Conventions Archives

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023

Three Kings Tattoo London anniversary flash day

We absolutely love a tattoo flash day. It’s so exciting being part of a tattoo party, making friends in the queue and choosing a flash design to have tattooed on you forever. On Saturday July 15th, Three Kings London (@threekingslondon) in Deptford are celebrating their third birthday with a flash day and evening of entertainment.

All flash designs will be at a set rate of £60 from one of their expert tattooers, so check out the full blackwork flash sheets on offer here. If you’re one of the first 50 customers on Saturday July 15th you’ll receive a goody bag filled with:

Discount vouchers from Three Kings
Goodies from local independent neighbours
VIP entry for you and your pals to celebrate with the Three Kings crew to the sounds of Rinse FM loved DJ Joe Milli at Little Nan’s

So make sure you get down early!

The tattoo artists at Three Kings London — The Three Kings Tattoo London crew

We first spoke to Amanda Rodriguez in 2019 (read her interview here). With it being three years in July since Three Kings Tattoo out of NYC and Brooklyn launched a studio in Deptford, South East London under the leadership of New York artist Amanda Rodriguez, we wanted to catch up with the tattoo artist.

How have you been since we last spoke in 2019?

I’ve been really good. It’s been really up and down work wise since COVID but now it’s starting to pick up again. We’ve got an amazing crew at the shop now with five full time artists other than myself. My clientele is building slowly but surely and I’ve been able to work on some really amazing pieces in the last few years.

You’re now owner of Three Kings Tattoo, can you tell us how you got to where you are?

Just a lot of hard work and determination to be honest. My business partners from America were super helpful in getting me here to the UK also.

What’s owning a studio like – the highs and lows?

Owning a studio is different than I thought. I love the space I have curated and the artists I have chosen to work with and our employees. However, as a business owner you always have work to do and you are responsible for others’ income which is a lot of pressure. I’ve found juggling the business stuff and my own tattooing career really difficult at times as I have less time to draw and post online.

Amanda's flash tattoos — Amanda’s flash sheet

We think a flash day is the perfect way to celebrate three years, what can people expect on the day?

The flash day is so much fun! We usually have people waiting to get in at 11am and tattoo straight through to 7pm with a little lunch break. This will be our fourth or fifth flash day so I think we’ve got a good system – we take people’s details and what tattoo they want and then let them explore Deptford until we are ready for them. Our customers will get a goody bag with some merch and vouchers for local businesses and this year we are giving them to people before they get tattooed so they can utilise some of the vouchers while they wait (if they have a wait!) This is the first time we’re doing a Saturday so we’re expecting more people. Afterwards we have a party happening at Little Nan’s with a DJ. It’s going to be good fun!

What are you most looking forward to on the flash day?

We always meet some amazing new people on the day and I’m really looking forward to having new people come and experience the shop and the fun vibes. I’m also looking forward to people enjoying Deptford on the day while they wait. I really love the area and we tend to get a lot of people who don’t know it well so this is a great opportunity to get people here and see what Deptford is all about!

What does the future hold for Three Kings Tattoo?

Hopefully lots more guests and our artists being very busy! Brand collaborations down the line would be amazing and trying to give back to the community.

The flash day is open to the public from 11am to 7pm on Saturday 15th July on a ‘walk-in’ basis. The after party at Little Nan’s Grandad’s Shed in Deptford Markey Yard starts at 7pm.

Location: 182 Deptford High Street London SE8 3PR

July 29, 2022July 27, 2022

Tattoo conventions are back

We’ve definitely missed going to tattoo conventions over the last couple of years. We love finding new artists, the buzz (excuse the pun) and of course getting a new tattoo or two. But do the tattoo artists working at conventions feel the same?

We spoke to some of the artists at this year’s Vancover Tattoo and Culture Show to find out if they love tattoo conventions as much as we do and they share some top tips for those who haven’t been to one yet…

Rachel Hofer @rach.tattoos, NEW EDGE INK COLLECTIVE™, Vancouver

I love tattoo conventions because I get to see all different kinds of artists and get inspired. Going to conventions really makes me feel part of the industry. It’s also a chance for me to promote my business to a diverse group of people.

Saying that working at conventions is quite chaotic! Not being in my normal work space or having limited equipment and supplies makes it difficult to stay organised.

I don’t mind the loud music and crowds of people though as it keeps it exciting.

When I work a convention I sometimes I book people in but generally I prefer walk-ups, as it’s hard to know how long something will take so I usually stick to doing flash.

If you’ve never been to a convention, expect lots of people and lots of art. There are usually shows on the stage and contests for various tattoo categories.

I’d also recomend that you:

Eat before you go unless you like $15 hotdogs!
Bring cash as most vendors don’t have debit/credit machines
Plan ahead if there is a specific artist you want to get tattooed by as they may be very busy.

Matt Chaos @mattchaos_ttt, Black Circle – Tattoo Coven, Montreal and Lyon

For me conventions are more about connecting with artists I like the work of. Tattooing there isn’t the best obviously, it’s far from my comfort zone! But it’s a great opportunity to meet friends and artists from all over the world who are at the same place for a few days.

Conventions also help me to promote my work in new cities that I have never been to before.

The biggest challenge is breaking away from old habits while you tattoo.

There are a lot of people to talk to; it’s all about communication, as you have to be everywhere at the same time. Artists need to be fast and ready to go.

I used to work in a private by-appointment-only studio in Montreal so, I prefer to book in advance for conventions. Knowing what I’m doing each day better fits my flow. But sometimes I keep half a day to fit people in who want a flash design.

I think conventions for tattoo collectors are a good way to meet and discover artists from all over the world. It’s the opportunity to book in with someone who lives on the other side of the planet.

For young artists it’s the best way to show your art to a lot of people in one place, it’s like social media but in real life.

Nathan Ross @discopotatoes , HandCrafted Tattoo & Fine Art, Edmonton

I love that the culture of tattooing becomes so alive at conventions. They showcase so much talent, including those that are outside the medium of our craft.

There are painters, musicians, entertainers and unique retailers – everywhere amazing things are being created in all forms to make an impact and inspire.

Over the years you learn to balance and juggle the challenges of working at conventions.

You overcome the struggles of working on a client while talking to potential clients, as well as applying a stencil or tattooing in front of multiple peers and people! There’s some adjustment needed to work the long hours, it’s important to eat properly throughout the show.

This piece titled “Night Owl” was done at the Vancouver Tattoo and Culture Show

Personally I love booking large scale pieces for multiple day sittings. But, I’m torn because having a custom flash board always means you can consistently tattoo your patterns and engage with the community.

For those who have never been to a convention consider this; “Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” These shows help you gain inspiration in multiple ways no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in.

Do you love going to tattoo conventions? Let us know!

July 4, 2022July 27, 2022

Reclaiming the Narrative – a new tattoo installation at the NMMC by Black and POC tattoo artists

We’re so excited to reveal that The National Maritime Museum Cornwall has opened a brand new temporary exhibition: British Tattoo Art: Reclaiming the Narrative, which is now open in Falmouth.

Reclaiming the Narrative features 14 pieces of artwork by Black and POC tattoo artists, all working in the UK today. The artworks represent a celebration of contemporary tattoo art on Black and brown skin. The installation forms a powerful artistic response to the museum’s critically-acclaimed 2017 exhibition Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed, which was the largest gathering of real objects and original tattoo artwork ever assembled in the UK.

The artworks represent both a celebration of tattoo art – especially on Black and brown skin – and a thought-provoking and powerful challenge to National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s own cultural decision-making around the original 2017 exhibition, Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed. There were omissions (the 100 Hands for example were all created on white / male tattoo practise skin) and the exhibition should and could have been approached differently. There should have been more conversations – and this new addition to the exhibition is acknowledgment of that. It’s time for change, to admit where mistakes have been made.

These works are also intended as a positive intervention into a wider, necessary conversation around diversity of representation – historical and contemporary – in the story of British tattoo art. Reflecting on the original exhibition approach, these works have been commissioned to address omissions and cultural biases contained in the narrative of the 2017 exhibition, and are intended to be a direct intervention into a wider, necessary and vital conversation around diversity of representation in the story of British tattoo art.

The installation has been guest curated by our editor Alice Snape (who also curated the 100 Hands, the centrepiece of the original exhibition) and created in partnership with lead artist Charissa Gregson aka Glasgow-based Tattoo artist Rizza Boo, of Shadow Work Tattoos.

Lead artist **Charissa Gregson** with her tattooed torso, ***Starry Crown*** – which is the central piece of work in Reclaiming the Narrative

Here’s what Charissa Gregson / Rizza Boo, owner of Shadow Work Tattoos, Glasgow had to say about the exhibition:

“Following the brutal killing of George Floyd in 2020, people all over the world have been engaging in more conversations about social injustice, police brutality, institutional racism and anti-Blackness. We saw this echoed through the tattoo community with clients and tattooers sharing some of their experiences of anti-Blackness within the industry, ranging from subtle microaggressions to outright racism. There were conversations about the lack of appreciation and representation of black artists, insensitivity when tattooing cultural subject matter, the harmful effects of whitewashing photos of clients to fit a specific aesthetic and the general lack of knowledge and misinformation around tattooing darker skin.

“We know that representation matters. This exhibit feels like an important addition, showcasing the work of Black and POC tattooers, making sure we are included in this particular record of tattoo history. It is a small sign of progress that the plaques and silicone arms used in this project are now available in a slightly more diverse palette, which one would hope will continue to expand. Offering a wider range of colours, skin tones, so that even more people would see a representation of their skin included in an exhibition like this.

“When asked to contribute to this project, it was obvious to me that we must get more artists involved. A single piece by one artist would only be the illusion of diversity and give a false impression of the cultural and artistic diversity that actually exists in our communities. Holding space for more artists and giving platform to their creativity gives a truer look at who is tattooing in Britain right now. With this project we seek to disrupt and challenge some of the misinformation, give voice to the individual artists and allow us to share some of our collective story.”

Reclaiming the Narrative is open now at the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall:

The exhibition includes:

Charissa Gregson’s tattooed torso, Starry Crown, which celebrates the Black female body and forms the centrepiece of the exhibition.

Additional designs on synthetic skin plaques including works from:

Manni K, Jolie Rouge
Natasha Jackson, Prophecy Tattoo and Piercing
Lord Montana-Blue, The Good Fight Tattoo
Sarah Louise Powell, Neon Wolf Tattoo Studio
Samantha Bee, INKLOUNGE Tattoo Studio
Rakhee Shah, Xotica Tattoo Company
Nish Rowe, Blu Xion Tattoo
Jade Clark, Heart of Glass Tattoo
Samuel Ayobami Paul, Artkilledme
Ash Tyson, Ouroboros private studio
Yasir, Fake Skin Tattoo
Jezz-lee Wood, Samsara Tattoo Parlour
Pedro, Grey Area Custom Tattoos

by **Ash Tyson, Ouroboros private studio**

April 3, 2022August 4, 2022

Interview with The Tattoo Journalist

Tattoo enthusiast Adriana de Barros, The Tattoo Journalist is an author, editor and photographer covering all things fine art and tattoos. Her unique interviewing style sets her apart, making her work with legends of the tattoo world a must-read. In this exclusive interview we chat to her about her career, tattoos and the future of tattooing…

How did your fascination with tattoos begin? As a child, I remember seeing postcards and books with tattooed 19th-century women and circus performers from “Freak shows.” Outcasts drew me in because they were different.

I would have been heavily tattooed as a teenager with old-school sailor tattoos like swallows and other designs, if it hadn’t been for my severe pigment allergy. As a result, I had to wait a few decades longer for inks that were more natural and suitable for sensitive skin.

Which genre of tattooing are you drawn to the most? I enjoy all types of blackwork, from abstract to illustrative. Anything done well in black ink, positive or negative space — I’m drawn to the simplicity and ancient qualities of black ink and how it remains relevant and modern.

An inside look at the first issue of “Ta’too,” featuring Daniela Sagel’s artwork.

When did you get your first tattoo? Do you still like it? I got my first piece approximately five years ago, and it was a little heart in a less prominent location to allow me to test my response to the ink before getting a larger piece. Although the tattoo has sentimental meaning, I would not call it as attractive on an aesthetic level; I prefer more solid art like my backpiece.

Do you consider yourself a tattoo collector? No, because I prefer to have a single flowing piece of art on my body. It took eight hours to complete an ornamental floral work on my back, and I’ll finish the ribs, shoulders, and arms in time. As a collector, the only thing that comes to mind is tattoo books, which I acquire for study and collection.

An interview with legend Freddy Negrete at Hollywood’s Shamrock Social Club.

Do you prefer being tattooed at conventions or an artist’s studio? I’ve had both, but I prefer a calmer, quieter setting with more one-on-one interaction with the tattooist. As a spectator or member of the press, I enjoy conventions because they allow people to see tattooing on a larger scale and meet international artists. However, event spaces are challenging to navigate for artists or clients; it is a hectic environment.

The Tattoo Journalist’s photographs of Freddy Negrete.

What is it about tattoos do you think that makes them so appealing? When they were underground, it was their edge and mystique. With the increased availability, I feel that the permanent-ink factor on the skin may be a lifelong commitment that empowers you. It becomes more than a decorative item; it imbues you with a traditional, spiritual sense.

It has the potential to transform you positively so that your inner sentiments become visible on your outer; you become more yourself.

The debut edition of “Ta’too.” Cover art (head tattoo) by Gordoletters.

What inspired you to write your book Ta’too? Its goal is to offer an alternative to mainstream publications by being transparent about the tattoo community, the art, the history, and the human side of the narratives, rather than following internet trends. The first edition featured avant-garde tattooists ranging from Makoto to Oscar Hove.

The second covers tattoo legends from Charlie Cartwright to Kari Barba based in the United States, individuals with 30- to 40-year careers who paved the way for the rest of us. Younger generations frequently overlook them, and I believe they deserve to be featured and told their stories, which speak volumes about the industry’s growth.

The third will be completely different, focusing on raising tattoo awareness in other parts of the world.

On the left is a painting by tattoo queen Kari Barba, which appeared in the second annual of “Ta’too.”

You’re the editor of Scene360. Can you tell us more about this publication? On December 1, 2000, I launched Scene360 as a digital arts and film magazine. It merged several art disciplines into a single publication that did not exist on the internet at the time.

It piqued readers’ interest right away. Film festival coverage (SXSW, Cannes), interviews with painters (Gary Baseman, Helnwein Gottfried), photography (Carl de Keyser, Kavan the Kid), and poet profiles were among the early highlights.

Scene360 was developed with the help of various contributing editors and writers. We included graffiti and tattoos, and as readers expressed interest, we added additional features. For the last decade, tattoo art has been one of our specialties, and Scene360 has shifted its focus entirely to tattoo content. It was nothing more than a natural occurrence.

Lyle Tuttle, the father of modern tattooing, during the Santa Rosa expo in 2019.

What moment in your career, so far, are you most proud of? That’s a difficult one to answer. Having previously worked as a graphic designer and web developer, it took around 15 years of hard work to be recognised for a Webby Award for Best Art project in 2015 without any financial assistance or ties to a large firm. The majority of online ventures require funding to succeed. I didn’t have any; everything was self-sufficient. It taught me that I could achieve what seemed impossible.

The second happened not long ago, when I was at the Santa Rosa expo and had the honour of meeting legend Lyle Tuttle for the first time. I became engrossed in the moment, listening to his stories and absorbing his historical knowledge for hours. Sadly, he died a few weeks after we met, but that day stayed with me; he showed me that I was on the right track, that tattooing would be my life’s purpose. I am highly grateful to Lyle!

Shane Tan’s tattoo art, one of the Scene360 interviewees.

Do you have a favourite tattoo artist? Responding to this will send me to hell. I’m not going to name my favourites, but they include Maud and Gus Wagner, Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy, Horiyoshi III, Chris Garver, Gakkin, Shane Tan, Hanumantra, and Makoto.

Is there an artist you’d love to interview? Ed Hardy.

Kari Barba during her 1982 first convention, held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.

Which female tattoo artists do you admire? Along with Maud Wagner, who is credited with being one of the first female tattoo artists in the Western world—a pioneer and true inspiration—I love Kari Barba, who committed her work in the 1980s to promoting gender equality and has remained a tattoo force ever since.

The development of a bodysuit by Shane Tan.

The tattoo world is constantly changing; where do you see the tattoo industry going in the next 10 years? I believe we are in the midst of a new tattoo renaissance. East Asia is reviving—Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea. Growth will occur in the West as well.

Creatives tend to feed off one another; if one region of the world excels, it pushes other areas to improve. Even though there are many tattoo artists today, the ones who will survive in the long run will be true artists with quality expression, composition, and technique.

In terms of a personal wish for the future, I hope that ink technology advances so that coloured pigments appear opaque and bright on darker skin tones.

Follow The Tattoo Journalist for more insightful interviews with tattooing legends.

March 1, 2020March 12, 2020

Getting a sternum tattoo – at a convention?

Lucy Edwards writes about what it’s like to get tattooed in a sensitive place while at a tattoo convention… would you?

Body confidence is something I feel I have never truly had. For as long as I can remember, I have been very critical about the way my body looks and it’s only now, after a good few months working with a fantastic therapist, that I have slowly started to experience the odd uplifting day where I don’t think about my body image at all.

Last year however, I went through a lot of emotional distress because of my lack of body confidence. That summer I continued to wear long sleeves and trousers throughout the hottest of days because the thought of exposing any part of my body was absolutely terrifying.

Little did I know that one particular experience from last summer would be my catalyst for learning to appreciate my body that autumn. It was a moment when my passion for tattoos spontaneously interrupted my fear of exposing my body. I had (without thinking it through) went ahead and booked in to have my sternum tattooed at, of all places, a tattoo convention.

Tattoo convention

Anyone who’s been to a tattoo convention knows that they are public. You are basically being tattooed in front of potentially hundreds of passers-by and while it may be no big deal for some, for people like me it can feel really intimidating.

I booked a floral piece with @battag82 from @tattoosatdabs to be done at Tattoo Tea Party in Manchester. What I had failed to realise was that I would essentially be topless in front of lots of people. What I had done, was convinced myself that there would be a curtain for me to be tattooed behind and that once it was done, I would emerge, exhilarated from the new-tattoo buzz and ready to enjoy the rest of the convention.

It wasn’t until the start of my appointment that I realised there was no curtain and that the table was smack bang next to a walkway near the entrance to the whole convention. It was happening very quickly and before I knew it, I was being handed kitchen roll and tape to cover my boobs. As I walked to the toilets, I felt a wave of fear overcome me and my face started to get hot, what on earth had I done? So many people were going to see an area of my body that I wanted to keep private, how was I going to deal with this?

In a daze, I headed back to where Tag had set up. We began the process of stencilling and it was at this point that I realised I was very lucky. Tag was extremely kind, he acknowledged that I had unknowingly chosen to do something a little scary and made every effort to make me laugh and feel relaxed. If it wasn’t for his professional and relaxed attitude, the experience may well have become a horrible one, but instead, it was one of the most empowering moments of my life.

As I got comfortable on the bed and we started the tattoo, I noticed many people came to watch the process happen. People smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up, I even had a lady tell me how brave I was and that the tattoo looked great. They were welcome comments from kind strangers and I had never felt more weirdly at ease. Tag joked that I must have felt like I was sunbathing at a carboot sale, It made me laugh, this was the only sunbathing I’d ever experienced and it was teaching me that more people are kinder than we may first think.

When my tattoo was done, I was left with a stronger case of post-tattoo buzz than I’d ever felt before. Sure, I felt a little bit of post-panic shakiness, but I also realised that the happy emotion I was feeling, was actually empowerment. I had for an hour and a half, kicked my anxiety and body image issues to the curb.

Thanks to an amazing tattoo artist, I’d been able to feel positive about my body for the first time in forever and I realised that there was a possibility for my negative mindset about my body to change. I gained the confidence to attend therapy and I had a permanent reminder over my heart – a little bunch of flowers that let me know every day that appreciating myself, as I am, is possible.

Words: Lucy Edwards, a 20-year-old tattooed university student, cat mum and trying-new-things enthusiast. You’ll most likely find Lucy posting about mental health awareness and self-acceptance on her Instagram.