ON THE COVER KYLE COSMAN Kirt Silver Billy DeColawestcoastinkmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/issue3.pdf · Kirt Silver Billy DeCola AND MORE STORIES FROM WEST COAST ARTISTS ON

ISSUE 3 | 2014

PLUS:Ink by SAGAThe History of American Traditional Tattooing

TATTOO & CULTURE MAGAZINE

MODELSALICIA NICOLE

JOSH MARIO JOHN

Kirt SilverBilly DeCola

AND MORE STORIES FROM WEST COAST

ARTISTS

ON THE COVERKYLE COSMAN

Men of Venice BeachKyle CorbinNoah ValinskyQwentell Paulings

2 | WESTCOASTINKMAG.COM ISSUE 3 | 3

INDEX.

West Coast Ink is a tattoo and culture magazine established in Victoria, BC. Created by owner Ryan Bishop, the magazine has been developed to showcase the incredibly talented tattoo community on the west coast. From tattoo artists, to shops, to models and more, West Coast Ink Magazine has your daily fix to everything tattoo...

05 - DARKHORSE TATTOOWest Shore’s brand new tattoo and piercing shop.

06 - KIRT SILVERWorld-recognized tattoo artist tells us the inside story to his success.

09 - GREG CLEAVERCheck out the amazing photography from Greg Cleaver.

12 - SEAN ANDERSONFind out the story behind Sean’s creativity and passion for art.

16 - KYLE COSMANMaybe the most interesting style of tattoos you’ve seen.

18 - BILLY DECOLAWe caught up with NY INK apprentice Billy DeCola for a look into the spotlight of tattooing.

20 - THE MEN OF VENICE BEACHWest Coast Ink travels to Los Angeles to explore the tattoo community.

28 - DAVID GLUCKHow David’s background in oil painting helped him with tattooing.

29 - CRYSTAL WALTSThis island girl loves the camera; read what her tattoos mean to her.

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I started off by bringing in my own clientele, and as the word got out we gradually became busier. You will find my shop to have a very relaxed atmosphere, as well as friendly

and mature customer service. We have a great location and are looking forward to tattooing Langford. Kelly Auclair is the pierc-er at our shop. If you ever need something pierced, he is your guy! Kelly is awesome at what he does and he always informs you about the proper techniques regarding aftercare. Expect my team and I to always be pushing ourselves for a greater challenge and taking our art to a new level. You could definitely say we are beyond driven!

Can you give us a little background about Darkhorse?I first started tattooing in 2006. Two years later, I started my own shop which lead to many exciting new opportunities for myself, including hosting Vancouver Islands very first tattoo convention. The Capital City Tattoo Convention in 2010 and 2011 started with a lot of hard work from myself and my two partners, Erik Van Kobra and Scott Petterson. As fun as it was to host two tattoo conventions, I don’t see myself doing it again anytime soon.

What is it that you love most about tattooing?What do I love most about what I do? Easy, I love a challenge

from my clients. I love going above and beyond for them and converting the vision in their mind into a work of art for their body. I try my best to bring their vision to life. It really means a lot to me knowing that another person is willing to display my art on their body for the rest of their life. For me, tattooing is extremely gratifying.

Do you have any specific style you enjoy the most?I wouldn’t say I specialize in one particular style of tattoos. I’m always pushing myself to be well rounded. It’s great to be known for specializing in a specific style, but personally I enjoy a different challenge each time. It keeps things fresh and exciting.

“For me, tattooing is extremely gratifying.” - Shawn Steinberg

ARTISTS

HORSED A R K

Model: Tessa Pimlott

Photo by: Julia Loglsci


Before tattooing I had several different jobs. I worked as a personal trainer, sport supplement manager and believe it or not,

I was even a hair stylist before becoming a tattoo arist. That is how I met my beautiful wife Amy. I found myself unsatisfied with these jobs and seeking new direction in life. Through reflection and prayers I felt the desire to go back to my roots as an artist. Doors were opening in front of me and opportunities started to arise to pursure tattooing as a career.

I had an interest in tattooing from a young age. The first tattoo that I recall seeing was back when I was ten years old, on my uncle’s arm. He had a blurry, green cross and some writing. I recall soon after this on family vacation sneaking off to a tattoo shop next to a comic book store and admiring all the flash art on the walls. I would sneak in to shops any chance I could, but would usually get kicked out for being under age. Tattoos had caught my interest and I soon began drawing art on myself and friends often getting us all into trouble with our parents. My parents saw early on that I had a natural desire to create art and encouraged me to do so. They were always, and still are, one hundred percent encouraging about my artistic abilities and tattooing career. We did not have a lot of money growing up, so my mom would save Bristol board from boxes at her work for me to draw on. My dad still has one of these old cardboard drawings, framed and hung on his wall. My mom often told me that I was going to be successful, but I would have never guessed it would be as a tattoo artist. Start Into TattooingI started tattooing in 2002 after failure to get an apprenticeship. I bought a friend’s machine, a few

Born in Kingston, Nova Scotia; moved to Truro, Nova Scotia - Kirt Silver now calls Elmsdale, Nova Scotia his home.

ARTISTS tubes and a power supply. I tattooed a lot of grapefruits and oranges before I finally received an apprenticeship at Iron Mikes Tattoos in Truro, Nova Scotia; it was here that I met Mike Leblanc. Until then I had never seen work like his anywhere except for magazines. After a great deal of floor sweeping and tube cleaning, Mike finally agreed to teach me the art behind tattooing.

I will never forget my first client! It was some sort of Ying and Yang, angel/devil kind of thing. My hands were trembling and I was sweating through the whole thing. I quickly found out tattooing was a lot harder than it looked.

I later opened my own shop, Silver City Tattoos, in Elmsdale. I became well rounded to different styles of tattooing due to client requests. At

first people sought me out for my larger black and grey Japanese inspired work, which I still enjoy doing today. I found myself really wanting to expand from there, so I started to focus on portraits and color realism. I began studying and following the tattoo art of Tom Renshaw, Bob Tyrrell, Guy Aitchison, Joe Capobianco, and Mike Devries. My current style tends to focus around color realism. I feel that I am always seeking to learn new and different styles to keep my art fresh and am humbled by the challenge. I am really interested in expanding my knowledge of all styles but recently I have been focusing a lot on animation or cartooning style. Tony Ciavarro and Jime Litwalk are a huge influence. I want to merge the painterly realism with some bold outer lines and exaggerated features - sort of a neo-realism if you will. I found something I can do day in and day out and am just as excited now as my first day on the job. I do not see myself doing anything else. This is where I am supposed to be!

Day to dayI make it a point to meet with all my clients personally to consult about their tattoo. Most clients have an idea of what they want their tattoo to represent or of the elements they want to be included. Most clients have been referred by friends and trust me to use my creativity and experience to shape their design. I always keep in mind the client’s desire for the best tattoo, so as I approach the design I will interview my clients to make note of certain features wanted. From there I will research the style and subject

My hands were trembling and I was sweating through the whole thing. I

quickly found out tattooing was a lot harder than it looked. ”

matter to gain a better understanding of the tattoo and to begin designing the working piece.

Sometimes if my client is open to it I will just free hand a sketch on to the body and create the details as I go such as Biomech or Japanese influenced art. With more realistic subject matter I like to have the art well prepared and enhanced with Photoshop.

Achievements and tools from SponsorsI have had the opportunity to travel all over Canada and the United States to teach my seminar, Back 2 Reality, based on my approach to color realism. I also have a color realism DVD out and plan to release a second one very soon. Within the last two years I have worked hard on my art to make an impression on this industry.

I have landed features in publications and great magazine, such as this one, all across the world. I feel blessed to have become part of the team at Neo Tat Machines where Ray Webb designs their amazing linear rotaries. I started using rotaries about 4 years ago and found they were so much smoother for packing color and allowed for more passes in the skin. This is great when doing a color portrait with lots of detail. Also I have had the great honor of teaming up with my ink line of choice StarBrite, from the makers at Tommy’s Supplies. I find these inks saturate extremely well and heal with great vibrancy. I have also had the opportunity to work with them to formulate my own color set which is named the Kirt Silver series. My needles of choice come from a company that has shown me great support throughout my career, World Wide Tattoo Supply.

I want to thank my wife Amy & son Disiah for all their support and love. My parents who have always encouraged my art. Mike LeBlanc for the opportunity to learn the art of tattoo. My clients who inspire and support me and to God for all he has seen me through.

“


Tattoos to me are an expression of your inside personality reflected on the outside, for everyone to see. I started getting inked very young, just four days after my eighteenth birthday. I got a lot of tattoos within a few years and noticed

that people were starting to look at me differently; elderly people were shocked when I held doors open for them. Now, tattoos are more mainstream and accepted by the general public; still, heavily inked people seem to be in a social category all on their own, which I am more than happy to be a part of!

In the future I hope to have my entire right arm done from armpit to knuckles, and my whole left leg done from butt cheeks to toe nails! I promised my mother

I would stop after that...

Left SleeveSea turtles are an animal I respect and love. They have to overcome great adversity before they get to live, and even then their lives aren’t easy. They are gentle and majestic - all around fantastic creatures. This piece was done by Jason Nowland from Bolder Syde Custom Tattooing in Kamloops, B.C.

Right Leg PieceI‘ve always enjoyed star gazing since I was very young, so naturally I wanted to get a space themed tattoo. I got the sun and the moon because we cannot exist without them and Saturn because I’m a Capricorn. This piece was done by Jason O’Sullivan when he worked at Bolder Syde Custom Tattooing in Kamloops, B.C.

Left Leg PieceThis gorgeous collage of flowers and skulls was poured out of the painfully talented mind of Roadkill Riley, owner of Pirate Palace Tattoo shop in Kamloops, B.C. This piece is the beginning of my overall plan to cover my entire leg. The flowers were an attempt to showcase my feminine side.

Neck pieceThis was an addition to 3 music notes I had behind my ear. I wanted a simple, yet delicate neck piece; so my ink slinging friend Matt Goodman and I sat down and dreamed up this purple spray paint swirl. He works in a home studio in Kelowna, B.C.

BY DUNCAN POLSON

THE HISTORY

Model: Veronica Kitten

Styling by: Amanda RendulicPhotos by: Greg Cleaver

Often pursued by those wishing to express themselves as different, worn as a badge of rebellion and proudly

marking men and women who identify with an ‘outsider’ label, ironically, getting a tattoo might just be the most traditional and mainstream thing someone might ever do.

After a dark period of disapproval and condemning of the tattoo arts, including a complete ban of any tattooing in Massachusetts from 1962 to 2000, it seems like the incredible history of the tattoo has been all but forgotten. From criminals to English kings, from ancient Egyptian, Celts, travelling circus performers to military officers, its not uncommon to feel drawn to tattoo culture. Like music, it spans the human timeline entirely - as far back as a mummified man named Otzi found frozen since 3,300 BCE on the Italian/Austrian border, peppered with 57 ancient tattoos. As tattooing becomes more obvious and accepted in mainstream culture, it is more and more likely you might encounter a police officer with a tiger neck jam, or a suburban mother with full sleeves - and while every tattoo can be extremely personal to the wearer (or just be a super sweet dragon that looked rad as hell on the wall of a shop) it is also becoming more and more important to respect and remember the incredible history of the tattoo.

Probably the most natural place to start is with American traditional tattooing. This is the American folk art style, often referred to as ‘old school’ or ‘sailor traditional’. American traditional tattooing is defined by thick black outlines, minimal colour palettes, and deceptively simple designs. Popular still with young men of all backgrounds, in my opinion because they can take any skinny, pale, lacklustre lad and make him seem like a hard edged man of adventure and vigour. The great Sailor Jerry of Honolulu (also known as Norman Keith Collins and ‘Old Ironsides’) has been called the ‘grandfather of the traditional tattoo’, and

OF AMERICAN TRADITIONAL

TATTOOINGwhile there is no doubt of his great contributions to the art form; including the mentor-ship of two tattoo legends (Ed Hardy and Mike ‘Rollo Banks’ Malone) the alleged invention of purple ink, and the popularisation of the hula girl pin-up - unfortunately his fame has overshadowed some other pioneers of modern tattooing. ‘Doc’ Forbes of Vancouver, for example, who was (in)famous for his studio filled with medical journals and wearing a white coat while he tattooed. ‘Captain’ Don Leslie, who was not only a tattooer, but a sideshow sword swallowing attraction. Samuel O’Reilly, who invented the world’s first electric machine, making tattoos faster and introducing the incredible buzzing sound all tattoo enthusiasts dread and long for simultaneously. Jack ‘Dracula’ Baker of Coney Island had his face tattooed with an eagle. There was Cap Coleman, Lew the Jew, ‘Painless’ Jack Tryon, even some female tattooers like Irene Woodward and Betty Broadbent. Most of these tattooists made their living with the circus.

Tattooing sideshow ‘freaks’ or performing themselves, the American public was enamoured with those few who had their bodies completely and permanently etched with imagery. Those with the tattoos obliged, and added fuel to the fascination with incredible and elaborate (totally false) stories of being kidnapped by Native tribes and being forced to undergo the needle. In reality, most of the women were tattooed by their husbands or fathers, working as tattooists and hoping to make some cash. Female tattooed performers earned much more than their male counterparts, which was unfortunate for the men who usually had to shell out incredible sums of money to the few tattooers working in the back corners of barbershops, for the hope of travelling with a show and making the investment back.

Unfortunately for all those who performed as tattooed freaks, the public lost interest in the spectacle. More and more people outside the travelling freakshow began getting tattooed, specifically those in the military, who adorned themselves with tributes to patriotism, sweethearts, and the ever classic ‘mom’ heart. Sailors were of course the largest group of benefactors to tattooists, turning port towns on both coasts into skin art Mecca. Samuel O’Reilly was quoted once as saying “A sailor without a tattoo is like a ship without rum: un-seaworthy.”

Sailors have always had a special connection with tattooing ever since Captain Cook in 1769 discovered tattooed natives in his first voyage to southern seas, many of his crew allowed themselves to be tattooed before returning home, which led to the tradition of spiritual and meaningful tattoos found aboard almost every ship. Some of the more notable tattoos were a rooster and pig tattooed on the feet, since many seamen were ironically unable to swim in the 18th century, and as birds and other livestock were kept in wooden crates, they were more likely to float. The words ‘HOLD FAST’ were regularly tattooed on knuckles to remind men to form a firm grip on rigging during storms, and on their weaponry during combat. A dragon symbolized a voyage to the east, a turtle for passing the equator, and sometimes a full rigged ship for ‘rounding the horn’ (sailing past the tip of South America). All of these classic naval tattoos have been popular in the service since men first realized they could stick junk on their arms to make themselves look tough, and they continue to choose these designs today, with the notable addition of the pin-up.

Just as the United States had begun to join the conflict in World War 2, there were very specific rules for the drafting of young men into service; one of the more fun precedents was that nothing pornographic or lewd could be tattooed visibly on your person, as it was un-becoming of a man in the United States service. A quick loophole meant there was a line of young eligible men outside tattoo shops, dodging the draft, and getting a very foxy young thing to take home to boot! (extra points if you got her in a place you could flex dance). Sailor Jerry, being ex navy himself, famously refused to tattoo any nude women on someone trying to irk their responsibility to the war, but would also offer free ‘clothing’ if patriotism took hold and you felt you must do your part for the good ol’ US of A.

There it is, your shotgun-crash-course of American traditional tattooing, the bare minimum I can give you to possibly start grasping the incredible history of that iconic style. But, shit, all you really need to know is- that anchor would look so seriously badass on your forearm, make your grandad proud!


MODELS

Amanda Gunnarsen & Derek Lintaman

Photo by: Randy Allen at Powder Puff Vixen Pinup Photography


I realized early on that in order to stand out I would have to devote my life completely to drawing, art, and the study of tattooing.

My tattoos have a unique blend of realistic and abstract elements in them, and I enjoy

creating works of art on skin that are unique and original. My work is known for vivid color use and photorealism. Much of my work is created right on my clients the day of the tattoo; I find taking a drawing directly from paper to skin does not always adequately create the best harmony between tattoo and body flow. I use bold slices of color across large sections of body, adding abstract geometrical elements in motion to counter the stillness of a portrait subject.

All my work is based on my theory of opposition: movement with static elements; black and grey mixed with color; real with abstract; muted colors countered with ultra bright; nature with mathematics. People can spot my work when they see it, and it makes me happy to know that I am leaving them with a unique piece they aren’t likely to find anywhere else.

I was born in Verdun, a little part of Montreal, Quebec. After a few years my family decided to take us to Calgary, where there were more job opportunities. I’m told that I started drawing daily from the time I could hold a pencil. By elementary school I was making litttle pulp action comics starring all of my friends. My mom enrolled me in a few Alberta College of Art & Design courses around age ten, which would prove to be my only formal education in art throughout my life.

In high school I drew for the school paper but opted not to take any art classes, as basketball was my focus at the time. I fantasized about being a tattoo artist, something I wanted to be as far back as I can remember, and would spend classes drawing flash sheets with the hope of selling my drawings one

ANDERSONS E A N

day. After winning the coveted city championship in Calgaery in my senior year, I was offered scholarships to play ball at several local colleges. I had opted out of the art career idea for the time and instead decided to pursue an education in architecture. Feeling like I had chosen incorrectly, I dropped out and floated for a couple years, finally getting an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Calgary.

Fast forward five years, and I was pursuing a master’s degree in psych, and married to a trained graphic artist and aspiring tattoo artist. Working at the office during the day, I hung out at the shop she worked in on weekends for a year, and eventually picked up a machine in our apartment and began tattooing brave friends and my own leg. Finally I had found a way into the career I had always wanted. I never did get the benefit of a proper apprenticeship, instead I had to scratch my way into the industry. In hindsight, I don’t regret this but feel

I could have shortened a five year journey down to one or two.

My career was going places, I landed a highly coveted government job as a counsellor. But it wasn’t until I simultaneously went through a divorce and the death of my father that I decided to live for myself for once. I quit my job, and moved to Victoria, B.C. on a whim. It was the best choice I ever made. I was hell bent on working only as a club DJ [my other passion, something I did successfully in Calgary] and a tattoo artist. I went to every single shop in Victoria and asked for a job, but didn’t land anything. My drawings were weak at the time; I didn’t understand then how much time I should have been putting into my craft. I had to make it my entire life if I wanted to succeed. So I went back to the social work field, and fell in love with Victoria. Victoria is the most amazing city I have ever had the chance to live in, and the Island is my favourite place on earth. The

“Lots of people ask me where SAGA comes from. It is the initials to my full given name. Sean Alexander Garfield Anderson... SAGA”

people, the pace of life, nature, the ocean, the rainforests... my heart belongs to the island. It wasn’t until I met an amazing girl back in Calgary that I felt the need to travel back and forth from BC to Alberta. I decided to create “Ink by Saga” and start tattooing again, as full-time as I could make it. For a year, I would drive to Calgary to visit and tattoo, then I would come back to Victoria to live the party life for a couple of weeks.

After a couple years on the island with limited success in art and tattoos, I decided to apply at shops in Calgary. Ten shops later and a trip up north to work the oil rigs, Brandi Lee, the owner of Human Kanvas Tattoos and Piercing in Calgary, realized I had some potential and gave me a shot. While it took getting rejected at forty-five shops in total, I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up. Nothing in life worth anything comes easy.

Starting as a junior artist, Brandi was able to fill the gaps in my learning and help me take my skills to the next level, something I’ll be forever grateful for. Human Kanvas is a custom tattoo shop hidden away in north east Calgary. Super friendly, clean, and diverse; We pride ourselves on having artists for every style. I realized early on that in order to stand out in Calgary, a city with amazingly talented artists, 80+ shops and 400+ artists, that I would have to devote my life completely to drawing, art, and the study of tattooing. I have always loved markers; I used to tag the walls of this city with magnum markers, and never lost my passion for them. I started creating art pieces with markers, and got myself into a few art shows, where my work was well received. After picking up a set of prismacolor markers, I have spent the last couple years teaching myself the art of realism, first on paper, then on skin, as any tattoo art should be learned. Going from the graffiti, illustrative style to realism and portraits was a lofty transition; I spend an average of 30 hours a week now practicing portraiture with copic and prismacolor markers.

While people say artists have an innate talent for it, I say we just have the drive to put in the hours to practice. My drawings sucked for years but after thousands of hours of practicing anything, we will all be good at something. This applies to not just art, but anything you love.

My marker portraits have taken on a life of their own now, in the last couple years I have had 3 solo exhibitions, 8 group shows, and a show in the Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary. My work also hangs in the Motion Gallery of Calgary.

I N K B Y S A G A

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ARTISTS


JOSH MARIO JOHNMy first tattoo was what

eventually became a sleeve. It is a collection predominantly of

flowers. My grandmother passed away last year at the age of 96; throughout her life she worked continuously on her artwork. She loved to work with water colour, and was an avid gardener.

“She loved to sit and paint wonderful landscapes and

natural settings.”

Later in her life she suffered a stroke, which significantly impacted her ability to paint; yet it didn’t stop her. It was around that time that I decided to put together a concept for my arm. What I did was take a bunch of her old sketches from before her stroke, and had the artist capture some of the flowers and other elements and mold them into one flowing piece.

Most of my other pieces have been traditional, and are more or less pieces that had caught my eye, or artist choice; so lots of them don't have a particular "meaning". At this point it means more to me who tattoos me as opposed to the actual imagery attached to the piece.

Photo by: Oz John Tekson

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Byron Bay, Australia was where Kyle first began working on his full sleeve tattoo. He lived there

working as a manager at a hostel for ten months. Kyle says he became very spiritual at that time in his life and found a special relationship with god; his sleeve tattoo resembles that time. After he moved back home to Victoria, Kyle met with Colin at Government Street Tattoo where he had some of his other work done. The large tattoo on his neck is a dagger going through a heart. “It cuts through the bad part of my life and separates the good from the evil, Kyle says. The right side of my heart is on fire which resembles pain and all the bad in my life, but the left side is the opposite, it resembles the good.”

The dragon which is on Kyle’s side, was tattooed on him because he was born in the year of the dragon according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. From straight on, Kyle’s body looks half tattooed and half not, which he says is exactly the look he was going for.

ON THE COVERKYLECOSMAN

Photos by: Julia Loglisci


How did you begin tattooing?I started out hanging around the Miami Ink tattoo shop which is where all of my friends worked. I was friends with those guys long before the TV show was developed and I always enjoyed the tattoo environment. I was going through some financial hardship when I was offered an opportunity to work the floor - you know, selling tattoos, setting up & breaking down the artists, cleaning the shop. It was hard work but it was a crash course in the tattoo business. After what seemed like forever, I received the opportunity of a lifetime, Ami James encouraged me to tattoo his friend. It was a small, simple tattoo but it was an eye opener. From that time on I knew I wanted to be a tattooer.

What is your favorite style?I really love traditional Japanese tattooing. Flat, simple, easily readable and bold. I spent a long time in Japan, 10 years to be exact, and while I was there I got to know the Horitoshi family very well. I had the honour of getting tattooed by them and during my time spent there we became friends. Their style is my favorite and I constantly study Horitoshi’s work. He’s taught me some invaluable lessons about composition and I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to speak about tattoos with such a legend.

How did NY Ink affect your career?I appeared on the TLC reality show, “NY Ink,” which was shot at Wooster Street Social Club in NYC. Not every tattooer goes through their apprenticeship in front of a worldwide audience. It was a difficult experience but I consider myself lucky to have been brought into the public eye so early in my career.

DECOLAB I L L Y

What is your take on all of these reality TV shows around the tattoo industry?Tattoo Reality TV Shows have gone from being popular to simply played out. I think it would be an insult to the intelligence of the viewer to tell you that ALL tv shows aren’t spiced up for your viewing pleasure. But real things do happen and that’s what makes these unscripted shows interesting.

How has TV publicity impacted your tattoo career? How is it received by other tattooists and shops that you have worked in?TV has boosted my career right from the beginning and I’m grateful for that. If it weren’t for the TV show I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel the world and attend the industry’s best conventions so early in my career. Some tattooers in other shops are haters, but most guys accept the fact that I had an opportunity of a lifetime. It really comes down to my attitude towards them and the industry. As long as I respect the game, which I think I’m doing, and keep my side of the road clean, I expect to be treated as a regular tattooer working hard to become a better artist.

What direction will you take with your tattoo career?10-15 years from now I probably won’t be recognized as the apprentice on NY Ink but I do hope to be recognized as a great tattooer. Once again it’s up to me and the way I use the popularity that I’ve been blessed with.

Where have you travelled to in your career?I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over Canada and the United States tattooing at conventions and doing guest spots - NYC, Philly, Miami, Saint Petersburg, Houston, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver - to name a few, I’ve also been to Australia 5 times in the past year! I’ve tattooed in Japan and I’m finally heading to the UK in Feb for the Brighton show which is going to be amazing!

Lastly, where are you tattooing now?I’m currently tattooing in Vancouver, BC in a private studio. I only take appointments - no walk ins. While I do miss working in a busy shop, I feel working by appointment only allows me to be prepared for the job. That’s important when doing large scale Japanese work.

Model: Alicia Nicole

Photos by: Sterling Legacy Art

ARTISTS


THE MENOF

VENICEB E AC H

West Coast Ink had an inside look at the tattoo culture along the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk.

FEATURE

BY JULIA LOGLISCI


Being offered the opportunity to travel down to California to represent West Coast Ink Magazine was truly an incredible experience.

In the three months that I was there, I immersed myself in the hugely recognized tattoo community that is known in the city of

Los Angeles. The diverse culture in LA was so cool to see. There are so many different types of people and a heck of a lot of different types of tattoos. Oh and did I mention that almost everybody is drop dead gorgeous?! It really is a city filled with Angeles…

Within just three months, I fell head over heals in love with the city of Los Angeles... I can’t wait to go back in the new year.

FEATURE

T H E

CITY OF ANGELS

“Everywhere you look you’ll find tattoos, especially along

the Venice Beach Boardwalk.”

Model: Kyle CorbinPhotos by: Julia Loglisci

While in LA, Venice Beach was one of my favourite spots to hang out; it’s like a giant freak show. In fact, I think there actually is a TV show called Venice Beach Freak Show. I was fortunate enough to meet some very cool tattoo covered individuals who were ecstatic about the idea of being featured in West Coast Ink Magazine. It was easy to see that the tattoo culture in LA is HUGE. Everywhere you look you’ll find tattoos, especially along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Noah Kyle Qwentell Sean Rick

The Men of Venice Beach.

Model: Qwentell Paulings

Models: Kyle Corbin (left) & Noah Valinksy (right)


In the midst of all the street artists, curious tourists, and eccentric locals sits a very unique tattoo shop. The bright red cement

walls stand out with paintings that resemble the old school "Sailor Jerrys" laying over top of them. Along the side of the building sits a big red leather couch - perfect for a photo shoot back drop. A big garage style door welcomes you into the shop. The huge sign "House of Ink Tattoos and Piercing" plastered on the wall outside is impossible to miss.

Inside, the tattoo shop is decorated just like any other. Artists portfolios are displayed in books, glass cases filled with body piercings, hundreds of tattoo examples on posters, black leather reclining chairs, and not to mention a glass case in the lobby with a giant cobra snake hissing inside of it! But nothing out of the ordinary for Venice Beach.

HEIRIGSS E A N

ofHOUSE OF INK

Venice Boardwalk, perhaps one of the most well known beach side boardwalks along the West Coast. People from all walks of life are seen along Venice Beach, and if you have been there, you know exactly what we mean.

Twenty years ago, House of Ink was built from the ground up. Sean Heirigs, proud owner and tattoo artist came to Los Angeles to continue his passion for tattooing. He figured Venice Beach was the perfect location to open up a shop, and he knew there would be huge potential here. Sean did his formal apprenticeship in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's been a little over twenty years since he first started tattooing, so experience is definitely something Sean does not lack!

Ever since its grand opening, House Of Ink has made quite a reputation for itself. In fact, Sean has a very impressive list of celebrity clients that have been tattooed in his shop. Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Downey Jr., Katt Williams, players from the LA Kings, LA Lakers and even a gold medal Olympic swimmer - to mention a few. The shop has also been featured in many different television shows, such as MTV, Lifetime, and VH1.

"There's never a dull moment!” says Sean. “You never know what's going to come through the door. Every walk of life comes down to Venice Beach and I love it!"

Summer is the busiest time of year for all shop owners along Venice Beach. Around 200,000 people walk along the Venice Beach boardwalk every day between the months of June through August!

"Every day is different,” Sean says. “I've been here for over 14 years and there's never a day that's the same."

There are 11 tattoo shops along the 8km Venice Beach boardwalk. House of Ink is the only Artist-owned tattoo shop. Sean's perspective on business is very hands on and he feels that its important as an owner to be 100% involved in all aspects of the business.

Not only does Sean own this shop, but he owns two more as well. One also along the boardwalk just minutes away from House of Ink, and the other closer to town called Ink Monkey.

Watch Sean at the House of Ink in Tattoos After Dark, premiering in January on Oxygen Network.

Photo by: Julia Loglisci

ofOCEANFRONT TATTOO SHOP

MEYERRICK

Walking along the Venice Beach board-walk, we met thirty two year old tattoo artist Rick Meyer at Ocean Front Tattoo

Shop. He kindly took the time to show us his work and tell me a little bit about where he came from as a tattoo artist.

Originally from Philadelphia, Rick has tattooed professionally around the United States spending time in California, Hawaii, and Vermont.

“You have to have the willingness to learn and be professional with what you do. Where I am today hasn’t been an easy journey by any means, but it has been extremely rewarding. Knowing that my artwork is being enjoyed by my clients around the globe makes it all worth it.” says Rick.

Rick tries to be as versatile as he can as

an artist. He says it’s nice to not be limit-ed when working with people in different genres of tattoo art, such as polynesian, black and grey, color, and realism. Now Rick is moving on to new opportunities which will take him to the East Coast. He says that Ocean Front Tattoo taught him a lot about West Coast black and grey tattoos and he is now looking forward to taking his visions to the east.

ARTISTS

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When Crystal decided to get her first tattoo, she definitely had the thought in mind, go big or go home. When Crystal was nineteen she went to Sacred Heart Tattoo in Vancouver to get a three-quarter sleeve; her largest tattoo yet. She doesn’t regret a thing.

“My three-quarter sleeve tattoo is of the four seasons; winter, spring, summer and fall. What inspired me to have a fetus in the center of the sun was my soon to be little sister Keira. My mother, Deanna, became pregnant in the summer which was the same time I was planning this tattoo. I wanted it to represent Keira as the light of my life”.

The tops of Crystals feet are also tattooed. One, as an evil jack-o-lantern because she is born in October and she believes Halloween is the best time of year. The second, a beautifully done sea turtle. Crystal says, “the Pennywise Full Circle and Misfits Crimson Ghost are with me forever, along with a Frankencake, my own weird idea of having the Frankenstein monster’s face as an evil cupcake.”

Several other works are sprawled on her skin ranging from nautical stars, Friday the 13th creations, skulls and crossbones, roses and one of her all time favourites, a Lego Ninja Turtle. “Of course it’s of Michelangelo because he’s the best ninja turtle!” says Crystal.

WALTSC R Y S T A L

How did you get into tattooing?I was a gallery oil painter for a number of years, and it was a bit of a struggle. The funny thing about fine art is, even if you're a success, you're still not making decent money. I'd always toyed with the idea of tattooing, but never really pursued it. Years later, I met Joshua Carlton online thanks to Facebook. We struck up a friendship based on my admiration for his tattoo work, which completely reframed my expectations of the medium, and his desire to learn more about oil painting. One day he offered me an apprenticeship, so I jumped at it. I learned a lot from him and have benefited tremendously from his help. I subsequently continued my learning with my current employer (Mike Gariepy) in Canada, who has been an unstintingly helpful mentor. I currently divide my time between tattooing and oil painting.

How did you find the switch from one medium to another?The fundamental principles of art are the same regardless of medium. Whether I'm painting or tattooing, shape, value, edge, line, or color are all things I have to think about. And no matter whether you're a fine artist or a tattoo artist, it's important to have drawing skills. Having a strong foundation in drawing gives you the ability to represent things objectively, while still being able to express things creatively.

Where might we have seen some of Mikes or your work?Mike has won many awards and has appeared in many magazines for his airbrush work. In addition, his work was most recently featured on an episode of “Highway to Hell.” Most of my oil paintings are in galleries in the US and in private collections. I have also had a piece hanging in the Beijing International Museum in China and Shanghai.

Do you have any advice for tattoo artists that might want to start oil painting?Don’t be afraid to contact other fine artists or explore learning opportunities such as workshops and classes. There is so much information and so many resources available, there is no reason one shouldn’t fast track the learning process instead of trying to figure it out on their own. I have seen great artists like Joshua Cartlon, Nikko Hurtado, John Lally, Carlos Torres, and Ian Robert McKown take to oil painting extremely quickly because of their mastery of basic art principles in their tattooing. That being said, I think that fine artists shouldn’t be scared to explore tattooing as an art form as well under proper guidance. It is so similar in many ways to painting and drawing and is a new and exciting art form that is still in its early stages in history. Getting more fine artists into tattooing will hopefully bring new imagery and ideas to the medium.

What are the main differences between your fine art and tattooing?Compared to the medium of oil paint, I have to say that tattooing sometimes feels a bit more narrow in scope. Unless you're a huge name in the industry, with people walking in the door saying "do whatever you want!" you're going to be limited by what the client wants. It is one of the few visual art forms that rely on a collaboration between two people; the artist and the client. Add to that the fact that most human canvases are limited by time, money, and even pain tolerance. Oil painting, on the other hand, doesn't have to be limited by those factors. However, tattooing as a medium has a far greater mass appeal. Far more people get excited about tattoo work than paintings, and far more people (everyday people with normal paychecks) are more likely to shell out for tattoo work than a painting. Between these two mediums, I find a balance between creating work for myself, which is harder to market, and making work for other people, which is met with a lot of gratifying enthusiasm.

How did having a painting background and education help you to become a better tattoo artist?As Mike says “professionalism is professionalism.” If you can achieve success in one field, you can achieve success in another. You know what it takes to work hard to appropriate your talents to something new. To gain a mastery of anything it takes ten thousand hours, and having the patience to do this has to be intrinsic. The only person that can make you work hard is you.

DAVID GLUCKWe talked with David Gluck about how his

artistic beginnings in oil painting helped him to become a more successful tattoo artist. Here’s

what he had to say.

Photos by: Randy Allen at Powder Puff Vixen Pinup Photography

ARTISTS


Editorial DirectorRyan Bishop

Editorial AssistantJulia Loglisci

Editorial DesignStephen Richter

PhotographyJulia Loglisci

Sterling Legacy ArtPowder Puff Vixen Pinup Photography

Greg CleaverOz John Tekson

PrintingRhino Print Solutions

Special thanks to...

Alexandra FormanDave Van

Cloud City MerchandisingDuncan Polson

Incediary Tattoos (West Rock Tattoo Convention)Sebastian Brodowski

Powder Puff Vixen Pinup Photography1-250-619-9756www.powderpuffvixen.com

Worldwide Tattoo1-888-255-1189www.worldwidetattoo.ca

Shizen Sushi1706 Government St, Victoria BC1-250-381-8228www.shizensushi.ca

Birthmark Tattoos194 East King Edward Ave1-604-727-5399www.birthmarktattoos.com

Ink By [email protected]

Steve Drane Harley-Davidson2940 Ed Nixon Terr, Victoria BC1-250-475-1345www.stevedraneharley.com

Tommy’s Supplies34 Egypt Rd, Unit A, Somers CT1-866-209-7361www.tommyssupplies.com

Darkhorse Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing711 Goldstream Ave1-250-478-2221

Mike’s Tattoo and Airbrushing5982 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC1-250-701-9114www.mikestattooandairbrushing.com

Rhino Print Solutions13880 Mayfield Pl, Richmond BC1-604-232-5600www.rhinoprintsolutions.com

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