The world of tattooing is truly captivating.
Last week, I went to the airport to welcome my friends Rue ( ruethlessirons ), Kelly ( keely_deano ), their daughter Lucy, and Carson ( vestermfg ).
I hadn’t had the chance to meet Kelly yet, but knowing her talent, I was eager to see her work and ask her a few questions (you’ll be able to read a full article on the blog).
Rue and I crossed paths in 2008 and have been collaborating on projects related to machines and needles for several years now, even organizing a seminar at Studio Tattoomania. Rue and Carson had also made the trip for the Montreal convention, where they kindly prepared the machines to celebrate the event’s 20th anniversary.
Everyone got in the car and we headed to PSC Tattoo to meet Dave Cummings. The atmosphere there is magical; as soon as we arrive, we are immersed in the history of tattooing by leafing through archives, admiring photos and flashes from Tony D’Annessa ,as well as sketches made by his father. Quickly, we share our stories, and the machines start coming out of the drawers.
Kelly will be the first to get started with her client, while Rue and Carson busy themselves preparing for the seminar that will take place in two days. They are setting up the machines that will be used during the event, while making a trip to Canadian Tire to find the last necessary tools, which has become one of Carson’s favorite stores.
Two days later, after enjoying good meals and sharing many laughs, artists arrive at the studio to participate in this seminar that I consider a unique and memorable opportunity.
We are pleased to welcome artists from Montreal, as well as from Ontario and the United States. Carson jumps right into the heart of the matter by addressing all of us, and we quickly understand that if we pay attention, we will discover lessons that will transform our lives as tattoo artists. Rue ensures that everyone is following along, going around the large table to answer all questions.
Among the artists present are my friends from Waxwing Tattoo: Christian Awad and Jade, and the rest of our team, Guillaume and Devin, with whom I regularly collaborate on video projects for the blog.
The artists pull out their machines, and within minutes, Carson adjusts them according to each person’s preferences, while Rue shows those who chose his machines (liner or shader) how to assemble them from A to Z.
After a few hours, the seminar comes to an end, and all the participants are amazed by this experience. We leave the studio to head downtown, where my daughter is hosting people for the official inauguration of her tattoo studio Salon Honeys
Upon arriving at my daughter’s studio, I realize that she is the third generation to open her own establishment in our family: my father Michel Tattoo in the 80s, myself with Studio Tattoomania in the 90s, and finally my daughter, Audrey Lune with Salon Honeys.
There’s no stopping now; the atmosphere is too pleasant, and we decide to return to the shop at Dave’s to film Rue and Carson discussing machines and settings. This video will soon be available on the blog, aimed solely at professional artists who want to witness a historic moment and learn tips from these two enthusiasts.
That’s why I stated at the beginning of this article that the art of tattooing is fascinating and gives us incredible experiences.
