We are pleased to have participated in “The Big 6” series to talk about the Montreal and Quebec conventions. This series presents interview with organizers of major Canadian conventions. You can find the series on YouTube as well as on the Tattoo News page.

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Here is my interview for the serie “Canadian Electric Tattoo Scene.” This serie of interviews with Canadian artists is available on YouTube and will also be published in a book telling the story of modern tattooing in Canada. You can find more on Youtube and on Ned’s instagram page

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I began my journey into tattooing in 2011.

While attending cosmetology school, I was introduced to Rue aka RUethless Irons and the tattoo community through my charcoal drawings.

Just two days after graduating, I embarked on my apprenticeship, it was a fortunate path that I stumbled upon by chance, completely unaware of how significant and meaningful it would become in my life.

I underwent a five-year apprenticeship under Rue, in which we travelled across multiple cities and states. A few years in, I was lucky enough to secure an apprenticeship in permanent makeup, which was hard to come by at that time. Today, I proudly combine both tattooing and cosmetic tattooing in my work.

We kicked off 2016 in Houston, where we still reside, and I’ve been working at Gold Rush Collective since we moved there. The studio primarily focuses on black and grey realism.

From the very start of my apprenticeship, I knew I wanted to channel my energy into portraits. I had been drawing portraits in charcoal and wanted to translate that skill onto skin. While I would like to incorporate a few small, one-shot black and grey flash pieces, my enduring passion will always be for portraits.

Many individuals inspire and influence me in various ways, with Jamie Mahood being a significant influence due to her classic, simple and tattoo-friendly approach to portraits while maintaining realism.

I’ve been part of the tattoo world for just over 13 years, and during this time, it has transformed dramatically. This also applies to the realm of permanent makeup. Some changes have been for the better, while others not so much. The rise of social media stands out as one of the most significant shifts during this period. It’s beneficial for tattooing but can also be extremely toxic. It’s a love-hate relationship, a necessary evil, in a way. I strive to keep my focus on my work and my clients, keeping my head down. I constantly aim to make each tattoo better than the last, ensuring that my work stands the test of time on the skin.

Fresh and healed portrait of Dolly Parton by Kelly Deano

My portrait consultation process is fairly straightforward.

I typically handle everything via email. I request clear, high-quality reference photos of the portrait they wish to have done. The more photos they provide, the better. This way, I have options to choose from and can identify the photo(s) that will translate best into a tattoo. For a portrait tattoo, I believe the reference photo is crucial. I also ask them to send a clear photo of the placement they desire for the tattoo, as well as whether it will be on the left or right side of their body from their perspective.

As our conversation wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much fun it was to chat with Kelly. Her vibrant energy and passion for her craft left me inspired. We eagerly hope to see her back in Montreal soon, whether for art shows or conventions. Until then, we’ll be following her journey and rooting for her continued success!

http://www.kellydeano.com

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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.

The post An amazing week-end appeared first on Tattoo Mania & Friends.

Our group of friends arrives at the cabin, buzzing with excitement to work on editing a video filmed the previous week. We start by unloading the vehicles and get a look around at the property.

Inspiration Around the Table

Around the first meal, the relaxed atmosphere sparks artistic discussions. The iconic human skull design in tattooing becomes the main topic, with everyone sharing their ideas and experiences. Plates are soon replaced by sheets of paper, and sketches of skulls begin to adorn the table.

Overflowing Creativity

Guillaume, the artist in the group responsible for editing the latest video on that trip, seizes the opportunity to capture these moments of inspiration. Cameras come out, and an unexpected video begins to take shape.

The next day, instead of focusing solely on the initial editing we decided to create a tutorial to share techniques for drawing skulls. This family and work weekend has transformed into a true two-day creative adventure.

link to video :

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These days, some would argue that tattooing has lost its magic. Others would argue that it’s still thriving, and probably will for a long time to come. One such person is Pierre Chapelan. After 27 legendary years, he has decided to close the doors of the Montreal-based studio Tattoomania. While this news may sound gloomy, it’s not what it seems. It marks a transformation to bring the best of tattooing to the people who love and support it.

Before turning out the lights for the last time, Pierre asked me if I’d like to do the last tattoo in his store. The last tattoo being on him. Good grief! What an honor. Tattoomania is an institution, a place where many of the world’s great artists have tattooed, whether in residence or as guest artists. It’s a place where I’ve found a group of friends who have always made me feel at home. Great fucking tattoo artists everywhere and Pierre was at the helm. Over the years, we inspired each other and pushed each other to become better artists. He always took the time to teach me the essence and truth of tattooing. It was during this period that the ideas for the new format of Tattoomania and Friends were born. What if the studio abandoned its physical format to become more?

On October 28, 2024, we sat down one last time in the store to tattoo and talk about what’s to come. Stay tuned for the full video interview with Pierre and myself.

Christian Awad

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Pierre : Of course, I’ve always loved conventions, my first being in 1988 when my father took me to the first French convention, then 1990 Amsterdam ,92 Geneva, then finally 1993, I took part not as a visitor but as an artist at the one in Montreal.

Short story: in early 1993, my father and I were working in his store when Keith Stewart, who would later become my boss, walked in to personally invite us to the very first Montreal convention.

In 1994, my father and I repeated the experience, and it was on this trip that I met Val and fell in love, so it’s certainly because life is well done that we now organize this convention with as much love as it brought us.

After returning to France for a few months, Val and I came back here in 1995 and decided to set up tattooing in Montreal, where I worked at Tatouage Artistique, the studio of Keith Stewart, co-organizer with Dan Allaston of the Montreal convention. Another unsuccessful convention followed in 1995, organized by another shop, which I obviously didn’t attend out of respect for Keith and Dan.

We had to wait until 2002 for a new version of the Montreal convention, the Art Tattoo Show Montreal, organized by the great Pascal and his wife, Geneviève, to which Val and I were invited, having had our own shop in Montreal since February 1997.

Great organization and atmosphere. After the 2002 edition, Pascal asked me to make the poster for 2003, and Val and I pitched in with all the help we could, because we were so proud to be able to contribute.

Val: Indeed, the first year, 2002, Pascal and Geneviève asked Don Design to do the poster and present the event with them. When we had the opportunity the second year to be involved, the magic was there, and we loved the experience from start to finish. Pascal asked us to stay on board and help organize the event, which we gladly accepted.

As I was in charge of the store, but I’m not a tattoo artist, I had the time to work on organization, logistics and communicating with the artists, and this became my job. I don’t come from a tattoo background like Pierre, I didn’t even know that tattoo conventions existed, especially not that they took place all over the world! When I met Pierre, I entered this world and immediately felt at home. I like the convivial side of tattooing, and conventions are the best places to meet people in the business and see how it’s evolving.

Pascal and Geneviève will hand over the entire organization to us in 2014. Thanks to them, we learned a great deal and were able to continue the adventure.

MAX: I think everyone knows you’re enthusiasts!

Pierre: We don’t do anything if we’re not. For me, tattooing is my life, and showing a positive side of it to the public at our events is really important to me.

Val: Organizing an event is stressful, it’s a lot of work, but we still enjoy doing it every year. We love the feedback. We’re happy to spend time with people we like and to see visitors come to the convention. If we didn’t get that feeling every year and have so much fun, we wouldn’t do it.

MAX: How much longer do you think you’ll be doing this?

Pierre: That’s for sure, and so is the Quebec City Convention. We’ve been organizing Art tattoo Québec for 8 years now, with the same enthusiasm and passion as in Montreal.

Val: Yes, and we love it when tattoo artists come back year after year! Some have been here since the beginning (or almost), new ones are added every year, beautiful friendships are made and I love seeing new talents, seeing the progression of each one from year to year.

MAX: Would you like to add anything?

Pierre: Thank you to all the participants and helpers, including my daughter, who has been involved in the organization from the outset. Our colleagues in the shop who help out every year. Our parents and all the artists who have also pitched in over the years, sometimes to set up the stands – I’m thinking of Simon Lam, Casey James, Emil, Tony, Sam. Some even drove the truck, like Sylvain C. Well, those who made artist bags, like Gordon Claus or Penny. All those like Shinji, Masa, BBR, Sacha, Romain and Norm who gave us a hand in the morning. The incredible artists who have made our posters over the years (….) All those who always promote our events: Filip, Henning, Mike, Chad …

Val: I would like to thank my husband and my daughter Audrey Lune, as well as my parents and my sister who have always helped and supported us from the beginning by working with us at conventions. Pascal & Geneviève for the opportunity and all the artists and exhibitors who participate in our events. Our ATSM team (Frank, Mathieu, Vanessa, Christine, Phil and Joe and the Under Pressure gang). Our sponsors and partners, in particular Isabella de Pabst and above all the visitors, because without them there would be no convention!

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Rue: My name is Rue McLean.

I work and own a tattoo studio, Gold Rush Collective Tattoos, in Houston, Texas. Houston is a great city.

Houston

There are lots of studios and very good artists. The city has built up a solid reputation, particularly for black and gray. In 2015 I received a job offer from Carson Vester to join the Gold Rush Collective team and work with my friends, Cody Gibbs and Oscar Cuellar.

When I arrived in December 2015, I discovered that Oscar was leaving the studio and the opportunity arose for me to become a studio partner. The shop has grown from a team of four to nine today, and has gained a reputation for large-scale black and gray creations, becoming one of the best studios of this style in Texas.

Art

I like to get involved in my community, so I also organize an art exhibition in the city called “All Hands on Deck”.

A little history

My career in tattooing probably began when I was a child.
My grandfather came back from the Second World War with tattoos, and I was obsessed with them.
So when I was 14, I walked into Wild Bill’s studio and told him I wanted to be a tattoo artist, but I was quickly rebuffed.
When I was 15, I met a guy named Joe Holyfield, who owned Above All Tattoo in Sacramento, California.
One night around midnight, my friends and I went to get a tattoo, and the guy didn’t want to tattoo me because I was only 15, so he made a deal with me: “Bring me 10 paying customers and I’ll tattoo you.” I got my first professional tattoo from Joe in October 1996. I was immediately hooked. While he was tattooing me, I kept asking him questions and he told me to join the army and NOT to get into tattooing first.

Instead of joining the army, I went to San-Francisco, where I was tattooed at Antibus Warpus by Luke Francis. We became very good friends with Marco Casado, among others. I hung out in the shop, doing whatever I could to help. I was homeless in San Francisco, so I didn’t really have anything else to do. They first offered me an apprenticeship in piercing, which I completed under the tutelage of Bima Gunawan. Luke Francis asked me what I really wanted to do with my life. I told him tattooing! He pointed to a machine frame and said, “Hey man, if you build me a complete machine, I’ll teach you everything you want to know about tattooing! You’ll never be broke, and you’ll never be rich.”

Having done graffiti I found myself doing a lot of lettering style tattoos.

Travels

When I was 20, I returned to my native Netherlands and bought a tattoo studio. I thought it was a great idea, without even knowing how to run a business. To honor the studio that gave me my chance, I called it Anubis. It was located on Kattengat Street in Amsterdam. In 2005 I left to move to Aruba, then to Venezuela on an island called Isla de Margarita before moving to Miami in 2006.

Back to USA

I got busy very quickly, working 14 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. I made a deal with the owner that I would manage his studio if I could learn the ropes of the business. First I worked at Mosh Pit, then we opened Salvation Tattoo, about the time I hired a guy from Montreal, J. F. Burby.

Montreal

J.F. Burby later offered me the opportunity to come up to Montreal and work with him at Tattoo Iris. I had never worked in a custom studio at the time. So before making my decision to move again, I went back home to the Netherlands and spoke to Amar Goucem to ask his advice.

He said, “Take the job, man! Montreal is supposed to be great!”

I went to Canada from 2008 to 2010. I worked in Montreal and came back down to the States. I was working in Wildwood, New Jersey, on the boardwalk, just to earn enough money to be able to work in the Montreal custom studio.

First I went down the black and gray route, then traditional tattoos; my basics were always lettering and bangers. I wanted to do things right, so I stuck with the traditional. I remember seeing Alex Reinke’s work in 1998, and it really impressed me; that’s when I decided to take a greater interest in Japanese art.

I remember working in Montreal when Pierre Chapelan came to visit and I remember starting to look at his work, I’d never been exposed to stuff like that before, and I was really inspired.
It changed my approach to tattooing.

The machines

My machine shop is located on Piemont, in an industrial zone, a convenient place for me to collect all the metals I need. I also work with Carson Vester for Vester Manufacturing.

We build everything from A to Z, we wind our coils, we build our machines, we weld our machines… I also build rotary machines, I really love making tools for tattoo artists.

Seminars

I’ve been wanting to do seminars since a convention in England, I was sharing the booth with my friend Thomas Hooper, a guy came to our table and asked so many questions that seemed obvious to me, so when I got home I talked to Carson about the possibility of organizing seminars.

So we’re now organizing seminars, as we did at Tattoomania and at the Montreal convention, and will be back in Quebec again in December at PSC Tattoo, for another edition,

Online seminars

We’ll definitely be collaborating with Tattoomania & Friends to create online workshops, as well as with Art Tattoo Montréal. I love doing seminars, Carson loves doing seminars, we love talking about machine theory. I think there’s so much we haven’t even touched on yet, especially now with the influx of great artists where the art is good but they just don’t know their tools.

Tattooing today

In my opinion, the art world is GOOD, people push the boundaries. For me, the world of tattooing is a place where we’re all invited and lucky enough to be part of it. If you give it love and are sincere, tattooing will open up a whole world to you. I met my wife through tattooing and now I have my little daughter, everything good in my life comes from tattooing. I think a lot of things in tattooing right now come from corporate entities trying to convince people that tattooing is more than what it really is.

I think some people are a bit disconnected, which can be discouraging in certain situations. I’m trying to bridge the gap and share information about machines; I’m working on new technologies and devices.

Future projects

I have a new “Pen” that I’m about to launch, called the shiv, a rotating machine, I also have some art exhibitions that I’m working on with a local artist, Arkhos Guerrera, and we’re going to do a skate deck exhibition together in 2025. My other goals between now and 2026 are to really focus on Asian-inspired works.

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You’ll also find me in Montreal’s oldest and most famous tattoo studio, established in 1976, a few days a week, where I’m reunited with my friend and old colleague from the early days, Dave Cummings.

Moving to a rural area doesn’t just represent a change of scenery, it’s a real return to my roots, a return to the very essence of what drove me to become a tattoo artist. My workshop will be more than just a studio; it will be the beating heart of my creative universe. I plan to organize tattoo sessions, welcome guest artists for enriching collaborations, and exhibit my work as well as that of my colleagues.

As founder of my own tattoo parlour since 1997, I’m proud to carry on the legacy of my father, Michel Tattoo.

The name resonates with passion and dedication, values shared by myself and my wife Valérie, organizer of the renowned tattoo conventions ArtTattooMontreal and ArtTattooQuebec for over 20 years,

passed on to our daughter Audrey Lune, who also follows in my footsteps as a tattoo artist in her own studio, studio_honeys.

Together, we’re part of a dynamic and committed community, and I’m delighted to be able to contribute to its evolution by sharing this space with other artists.

This blog will be your guide through this adventure. I want to create a single platform where all my initiatives will be brought together.

Photos of past and future projects will also be featured, providing a visual showcase for my work and the collaborations that are close to my heart. I want you to be able to see not only the evolution of my creations, but also those of the artists who will enrich this space. It will be an opportunity to celebrate art in all its forms and to forge links between artists and enthusiasts.

The adventure begins, and I’m delighted to share it with you.

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