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The Best of Tucson Finalists are in!

Hey everyone, it happened… The Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson finalists are officially in… And even more exciting, I have been nominated for Best Tattoo Artist (David Meek) as well as Best Tattoo Shop (David Meek Tattoos). This is an incredible honor and I have to thank all of the people that have allowed me to tattoo them. The only thing is… We Need to Win. So here is the link to head back to ballot and let Tucson KNOW who is the best. Im also happy to report some of my close friends have also made it in the finals Best Food Truck ( You Sly Dog) Best Brewery (Borderlands) Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Beer Selection ( Tucson Hop Shop) just to name a few. 

Here is the link for you to cast your votes for the Best in Tucson.

Im so excited. Thanks so much… and you can bet money we will have a celebration when we win!!

 

Dave

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Episode 14: Jeremy Miller Texas New School Tattooer

 

 

Love this Tat Gun by Jeremy Miller of Pigment Tattoo in Austin Texas

Jeremy Miller may be the most educated tattooer there is. For this podcast, I get to talk to Jeremy about earning his PhD and how his education background is business has affected him as a tattoo artist. We chat about the balance between making art and making money. You many know Jeremy from the first season of Ink Master, and I got the opportunity to learn about the ups and downs of reality TV, especially how it has come into play with the tattoo industry in the past decade or so. Jeremy is a straight talker, telling me all about what he thinks the failings of the tattoo world will be in the years to come, and what we as artists and shop owners can do to fight that.

Be sure to follow jeremy and his shop on social media 

Facebook-

Instagram

 

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
 
 
 
or subscribe on Itunes or Google Play here
 
Thanks so much for all the support and feed back everyone… there are alot of podcasts out there and to think you waste a couple hours with me each month is crazy… Thanks 
 
 
Dave Meek
 
 
Words by Amber Sipe

This roasting marshmallow is just too damn good. By Jeremy Miller of Pigment Tattoo in Austin Texas

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The Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson 2018

The Tucson Weekly best of Tucson primary voting is underway til June 17th and there is no better time to let your favorite Tucson establishment know how you feel about them. Categories include best Food Truck (You Sly Dog) or best radio host (Cyndi from 92.9) to best art gallery (MOCA) or best yoga studio (yoga oasis). I love being able to participate and support my favorite things about Tucson. From Roccos little chicagos wings to renting movies at Casa Video or grabbing a beer at Borderlands Brewery it makes me feel good how awesome our local stuff is. 

Click THIS LINK to go to the Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson Voting page to get started.

And support all your favorite local stuff including best tattoo artist ( ME!) and tattoo shop (David Meek Tattoos) 

Thanks everyone, Im really excited to see how this goes..

 

Dave

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Episode10: 39 years and counting with Deb Yarian

 

 

In this new episode of the Tattooer’s Podcast, I am joined by Deb Yarian of Eagle River Tattoo
in Alaska. This woman is nothing short of incredible. Not only has she been tattooing for 39
years, but she has worked all over the United States building her skills and clientele. Deb tells us
all about the underground world of tattooing in the 70’s and 80’s, describing the risks of being a
tattoo artist, as well as some of the danger that came with working in cities where tattooing was
illegal. Not only did she make it through some tough times in the tattoo world and in her
personal life, she did it all with some thick skin, being one of very few female tattoo artists of her
time. Thanks for joining us to listen to the amazing wisdom of the incredible Deb Yarian.

39 years strong! Deb Yarian owner and tattooer at Eagle River Tattoo in Eagle River Alaska

 

You can follow Deb on Instagram @debyarian or her shop @eaglerivertattoo or on the web at www.eaglerivertattoo.com

and Dont forget to follow the show on Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast 

you can also subscribe to the show on Itunes or google play to make sure you get all the future episodes. It only takes a second but it helps the show so much. 

 

music by www.bensound.com

words by Amber Sipe

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Episode 9: Chicago Tattooer Nick Colella

 

The Best Traditional Chest Eagle Tattoo by Nick Colella in Chicago at Great Lakes Tattoo State street

Nick Colella making the best tattoos in Chicago
Work by Nick Colella Chicagos best tattooer at Great Lakes Tattoo

 

In this week’s episode, I take a trip back to the 90’s and the days of “house punk rock tattooing”
with Nick Colella, owner of Great Lake Tattoo in Chicago and the brains behind the Walk Up
Classic. He talks about all the antics of the old-timers, how tattooing used to be, and how things
have changed over the years. You can hear the passion in Nick’s voice, and you can tell how true
it is when Nick says that tattooing was his first love. You’ll learn about how internet and social
media have changed the way customers get tattoos, and how it can be a gift and a curse. Nick’s
humility is something to behold, and hearing him say that he’s just a “regular tattoo guy” is
hilariously weird for someone who knows what a tattoo hero he truly is.

Be sure to follow Nick on Instagram @nickcollela and his shop @greatlakestattoo and dont for get to follow the show @thetattooerspodcast as well as on facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast

You can also download and subscribe to the show on Itunes and Google Play. It should only take a second but helps the show so much.

 

Thanks for all the support for the show and tattooing. Let me know what your favorite part of my interview with Nick was in the comments. 

 

Thanks and happy new year!

 

David 

 

music by www.bensound.com

words by Amber Sipe and David Meek

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The Tattooers Podcast Ep 7: Alex Empty

 

In this episode, I was able to make a special trip up to Phoenix AZ to interview Alex Empty, owner of Copperstate Tattoo. This was really cool for me, due to the fact that Alex was able to squeeze me in for a tattoo as well as the interview. I jumped at the chance given that Alex has recently been tattooing and learning the tebori style of tattooing, which was done in Japan. Alex is one of the most down to earth tattooers I’ve met and his outlook and attitude are completely unique to him. I really enjoyed our chat even if we both got lost in whatever we were talking about. Its easy to zone out when you’re tattooing and when you’re getting tattooed. So please enjoy our rants and tangents as 2 tattooers hang out in the studio.

Tebori back piece by the one and only Alex Empty out of Copperstate Tattoo in Phoenix Az.

 

You can also follow Alex on Instagram @alexempty and his shop @copperstatetattoo as well as the show on IG @thetattooerspodcast or on Facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Itunes and Google Play. It only takes a moment and it helps the show out so much. 

 

And be sure to head over to ElectrumSupply.com to recieve the free bottle of stencil primer only for the listeners of the podcast. If you spend $50 bucks at electrum supply and use code PODCAST at checkout they’ll gently remove the bottle of stencil primer from its armored, guarded vault. And with white satin gloves they will gently place it on a red satin pillow and lower it into your order. After which the police escort will hurry to the airport where it will board the private jet. Once arriving in your current city, the local package deliverer will take it from there and we have no idea how they operate….

 

thanks again for all the listens and downloads!

 

Dave

www.davidmeektattoos.com

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The Tattooers Podcast Ep 4 pt 1: Phillies finest tatttoers protect the trade w/ Eric Perfect

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES

Eric is a tattooer of 27 years and has seen his fair share of bullshit when it comes to tattooing. And the recent uprising of  Tattoo Schools is no exception. There have always been people trying to make a buck off of tattooing especially since the rise of its popularity in todays culture. Tattoos are fashionable but that comes with some drawbacks as well as some benefits. 

In the beginning of this episode we will hear from the tattoo school man himself. Expaining that he was failing at the job he is trying to teach people….That blows my mind…

Eric Perfect with Philadelphia tattooers protesting tattoo schools

The tattoo school drawback is that now, in a few short months and thousands of dollars later, a young naive person can become a “tattoo artist”. [I use quotations and the term tattoo artist very loosely here] All at the expense of the genreal public. Its the customers and clients that we have worked so hard to give the best of oursleves and give the best possible tattoos we can. Mind you there are always crappy tattoo artists doing tattoos they shouldn’t be doing and Im probably one of them.  But to set this as the standard is not only decienving the would be  tattoo artists but the general public into thinking that these tattoos are ok. I have my own opinions of whats right and wrong about this but ill let Eric Perfect, Chad Knight and Myke Chambers explain the situation in Philly. So stay tuned for the upcoming episodes with those fellas. Til then please enjoy Eric Perfect.

 

For more info on what is going on please visit www.notattooschool.com or follow Eric on Instagram and Facebook

 

Dave

follow the show on Instagram and facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast

 

 

music by bensound.com

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Tucson 4th Ave Street Fair and Oh yeah Im moving

This past weekend the family and I went down to one of Tucsons best traditions. The 4th Avenue Street Fair. I have been going to this event on and off for the last decade or so and it never dissapoints. Well maybe because I never have any real agenda other than to see the community come hang out in the streets for a few days. Beers in hand, roasted corn in the air and all the classic pop up carnival food tents in the background. And at center stage you have vendors and vendors and vendors galore. All hoping to share their unique little gifts on to the world. From homemade to repurposed and even some thoughtfully manufactured items can be found. Local artists in varying mediums from paints to yarn to sealife… Its so cool to look at. 

I found myself enjoying a pineapple cocktail for most of the day. and Yes, it was an actual pineapple that I continued to refill with only adult libations. And with that pineapple I discovered a really cool fact. If you want to make friends, carry around a pineapple with a straw and some garnish. Everybody wants to know the guy with a pineapple drink. If only for the moment they need to ask him where he got it… Instant ice breaker. People seem to lower their guard when talking to a man holding a pineapple drink. Im going to continue this experiment and carry a pineapple around wherever I go. Just to see if my hypothesis holds true. 

So considering all the cool stuff I got to see and the people I got to watch. This year was just as good as any other year. We also brought home some new friends. 4 new red little shrimp that contain themselves in their own ecosystem. SO meditative to watch these little creatures swim and eat and eat and swim.  They are a welcome addition to our home and we all love towatch them just be. 

And Oh yes lets not forget the title of this little bloggy thing. Im moving… DUN DUN DUUUUUN.  haha . Not to worry, Im just experiencing a little domestic relocation. The stresses that go along with a move are quite unique and tiresome and to be honest, I wish I was a minimalist everytime. But we will overcome. 

So no need to worry I was just sharing some life happenings. 

Its hard to do but its such a healthy neceesity to shed the past from your present. Going through ol boxes, being reminded of some great memories. And other items you come across may have now meaning at all. So why the hell do I have this…. Donate. Moving gives us an opportuninty to purge our collections that we seem to cherish until its time to relocate them. 

That actually might be my new mantra when buying something. Do I want to pack this up and move this?  Instead of this is so cool  I need this so bad…

Well thatll do for now. What do you think of community street fairs and moving? Leave a comment 

 

and if you are interested in any of my tattoo work fear not I  will still be working at Fast Lane Tattoo on Oracele Rd in Tucson.

David-meek-tucson-tattoo-artist-sailor-jerry-acetate-stencil-tucson-arizona-fast-lane-tattoo-best-tattooartist-traditional
Heres a pic of me tattooing an original sailor jerry acetate stencil of a rose.

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Tucson Tattoos and Phoenix Marathons

Its been a crazy couple of weeks finishing up february and beginning March. Crazy in its type of activities rather than crazy in volume of activities, which is usually the case.

 

But maybe I should back up.

The last 8 months or so I’ve found myself being more deliberate with my time. My one most valuable asset. I’ve spent way more time being with my family rather than away and the feeling of gratitude is surging!

Ill have to post about my new adventures in meditation, running, reading(usually disney bio related or self educations.), floating, music, art and even hang gliding!

 

So back to my deliberate use of time.

I have spent years trading time for money. And I’ve learned that that is not a bad thing. It was the precise thing I needed to be doing. Especially since have a family that I am most certainly a part of. And part of those responsibilities include financial contributions. So work work work. Well maybe more tattoo tattoo tattoo. 

And if you think for a second I don’t love what I do, you’re crazy. I’m a punk rock kid at heart. I had a mohawk at my daughters first birthday. I’ve had jobs before tattooing. I made damn good money.  But being able to do things the way I want has always been part of the plan. Want a mohawk? Wear one. Want to be tattooed? Be tattooed. 

So as fate would have it, Tattooing showed it lovely face in my life. 

Now, the mantra of MY WAY has been poking around again. I’ve put my pole in the pond from sunup to sundown and sometimes longer to make tattoos on some of the raddest people I could ever expect to meet. And as I  grow skill, they grow in styles and size!

 

My appointment book has been steadily filling with more and more tattoos that really are some incredibly fun pieces. And I have been been practicing how to deliberately use my time.

I also gave myself the most enduring test of physical stress and mental stress by signing up to do a Half Maration (13.1 miles) in Mesa Arizona. I gave myself an official training season of 6 days. Now I clearly would never recommend that to anyone, and I know I’ll never ask that of me again. But the commitiment to participate for 5 years and I can’t fail myself. So this year, six days it was, and next year at least 3 months.

 It’s late. I dont care why I’m writing. All I know is Im enjoying it. I think I need to do a few more posts to get used to the directio of this. I wonder if I really show how the sausage is made, in my shop anyways,   there could be some small benefit to the tattoo world or the world in general. 

I kind of feel like these article s need to be longer. Or maybe I should ramble more, or no. Thats a bad idea. They will be as long as they need to be and nothing more. 

I am looking forward to this being my personal account of life as an evergrowing artist of life, tattooing, and creation be it art, memories, humans, and anything that Isn’t already here. 

 

I look forward to hearing from anyone that has some good books films unrelated reccomendations, comments, feedback, encouragement, or usable criticsims!

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Black and Grey Realistic Tattoos

artist_tucson_arizona_fast_lane_tattoo_shop_Alicante_barcelona_spain_tatuajes_mediterranean
Sweet compass rope and map tattoo I did at fast lane tattoo in Tucson Arizona
Realistic_Black_and_Grey_Dia_De_Los_Muertos_Day_of_the_Dead_Woman_Girl_With_Skull_Cover_up_Half_sleeve_realism_arm_tattoo_David_Meek_tattoo_Artist_Best_Tucson_Arizona_Fast_Lane_tattoo_shop_Alicante_Barcelona_Spain_Mediterranean
Cool Day of the dead Girl head and skull half sleeve cover up tattoo I did at fast lane tattoo in tucson arizona

Been very fortunate this year to do so many bad ass tattoos on my clients. Been loving these black and grey realistic portrait style tattoos! click HERE to schedule an appointment with me.