any qualifications in art or anything? Sam: Yeah, got a Degree in Chemical Engineering.
Did Ya??? Clever lad!!! Nah, sod off you are messing? Yeah I did
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Well where is the link from there to tattooing?
know I liked bikes?
Ha ha ignore me, I am full of shit. Do you know
Come on it is not hard; you look like a hairy arsed biker. So did you find it hard to get into the tattooing community because back then it was all different?
When I was tattooing with Nigel Kurt he came
Extremely! Back then you went into a shop and
how many people I have had with that one?
Bastard….Motorbikes and tattoos, which came first?
at one time. He tattooed me when I was a kid. I never saw the monkey but I did see the snake. into the shop in Barnsley and I tattooed him, it was quite weird.
Both, I’ve loved both right from an early age. I
asked somebody and you were told to fuck off. It
How did you work with Nigel? Did you teach him or was it just two tattooists?
was eight or nine when my cousin introduced
took a lot of perseverance and bugging the shit
Nige, was just starting out and I had to shut my
me to a swallow. It was back in the day when he
out of people.
shop down as things were not going too well. It
wanted to be a tattooist and was friends with a
was the early 90’s recession, 1991 I think it was
tattooist in Sheffield. He used to do lots of art
What sort of characters were around when you first got into tattooing?
work for him and also cartoons for Sheffield Star,
You were scared shitless of them, you would
where I met him. Met him on a park bench I
it’s going back some time. He left school and
walk in the shop and they would just grunt at
think! Nige was a good artist, I let him tattoo me
was expected to do the right thing after he got
you.
back when he was learning.
So who got you into motorbikes then?
I remember tattoo studios like that. Wasn’t there a local tattooist with a pet monkey?
So where you already married or where you young free and single so easy to relocate?
Me really, I always loved bikes. How did you
There was, Bob Union he had an array of animals
No I was married back then, just.
that I got to know Nige, I can’t even remember
his girlfriend pregnant. He had to go and get a proper job that was how it went back then. Sadly he died last year.
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God help your Mrs with you two working in the same shop
Do you still tattoo with armature bar/ coils machines?
I am a bit older than him, how old is Nigel? I
Aye, she put up with us.
Yeah, use a coil machine all the time now. Years
him really. I did my first tattoo at sixteen but with
You won the original Micky Sharpz machines number 001 at Dunstable by winning one of the tattoo competitions. Dunstable and Micky Sharpz are legendary in tattooing, that must have been a proud moment?
back I did have some old style rotaries. You used
Nige I feel real proud that I had that influence on
to start them things up and they would fly out
him but I didn’t really realise until you said the
of your hand, big old engines. It used to move in
other day Ness.
Sam: I still have that machine, I put a photo of it
Scarily, they had that much throw on them if
up on facebook a while back for all my tattooing
you carried on it would end up the other side of
Have you always had a continuous love for tattooing within the twenty three years or did you have periods when you lost the love?
friends.
someone’s chest! There would be an exit route,
The only time I ever felt like that was a period in
they were rough arse. I knew a guy from Man-
Germany. I got fed up doing the same thing day
Did you actually tattoo with it or just keep it for show?
sfield way; he used to tattoo great with them.
in day out. It was non stop tribal and driving me
I tried it for a while but you ended up getting
crazy. It was not what I got into tattooing for. I
Sam: I did actually tattoo with it a while back
scabs like pie crusts with them.
went home depressed and my Mrs would say,
yeah, it is well used and abused. I never buy a
Nigel Kurt says you helped him / taught him more than anyone else in the early days. How does it feel to be in your forties and be classed as an old timer?
have you had a good day today? It was just a
machine for show. I use it and run it into the ground.
probably just been tattooing a bit longer than
your hand when you put 12 V through it.
How did you tattoo with them things?
blur, I could never remember what or who, it was just boring.
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Went on for a few years that.
Favourite 3 tattoos on you?
Did your wife move out to Germany with you?
I have not got a clue, I am useless.
Yeah, that was in 94
One of them has to be on the back of my leg that my old boss in Germany did for me. He tattooed them just before I left. I
Was there a big difference tattooing in Germany?
have a homeward bound ship. I always wanted a ship but I am
Sam: It was a lot different in the beginning. The Germans were
not a sailor so what’s the point. I was getting Stena lines back
lot more Conservative. The only tattoo they would have was
to England with my kit bag so I may as well get a ship with the
a little feather or scorpion. They were not extreme like we are
date I left.
now. In the last few years there was more and more. They have
Another one is the one I just had done on my head by Phatt
heavy coverage now, but back twenty years ago it was unheard
German. He is a young lad, never met him before and I thought
of.
that kid can tattoo. Does not matter what you throw at him he
What made you come back?
can do it. He does realistic, it’s there it is strong and it’s going
I grew to love that life but I was missing being English. I missed
nowhere. He is an all-rounder and out of the young ones I can
my family, even though they are up North.
honestly say I have a lot of respect for him.
What’s your most memorable moment in tattooing?
Who to you admire most?
Oh god, ermm meeting Nige.
My old boss, he did a lot for me. He has been tattooing a long,
Probably the most memorable was meeting Kev and going to
long time. He is sarcastic, arrogant and everything an old timer
Germany and turning my life around. Everything changed from
should be.
then on. I went out there for a small time, tried it and came home. Spoke to my wife about it and we moved out there.
Favourite band to tattoo to? Social Distortion, loved them forever since I first heard them.
What is the difference between tattooing back then and tattooing now? Do you want me to go on a rant here? I know you will have heard it all before. I enjoyed tattooing and the secretive side of it. I had a girl that came into my shop and had been given a tattoo machine by quite a well-known female tattooist, just given her it. What’s that about? I want to learn tattooing, oh here have a machine! The keys to your life!
SAM BOYCE TIMELESS INK 116 Fisherton St Salisbury Wiltshire SP2 7QT www.timelessinktattoostudio.com 01722 334605
Years ago you could not even get inks without knowing someone so can fully understand the frustration in that. It is lack of respect, too many takers and not enough givers.
Do you think maybe a lot of young people working now or enthusiasts do not know the heritage? You need to know where to come from in order to grow. They do not understand respect, boundaries and the gentleman’s handshakes and unwritten rules? They will never understand it as they never were taught it. I had someone work with me and the answer was “get with the times”. No respect.
I can understand some change was needed but if someone opened up on your patch what happened? You would go round and sort it. One town had one tattooist.
What does the future hold? There is nothing else for me to do.
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Heppo Art I know social networks take some flack but I find loads of amazing people on line promoting their business. Jason from HeppoArt is a great example of this. I love art, sculpture, tattoo inspired creative minds. HeppoArt just screams that little bit extra than what you expect. Jason uses all scrap metals and transforms them into beautiful works of art.
How did you begin making sculptures from recycled/scrap materials? I began about 4yrs ago, I borrowed a welder and started tinkering with bits of scrap in the garage! I am/was a sheet metal worker by trade, so I was just taking little bits of thin steel from the scrap bin and playing about. I had my welder, a grinder, a vice and a tree stump that I’d hollowed out to bash the steel on. They are still the only tools I use except I now have a TIG welder as well as MIG and Arc welder. I started making cute little spiders, ladybirds and butterflies. It was just enjoying myself really! Soon I was making them as presssies for family and friends, it was a very enjoyable hobby! Lads at work were taking the piss saying “why do you go home to carry on welding?” The truth is I have always loved working with steel and because of the industry’s technological progression, work was being dumbed down. Old skills on the whole are no longer needed, everything is done for you by computer! A fantastic thing for the industry, but to be honest makes the job boring, not very challenging!! Anyhow my tinkering started progressing, I started utilis-
I am now really enjoying working with steel again.
ing any old bits of scrap I came across and making more my last piece. I built up quite a collection and eventually
Is this a childhood hate for being told to not eat with your fingers so payback on cutlery?
word got round and I actually sold a few! Quite a buzz
Ha Ha love it, yeah cutlery pay back big style!!! but I do think a lot of it stems from our
that folk other than family and friends loved my work!!
childhood, I grew up in the 70s, born late 60s. So I think back then we spent our time
I have also been commissioned to make apiece for
creating our own enjoyment, we were more imaginative!
interesting pieces. Constantly pushing myself to better
Kelham Island Industrial Museum to celebrate 100yrs of stainless steel, the piece will then live in the Museum when their exhibition finishes!
There is a strong tattoo inspired attitude in some of your work with the eye, owl and ertain birds. Are you one of us?
I took the plunge to go fulltime and gave up my day job this yr, at the moment its the best decision I’ve made but
Am I one of you guys??? Well I have quite a lot of tatts and I now see myself as an artist,
at the same time the scariest!!
so yeah i guess so!! I think we have to have an amazing eye for detail and perspective!! Such a lot of tattooists are fantastic artists alongside their skin art!!
Do you have an education in art and sculpture? I’ve have had no training in Art and Sculpture. I used to
What has been your favourite to date?
do a lot of sketching/drawing which I will get back into if I make time!
I think one of my favourite pieces so far is Vincent, the Lions bust!!
I believe my trade helps with the knowledge of the materials and tools of the trade. As well as creating wonderful pieces
Do people instantly recognise the recycled material and they look 26 shocked when they realise the bird is in fact spoons?
The reactions my work get is fantastic, yeah. Folk will see an owl or Stags Head then realise what it is actually made from. It’s like, wow this owl is beautiful, then OMG look what its made from? I think that kinda takes it to another level. To be honest only very recently have I started looking at art. We are building a cool collection of paintings by friends we’ve met! Some wonderful Artists who I’ve always admired before were Giger, I blame him for my Bio tatts. And Dali, always loved his bizarre work!
What art/sculptures inspire you? If anything, music inspires me most. I cannot work without my IPod!!! Listening to bands like the Dead Kennedys in the 80s telling us to create and not sit on your arse!!! Metal, Punk, Rock, Folk, Blues the list of genres and bands are endless. If it comes from the gut its quality to me!! Photo Credits to Chard Remains Photographical www.facebook.com/HeppoArt Instagram: heppoart Email: jasonheppenstall@hotmail.co.uk
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By Kate Sheard
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Jack Rabbit Slim are no strangers to the Tattoo world, having played many a convention in the UK and abroad. Ness tracked them down for a round of quick fire Q&A
What is the last CD you each bought or downloaded? BOB - Kings of Leon , Youth & Young Manhood PAUL - Nick Curran , Reform Schoolgirl DARREN - The Trojan Rocksteady collection TONY- The Sonics , Here Are the ....
Into which musician’s shoes would you like to step What/who is Jack Rabbit Slim and who is its target for a day? audience? JRS are Bob Butfoy on vocals & Rhythm Guitar , Paul Scould-
BOB- Alex Turner of The Arctic Monkeys
ing on Lead Guitar , Darren Richards on Bass & Tony Hill-
PAUL - The Killer Jerry Lee Lewis
ebrandt on Drums . We’re a Sleazy Garage Rock n Roll band &
DARREN- Jack White of The White Stripes
target anyone with a soul for killer music !
TONY - Vintage Drum god Gene Krupa
To date, what has been your favourite performance?
If I was going to buy you a present for £10, what would be the greatest thing I could get you?
In the past we’ve played The Isle of Wight Festival , Glastonbury , The Rockabilly Rave , Viva Las Vegas & loads of euro
BOB - New eyeliner please
fests , but recently we had a ball in Belgium at The Sjock Fes-
PAUL -Save it & give me £20 next year
tival with our mates The Ladykillers & The Jim Jones Revue .
DARREN - KFC Bargain bucket TONY - Bottle of Whiskey
When was the band born and who named you? Born in 2004 & founded & named by Bob Butfoy after the diner in Pulp Fiction!
When you were five years old what did each of you want to be? Bob & Tony - We both wanted to be footballers , slipped
Who was your hero, as a child?
through the net we did .
BOB - Georgie Best , he was a wizard !
PAUL - i wanted to be Shakin’ Stevens ....Still do really !
PAUL - Superman , He could fly !
DARREN- Milkman ....for the perks !!
DARREN - Superted , he could fly too ! TONY - Supersubs - always on the bench !
Who is the person you’ve learnt the most from?
If the band had friends coming over, what would you cook? COOK ???? McDonalds all the way !
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My Dad , everyone’s dad is their hero right ? TONY - Memphis Paul ...he’s my dad !!
What advice would you give to any newly formed bands?
PAUL & DARREN - The legend that is Mark Feld ! Stay true to yourself and choose music you can make a living
Who in the world would you take a bullet for? Excluding family BOB - Paul PAUL - Bob DARREN - Tony TONY- Daz
from.
http://www.jack-rabbit-slim.co.uk
Who to date has been your favourite politician? All - Screamin’ Lord Sutch
Words: Ness Hay
BOB - I backed him once, he was a nice bloke , I asked him about meeting Elvis . He said he was really shy and humble !!
If you could meet anyone before they became famous, and be part of their journey, who would it be? BOB - Gotta be Elvis , hopefully he’d still be around. PAUL - Jimi Hendrix , steal a few licks off him . DARREN - Johnny Depp , top actor & bird puller. TONY - Arnie, his dedication to bodybuilding was amazing.
If you had an audience of 10,000 people to entertain, what song would you sing to them? A track from our forthcoming new album ....coming soon !!!
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Tattoollery You might have spotted your Tattoo We have now produced some great custom Artist wearing one of these fantastic jewellery pieces for such greats as Lal Hardy, rings? David Corden, New Rose Tattoo and many more and have found the speed in which we We asked Micheal Flavin how it all began? In
are growing has been overwhelming and
his own words...
very exciting.
Tattoollery specialise in making custom
2013 has been a great start for Tattoollery
jewellery and can take your ideas, sketches,
and the rest of this year I will be building up
logos and tattoo designs and turn them into
our own jewellery for sale on our web site
silver and gold.
www.tattoollery.co.uk and continuing to take great custom orders and grow the tattoollery
I started my engraving life at 16, straight
brand.
from school to a factory in North London, here I learned all the old skills of a hand
Contact Michael Flavin at tattoollery@yahoo.
engraver,carving dies for coins, medals,
com
sword hilts and lots of mass production dies
for a unique piece of jewellery or more in-
for many blue chip companies.
formation about tattoollery or take a look at the full range of products including cufflinks,
I stayed here for 13 years loving every new
earrings and pendants at
skill I picked up becoming a master engraver and working on some amazing jobs, like making the sword hilt the Queen used to cut her birthday cake.
http://www.tattoollery.co.uk/
I moved onto working at a jewellery manufacturers where I became head of design and engraving, using my engraving knowledge I turned my hand to laser engraving and CAD design where I created many new jewellery brands for my then Boss, leading the way in personalised jewellery, wedding, Engagement rings and family crest signet rings. As a kid living on the door steps of Lal Hardy I would spend hours looking through pages and pages of tattoo flash. Over the years my love for tattoo design grew along with the number of tattoos on my body and I decided to take these designs and apply them to jewellery, making myself a Sugar Skull Signet ring but then sitting on the idea for so long, never really taking it any further. It was not until the middle of 2012 when I was getting my leg tattooed by Rakhee Shah I showed her the ring and she loved it and told me I had to get my jewellery out in to the world. I teamed up with a brilliant diamond setter, Andy and in November 2012 Tattoollery was born.
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KHANDIE KhISSES
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and the fascinating scent and touch of coffee. I work intimately with
Maahy
ink pens and graphite pencils. For me, The key to finishing a detailed art piece is immense patience and perseverance. I always carry a camera with me to capture organic and interesting
I’m 18 and alive, born and raised in one of the most beautiful countries
patterns, shapes and designs I see every day. Whether it be on the
in the world. Growing up in the Maldives, I have always been inspired
road, in a mud puddle, the dancing clouds, or in a trailing foot print, I
by nature. Chilly wind, sunny skies and crystal seas still gets my feet
always keep my inspiration rolling.
off the ground. You could say im a dreamer. I believe in art, beauty,
In august 2012, I started working with Roth Management. It has been
individuality and the simplicity of things.
an eye opening experience for me and I couldn’t be more grateful for
Fearless and captivating art inspires me.
the opportunity.
I’m a completely self taught illustrator. Never having studied art and
I guess I could say art is what makes me who I am, what gives me my
doing it just for the passion and sheer joy of it, I’ve come to realize
individuality and complete joy. It helps me to find myself and is a drive
that drawing is the only way to fulfil my urge to create. It’s the perfect
that keeps me moving forward.
escape my mind gets for freedom. and where my imaginations seek soul and existence. My art portrays the minimalism of black and white as well as the chaot-
https://www.facebook.com/Maahy.art
ic beauty and mystery of doodling, zentangles, streams of flowing lines
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partners in crime Paul & Karen Talbot - post modern tattoo
When a couple invest their time in business together, what is the reality of a 24/7 life with your partner? Karen and Paul Talbot from Custom Colour Tattoo Studio seem to manage it well. Paul is a tattooist while Karen is studio manager. This convergence of personal and professional goals and passion to some seems like asking for trouble and hell, but for others it can be a perfect convenience and a brilliant working partnership. So how do couples make life and business work for them within tattooing? Paul was a musician when they first met so their relationship was already formed prior to opening up their business. Maybe this is the key, they complement and understand each other although “a day of staying in bed all day, watching back to back films with no lap tops and no emails or mobiles switched off would be bliss” Karen wishes. Can’t see that happening just yet as Paul’s style of graphic tattooing has really gained a huge following recently. WHAT CAME FIRST, YOUR RELATIONSHIP OR TATTOO CAREER?
stays there until around 11pm drawing.
Karen - Definitely the relationship, Paul was totally focused on playing music when we met. To the exclusion of pretty much everything else
WORKING TOGETHER AS BUSINESS OWNERS AND ALSO MAN AND WIFE
including art. He only really made art of the band (flyers/covers
DO YOU EVER ESCAPE AND HAVE TIME OUT ALONE?
etc) and spent the rest of his time playing and recording.
Karen - No! And that is definitely something we are planning on addressing for next year.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We haven’t really had any time off this year - we just never
Karen - I worked for a band management and events company in Scotland
envisaged being this busy. We figured Paul’s artwork would appeal
promoting bands and booking gigs, we met when we were both playing
only to a very small part of the tattoo community. It turns out that
at a Rock festival, I was there with one of the bands from Edinburgh
it appeals to quite a few more people than that!
I managed and Paul was there because his band were playing. His new band had quite a bit of interest and were being tipped as one to
Paul - It is a great problem to have and I’m genuinely humbled by the
watch out for. I chatted to him and asked him for a copy of his demo
amount of interest in my work from both clients and fellow tattoo
- actually I remember thinking he was a skinny, moody twat when I
artists. At the moment we’ve stopped taking bookings for 2014 as
first met him! But I eventually became the bands manager late in
we’re booking so far into next year that we can envisage problems
1991. Every time they played up in Scotland he stayed at mine
trying to book conventions or time off already. Next year is
chatting into the early hours and we became good friends and then -
definitely going to have plenty of downtime and family time
of course - a little more!
allocated.
I moved down to Bromsgrove at the tail end of 1992 and we
KAREN AS STUDIO MANAGER DO YOU RUN ALL THE ORGANISATION OF
immediately moved in together. We’re so different in terms of our
THINGS AND LEAVE PAUL TO THE TATTOOING OR IS IT A VERY JOINT RUN
characters that we were told by family and friends that it would
BUSINESS?
never last but, you know what? It did and here we are 21 years later, still best mates (with benefits!) and with two lovely kids.
KAREN - Yes I pretty much do everything, clean and set up the studio, all admin and orders, social networking, accounts and arranging guest
THANKS TO TV TATTOO PROGRAMMES, PEOPLE OFTEN VIEW TATTOING
spots and conventions. Paul just wouldn’t have the time to keep on
AS ONE BIG PARTY. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU GUYS? IS IT ALL
top of it all, he has around 20 clients a month which doesn’t sound
GLAM?
a lot but also for those 20 clients he has 20 pieces of unique
KAREN - Not at all, I get up around 7am and get our daughter out for
artwork to develop so it’s a pretty heavy schedule for him. With my
school. If there’s time I take the three dogs for a walk and get
management and admin background it was a no brainer to give up my
into the studio at around 9am . I’m the cleaner, receptionist,
job and work with Paul full time. We get on well and know each other
manager and chief coffee maker.
inside out so it works for us. We rarely fall out except for when he’s being a dick!
Paul gets in around 10am and preps for his client, spends the best part of each day tattooing and then more often than not -
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IN A BUILD UP TO CONVENTIONS, WHO DOES WHAT?
Daughter pops in after school to say hi to Dad. She loves the studio
Karen - I do it all, book the conventions, book the hotel, book the
and I’m sure that tattooing will be her career when she is old
customers, most of the time Paul doesn’t even know where he is going
enough, she’s already hassling her dad to teach her!
until we get in the car and I put the sat nav on lol! WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING POINT WITHIN BUSINESS, WHEN KAREN WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART AND BEST PART ABOUT BEING MAR-
YOU SAT AS A COUPLE AND SMILED?
RIED TO A TATTOO ARTIST?
Karen - I think it was earlier this year when we got the new studio and we
I think the hardest part is living with someone with the inability
were almost finished with the build. We both sat in the middle of
to switch off. He never stops and nothing is ever good enough, he’s
the room (probably about midnight) with a pizza and a beer and just
always striving to be better and better. But, speaking to most
looked at each other and smiled. I think mine would also have been
artists, I think that is just their makeup as a group of
when Paul won the Skin Deep Industry award last October, we were
individuals. They couldn’t do the amazing artwork that they do
amazed that he was even nominated and looking at the list of artists
without that drive and over critical nature. Sometimes it’s
He thought that there was no way he would have won so when he did it
difficult to watch him drive himself nuts over the tiniest little
was a very proud moment. Of course, I’m proud of him on a daily basis
details of a piece of artwork but he’s just never happy until it’s
but acknowledgement for his art within the industry is something
perfect.
that I know is important to him.
The best part is watching Paul doing what he loves and being
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
successful at it.
KAREN - Hopefully still running a successful business and maybe a few shows and guest spots in Europe and the USA. We both love travelling so a
DO YOU MANAGE TO KEEP HOME LIFE AND WORK LIFE SEPARATE OR IS
chance to combine business and pleasure would be perfect.
THE STUDIO JUST LIKE AN EXTENDED HOME? KAREN - We’re lucky that the studio is only two streets away from home
WHEN YOU ARE AWAY FROM WORK WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DAY
because we spend so much time there. It’s become an
TOGETHER?
extension of our house. The only difference is that as Paul spends
KAREN -I’ll tell you when it happens lol, I think a day of staying in bed
most his time there it’s a little more like a designer ‘man-cave’!
all day, watching back to back films with no lap tops and no emails or mobiles switched off would be bliss.
Our Son works with us at the studio running the Graphic design business which still has corporate client to look after and our
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CHRIS 5 Wars ha
THE FORCE THAT STAR WARS HAS ON TATTOOING
force... One. I have already proven my point because you are reading this simply because it involves Star Wars, and we all know Star Wars is cool! So what was my point, I don’t know, I just know Star Wars Is fucking cool, so read on. You rebel scum! Two. The Popular Culture that is Star Wars has bridged not one, but several generational gaps. Even the newer, gayer stuff (see Jar Jar) helped sustain its dominance in the world of science fiction and fantasy. This provides us artists skin-canvases from the young tight age of 18, to the old stretchmarked age of over 50, all still asking for a kick-ass Boba Fett or Vader.
There are countless undeniable facts when it comes to Star Wars at the
Three. With our artwork’s prevalence at comic cons, magazines and televi-
present time. But Chris 51 and his impressive, yet useless nerd knowledge
sion, it has allowed even the nerdiest of geeks to step out of their parents
on the sci-fi subject is going to try and count them for you anyway.
closet and enter the social world to seek out a Star Wars tattoo. When they (as in we) see their 40 year-old virgin brethren getting something that lasts
The epic saga’s infiltration on our tattooing culture continues to grow and
even longer and they can show off even better than a mint-in-box Death
inspire artists young and old, Jedi or Sith.. Let’s count the ways of this
Star Playset with foam trash-compactor pit still intact, it becomes a logical
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51 - the force Star as on tattooing
(no Star Trek pun intended) new collection.
I make fun of them because I am one of them, so it’s allowed. Kind of like a gay guy calling another gay guy a fag, totally acceptable if you are gay.
Four. The rise of tattoo artist midichlorian levels is unbelievable on this
So, please don’t take offense, or do take offense because then it means you
planet. The skill of the new wave of Jedi Master tattooers demands that
read this and I got to ya buhahahaha. Regardless of the offense, you can’t
everybody who is a fan experiences getting a masterpiece of their favorite
deny the scientific proof and knowledge I dropped forthwith, Star Wars is
childhood movie masterpiece. Could I say anything else involving the
everything and everywhere so you better get on board or you will witness
word master, seeing as how my poor writing just used it three times in one
the total destruction of your world by our now fully operational nerd force.
sentence? How about Masturbate... oh there I went with it, taking it down to a uncivilized level in a more civilized magazine. Five. Some artists don’t just specialize in styles any more, but rather these movies! Star Wars has created so much demand and favor that amazing artists like Chris Jones, Josh Bodwell and Mat Difa are making legendary careers just tattooing primarily Star Wars themed pieces. Six. Because Boba Fett is still simply the coolest looking and most bad-ass character in the history of film. I mean really, who else can talk back to Darth Vader and tell him what the fuck is up without getting the dark lord’s infamous air-choke hold.
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Chris Jones - Physical Graffiti
Matt Diffa - Jollie Rouge
Tanane Whitfield - Studio Evolve 44
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Mark Bailey - Golden Dragon
Duane Robinson - illumineye
Josh Bodwell - Funhouse Tattoo 45
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Chris Jones - Physical Graffiti
Gordon Patterson - Ink Well
Frank La Natra - Into the Woods
Phil Garcia - US
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Neil Dransfield - UK
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Terror Tales Project
Each month we will be featuring a short horror story from a seminal author and inviting tattoo artists to illustrate it. This month we have Belfast born, Wayne Simmons providing us with a chilling tale entitled ‘One Dead Whore’ think Jack the Ripper Vs a Zombie Hooker. Wayne is the author of tattoo-themed horror novels DROP DEAD GORGEOUS and DOLL PARTS, available in paperback, ebook and audiobook from all good retailers. Visit Wayne online at www.waynesimmons.org
One Dead Whor ...and Hazel Nicholls from Design 4 Life Liverpool who is renouned for tattoos with a terror twist serving us up with the illustration, you can find Hazel on facebook at www.facebook.com/hazel.nicholls.501
If you would like to submit a story or help us out with an illustration please drop a line to editor@undertheskinmagazine.co.uk 48
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re
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He was a gentleman.
between a burp and a growl. She decided she needed a drink to sort herself out. Carla made her
Carla should have known that meant nothing around London’s East End in 1888. As a lady of the night selling her malnourished curves for a little bread
way to the pub. She cared nothing for her peculiar appearance or predicament. As she passed through the deserted streets of London’s East End, their rich cocktail
and a lot of gin, she of all people should have worked out by now that the
of smells seemed more appealing than usual. A dense, salty mist from the
so-called gentlemen were, almost always, the worst. Gentlemen clients
fishmonger’s swamped her. The butcher’s shop, where wee Eddie worked,
were rare, it must be said, but those she had regularly were the most de-
offered an even thicker, more alluring stench, spoiled only by the sickly,
manding. Compared to her usual scrubbers, their manners were atrocious.
poisonous sting of the florist’s stock on Whitechapel Lane. Carla felt even
Take, for example, wee Eddie from the butcher’s shop. Carla’s heart
more hungry than before as she battled to hold on to those more fleshy
went out to him so much that she’d on occasion tossed him a free one.
aromas that stirred the pit of her guts so magnificently. Utterly famished
Dear little Ed, about as far from being a gentleman as England was to
and still thirsty for gin, she approached the pub, pleased that its lamps still
France, would save up his pennies for months before tripping along to the
burned.
shadows of her patch, sweaty-palmed and meek, looking for nothing more
Inside, Carla could hear familiar voices. She struggled to remember
than a strong-handed wank and a cuddle. It almost would have been a
things and people that once meant everything to her. The taste of gin
pleasure if the poor fucker weren’t so bloody ugly.
and wine. The smell of sawdust and sweat, tobacco and snuff. The scarred
With a gentleman it was never a pleasure. It was nothing but sick shite.
wooden tables and faintly polished bar. The clinking of glasses and bottles.
Violence. Indecency. Indignity. Carla was no angel by any stretch of the
The sounds of laughter and voices, stained with pent-up aggression and a
imagination, but she still had good high-church values. Or would have had,
loathing of poverty.
of course, if her love of drink hadn’t outstripped all else. Of late, it seemed, any clients were rare, though, so when a gentleman
Carla battled against the hunger, fearing that it would consume her completely the way her thirst for gin often did after a good night’s takings.
came looking for her, she wasn’t going to say no. She didn’t know what big
Her old self still felt pangs for merriment and joviality that her new self
a mistake that was then ...
neither knew nor cared for. Everything was different … yet nothing had
… but she knew now. Carla, like everyone else, blamed the recent murders for the drought
changed. Frustrated and hungry and angry and queasy all at once, Carla bat-
in business. They were the most troubling thing to hit London since the
tered clumsily against the doors of the pub, desperate to get inside where
Great Fire. Everyone knew about them, and everyone was on edge. Five
more delectably-repugnant fleshy smells awaited her…
girls, all friends with whom she’d shared a bottle, had run afoul of her
******
gentleman. They’d been mutilated. Bits of them had been removed and
The Gentleman in the corner sat with his head bent over the table,
taken away. They’d been gutted like sows in seconds. Letters had been
hat still on. A small black case lay by his side. He did not glance up as
sent to the press. Authorities were taunted. It took strategy, precision and a
the draught from the opened door carried in the East End’s distinctive
malevolence Carla couldn’t even begin to understand.
fragrance. One hand was curled gently around a small glass of wine, the
That same gentleman had decided to claim a very special part of Carla
other rose slowly to his shadowed lips to offer a finely-scented cigar. The
while she lay like a torn and festering rose on the bloodstained cobbles. As
tip of the cigar brightened briefly as he inhaled, then darkened again as
her vision receded into blackness, Carla felt a long, slender knife tear into
he tipped its ashes onto the floor. He was the picture of calm propriety, yet
an all-too-familiar place beneath her skirts…
inside him burned a violent and insatiable lust for chaos.
… he was a gentleman, after all. ******
Scattered around him, oblivious to his presence, drunken slummers talked of The Gentleman’s ongoing work in Whitechapel. A rumour was
Her eyes flicked open like a switch.
circulating that another body had been spotted. Another woman, gutted.
She was still lying where he had left her, in the cold, filthy dark of
In one corner, a large red-faced man played out the latest murder with all
one of Whitechapel’s many backstreets. Those who had happened by her
the finesse of Shakespeare’s Falstaff, wielding his pipe as if it were the Rip-
corpse had wisely ignored her, probably more concerned for their own lives
per’s deadly blade. The Gentleman smiled. From behind him, several older
than her dignity. Her blood had congealed into the stones. Her heart didn’t
women, one speaking almost incoherently due to her rotted teeth, spat
beat, and her flesh felt even colder than the scum of frost coating her dress.
and shrieked at one another, each competing for the limelight by exagger-
Carla was no longer alive, of that she was sure.
ating their story of what had happened with greater and greater extremes
But she wasn’t dead, either…
of ridiculousness. They were calling him The Ripper, yet many of them
With no heartbeat, there came no panic, and so Carla rose from the
talked about him as if he were nothing less than The Devil himself.
ground with relative ease and nonchalance. Her first steps were a little unladylike, her limbs refusing to shake off a certain manly shuffle she associated with ironsmiths, but soon her seductive stride returned. Her beauty remained untouched; the same finely cut cheekbones in
He liked that… The Gentleman lifted his glass as if to drink to another night’s fine work. He contemplated that it might be his last, for a while, what with having gathered together most of the parts he needed. In fact, what with
life, now a little paler, still framed perfect features. Her eyes, a striking bright
tonight’s particular takings, he had more than enough. He drained his glass
gray, were even more piercing now. Her hair had fallen from its braided bun
dry, patted his lips with a handkerchief, then stood.
and now streamed in disheveled waves down her back. Of all her charms
From another table, four sets of eyes followed his every move, alert
that remained, her heartbeat was the most notable absence -- that and
and silent, whilst another woman remained hidden from him in the shad-
her manners, it seemed. A deep, gnawing hunger clutched her and her
ows. He clocked them all, yet offered no reaction. He could almost smell
lips were slick with drool. A low moaning sound escaped her, something
their sexes. They were, no doubt, of the same ilk as the others. Whores
50
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riddled with equal measures of darkness and beauty. Indulgent of vice, yet
bemused as her innards slopped nosily onto the sawdust floor. The Gentle-
still, somehow, pristine. These women held a special place in The Gentle-
man looked at her contentedly as he brought the blade to his nostrils and
man’s heart, and he wanted to show them just how much he loved them…
inhaled her scent.
but not now. Not tonight. Not for a while. He had other work to do. Dark and powerful magicks had to be called upon to create an ultimate beauty.
But Carla wasn’t done.
Everything needed had been collected.
A smile curled across her face. Her gentleman had expected her to die.
As The Gentleman stood up, one of the women rose also.
She pounced again, this time taking him by surprise. His perfectly polished
Then came the knocking on the door…
boots slipped in her gore, and as he lost his footing, he toppled right into
****** Lisa was sweating heavily; the voices in the pub swirled around her
her waiting grasp. Her teeth tore into his face as if it were mutton pie, stripping cartilage
like fog, threatening to kill her silent chant. Beneath her cloak, her face was
and bone. He wrapped his arms around her in a perverted embrace, and
bright red. Blood pooled in the canals of her ears and whites of her eyes.
she felt him reaching into her gutted torso, his hands trying to gain some
One hand shook profusely. The other left a bloody trail across the bar table
kind of purchase to push her away. She could taste the ghost of his fine
as her fingers dug deep into the old wood. She was as close to death as the
cigar in his blood.
corpse she had manipulated was to life.
The Gentleman roared. Carla silenced him when she tore his larynx
A student of the dark arts for many years, Lisa had worked long and
from his corded throat. Thick curtains of blood spilt onto his white shirt.
hard to reach this level. Every text she had studied warned of the penalty
Carla worked her teeth and her fingernails, peeling, tearing and unravel-
for dabbling as she had, but she had never dreamed it would be like this.
ling every inch of her gentleman. She unpeeled him in the sawdust like a
Still, she persisted, digging deep within her broken heart to wreak the righ-
palpitating artichoke, making small mewing sounds of contentment as she
teous havoc that was so desperately needed in Whitechapel.
worked and ate.
He had to be stopped. Four other women surrounded her, the rage and fear in their hearts
****** The five women at the table sat motionless. The creature they had all
mirroring the carnage ravishing Lisa’s very being. Yet, they remained
known as Carla Jenkins was spread-eagled on the floor, gnawing on every
po-faced and discreet, supporting Lisa with nervous resilience. The bar’s
scrap of flesh and bone left of the Gentleman, scraps that poured out of her
noise continued to swell around them; the smell of liquor and tobacco
torso even as she swallowed them. His black case sat useless and open on
rife throughout. All four women broke out in a sweat now as their friend
a nearby table, the surgical instruments glistening under the gaslights. The
and colleague gasped once, then twice, before her cloaked body began to
spine of a book was also visible. “Frankenstein by Mary Shelley,” the women
tremor in a manner most unladylike.
would have read had they been close enough to make out the lettering.
Then came the knock. ****** It was old Tom who opened the door, finally, but he didn’t seem to
Lisa was the first to get up. She removed the cloak from her ravished face with one shaking hand. Another woman immediately rose with her, steadying her with her arm as the frail, magick-worn woman stumbled.
recognise her. Carla was used to the sorry old sod grinning and drooling
With the help of her friend, the weary witch shuffled over to the blood-
inanely at her every time they met, but this time, on seeing her, his face
stained mess that had been Carla Jenkins. Lisa stretched her hand down to
came over dreadfully pale, and a short yelp left his pickled lips before he
caress the feral woman’s long, wet locks, feeling the dark energy from the
ran into the street in a panic. Others followed suit. The normally lively pub
Gentleman’s blood as it seeped from her friend’s hair onto her own hands.
emptied in seconds as Carla stepped inside. Even Al, the pub’s landlord and
For a moment she felt the raw, evil that had raged in the Gentleman’s
all-round local heavy, made for the door screaming like a baby. Before long
heart surge through her own, evil she had worked so hard to purge from
only one table was left occupied, and one man remained standing.
Whitechapel. A tear trickled down her cheek, smarting in its damp trail, and
A gentleman. Her gentleman.
she looked again at her friend.
Carla’s eyes burned a deep and dark red now, the bizarre violence filling her utterly. A gout of blood suddenly spurted from her lips and plopped onto her chin. She craved this man, this gentleman’s flesh like she
“Oh Carla…” she said, her heart heavy. “Oh Carla ... why did he have to do this to us?”
had never craved anything before. She craved his smell, the feel of his skin, the very taste of his heart. She longed to unwrap his body. Like a wildcat, she pounced, but he was quicker. He side-stepped easily out of her feral reach. As Carla sprawled forward into the shadows, knocking clumsily into a table, her gentleman snatched up his little black case.
The other woman whispered softly into Lisa’s ear, gently trying to lead her away from the mess that had been her lover. “Come on now, love,” she said. “It’s done now. It’s done.” Outside, a respectful silence descended upon Whitechapel. It was as if the East End mourned in a sign of solidarity with the women of the night it
She righted herself, shaking her head like a wounded animal, before pouncing again. The Gentleman produced a long, gleaming blade. His eyes,
knew so well. Darkness kissed and caressed the breeze, finally spitting its choked up emotion as rain gathered in the air.
bright with lust, remained fixed on her. He tipped his hat then beckoned to
Somewhere close, a tall, nervous man approached a woman standing on a
her with one hand.
street corner.
She rushed him again. This time as he stepped to the side he thrust his slender blade deep into her belly with all the grace of a matador. Carla
It was business as usual.
stumbled. The gentleman wasted no time. He grabbed the knife’s handle with one hand and her delicate shoulders with the other, and in one fluid motion he ripped her open from pubis to breastbone. Carla watched
51 51
I am intrigued, what is Rockabilly Mafia?
one my reply was, “How bout I buy an old car and we start a club?” So I found a 1949 chevy..in a junk yard in
Basically in 2010 me and a co-worker both
Fresno , I bought it and the rest was history.
mechanics one day started talking about
So how did the name come about?
old cars and how cars today are no longer
own!!!
What next then? How did you build an interest?
People started a
grew to 10 mem
only have 5!!!!...so We made a facebook page and it took off
how much time
like wild fire, people loved the name..!!! We
building a 70 yea
made of steel. They are poorly made now
My fiancée, who is BIG TIME involved in
then needed a logo. We selected Fran-
bers gave up!!!.
days which sparked the conversation he
rockabilly since high school suggested we
kenstein because our cars are rat rods or
We hunt down a
was in a car club in the 80’s and he missed
make a name to identify ourselves and
custom, far from original. My ‘49 chevy
the vintage era o
the good old days of his youth. I had a biker
show that we are into the rockabilly and
has a 1969 engine...mustang suspension...
cars allowed pas
background. I had Previously had built a
custom car culture. Every name I thought of
Cadillac rear end..many different parts like
custom chopper in my living room in 2008
was already taken.
Frankenstein. We added wrenches to show
So I tell him here in Fresno, California is
One day I was watching TV and they were
we are mechanics and build our cars. Also
well known for old cars. I moved to Fresno
talking about Elvis, his bodyguards and
because we couldn’t afford to just go spend
My fiancée had t
in 2010 my co-founder told me he owns
friends “THE MEMPHIS MAFIA” I thought
thousands of dollars on what someone else
inspired social cl
several old cars and could I help me find
THAT’S IT!!!!...”ROCKABILLY MAFIA CAR CLUB” has made!!!..Our club motto is we build our
the name “ROCK
So where do t
52
show that the two clubs are separate but
asking how they can join. We
one big vintage family. We have grown to
mbers initially but now we
four car club chapters: ST LOUIS, KANSAS,
ome people don’t realise
MONTANA and ARIZONA.
and money is involved in
ar old car, so some mem-
So where can people find you?
and build old cars and like
Follow us https://www.facebook.com/rock-
of the 50’s.No muscle cars or
abillymafiacarclub https://www.facebook.
st 1965..that’s about it.
com/rockabilly.mafiadolls?fref=ts
the Mafia Dolls fit in?
the idea to start a vintage
lub for women. She made
KABILLY MAFIA DOLLS” to
53 53
All Photos by Steve Mannion facebook.com/stevemannionphotography
Atters and Miss Tattoo UK Emy54 Claire THom
mas
By Ollie Tye
55 55
By Mark Bailey
By Phatt German
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By Jak Connoly
By Marc Nutley
By Thomas Pollard
5757
Matthew James The Black Lodge Somerset www.facebook.com/beeftattoo www.matthewjamestattoo.com 58
MATTHEW JAMES
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6161
Teesside Charity Tattoo Convention - pictures courtesy of Martyn Jones
By Jordan Croke
62
Teesside Tattoo Convention is special, not only because some of
whilst Ava escaped unscathed. Mya sadly died in her fathers arms
the best artists in the UK are in attendance but also it’s in aid of a
in hospital 16 hours later. In what for most would have destroyed
fantastic cause, the Jo & Mya Memorial Fund
them, Ian set about trying to help others. Ian set about fundraising, turning his grief into something positive, in an attempt to keep his
The show now in its 2nd year is organised by Ian Richardson and
wife and daughters names “alive” and help others.
his good friend Mark Bester from Marked for Life Studio in Stock-
With no employees, the work of the charity is carried out by Ian and
ton.
other volunteers and fundraisers. Every penny raised going directly to help children in their darkest hours.
Ian tirelessly fund raises for this charity and it’s important to under-
You can read more about the Jo & Mya Memorial fund at http://
stand why...
www.joandmya.co.uk/
On the 8th August 2010, Ian Richardson, his wife Joanne, and two
We had the pleasure of visiting during the setup of the show and
daughters Mya (6) and Ava (10weeks old), were travelling back
it was hearwarming to see so many of Ian and Marks friends lend
from a family wedding in Scotland, what was a perfect weekend,
a hand putting the show together and so many artists working
turned into the most tragic imaginable. Just thirty miles from their
for many their sundays off to raise money for the fund. It goes to
home in Teesside, their family car was hit head on by another mo-
say with the calibre of artists in attendance the tattoos producted
torist heading the wrong way along the A1.
where fantastic.
Joanne was killed instantly. Mya and Ian sustained massive injuries,
By Adam Hawks
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