Ink Atlanta Magazine July 2011

Hello Atlanta! We are bringingit all back home. The fine“Locals Only” tattoo culture

magazine you have in your hands rightnow is from the makers of PRICKMagazine. You’ve known us and you’veloved us as PRICK Magazine for over tenyears now. PRICK, however, grew tomore of a national tattoo industry/com-munity magazine and will remain on thatpath. Now that PRICK has become whatit was destined for I can come back to myroots ... the original fire. I along with

other Atlantan’s have missed the hometown vibe the old schoolPRICK used to provide. I liked seeing all my friends in the magazine,I loved being part of and promoting the local tattoo culture andmusic scene but I was simply spread too thin and my resources werelimited. Now thanks to partnering up with a local Atlanta entrepre-neur, Jason Beattie, who originally launched an online Atlanta TattooDirectory called Inkedatl.com. we are able to make it happen.Afterreorganizing as a team and modifying everything to what is nowInkAtlanta.net and this awesome new Ink Atlanta Magazine, I ammore stoked than ever to be doing what I do. Local response hasbeen great as far as funding this first issue and it is only going to getbetter. Local response is what we are trying to get for all of our sup-porters/advertisers as well so if you want Ink Atlanta to be the bestit can be ... support our advertisers, become an advertiser, contributecontent, be part of our street team or just read it, love it and spreadthe word that Atlanta has it’s own tattoo lifestyle and culturemagazine back!

– Chuck B.

INK ATLANTA MAGAZINE 3

TABLE of CONTENTS

Ink Atlanta MAGAZINE STAFFPUBLISHER - CHUCK B INC. CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF: CHARLES D. BRANK (AKA CHUCK B.)

CO-PUBLISHER / CMO: JASON BEATTIE

EDITOR / P.R. MANAGER: JESSICA HILL

ONLINE EDITOR AND CIRCULATION MANAGER: STEVE “CRUDD” RUDD

STAFF WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER: GREG TRUELOVE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: J.J. DIABLO, JASON BEATTIE, PHANTOM PHAN

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: CHUCK B., KELLYN WILLEY, RYAN PURCELL

DISTRIBUTION / CIRCULATION: CHUCK B.ADVERTISING: JASON BEATTIE, JESSICA HILL AND CHUCK B.TECHNICAL SUPPORT: OASIS RIM GRAPHICS: CASSANDRE DECORTE, JASON BEATTIE AND CHUCK B.

ADVERTISERS INDEMNIFICATION: All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. Ink Atlanta Magazine / Chuck B, Increserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason whatsoever, without limit. All advertisers in Ink Atlanta Magazine, for fair and valu-able consideration, including but not limited to the printing of each advertiser’s ad, the receipt and suffering of which is herebyacknowledged, hereby agree ad hold Ink Atlanta Magazine harmless with respect to any claim made by a third party against InkAtlanta Magazine, as a result of publishing said advertisement in said periodical. Said indemnity includes, but is not limited to, anyclaims by any party claiming that the publication of the ad violates any trademark, design mark or that it violates an individuals like-ness or violates any fair business practice act, and includes indemnification of Ink Atlanta Magazine for any and all expenses inincurs in defending any said claim, including attorney fees and court costs whether said claim is successful or not successful plusany judgement that might be rendered and any settlement of such claim or judgement. Advertiser warrants and represents that thedescription of the product or service advertised is true in all respects. Ink Atlanta Magazine / Chuck B, Inc, assume no responsibilityfor claims made by advertisers. Ink Atlanta Magazine makes no recommendations as to the quality of any service provided by anyadvertiser. All views expressed in all articles are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the publication and Chuck B,Inc. Publication assumes no responsibility and no liability for unsolicited materials. All letters and their contents sent to Ink AtlantaMagazine become the sole property of Ink Atlanta Magazine and may be used and produced in any manner whatsoever without limitand without obligation and liability to the writer thereof. Copyright© 2011 Chuck B, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole orin part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission is totally prohibited and violates copyright law.

Ink Atlanta ADVERTISING & GENERAL INFO:(770) 723-9824CONTACT PUBLISHER CHUCK B. EMAIL: [email protected] OUT OUR AD RATES AND SPECS ONLINE AT: www.inkatlanta.netSEND CORRESPONDENCE TO: PO Box 381,Tucker, GA 30085

Publisher’s Note

ON THE COVER: Ginger Andersen by Kellyn Willey of

PinUpGirl! Cosmetics

Ink 4 Pink’s “Sideshow Heroes” Killer and the Savage

Miguel OlascuagaNow Or Never

Sk8 or Die Art Show

Tony Olivas (right)ATL Tattoo Arts Festival

5 SHOP SPOTLIGHTNow or Never Tattoo

8 ART AROUND TOWNSk8 or Die

10 ART TRIPPINGInk 4 Pink’s “Sideshow Hereos”

12 LISTEN UPKiller and the Savage

15 TATTOO SHOWAtlanta Tattoo Arts Festival

24 MISS INK ATL JULYGinger Andersen

27 ARTIST SPOTLIGHTMiguel Olascuaga

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

NowOr

Never

Agood indicator of a solid tattoo artist is one that has experience.Whilelevels of experience vary from shop to shop, name recognition stillholds a strong influence in Atlanta tattoo culture as strong work is

what builds a strong name. Chris Huff is one of these chosen names and he carrieswith it a reputation of solid tattoos with incredible artistry. Now teamed up withGrant Loveless, another longstanding name in shop legend, it’s no wonder they’realready making a new name for themselves around Conyers and the Eastside. Biggoals and even bigger dreams don’t come true on their own; to make them happenit’s Now or Never.

Q: What inspired you to start your own shop?I was ready to get out of the “street shop” environment and do my own

thing. I was tired of working for the man and ready to be the man!

Q: How did you decide on what area to open up in?The majority of my clientele is in East Atlanta. I’ve been tattooing in this area

for a little over 11 years and I wanted to stay close to my clientele.They are so loyal.

Q: Now that construction is finished and Now or Never isopen for business, what challenges do you deal with in growing theshop’s clientele?

CHRIS HUFF OPENS UP IN CONYERSby j.j. Diablo

East side


Tattoos on this page by Chris Huff

The Now or Never crew

6 INK ATLANTA MAGAZINE

All of our artists have a dedicated following so we’re extremely lucky inthat department. Our followers grow more and more each week. MikeBugenhagen brings in a lot of NFL players,Andy Cagle has worked in this areafor a long time as well and has an abundant following. Nevada Lutes hasworked with me for six years and is an amazing up and coming traditionalartist.We are fortunate to have our shop manager, Grant Loveless, who is wellknown in the tattoo industry for his collection of tattoos from 29 of the besttattoo artists as well.

Q: What can new clients expect from their experience atNow or Never?

Now or Never is not your typical studio. It’s very classy, sophisticatedand just a clean, welcoming environment.We want each person to have a greatexperience from the time they walk through the door to the time they leave.

Q: What impact will Now or Never have on the MetroAtlanta tattoo climate?

At Now or Never the sky is the limit.We strive each day to push our-selves more and more.We have monthly special events in addition to workingon bringing in some astonishing artists for guest spots. I like thinking big, ifyou’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.

For more info and to book an appt. contact:Now or Never Tattoo: 770.648.65841427 Hwy 138, Conyers, Ga. 30094 H

Now Or Never


Tattoos above / below by Nevada Lutes

Tattoos below by Mike Bugenhagen

Tattoos above / below by Andy Cagle

sk8 or die On May 7th, the highly anticipated skate deck show, Sk8 or

Die, returned to Young Blood Gallery and Boutique for thefifth time with a huge turnout! This biennial show, which was

sponsored by Little Five Points’ Stratosphere Skateboards and includ-ed music by DJ FARI, featured over 100 one-of-a-kind skateboardsdesigned by local artists and Young Blood friends.The festivities werekicked off with some daytime skating to celebrate the grand openingof Atlanta’s Foundation Skatepark (part of the Beltline project).Artistsfrom the local tattoo community definitely came out and representedwith contributions from Keet D’Arms, Demian Bouchon, Dax andChris HowelI (of Southern Star Tattoo), Charles Chatov, MattGreenhalgh and Danielle Distefano (of Only You Tattoo), Sam Parker(of Memorial Tattoo, Cabbagetown) and David Hale and Kris Davidson(of Anchor Tattoo,Athens, Ga.) among many others.The boards weresold in a silent auction at the Gallery, with prices starting at $100.

For more photos and upcoming events at Young Blood Gallery visitwww.youngbloodgallery.com H

by Jason beattie Photos Courtesy Young Blood Gallery

art around town



Ink 4 Pink’sSideshow Heroesby j.j. Diablo Photos by Ryan Oh Snap! Kid Purcell

art tripping


Kitty Katrina

Above: Sideshow Heroes art expo, now at Graveyard Tavern, EAV; Below: Magic hoops of HoopEssence; breast friends flank tattoo artists Rachel Anne and Soul.

Jason Prince & Kristen Wesolowski Mandolynne Hopkins & Price Cannon get cozy.

Ink 4 Pink partners Jessica Hill & Angela ElliottCome one, come all to the greatest show on Earth! From circusfreak to carnival chic this year’s first installment of Ink 4 Pink’s artand fundraising campaign has set the bar for all things philan-

thropic. June’s traveling “Sideshow Heroes” art expo celebrates the lives ofbreast cancer survivors by going into the Big Top featuring donated, customsideshow inspired artwork from over 20 national and local tattoo and free-lance artists including Myke Chambers, Darren Anderson, Matt Truiano,Jason “Shakes” Monroe, Rachel Anne, Connor O’Neal and so many more.Graveyard Tavern’s new music venue,The Basement, was transformed into acircus tent and opening gallery featuring paintings, sculptures and carvingsfrom talented and generous artists around the country, particularly Atlanta’stattoo dynasties.

While taking in the eye candy partygoers enjoyed burlesque from KittyKatrina, hula hoop magic by Rebecca DeShon of HoopEssence, music fromThe Blue Ribbon Healers, Hellalujah and Uncle Daddy & the Kissin’ Cousins,


all kept ‘tame’ by event ringmaster and sideshow leader, Captain Stab-Tuggo, ChrisSteele. Raffle winners enjoyed gift certificates from Psycho Tattoo, Lucky Draw,Inksomnia, Salon Modello, Unit 2 Fitness and more! In support of all things breastly,many tattooed gentleman even expressed their own by going shirtless to show offtheir healthy mammories and ink to match. The opening boasted a grand total of$2015 raised from its door cover, raffle and art proceeds, all going towards spon-sorship of walkers for the Atlanta Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in October.

The “Sideshow Heroes” art exhibition is currently on display in the front hallof Graveyard Tavern till July’s end before being updated in September with theseries’ second installment,“Vaudeville Villains”. Just like your favorite Big Top circus,the show will travel around metro Atlanta showcasing the finest today’s tattoo com-munity has to offer and raising money to help educate about, prevent and treatbreast cancer.

For more information, display locations and to purchase art go towww.ink4pink.org/ H

RIngmaster Capt. Stab-Tuggo Above: The Blue Ribbon Healers

Pinup troup, “Gang Awesome”, reunion with some new additions.

Killer andthe Savage

Atlanta is not Atlanta without its thriving hip-hop com-munity. Now infamous troups like the Dungeon Familyand So So Def have helped to shape the lyrical and

rhythmic landscape of the scene for over 15 years.Their influencespreads far and wide, reaching out to people from all walks of life,status and ethnicity. One duo of talented lyricists inspired by thisera is Killer and the Savage. Growing a cult following around theAtlanta streets, its members Hazel and Robbery, have hit theground running. If their track record is any indication, they show nosigns of stopping anytime soon.

Q: How was 'Killer and the Savage’ born?Hazel:About four years ago, Robbery and I met up through a

mutual friend, Tommy 2 Times, of Two Times Entertainment. Wewere both doing music at the time and inevitably we ended updoing a song together.We liked what each other were about lyri-cally so we continued making tracks together. After doing a proj-ect, The Repz, and releasing it on iTunes with friend and fellowemcee, MG, Robbery and I decided we would release a project thatwas just the two of us spitting about the shit we were doing day today uncensored. People seem to respond well to it.

Q: The band name is quite an eye catcher. Howdid you guys come up with it?

Robbery: Back in the day we made a track together in which Ispit a line that went "Robbery a killer, Hazel savage," and the linerefers to how we're both beasts lyrically. Since then we've beenKiller and the Savage whenever we rhyme together. I think it alsoreflects our personalities as well. Where I'm more cool and calcu-lating Hazel's more unpredictable.

Q: Killer and the Savage seems to house a fullservice film and production team within its bandmembers. How did you all manage to bring themtogether?

Hazel:We were well aware of the ‘do-it-yourself ’ reality of themusic industry and we were fortunate enough to team up withMikee Golightly at Hypersonik Studios as well as Caury Raines, avideographer. I do most of the graphic design and web design andhelp with editing video. Most our photos are either by Matty T. orJordan Son.We're pretty much a 100% self sustained camp becausewe're all in it together and look out for each other.We're all goodfriends and we all bring our own creative element to the table.Robbery and I are extremely lucky to have the help that we do.

Q: You guys recently performed at the 15thAnnual Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival. How was that?

Robbery: It was a lot of fun. All the folks there were awesomeand it was great being a part of it. Much love to Jen and Joe Reyesand Sacred Heart Tattoo for including us.

MUSICAL MURDERBy Phantom Phan

listen up


Killer and The Savage’s Robbery and Hazel

Hazel’s tattoos. Right arm sleeve by Craig Foster of Skinwerks

Hazel: It was great to see the tattoo community packed into one building. It's likea museum that's alive and the fact that we got to be a part of the spectacle is anhonor.Thanks to everyone involved.

Q: Speaking of tattoos, you have some extraordinary ink fromsome of Atlanta's more notable artists . . .

Robbery:All my ink has been done by Joe Reyes of Sacred Heart Tattoo,Austell.Hazel: I have a sleeve by Craig Foster of Skinwerks, some smaller pieces by Dusty

and some work by Joe Reyes.

Q: Do you feel the Atlanta tattoo community influenced thecity's music? Robbery: I feel that it’s impossible for the tattoo community to NOT influence

the music scene in Atlanta. It seems almost everyone here has ink. Being a creativeperson, and that being the status quo, I don't see how any artist isn't influenced byhis (or her) environment.

Q: What can newbie listeners expect from Killer and the Savage?Hazel:We feel that a majority of the listeners can find something in our music

that they can relate too.We're not rich.We rap about shit we've all been through.

Q: What can fans expect from the latest EP?Robbery: Patient Zero is our first release as Killer And The Savage. The soundscape

is definitely rugged and raw, which is the place we were mentally while making the CD.We have a feature with original Dungeon Family member, Cool Breeze, and productionfrom the likes of Skape Zilla. Lyrically we both definitely came with a lot of stuff for ourlisteners to think about, as well as some good, old fashioned spittin’ flame.

Q: What future projects and shows should we be on the lookout for?A track from our latest EP, Patient Zero is available on iTunes and at cdbaby.com.

A single from that, "Badman", was voted one of the “Top 25 Songs of 2011” by indie-music.com. Six songs from Patient Zero were in rotation on 88.5 within two monthsof the album's release!

We're working on a free downloadable mix tape that will be available this sum-mer, which will be followed very shortly by another project. As for shows, we'll beplaying July 16th at the Masquerade with Almost Kings, which we're very excitedabout. We've got some tricks up our sleeve for this show so y'all definitely need tobe there. It's sure to be an experience. We're also going to be performing at thisyear’s A3C Festival.

For more information on shows, news, and updates go to www.killerandthesavage.com. H


Above: Robbery’s tattoos by Joe Reyes of Sacred Heart, Austell


The Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival just wrapped up its 15th year bringingtogether everyone from the "staple figures" in the industry to curioushotel guests (though some of them seriously questioned their hotel

choice for the weekend).Amazing artists from all over the country and world werein attendance and the quality of work can be seen in all the photos we captured overthe weekend.The tattoo contests pulled in lots of familiar tattoos but there was agood mix of new entries and winners.

The 15th Annual Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival set the stage for the debut appear-ance of Ink Atlanta Magazine.The response was just as I expected.The local tattooedpopulation was stoked when they heard PRICK was sort of coming back around asthe new Ink Atlanta. BIG thanks to Tony Olivas, Jennifer Reyes and everyone at SacredHeart Tattoo for producing yet another fine festival.The convention drew an impres-sive turnout with steady crowd throughout the three-day event.We were able to gettons of photos with the help of a photo booth provided by Oh Snap! Kid photogra-phy. You can check out hundreds of extra candid shots on our various websites /

by Chuck B. Photos by Chuck B. and Ryan Oh Snap! Kid purcell

Tattoo Show


Atlanta Tattooarts Festival

Russ Abbott tattooing Captain Stab-Tuggo with a sword in his throat

Mike Cummings tattooing a Friday the 13th Jason on Mark Lewington

Frankinstein by Brent Humphreys, Snail on Beanz by Jason Lawyer, Michael Lehman’s Shark by Terry Dutra, Heart locket by Eric Scsavnicki, Matt Wertjez getting tat-tooed by Megan Hoogland. Mandy Smiths sweets by Eric Scsavnicki, Owl by Miami Burgess winner best large color, Antique picture box by Russ Abbott.

Atlanta Tattoo arts Festival


Snake and chalice by Nate Drew, Pinup girl by Craig Foster, Skull and pistols by Dav Thompson of Sacred Heart Warner Robbins, Peacock by Heidi Beers. Exploding skull by Russ Abbott on Nick Johnson. Skull on hand by Bili Vegas - tattoo of day Sunday. Day ofdead girl by Rob Flat of Psycho Tattoo. Below: Trailer Proud tattoo by Heidi Beers. Sarah Johnson of Cafe Ink, tattoos by Free Bird

D. Darkthought’s Nosferatu by BiliVegas - Winner Tattoo of Day, Sat.

Ballerina by Todo Brennanof ABT Tattoo

Ashley Marshall, Tara Villalvazoand Kasey SwinfordAlison Bolanos tattoo by Klown

Rita Caldwell and Chocolate FX’sAndrea Smith

Atlanta Festival continued


social media outlets and bliggity blogs.The line up of entertainment was pretty stacked

this year as well. The always popular bikini contestdid not disappoint. One of the contestants forgotthat it was NOT a bikini “bottom” contest, but wedidn’t hear anyone complaining! Captain Stab-Tuggoput on a mind bending and gut wrenching perform-ance second to none in my opinion of any othersideshow/freakshow acts out there. On top of beingable to lift heavy objects with parts of his body notintended for lifting he can swallow five freakingswords at once time! To top it all of he swallowed asword while Russ Abbott was tattooing his freakin’chest! We don’t think that has ever been done

Left: Emily Burkhart, winner of the bikini contest. Above: Fest producerTony Olivas and all the Bikini contest girlsBelow: Deano Cook and his lovley lady and Angel the heavenly Day of Dead H2Ocean girl.


CHRIS HUFF CHRIS HUFF

NEVADA LUTESANDY CAGLEMIKE BUGENHAGEN

Atlanta continues on pg 20


Skulls on Head by Johnny Quintana on Inkkman Jay of Electryk Inkk

Medusa by Shane Hartline, Jesus by Dav Thompson Grey wolf by Big Gus

Bill Murray byKurt Fagerland

Josh Sagel’s Day of the dead Rosey by Big Ceeze

Six Shot Revival members hangin with Denise Brennan and friendGypsy and raven by Skip Cisto, Mary by Mike Cummings, Day of dead Elvis by Abdiel Pedraza

Advertise in INK Atlanta!

Call now @770-723-9824

Or go online to:www.inkatlanta.net


before; history in the making and we were there. Newly added to thisyear’s show was live music from Kadense, Killer and the Savage, and TheSix Shot Revival.The live band’s draw is always hit or miss at conventions,especially in the hot sun of poolside but each band seriously kicked ass forthe people who caught them. Live radio broadcasts were also added thisyear thanks to our good friends over at Garage 71 Radio.They had theirmobile broadcast unit “The G-Spot” set up pumping out the rock jamsoutside the convention walls in the smoking/eating area in the hotel park-ing lot. There was fun everywhere you turned this year. Ink & DaggerTattoo’s Wheel of Destiny served as charitable tool flanked by smoking hotInk 4 Pink Girls doing their best Vannah White.They raised over $1000 forInk 4 Pink.There was also a tattooist raffle with a custom tattoo machineby Tim Orth as the prize for an extra boobie charity boost.

Celebrities on the artists side as well as the collector side were in

Atlanta Tattooarts Festival

Garage 71 Radio was keeping the tunes flowing and the good times going.

Above left: Jason Kelly and MiguelOlascuaga of Memorial Tattoo andForever Yours Tattoo Gallery. Above:Daron James and Kasey Swinford.Left and Below: Matt “Captain” Hardeman and his “Most Realistic” winning tattoo by Kurt Fagerland of Ink & Dagger Tattoo Parlour Right: Ink 4 Pink Angels on the Ink & Dagger Wheel of Destiny.


Atlanta Tattoo arts Festival concludes on page 22

S. Pili Mo’o performing traditional Samoan / Polinesian (non-electric) tattooing on Tate Hughes Tate Hughes show his very reddened fresh Mo’o tattoo

Spiderman villain carnage by Mike McMahon of All or Nothing.Rose on the neck of Darby Fayard by Tat2 Terry Dutra

NC Dave of Campbells Customs andLauren Roberts

Earl Noble and Phillip Duke say cheese.

Travis Brown and Nick Minervine and their Sprinkler-peach-Atl tattoo in honor of thisyear’s Atlanta Tattoo Arts Fest mayhem. Others have plans for the piece as well.


Atlanta Tattoo arts Festival concludes

attendance this year.Tattoo legend and legendary partier Crazy Philadelphia Eddiewas on hand promoting his new book “Tattooing - The Life and Times of CrazyPhiladelphia Eddie”

Current NFL superstar and Atlanta native Darnell Dockett of the ArizonaCardinals came out to get his entire left side tattooed by Big Gus and was gra-cious enough to let us photograph his work. He was very cool but massive! Heleaned on me at one time to look at the photos I snapped and I almost fell overfrom the pressure.

Though the entire hotel was displaced one night due to a REAL fire, no betterrelief came when found out that person responsible was NOT affiliated with theconvention. Some tourist lit his room ablaze then the sprinklers came on andbecame stuck in the “on” position flooding an entire floor of the hotel.A funny sidenote, as tattooist Phillip Duke came strolling back into the hotel (zombie like) afterNO sleep I offered him my coffee with about 3 sips left. He greatfully accepted andcontinued to the convention floor. That pretty much summed up the show – adrunken, no-sleep, three day tattoo party adventure. Already looking forward towhat's in store for next year.

Sponsors included: Monster Energy Drinks, Lucky Draw Tattoo, InkedMagazine, H2Ocean, Ink Atlanta Magazine, Ink & Dagger Tattoo, Hardnox Clothing,Psycho Tattoo, DPS Supply and Inksomnia Tattoo and of course, PRICK and InkAtlanta Magazine.H

Big Gus tattooing NFL star athelete Darnell Dockett of Arizona Cardinals

Darnell Dockett has tattoos by Sage and his latest whole side piece by Big Gus

Check out our websiteand online directory

Ginger Andersen

Every community has grown its own identity and with that identitycomes a few famous faces. Well if you’ve ever been out in the citymore than once, you’ve probably crossed paths with Ginger Andersen.

Remember going out and seeing an oddly familiar, strikingly pretty, petite, halfKorean half Dane gal with better tattoos than all of your friends? Well whetheryou went for new work at 13 Roses Tattoo Parlour, to get drinks at GraveyardTavern or to get Sloppy at MJQ, Ginger has held residency at them all. Add tothat a national campaign with Suicide Girls as Akuma Suicide, and Ginger’s facehas been seen coast to coast as strong as the Southern upbringing she hails from.We thought it only fair to finally give a deeper look into the notorious face andink of the poster child in the all around solid, Southern raised, grown folk tattooscene.

Q: Where did you get your first tattoo and why?My first tattoo was done in Dothan,Ala. by The Baron. I got Blink from X-

Men:Age of Apocolypse series.

Q: How did you go about choosing an artist for your first piece?For my first piece I asked around town. Everyone suggested I see The Baron

and I went with it.

Q: What brought you to want to be heavily tattooed?I have always been attracted to tattoos from a very young age but I espe-

cially became heavily tattooed when I worked for 13 Roses Tattoo Parlour (EastAtlanta Village).

Q: After seeing clients come in and out of the shop, whatadvice would you have for someone looking to get larger tattooslike sleeves or back and chest pieces?

I would pick something organic or something with motion to the piecebecause our bodies form in curves.The obvious suggestion is to actually pick agreat artist that can convey a great tattoo for you. I don't pity people with badwork because they had bad taste to begin with so they got what they deserved.

Q: What artists have you been tattooed by? Jason Kelly, Tim McGrath, Joe Vegas, Jay Chastain, Jason Atkins and Jime

Litwalk so far.

Q: What are your favorite pieces you have if any?It's really hard to pick my favorites but I would have to say my back piece

by Jay Chastain. It was an epic feat to get the back completed before Jay had tomove to Austin,Texas.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Atlanta tattoo communi-ty? How does it compare and contrast to other places you'vebeen on the West Coast and East Coast?

The Atlanta tattoo community is raw.There is a distinct pride in its artists'work and in the artists themselves. I would consider the Atlanta tattoo commu-nity to be very close knit.

Q: You've met Ed Hardy at his shop in California. What wasthat like?

by j.j. Diablo Photos by Kellyn Willey of PinUpgirl! cosmetics

Miss Ink Atl July


Southern Raised


I think I was about to piss myself when I saw him walkin because I wasn't expecting him to show up at all. I was inshock so it was hard to gush questions. I was just reallyhappy to be in his presence and that he was being such agood sport about meeting me.We were talking about tat-tooing and how it was rough for a lot of people out theresince the market has been flooded with scratcher tattooers.

Q: Do you have an artist wish list?Thomas Hooper,Timothy Hoyer, Filip Leu; any piece

by them would be fantastic!!!

For more on Ginger, visit: http://meetginzilla.com H

MiguelOlascuaga

Long before a spooky autumn breeze whips through the Atlanta streets, hintingat All Hallows’ Eve on the next horizon, a new presence can be felt within oneof the city’s most respected tattoo families. It is a spirit from another time. A

time when men sowed their worth from the land they lived and helped their neighbor todo the same. As summer’s heat hits its peak, a more welcomed warmth of humility andbrotherhood has spread over the community and made its home West, in Douglasville, Ga.Something awesomely wicked has arrived, and his name is Miguel Olascuaga.

Q: How long have you been tattooing?I have been tattooing since the winter months of 2001.

Q: Where did you get your start? Well, it's hard for me to really narrow it down to just one person, although I will say

that Anna Funk, Randy Fox, Dan Starkey, James “Jimbo” Monroe and Brian King gave me agood shove. I moved from Georgia to Florida in search of something different and got inwith some real good fellas at Black Cat Tattoo in Panama City Beach, Fla.

Coming from Georgia, I had already heard of the ATL Black Cat Crew, and was veryfond of the history and talent that came from there such as Shane Morton, Richard Davis,

by j.j. Diablo

Artist spotlight


Something Wicked This Way Comes

Jett, and so forth. I was offered a job to work the floor after continuously pesteringthem every day until they gave in. I did what I could to help the artists out when I wasgiven the chance. It paid off and the guys took a liking to me. Albee offered me anapprenticeship after working for a little over a year, and gave me no pity as to how I wasgoing to be thrown into the fire; I will always respect him for that three year ass beat-ing! I had a lengthy apprenticeship and was set free to do be humbled by the mistakesthat I would make along the way.

Q: What brought you to Atlanta?Phil Colvin and his wife, Hope, brought my beautiful family and I to Atlanta. Seeing

our sons play together told me that it was a perfect fit, and the fact that MemorialTattoo holds such amazing talent, I felt that it would be in my best interests.

Q: How has your Memorial Tattoo housewarming been thus far?Amazing. Everybody there has been so great to me, and I feel like I have learned

much more than a different way of tattooing and art from them. It’s much greater than that.

Q: Tell me aboutthe new shop . . .

The shop is calledForever Yours TattooGallery and it is located inDouglasville, Ga.The shopwas once owned by avery talented and amazingtattooer by the name ofDave Kruseman. Daveoffered to sell the shop toPhil Colvin because heknew he could rely onPhil's Wizardry to keepthe good name going, and in return Phil could further extend the Memorial family. It isa respect that two successful tattooers agreed upon with one another. I had the pleas-ure of working with Dave for three months before he moved on to open his new shop,Old Line Tattoo in Hagerstown, Maryland.To this day Dave Kruseman is convinced thatI am Amish. I work there now with Jason Smalley and Wade Johnson. Phil Colvin tattoosin the shop every Tuesday as well.

Q: How would you describe your style of tattooing?I am influenced by so many different artists I wouldn't even know how to put a

label on it. I really enjoy Traditional tattooing the most, whether it’s the way the

Miguel Olascuaga


Miguel Olascuaga


European artists are doing it, the Japanese or the Americans. It’s all incredible to me. Ihave respect for all styles to be honest, and just want to have a level of respect from mypeers to motivate me into as many ways of tattooing as possible.The only descriptionthat I feel truly comfortable with is: bold lines, heavy on the black, and solid color.

Q: What are your favorite kinds of projects to do?My favorite projects are trading paintings with artists abroad. I like to put art into

any shows that will have me. Above all, I like simply trading art and contributing to anygood cause. Most recently, I did a custom piece for Ink 4 Pink’s “Sideshow Heroes” artshow to help raise money against breast cancer. It’s currently hanging in East Atlanta’sGraveyard Tavern, right down the street from Memorial Tattoo Atlanta, off Moreland Ave.Phil Colvin, Jason Kelly and Mikie Webb also donated art to the show.

Q: If you weren't a tattoo artist what would you be doing?I would have an Amish family and grow vegetables with Mikie Webb.

Q: Who would be your ‘Dream Team’ to work with?I came from one Dream Team at Black Cat Tattoo (Panama City Beach, Fla.) to the

next dream team, Memorial Tattoo/Forever Yours Tattoo Gallery,Atlanta, Ga.

For more updates on Miguel and Forever Yours Tattoo Gallery visit:http://foreveryourstattoogallery.com/http://knockknockthedevil.com/ H

Date post:	14-Dec-2014
Category:	Documents
Upload:	inkatlanta
View:	108 times
Download:	2 times

Ink Atlanta Magazine July 2011

Documents