David Meek Tattoos

Tucson Tattoo Artist

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4th of July in Tucson

Posted by david on July 3, 2019
Posted in: best tucson tattoos, Tucson Tattoo Artist. Tagged: 4th of july, arizona, tucson, Tucson arizona, Tucson tattoo artist. Leave a Comment

Its been a busy summer in the studio. Im always grateful for that. Add to the mix a wedding and a honeymoon in July and well… Im sure you can appreciate the workload.

This on top of owning a tattoo studio, being a present father, and husband to be.

But tomorrow is the 4th of July. one of my favorite holidays. A day off, yes. But also a day I get to spend with my girls and my friends all at the same time.

Ill also make sure to have The Patriot basically on repeat until I take my evening slumber, my body filled with domestic beers and meats cooked to perfection over an open flame. My eyes and ears still dancing to the sparkles that represent our freedom to drink those beers and cook those meats.

But also… The freedom to be me. To own a tattoo studio in Tucson… Hell, to be able to do tattoos for a living…

To have clean hot water at a moments notice. To have macaroni and cheese from a box, or a food truck.

Theres a ton of things Im guilty of taking for granted. But on the 4th of July, they are ever present.

So many times I hear folks talk about American Freedom, but sometimes they dont understand what we are free from. What oppression really means. How in some places I wouldnt be able to write these words, click a button and share my thoughts. Whether I could start a business. Or as simple as have hot running water on demand. Or as complicated as … welll.. as complicated as having the very real conversation that perhaps not everyone in our country shares the same freedoms.

Im gonna leave this right here on the internet. Just so my piece is said. I hope all americans have a safe and happy 4th of July. Free of oppression from any outside forces. May you embrace your family and be grateful to be living in this great nation and allow others to do the exact same thing.

Im off to the grill, there are meats that need tending, 12oz beverages that need a home and some friends that need some smiles.

Dave

Patriotic american flag eagle arm tattoo tucson tattoo artist david meek
Patriotic American Flag Eagle Arm Tattoo By David Meek of Tucson Arizona

Best of Tucson 2019 finalists are in and I’m up for Best Tattoo Artist!

Posted by david on July 2, 2019
Posted in: best tucson tattoos, David Meek Tattoos, Tucson Tattoo Artist, Tucson Tattoo Expo. Tagged: best black and grey tattoos, best of tucson, Best portrait tattoos, best tattoo artist, best tattoo shop, best traditional tattoos, best tucson tattooer, tucson tattoos, Tucson weekly. Leave a Comment

The first round of voting for Best of Tucson is in and Im blown away. For the second year in a row Ive been nominated for Best Tattoo Artist in Tucson. Thanks to all who nominated me! Its a huge honor to be be in the top 5… Im happy to just make good tattoos for my amazing clientele, but a little recognition aint gonna kill me haha. So again a huge thank you to all that have gotten me this far and trust me year after year to make tattoos for you.

Walt Disneys Beauty and the Beast Black and Grey Arm Tattoo by David Meek in Tucson Arizona
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Arm Tattoo by Me in Tucson Arizona

Best of Tucson Voting is live… so lets get best tattoo artist and best tattoo shop this year!

Posted by david on May 25, 2019
Posted in: best tucson tattoos, David Meek Tattoos, Tattoo Artist, Tucson Tattoo Artist. Tagged: Best memorial tattoos, best of tucson, Best portrait tattoos, best tattoo artist, best tattoo shop, tucson tattoos, Tucson weekly. Leave a Comment

Traditional Pinup Hula Girl Tattoo available in Tucson at David Meek Tattoos

The time is upon us. The Tucson Weekly’s Best of Tucson 2019 voting has begun. Last year I was so very fortunate to have so many wonderful people put my name and my private studio in the ring for Best Tattoo Artist as well as Best Tattoo Shop in Tucson. It was such an honor to have the trust and votes from so many. My goal has always been to make tattoos that stand the test of time, are applied with clean crisp technique, in a clean and relaxingly comfortable studio…. So, as far as that goes, Ive been a winner for along time in that competition.

But… The competitor in me always wants a little more haha. So last year was only the first year my studio was open, and I was a finalist for Best Tattoo Artist and the studio was a finalist for Best Tattoo Shop. Amazing. But I think we can do a bit better this year.

This first round is for nominations. So please take a moment to go the the link and show some love for your favorite things in Tucson.

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR BEST OF TUCSON

Best tattoo artist – David Meek Best Tattoo shop – David Meek Tattoos, Best Hot Dog- You Sly Dog, Best radio or morning show hosts – Cyndi and Chris, Best Hamburger- Molecular Munchies, Best brewery-Dilinger Brewing Co Best Yoga Studio- Yoga Oasis… these are just a few of my friends that deserve some recognition and a nomination!

Thanks for taking the time to support local tucson businesses!

Dave Meek

Episode 15: Clint Vaught and the biography of tattooer Mike Huff

Posted by david on July 31, 2018
Posted in: David Meek Tattoos. Leave a Comment

I was eager to receive the call from Clint about being on the podcast. I love tattoo history and where it brought us. Im sure you have noticed there is a bit of nostalgia in most every episode with an overtone of distain for the modern process of instagram and hashtags…and this episode is no different. But this time we get to delve into a tattooer that was part of the history we so revere and yet have never heard of him. He quietly slipped into history having done his duty as a tattooer. He worked for the people, he plied his trade, he fed his family and he provided shelter. Far from where we are now with hashtag millionaires and iconic tattooers known for their hairdo more than their work. I submit this chat for you to enjoy not only Clints journey and dedication to our humble beginnings but also Mikes part in it. 

Clint at Mikes final resting place

Lyle Tuttle and Clint Vaught

Please follow Clint and check out what hes done for us on Instagram and the his website

IG @clintvaught

IG @royalartbooks

IG @lyletuttlecollection

 

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
Instagram @thetattooerspodcast
 
facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast
 
or my website www.davidmeektattoos.com
 
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
 
music by www.bensound.com





The Best of Tucson Finalists are in!

Posted by david on July 6, 2018
Posted in: David Meek Tattoos, tucson, Tucson Tattoo Artist. Tagged: best of tucson, best tattoo artist, best tattoo shop, Tucson weekly. 2 comments

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





Episode 14: Jeremy Miller Texas New School Tattooer

Posted by david on May 30, 2018
Posted in: David Meek Tattoos. 1 comment

 

 

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
 
Instagram @thetattooerspodcast
 
facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast
 
or my website www.davidmeektattoos.com
 
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
 
music by www.bensound.com
 
Words by Amber Sipe

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





The Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson 2018

Posted by david on May 15, 2018
Posted in: best tucson tattoos, David Meek Tattoos, Tattoo Artist, Tucson Tattoo Artist. Tagged: best of tucson, best tattoo artist, best tattoo shop, Tucson weekly. Leave a Comment

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





Epidode 13: Shanghai Kate and Jack Rudy

Posted by david on April 30, 2018
Posted in: Tattoo Artist, Tattooers, The Tattooers Podcast. Tagged: black and grey tattoos, Don Ed Hardy, Jack Rudy, Old school tattoos, Sailor Jerry, Shanghai Kate, tattoo history, traditional tattoos. Leave a Comment

Awesome pic of Jack Rudy and Shanghai Kate tattooers with over 80 years combined exprerience

Rad Hula girl by Shanghai Kate of Austin Texas

Freehand 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.

 

You can find Kate online here or you can check our her facebook or instagram @shanghaikate

You can also follow Jack on Instagram @j_rudy_gtc

or on Facebook

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
Instagram @thetattooerspodcast
 
facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast
 
or my website www.davidmeektattoos.com
 
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
 
music by www.bensound.com
 
Words by Amber Sipe





Episode 12: Freddy Negrete

Posted by david on March 6, 2018
Posted in: Tattoo Artist, Tattoo Podcast, Tattooers. Tagged: black and grey, chicano, freddy negrete, hollywood, realism, realistic tattoos, tattoo education. 2 comments

Freddys awesome book

Just 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.
 
Instagram @freddy_negrete
 
facebook.com/freddynegrete
 
www.freddynegrete.com
 
and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
Instagram @thetattooerspodcast
 
facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast
 
or my website www.davidmeektattoos.com
 
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
 
music by www.bensound.com
 





Episode 11: Remembering Royboy with Tim Svetly

Posted by david on February 9, 2018
Posted in: Tattoo Artist, Tattoo Podcast, Tattooers, The Tattooers Podcast, Traditional Tattoos. Tagged: badlands tattoo, biker tattoo artist, debra the tatooed lady. biker tattoos, gary indiana, royboy. 1 comment


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. 

 

You can follow Tim on Instagram @royboybook or you can purchase a copy of the book directly at www.royboybook.com

 

You can also follow the show in Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast  and dont forget to follow the show on Itunes or google play and subscribe. It only takes a second and helps the show out so much. 

 

Thanks for listening

 

Dave Meek

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensound.com





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