Awesome pic of Jack Rudy and Shanghai Kate tattooers with over 80 years combined exprerienceRad Hula girl by Shanghai Kate of Austin TexasFreehand Skull rose and eye by the black and grey master tattoo artist Mr. Jack Rudy of Good Time Charlies in Anaheim California
Bell Bottoms. Led Zeppelin. Shanghai Kate peeing standing up. The 70’s were an amazing time,
especially in the tattoo world. In what may be the funniest Tattooer’s Podcast to date, I shoot the
breeze with the awesome Shanghai Kate and a special guest, Jack Rudy about tattoo trends over
the last few decades, tattoo removal, and their intricate knowledge of how skin and ink react to
each other. From the days of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry, to the days of the tramp stamp, and
present-day trends, Kate and Jack take me through the history of tattooing and the influential
changes that they’ve helped implement in the industry, whether it’s single needle tattoos or
sterilization processes. Kate is all spirit and science, Jack is all antics and aliens. I hope you
enjoy this month’s episode as much as I did.
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
Freddys awesome bookJust one of many of Freddys pieces
I still cant believe i had the chance to chat with Freddy Negrete. Ive known his work for so long and I yet have known nothing about where he came from or how he got where he is. I read his book Smile Now Cry Later and it grabbed my attention from the beginning. I wanted to hear more of his story or at least share it with other tattooers. His life has been super crazy, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Even staring down deaths door. Only to come out the other side stronger and more focused than ever… If you don’t have his book, obviously you should get it. But you can learn alot from just hearing this living legend share what his journey has been like. I hope you guys and gals enjoy this episode as much as I do.
Here are the best places to find or follow Freddy.
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
On this episode I got a chance to chat with the author and curator of the new book The King and Queen of the Badlands Royboy and Debra the Tattooed Lady… Tim Svetly. Hes gonna take us on his personal journey in collecting the crazy stories of the notorious tattooer Royboy Cooper. From hearing legends of a tattooer who defied all social norms to becoming an important part of collecting tattoo history.
Enter Royboy
From wrestling bears as a kid, to learning with Cliff Raven, to buying tigers guns boats and cars, to having a hardcore gym in the basement of his tattoo shop. His life was his own 3 ring circus and he was the ring leader. A life of adventure and the willingness to do any and all things doesnt seem to do Royboy justice. I highly recommend checking out Tims new book on Royboy and his wife Debra to get a taste of what 70s and 80s biker tattooing was like in Gary Indiana.
The Best Traditional Chest Eagle Tattoo by Nick Colella in Chicago at Great Lakes Tattoo State streetNick Colella making the best tattoos in ChicagoWork 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.
Joey Knuckles doin what he does at Sacred Hand Tattoo Society in Columbus OhioRad Tattoos of Gods Monsters Myths and Mutants by Joey Knuckles of Sacred Hand Tattoo Society in Columbus Ohio
Its hard not to walk away from a conversation with Joey Knuckles and not want to set the world on fire and tattoo your face off!
After our conversation it was all I could do to hold still and not try to tattoo anything that moved.
In his words [tattooing] is “easy to love” and he is so right. He infected me even more than I already was. It was like getting a second zombie bite.
Tattooing is hard, and getting good is harder, and staying humble when you are good is harder than that. And then being good but still thinking you have a lot to learn… that is tattoo enlightenment.
I see Joey Knuckles as the whole enchilada. Tattoo histoy collector. Tattooer of the people. Roll your sleeves up and tattoo some mother fuckers. Tattoo style that flows and is truly built to last.
I had so much fun talking with Cori James. Its amazing how easy you can relate to your fellow tattooers. She is so inspiring for many many reasons.
Her traditional tattoos are setting Atlanta on fire ever since she started tattooing. If you think you need a tattoo from I highly recommend it. You can find her at Live Free Tattoo in Atlanta Ga or various guest spots throughout the country.
But thats not all. While dealing with an eating disorder she was gifted the book that changer her life.. A life without limits… and thus began her amazing triathalon journey.
Now, Im no slouch. I participate in 5ks pretty regularly and have put down a few half marathons… but the thought of miles and miles of cycling swimming and running make me want to cry and other fluid discharges I shouldnt talk about.
Again she is an incredible lady and I am so lucky she agreed to be on the podcast.
Be sure to check her out on Instagram (even though she doesnt care. hahaha)
Well its finally here. My first episode of the tattooers podcast. Gonna be posting them all here for now while I create a new site for the show. I’ve been so lucky to have a ton of support during this process and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Hope you all enjoy this project!
Finding the right tattoo artist can be challenging. Espcecially if you’re new to tattoos and aren’t even sure how to start the process. This is for you. Or if you’ve moved to a new city and are looking for a new tattoo artist, this is for you.
Skull wearing a headdress. Hey how are ya hey how are ya
So you want to get a tattoo. Awesome. Tattoos are freaking rad… Well, not all tattoos. Some tattoos look like they were wiped on by a blind dinosaur. And then some look like Michealengelo himself came back from the dead to do an entire arm.
But where do you even begin. Everyone you’ve seen probably has a tattoo. Every street has a dozen shops and every channel has a tattoo show.
Start as close to you as possible.
Become more aware of your coworkers and classmates or family members ink. Pay attention to who has tattoos all around you. What do you like about them? Is it the color? the flowiness? the placement?
Ask to look at their work. People love to show off their tattoos. Thats why we get em!!
Ask where they got it and who did the work.
Ask everybody.
After a bit of this you’ll probably start to hear some of the same names and shops be mentioned.
Hit the web… Its time to check out what random strangers have said about the artists and shops you’ve heard from your friends family and coworkers.
Take internet reviews with a grain of salt. Mostly dissatisfied people will be the first to yell from the clock tower. you can find a great list of tattoo artsits all over the world here or here
Now hit the streets.
Go visit the shops and tattoo artists you’ve heard all about. Walk in the shops and check out the vibe of the building. The lighting, the music, the floors, the walls, the whole enchilada. Make sure they take pride in where they operate. It can be a little one person shop but do they care about where they work. How do you feel? Comfy? thats good…
Next you want to ask about porfolios and examples of work. This is where you can get a good feel for what each artist wants to do. These are examples of the tattoos they are most proud of and think that you will enjoy. *you can save yourself a trip to the shop for this part if you look up the tattoo artist or the shop on Instagram, facebook or other social media outlets.* This is also the time to look really close at the work they are putting out. Are the lines clean crisp and consisten? Are the colors bright vibrant and well saturated in the skin? Are the shades of color or grey smooth or choppy? These are very important details. If the work is good, the price will be well worth it. If the price seems like a bargain be very skeptical of the work they are producing. The old adage is still fairly accurate ” A good tattoo isn’t cheap and a cheap tattoo isn’t good.”
Introduce yourself to the tattoo artists you like. Get a feel for them as people. Who knows, if you start to really like tattoos, you might be spending a lot of time with this person. Use your best judgment as far as sincerity is concerned. I can’t help you if you’re a sucker for a fast talker.
I am by no means the best tattoo artist in the world but I make sure my customers are treated well and their tattoos are executed well every time. And I try to have as much fun in the process. but thats just me…
Repeat the process of going to shops chatting with the artists until you know exactly who will do the tattoo you need the best.
Dont’ expect the tattoo artists to draw your tattoo out for you. Don’t ask them to work for free so you can think about it. Thats what the portfolio is for. If you like what they have done in the past, you will love what they can do for you.
For larger projects the tattoo artist will need to take a deposit to hold your spot in their schedule. It also shows your dedication to getting tattooed. If we had a dollar for everyone that said “trust me, I’ll be here” we probably wouldnt have to tattoo anymore.
You can ask about sterile tools. Its never a bad idea. Any reputable shop won’t have any problem with showing you their equipment and its pretty much a non issue anymore. The days of old needles are long gone.
So thats where I would start. Do some research and take your time with it. Good things come to those who are willing to put in the work.
And by no means ever should you go to a tattoo artist that doesn’t work in a tattoo shop. There is a reason they aren’t working in a shop.
If I missed anything let me know in the comments. Its too easy not to get a good tattoo these days!
2014 has come and gone and some awesome tattoos were done here at Fast Lane Tattoo. The new year is upon us and getting a new tattoo is always exciting. I am now accepting appointments through my website with with paypal for deposits as well as the cash in person method.
To schedule an appointment with me to get tattooed at Fast Lane in Tucson visit the contact page to start the process!
I look forward to out doing myself this year and believe Tucson has the best tattoo clients that any tattoo shop or tattoo artist could ask for!
Dave
Fast Lane Tattoo
3801 n Oracle
Tucson Az
(520)388-8282
Custom black and grey jack skellington skull morph arm tattoo by david meek at fast lane tattoo tucson arizonacustom black and grey compass and roses arm tattoo by david meek fast lane tattoo tucson arizonacustom black and grey day of the dead girl arm tattoo, traditional lipstick and heart ankle tattoo, shears and kettle bell wrist tattoo by david meek fast lane tattoo tucson arizona