Tattoo Convention: Local Talent!

It is nice running into people running a business near my neck of the woods.

Meet John!

 

He runs a tattoo shop in Ramsey and Otsego. 

 

Thanks John!  

 

Tattoo Convention: Another Artist and Lover of Life

Meet Bobbye!

She was wandering around the convention floor taking it all in.   She is an artist, a writer of creative stories, a musician, and skier!

Thanks Bobbye!   The world can always use creative people!
 

Tattoo Convention: Uptown and Body Modification

Meet Anthony!

He works at Defiant Tattoo in the Uptown area.  He's been a body modification artist for over 5 years!

Thanks Anthony!
 

Tattoo Convention: Friends and Helpers

Meet Robyn!

She was here helping her best friend.  She wanted his day to go "tightly".   I had to ask what that meant.   And, for those like me, it meant, that it went "well".

I am sure it did!

Thanks Robyn!  It was a pleasure meeting you.

Tattoo Convention: Mom's Like Tattoo's Too. (And that is a mouthful!)

Meet Kelsey!

I thought she had a wonderful smile.   She is the mother of 2 and they keep her running.  This was a day to escape for her!

Thanks Kelsey!

Tattoo Convention: A Repeat with Renee

As I wandered around, it occurred to me I may run into Renee from Renee Little Tattoos in Tampa, FL.  I DID!!

Meet Renee!

I recognized her as soon as I saw her.  And, she actually remembered me.  My third highest rated blog post from last year is the photo I took of Renee!  She has a nice following on Facebook and linked to my blog.

Thanks Renee.   It was a pleasure seeing you again!  Feel free to link to this post, as well!

 

Tattoo Convention: Body Jewelry

Meet Jessica and John, from Seattle!

They specialize in body jewelry.  

My sincere thanks to you both!

Tattoo Convention: A Tattoo Model

Meet Shonda, from Arizona!

She models tattoos! 

Thanks Shonda!


 

Tattoo Convention: An Artist!

Meet Eddie!  (OK..I think this is Eddie.  I could be off in my sequence of names!)
She is one of the artists associated with  BlackIrisStudio in Escanaba, MI. 

From their the BlackIrisStudio website:
"Eddie is an accomplished artist working right here in the Upper Peninsula.  She has been working in many media throughout her career, and is now working closely with the Bonifas Fine Arts Center, and the Bay Area Arts Association.
 Aside from being an award winning painter and an excellent instructor she is also a skilled tattoo artist.  She has been inking the residents of Escanaba and the surrounding area for over 18 years."

Thanks Eddie!

Tattoo Convention: The Shop Girl

Meet Josephine!

She is the Shop Girl (whatever that is!) at Electric Dragon Land.   They are an award winning tattoo business located in Hopkins, MN  

Thanks Josephine!  Keep that shop running!  I think it all depends on you!  Someone needs to keep everyone in line and on schedule!

Tattoo Convention: Getting a Tattoo!

Meet Dawn!

She had competed on a Food Network reality/competition show called Donut Showdown.  The show will air on Feb 13th!   And, I believe it is entitled, "Good Morning."  Check it out and cheer her on! While at the show, she decided to get a tattoo on her hard.

Yup...that's her hand!   It isn't all cleaned up.  But, you get a chance to see a work in action.

Thanks Dawn!  Love the hair!!

Tattoo Convention: Atomic Tattoo

The women below were from Tattoos by Alli from Austin, TX.

Meet Hannah!   She is the media person supporting Alli.

And, meet Alli, the star of the show and the artist!

I didn't get a chance to chat with Alli,  As you can see, she was busy working.

My sincere thanks, Hannah!   And, Alli, I hope I didn't bother you with the flash!

Tattoo Convention: Exhibitors from Georgia!

The couple below traveled from George to attend and have a booth at the tattoo convention.  I enjoyed the visit with them.

Meet Jennie and LeDan, from Evens, GA.

I enjoyed the visit with them.  They were very funny.  When I asked how long they had been doing this, he responded, "A long time.  Back when there were only 2 Stooges."

My sincere thanks to you both!  And, I hope you didn't freeze to death up here!

Tattoo Convention: A Visitor!

Meet Gillian!

She was wandering as a guest.   I liked her look.   But, I owe her a better photo.  There is just too sharp of a shadow from her nose.  A less direct light would have fixed that. 

Regardless, I think she looks awesome.

Thanks Gillian! 

Tattoo Convention: Another Photographer

The gentleman below was enjoying the show.  And, he runs a professional photography business. 

Meet Al!

He specializes in aviation photography.  But, who can pass up the chance to photograph a tattoo convention!

Nice meeting you, Al!  Thanks!

Tattoo Convention: Visitor from Wisconsin

The woman below was wandering the show floor and chatting with various artists. 

Meet Debbra! 

She was visiting from Wisconsin.  OK..it isn't THAT far away from Minneapolis!  I thought she had a lovely smile!

Thanks Debbra!
 

Tattoo Convention: Pin-Up and Roller Derby Girls

I rounded the corner of the show and saw these two lovely ladies sitting at a table.  They were pin-up models.

Meet Double D.

She has been a pin-up model for a while.  

And meet Deathie (I hope I spelled that right!  The auto-correction is always a challenge!!)  Deathie is somewhat new to the pin-up model gig.  But, she was having fun and was quite comfortable!  I believe Deathie was in the Roller Derby, as well.

My sincere thanks, Ladies!!

Tattoo Artists: 10 Klika

Meet Alex from Klika!

I was chatting with Alex about Klika and their tattoos.  He said I could take the photograph I took in yesterday's post.   We had a great conversation and when I asked if I could take his photo, he gracious said. "sure"

I got the portrait above.  Then, he showed off some of his own body work.

Thanks Alex!   They are amazing!

 

Tattoo Artists: 9 Klika

Meet one of the artists from Klika Tattoos

He was hard at work on a customer.  So, I didn't bother him.

My sincere thanks.

 

Tattoo Artists: 8 Jaybird!

There are a tremendous number of artists in the tattoo business. 

Meet Jay from Jaybird Design.  This is his scary pose.

This is his funny pose.  Although, if you fall forward, this would be pretty scary, too!

And, this is some of his artwork!

Thanks Jay!  If you are interested in his work, contact him at JayBird_Design@Hotmail.com


 

Tattoo Artists: 7 Ink Addicts!

As I wandered the convention floor, there were a few booths that I recognized.  I stopped by to ask these two for a photograph, and they were kind enough to pose together.

It was then I realized I had photographed them the year before.

Meet Paige and Amber from Detroit, MI.

They work for Ink Addicts, an apparel store.  And, I guess they returned to Minnesota in spite of the cold weather last year!

It was a pleasure crossing paths with them again. 

My sincere thanks!

Tattoo Artists: 6 From Anoka

Even more, and closer, local talent!

Meet LaTanya.

Meet Gabe!

They are from Wingnut Tattoo in Anoka. I often drive through that intersection and have wondered about stopping in.  It was a pleasure meeting them both.  They have been in that location for 10 years!  And, their favorite time of the year is right after tax season.  People get their refunds and business picks up!

My sincere thanks to you both!  Congrats on 10 years!
 

Tattoo Artists: 5

 

An interesting thing about the Tattoo convention is that people come from all over the US.  It's nice to meet some local talent!

 



Meet Tony!   He's from N. Minnesota.

And, meet Tony's victim!  OK...Tony's customer!

 Tony was gracious enough to let me photograph with a flash while he was working.  He just asked that I let him know WHEN I was going to take the photograph.  Making a mistake would be something like having your barber say, "Oh oh...." when he's cutting hair.  But, the hair would grow out!

Thanks Tony!

 

 

Tattoo Artists: 4 Destination Freedom

Who says red heads are dying out?  OK...maybe NOT a natural color.  But, I noticed it from several booths away and had to ask for a photo!

Meet Renee!

She is from Destination Freedom.  This is a non-profit group fighting human trafficking.  While nearly every booth at the tattoo convention offered tattoos.  They offered tattoo removal services!

Thanks Renee!  Love the hair!