The Diary of a Tattooist

CBC documentary from 1964 called The Diary of a Tattooist, about Victoria, B.C.’s Doc Forbes. Truly like something from a time capsule. Interesting to see how the techniques and culture has changed.

Sugar Shack Grand Opening

Went with some friends up to Kincardine on Saturday for the grand opening of the brand new Sugar Shack Tattoo. Their previous space had served as home for 13 years, but it was time to grow. After many hundreds of hours of work on the building they bought, the space was finally ready to unveil to the public.

The front lounge/waiting room/gallery.

Go up two steps and you enter the actual work area. I’m accustomed to a shop with separate rooms so it was a novel sight to see one open room. Different, but I like it. I suppose each approach has its own appeal. 

Dragon painted on the floor.

Three workstations.

It never loses its appeal.

A selection of some of the art and photos on the wall.

Books and knick-knacks on the shelves.

Scotch.

It also happened to be the weekend of the Kincardine Scottish Festival. Given Scott’s Scottish heritage, and that the 105 year old building they’re now in was originally the home of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, they were piped into the building. 

It even got a swell writeup in the local paper.
http://www.kincardinenews.com/2013/07/05/sugar-shack-tattoo-to-mark-grand-opening-with-world-champions

Very nice day, very nice drive up, very nice to hang out with friends, very nice to see the new shop, very nice to see some  old friends, very nice food and libations, very nice town. Very nice.

Bibliophilia: Tattoo Machine: Tall Tales, True Stories, and My Life in Ink – Jeff A. Johnson

Tattoo Machine: Tall Tales, True Stories, and My Life in Ink – Jeff A. Johnson

Having spent quite some time in and around tattoo shops, I loved Jeff’s very keen observations about this crazy industry.

Cottage 13

Some photos taken at the shop.

Ganesh and certifications.

Counter with jewelry.

Painting by Os.

Hallway.

Sign in the window.

Skateboards and other art.

Jewelry and seashells.

Small tattoo room.

Small room with James Jean skateboards.

Craig Driscoll sketches.

Sketches. Yup, someone really wanted and got a Pabst Blue Ribbon tattoo. •sigh*

Jason’s tools.

1st large tattoo room.

Wacky Packages.

Painting by Os.

2nd large tattoo room.

James Jean print.

Jen’s always inspiring wall of sketches.

That gal can draw.

ytrfg

Sally Jupiter from The Watchmen by James Jean.

Piercing room.

Some of the ever revolving selection of art.

Hallway.

The scrub room.

I think I’m in love.

James Jean. We like James Jean.

Bats and beetles.

Another fantastic painting by Os.

An awesome tattoo by Os.