the ink well magazine

The Ink Well Magazine 1

ELLA & PAUL717 Tattoo and Body Piercing

Showcase Contest Winner

A CHICK WHO SHREDSBonnie Macfarlane

York derby dames

built 2 lastSevil James

february 2015

2 The Ink Well Magazine 3

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR, NYCKI COLLINS

Anchors of the Self

“ A tattoo is one of the most personal things that a man or woman can choose for themselves,”

is one of the biggest myths taken for granted. For most people, getting tattooed is a private, artistic decision. Humans have marked their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. As time has gone by tattoos have developed a broader following. These eternal designs-sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate, and always personal are a choice to scar our bodies permanently. Life is about expression. It’s about an individual journal and personal truth. A tattoo is something which we apply on our skin to represent ourselves: the best, most difficult and most important moments of our lifetimes, the values on which we stand, the people we love… unique and unrepeatable fragments of our souls.

There are many symbols and figures that make up the basic models of horizontal imaginary, single fragments of spiritual DNA, the thought-form of our inner Id. Tattoos are not the first thing people think of when they hear “personal style,” yet it’s one of the most personal ways to express one’s self. By nature, tattoos are unique storytellers.

The meanings of our tattoos vary from self-adornment to a narrative structuring of life history and identity. Our bodies are billboards for our lives, and our tattoos are ways to plot our life stories. They help us connect with a part of our personality. We each wear a piece of art that allows us to have a visual way to represent a certain characteristic. Maybe we feel like there’s a duality within us. We’ve got a lot of different aspects, and turning them into tattoos helps us remember those particular parts. Or maybe our identity changes a lot, in other words, we’re multi-faceted. We’re interested in a lot of different things and could easily fall into one thing or another, but the tattoos are there for us to remember the basics of who we are and the things that make us who we are. We already know that our appearance is misleading, and we know that many people would disagree with what we see as efficacious inscriptions. We’ll never blend in with the crowd, but one thing is for certain: we will be noticed.

How many times have you walked by someone with a tattoo and then gave a double take? Did you look back because you found the tattoo interesting? Did you look back in judgment? Or maybe you looked back because you too have a tattoo and have a fond appreciation for another’s work. It all starts with a design-the tattoo artwork. You can revise a drawing, but it’s much harder to revise a tattoo once on the skin, with this in mind the time spent on the artwork should be paramount. It’s important to find the right artist to do the job. Sure, some people get tattoos as a novelty, without a lot of thought, the same way they’d get a new t-shirt or bumper sticker. Each person is able to read a tattoo in his or her own different, unique way. That is truly the only way a tattoo can embody those characteristics. However, it’s up to us on how we want to adorn our bodies while we live in them. Of course, it would be fascinating if we were all courageous and imaginative enough to show our souls to the entire world through a tattoo, or at least to make the tattoos we wear as personal as possible.

- Nycki Collins

EDITORIAL DIRECTORNycki Collins

EDITORIAL COORDINATORNycki [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNERChelsea Foster-Hiltwww.chelseafosterhilt.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERTrinity Walker KeeferSummerHouse Photography

PRESS/PRINT

DISTRIBUTIONCentral Pennsylvania

ADVERTISINGNycki [email protected]

The Ink Well is a quarterly magazine.All rights reserved. Even the partial reproduction of texts or images is forbidden without written authorization of the editor.

ON THE COVERCo-Owners of 717 Tattoo and Body Piercings, Paul and Ella. See page 14 for the article.


Contents WEST SIDE INK: Dan Butterbusch

A CHICK WHO SHREDS

YORK DERBY DAMES

717 TATTOO SHOPS: Ella & Paul

717 TATTOO COLUMBIA SHOP

TATTOO SHOWCASE WINNER

THE TALE OF SAILOR JERRY

RED ROSE PARLOUR

BUILT TO LAST TATTOO SHOP

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8

10

13

14

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31

This Issue

Next Issue

Submissions & Contributions

Licensing

This first issue features various tattoo shops and artists from the Lancaster and York County areas. Some you may have heard of, others you may have not.

Obviously, we could not cover every great artist or shop that there is in York and Lancaster, but we have highlighted a variety of mediums. We hope that you enjoy this first issue, and become a part of the issues to come in the future.

Email The Ink Well Magazine with your ideas! We encourage submissions for regular columns and ideas for featured articles. [email protected]

Unless otherwise noted, all content in this publication, including images belong to The Ink Well Magazine, or are used with permission. Please contact the editor for more information. [email protected]

· War of the Roses Tattoo Convention· Dan Lins A.K.A. Tattoodan: The Tattoo Artist that Travels the World

· Featured Shop: Dreams Collide Tattoo, Lancaster, PA· Showcase Your Favorite Tattoo Artist Contest

Advertising

Social /InkWellMagazine @TheInkWellMag

To effectively market your business through The Ink Well Magazine contact Nycki Collins at: [email protected]


York, PA

Born an artist and around art all of his life, Dan Botterbusch believes he inherited his artistic ability from his mother. He first discovered his true calling when he’d watch a close friend tattoo and was offered a tattoo machine of his own. “It just felt natural,” he says. With his love for art, he was determined to pursue his passion in the creative field. He is now a tattoo artist at West Side Ink in York, Pennsylvania.

Originally from York County, Dan attended Northeastern High School. Upon graduating, he spent nine years working in the Electrician/Communication field before ultimately pursuing his life-long passion. He decided to skip art school and took instruction from fellow artists. He has a go-getting fiery attitude and he strives to do his best, he stays humble,

and constantly advances himself. He learns from past experiences, fostering his skills as a painter and drawer, now renowned for his talents with a needle.

Dan draws inspiration from a variety of sources, especially the outdoors. He’s so versatile as an artist, able to tattoo any style and medium. However, if you’re in the market for tribal work, Dan is not your artist. “I’d much rather do anything else than tribal,” he says. He has always had a fondness for color tattoo work, rather than black and grey. Either way the results are stunning, soulful artworks, which last forever on the skin.

He loves meeting the different types of people along the way. “If you do great work for them, they have a good time, and they’re happy

they’ll be back and so will the people they share their experience with.” He does his best to make each client comfortable, including spending time, getting a feel for a client’s personality, and then finds the visual imagery to match.

For now, Dan’s local clients keep him busy with no chance of travel, but he looks forward to the possibility of getting involved with the Philadelphia Pa, and Baltimore Maryland, conventions in 2015. His rates start at $100/hour but will vary, depending on size and placement of the tattoo.

With an unwavering desire to master the craft, Dan’s career continues it’s upward trajectory

DAN BOTTERBUSCH

West Side Ink


“ Life is too short to rush. Live every day like it’s a dream. And smile more, it could be the last time you do.”

strives to do. She’s the dream girl of many lonely boy skaters who are looking for a lady friend that understands skateboarding. Bonnie lives in sincere devotion to her awe and passion for life and commits whole-heartedly to following her own path. In doing so, her sense of joy resonates in those around her.

You will often find Bonnie, skating Reid Menzer Memorial Skate Park, a free concrete park in York, Pa. She’ll have her Alien workshop board 8.25, Indy

trucks and bones wheels, as she performs perpetual turns, tracing infinite lines around the cloverleaf of interlocking bowls; her trucks grinding noisily against the copings of the concrete oasis. Heavy iron bars, swooping curves, elegant arcs, gentle waves and precipitous drops into something that looks like a cross between an obstacle course and a post modern sculpture.

Thanks to girls like Bonnie, the girls’ skate scene is slowly becoming more and more visible,

especially due to the Internet and social media. Bonnie helps bring attention to the fact that skateboarding isn’t just a sport for men to take part in. Even though that sex has dominated it for so long and continues to do so. For girls interested in skateboarding, the doors are open to take part in it on many levels. You don’t have anything to prove to society, so follow your own passion for it. Bonnie’s talent and passion clearly prove that skateboarding is not just a sport, but also a form of art.

Bonnie MacfarlaneHailing from York, Pennsylvania, Bonnie Macfarlane advances female skateboarding on practically a daily basis. Of the 3.3 million Americans who skate more than once a week, about eleven per cent are female. What began as a unisex sidewalk surfing activity in the early 1950’s the image of the female skateboarder is being re-built from the ground up. After the Dogtowners’ brought a more aggressive vibe into it in the seventies, skateboarding most certainly became a consolidated

A Chick Who SHREDSboys club. Present day, there are more and more girls taking part in skateboarding. Unfortunately, like most other pro sports, they don’t get the recognition as men do-especially on the East Coast.

I know Bonnie from her online skate videos and social media, but the opportunity to hang out with her for a few hours made it clear that she’s propelled by her overwhelming passion. A true sense of freedom is felt and admired in her skateboarding because she’s driven by all

her heart and soul; her gritty style, raw, so gutsy and pure, shines among others, even from men. She takes the risk to do something she loves and doesn’t limit herself to one discipline. She skates a combination of verts, bowls, and street. If there are any female skateboarders who can lay it down equal to, or better than, a male skateboarder it’s definitely Bonnie. She displays unprecedented talent, courage, will, and tenacity to remain the strongest version of herself. She’s ambitious in everything she

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www.summerhousephoto.comTRINITY WALKER KEEFER

ADVENTUROUS LIFESTYLE & WEDDING

PHOTOGRAPHY


the York squad from the ground up taking inspiration from other leagues. Basically, it’s a start-up company based around something nobody has really ever seen staffed entirely by volunteers. It’s like starting your own country.

Derby is the most impressive display of amateur athleticism one can witness. There isn’t enough presence or place for women in physical sports, in derby they get to showcase their strength, agility, and speed. It requires durability and stamina. They build their endurance using drills such as starting and stopping, dodging obstacles and players, and learning to fall without injury. You learn to keep skating even when you’ve been knocked around. Players protect themselves first with proper skating techniques.

They fall deliberately during practice to rehearse how to fall correctly and recover quickly, reducing chances of becoming a hazard to other skaters.

A bout can look like a no-holds-barred-free-for-all. There’s loud music, fast-paced scoring and plenty of violent collisions. Roller derby is a five-on-five game played in a skating rink. Each team has four blockers and a specially designated player called the jammer. The eight blockers line up in a tight formation, while the two jammers line up about twenty feet behind. The teams skate around in units called jams, which can last up to two minutes; a bout is composed of however many jams can fit into two thirty minute periods. Each team fields a jammer who wears a star upon her

helmet, and four blockers, one of whom, the “pivot,” wears a helmet with a stripe. The star-headed jammers are the only skaters capable of scoring points, which they do by passing members of the other team. With derby being a contact sport, every time a jammer enters a pack of blockers it’s a physical confrontation with skaters jostling for position. As they race around an elliptical track the click-clack of their skate’s echoes across the wooden floor, and when the skaters often collide the audience is instantly entranced. Even without all the many nuances of the rules, the very notion of constantly playing both offense and defense while whirling about in a veritable maelstrom of ill-intentioned women ready to bang bodies and willing to bleed for a few extra points is enough to send

INTRODUCING THE YORK CITY DERBY DAMES

It’s hard hitting. It’s edgy. It features women in tights, shorts, tank tops, helmets and roller skates. It’s roller derby, an American-invented sport dating back to the 1920s. Imagine a hockey game, but without ice. Abandon ordinary names in favor of pseudonyms like, Reaping Beauty, Autumn-Atic Shotgun, and Peek a Boom. Their nicknames are often supremely clever or delightfully vulgar. They are subversive, ridiculous, salacious and are, as a whole, excellent, perhaps the most enjoyable collections of puns available anywhere. Derby is roller-skating on steroids. It’s rowdy, raucous and sometimes punctuated with fights between players. Although it’s a violent sport it’s a great way to relieve stress. It’s cheaper than therapy and way more fun.

Classic roller derby never disappeared. There was a sudden explosion in roller derby’s popularity has centered on new, women-only leagues. Women’s derby has re-emerged across the nation and even here in Pennsylvania. The York City Derby Dames are ready for their first season. The Dames, whose lineup includes girls from all different professions seem to really enjoy the rough and tumble sport of roller derby, they attract fans from all over the region. At a York derby event, you’re likely to see women of all shapes, colors, and backgrounds-and that is part of their charm.

Aside from their playfully punned derby names, the Dames eschew stagecraft and take the sport seriously. Jamie Lynn Moore built

It’s fast-paced. It’s sexy.


Tattoo Showcase Winner

VINTAGE VENETIAN MASK submitted by model: Jamie Lynn Moore

ARTIST: CHRISTI CLARKNo Regrets Tattoo StudioYork, Pennsylvania

amateurs rushing for the exits.

The York City Derby Dames practice every Thursday and Saturday for a few hours. They are always on the look out for new recruits. Most leagues have the same philosophy on new skaters-physique is irrelevant, and it doesn’t matter if someone hasn’t worn skates in years. It’s all about the league working as a team, making use of the talents that all the women are

bringing to the table. Roller derby is a way to lift players out of the doldrums by giving them renewed self-confidence as well as a sense of camaraderie. The one overarching theme that binds the Derby Dames together is friendly, affable confidence.

You may ask why pay money to work, compete and possibly get hurt? It’s the love of the game that engages these powerhouse women.

Derby FB page link:https://www.facebook.com/YorkCityDerbyDames

Email link:[email protected]

(Not sure what their Twitter is)

It’s cheaper than therapy and way more fun.


and enough talent-they just make it work. Four tattoo shops later; Ella and Paul are still together against all odds-along with their still on-the-rise tattoo business.

Along with his wife’s incredible artistic talent Paul has a firm understanding of public relations and offers an abundance of information about the various studios and companies. Many locals probably don’t know that Ella and Paul also manufacture tattoo supplies. The couple began Razorblade, a wholesale

tattoo and piercing supply company in 2005. It began with only piercing products, but with the opening of their tattoo shops, they decided to go larger and stock enough to sell and supply other shops in the industry. Razorblade.com is a “pro only” website. However, they do take walk-ins, but only a professional can buy from them. “We do our best at making sure that we aren’t putting tools in the hands of people who have no idea what they’re doing. The mistakes you make in tattooing are lifelong for someone

else, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Ella says.

With their success of course came jealousy. Their higher status earned them a few enemy and hater rivals along the way. Some say that they are exploiting the tattoo business by bringing it into the mainstream and a wider audience. Fortunately, for the tattoo world 717 Tattoo managed to rise above this and continue to create some of the most spectacular tattoos ever seen.

@717tattoo

@717tattoo

/717Tattoos

SOCIAL MEDIA

717 Tattoo Shops

Let’s say no to the corny lines, bouquets of flowers and chocolates and make way for a real love story. And what could be more romantic than the tale of two badass tattooed shop owners?

ELLA & PAUL

Behind the glowing neon signs of their Columbia, Pennsylvania storefront, the husband and wife duo lead the central PA tattoo industry. The purchased shop was previously known as Gatorzap Tattoo until 2011. The studio walls of Ella and Paul’s 717 Tattoo

and Body Piercing-jammed with photographs of body art and original sketches are an electric reminder of the couple’s roots and the tough road they traveled to get to where they are today. This well-respected, award-winning studio is home to a number of talented

resident and guest artists. They commit themselves to operating differently than any other studio.

To work with a spouse is a risky move for any relationship, but Harrisburg husband and wife duo Ella and Paul have enough passion


717 Tattoo ShopsAny style of tattoo can be done right to make sure it ages well. If the client is an adult and they’re educated on what to realistically expect with their tattoo, then it’s their decision when it comes to the tattoo they want. The flip side of that is the client doesn’t get angry at the artist when they don’t want to do their tattoo because they’re not comfortable doing it. The artist’s name remains attached to that tattoo forever, and they’re relying on the client to take care of the work they create, so that it heals well. For example: If someone plans on tanning or is out in the sun a lot, for longevity of the tattoo the client should choose black and grey instead of color.

With moving so much as a child, Ella had little time to make friends. However, Ella did make one longtime friend, Justin Jarrell, who remained close to her since childhood. Ella and Justin both became tattoo artists as adults. As an avid tattoo collector herself, she has work done by Stephen Karlisch, Ryan Spahr, Justin Jarrell, Liz Gruesome and Landon Lewis. “Not that this applies to Justin, because he’s great, and I might get yelled at for this from other tattoo artists, but I’d rather get a good tattoo from someone I care about, rather than a great tattoo from a douche bag no matter how awesome they are,” Ella says.She attends a great deal of

conventions. Last year alone, she participated in twenty all over the country! Ella recently participated at the New Zealand and Australia tattoo conventions. The upcoming convention she hopes to attend is the Marked For Life female tattoo artist expo in Florida.

She is Blood Borne certified, along with First Aid and CPR. Ella is also certified to perform

tattoo removal at select 717 locations. Tatt2Away is a great choice for the removal of an unwanted tattoo. It’s unique in that it doesn’t discriminate between light and dark colors and it doesn’t explode the ink particles through your liver and kidneys. A lot of tattoo artists used to create their own inks, and who knows what went into that.If you’re interested in getting a

“ Tattooing is in a serious age of Renaissance.”

It wasn’t until Ella Trick was fifteen years old that tattooing got into her. She was born in Gulf Shores, Alabama, but moved around a lot with her family until settling in San Diego in 2003. People continuously asked Ella to draw pictures of things they wanted to have tattooed on their bodies. “It blew my mind that people wanted to get something I

drew on their bodies forever. It still blows my mind,” she says. Until she became a tattoo artist in 2004 Ella worked as an electrician on military bases around the San Diego area.

She has the enviable talent of creative work that appears to leap off the client’s skin. Ella specializes in neo-traditional, fine

line and detailed tattoo art, but she also loves to try new things. “Tattooing is in a serious age of Renaissance. Tattoo art is nothing like the tattoo art of twenty years ago,” she says. She prefers line work with varying line weights and a more realistic approach to coloring. There isn’t any one style that Ella doesn’t like to tattoo.

CO-OWNER

Ella Trick


717 Tattoo Shops

THE COLUMBIA SHOP

CO-OWNERtattoo by Ella, she is now booking into next year with rates of $100/hr. Her astonishing designs are definitely worth the wait. This

@717tattoo

WAYS TO FOLLOW ELLA’S WORK

Tattoo photos courtesy of Ella Trick

www.ellatrick.com

exceptionally talented artist has accomplished more in her short career than many have in an entire lifetime. With the level of skill Ella

has and Paul by her side, she’ll continue to grow and carve out a place for herself in the tattoo world.

“I hope people are taking care of their work, and if they’re not happy with the tattoo, they’re coming back so I can help them fix it.”


true creative outlet. She’s been a tattoo artist for over ten years and is constantly looking for ways to improve her techniques and abilities, whilst preserving the beauty of the tattoo over time.

Jackie’s inspirations stem from her client’s original ideas. Although, she isn’t afraid to speak up when she hears a bad idea. She understands that many people get tattoos to promote the product and to show people tattoos can enhance the body. A lot of people don’t appreciate the skill of the artist; they’re simply looking for a deal. Unlike Jackie, these people don’t understand the permanence, and though it’s one of her favorite things about tattooing she’s aware that with such permanence comes responsibility. Today, people don’t care. They bring in garbage off the Internet and want the image exactly as it appears on their cell phones. Jackie likes to research an idea and draw it two or three times to get the best result, she likes adding her own

twist to the original ideas and making it better than the client envisioned.

Jackie’s tastes have not changed over the years. She’s always favored realism and black and grey over color work, but she’s completely comfortable tattooing any style. She admits that cover-ups are tricky, but is always up for a great challenge. She’s an award-winning artist and has many trophies for her realistic, black and grey and large pieces. People all over proudly wear her works of art.

As of now, Jackie doesn’t plan to attend any conventions, but looks forward to it in the future. She is anxious to travel and guest spot at various locations across the country, but for now you can find her at 717 Tattoo and Body Piercing in Columbia, Pennsylvania. She books clients between 2-3 months out, and charges a rate of $100/hr. A tattoo done by this incredibly down-to-earth artist is worth

Working with such a talented crew is everything I could ask for. I can always count on them for great artistic advice.

When Jacqelyn ‘Jackie’ Snell entered into the tattoo business in 2001, she began a career that has earned her recognition all over Pennsylvania, from some of the best artists in the tattoo business. The tattoo industry at one time was full of watery U-turns and eraser marks when it came to female tattoo artists. The business has always been perceived as a male dominated field. Criminals, sailors and soldiers, these are all people portrayed as being male, so maybe this is why tattooing was at one time considered a male industry, but the times have changed. Some of the most talented tattoo artists are women. As women, we all know it’s hard to stand out in the world as a woman, but Jackie, she stands out as an amazing female tattoo artist.

The tattoos that she sketches range from realistic portraits of people and animals, to bubbly pin-ups and flowers. She accommodates most requests,

although she’s known for her black and grey realism and her ability to tattoo the same image on the client’s skin that they see on paper. Her transition from sketching in a notebook to drawing on people’s bodies brings the same art and creativity with her. Her amazing abilities

JackieSnell

717 TATTOO FEATURED ARTIST

with a tattoo machine and ink are evident. Jackie is a master of graduated shading, tone and texture and has the skill to create some of the most complex and intricate detailed works ever seen. She carries her own unique style to the art of tattooing. The amount of painstaking attention to detail in her designs is astonishing, every square inch of the tattoo holds something interesting for the onlooker. The patience and dedication required to create such stunning works of art are two of the reasons she’s at the top of her game.

Born in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Jackie graduated from Manheim Township high school. She then attended CTC in Brownstown, Pennsylvania, for Commercial Art. As a child she remembers traveling to New England on many occasions for her father’s work, and to visit with family. From a very young age, she loved to airbrush and paint with oils, but she knew in her heart that tattooing would be her one


to work almost exclusively within his preferred genre. Not only does he constantly strive to create the most spectacular or realistic designs ever seen, Kevin’s primary concern is the longevity and the effects of aging on his tattoo creations. He clearly appreciates the fundamentals of good, clean tattooing.

For an artist whose work speaks so loudly and so colorfully, he remains studious and humble. His ambition and humility is an inspiration, regardless of his artistic ability. He’s creative, detailed and friendly. He’s a multi-talented unique person that chooses to keep away from the limelight and it’s a refreshing change. His personality will put you at ease whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth.

Kevin works out of 717 Tattoo and doesn’t plan to attend any upcoming conventions. There’s an average wait of three to four weeks for an appointment with Kevin, and you can expect to pay at least $100/hr. However, his dedication to his work is clear in each piece he creates and is definitely worth the rate.

For years the black and grey medium has had the stereotype of being associated with back alley discount scratchers. The truth of the matter is that the art form of black and grey tattooing has walked off the streets and into some of the finest tattoo studios in Pennsylvania. The black and grey medium has grown into something that can only be described as modern artistic mastery, and continues to evolve every day.

People are flocking to a tattoo artist who inks from his imagination-no sketchpad in sight. The astounding methods of Kevin Martin at 717 Tattoo in Columbia, Pennsylvania, has taken the medium to a whole new level. Originally from Lancaster, Pa, Kevin knew as early as high school that he wanted to be a tattoo artist. Although, Kevin never attended art school, he’s been an award-winning professional tattoo artist since 2001. He taught himself the trade, using his talents as a painter and drawer. Kevin has his own unique style that sets his work apart from anything else in the industry.

Sketches, flash and paintings surround Kevin at his workstation, lined with bottles of ink and trays of needles; behind him his Blood Bourne pathogen certificate hangs on the wall. There’s a smile on his face, making known that being able to do what he loves everyday is that much more valuable to him.

He feels that trying new things is a great way to expand artistically and bring what he has learned into tattooing. Kevin always branches out into a variety of mediums, but prefers neo-traditional and black and grey realism pieces. Only by enjoying the work can the artist create something so impressive that the client is no doubt thrilled with the result.

Kevin enjoys adding his own specific twist to each design, customizing every piece a client takes to him. A tattoo by Kevin doesn’t require much convincing after viewing his work. His spontaneity is what makes each tattoo he does unique. Thanks to his loyal clients that understand and trust his freehand ability, Kevin is now able

Kevin Martin

717 Tattoo Shops

" The importance of clean lines and smooth shading can’t be overstated. In my opinion, these are the ingredients of a tattoo that allow it to stand the test of time."

any wait. It’s a pleasure to listen to her talk about her future the way she talks about the artwork crawling up her arm, an ever-growing vine of flowers and skulls done by Kevin Martin of 717 Tattoo in Columbia. One thing is certain; Pennsylvania would

Jackie Snell

/ 717-Tattoo-Body-Piercing-Columbia /jacqelyn.snell

WAYS TO FOLLOW JACKIE’S WORK

All tattoo photos in this article are courtesy of Jackie Snell.

be a less beautiful place without Jackie’s amazing tattoos roaming around.

I’m going to be that crazy cat lady. I own three so far, I’d have more if my fiancé allowed it.”


717 Tattoo Shops

The tattoo industry is a highly competitive one, and like any other business, it’s cut throat at times. Ascending to the top is an arduous climb. Realism tattoos have become incredibly popular in recent years and artists are getting better and better. It is the style of replicating real-life images: objects, animals, people and more. Some of the most talented artists out there are able to create tattoos that look just like photographs. This tattooing style requires a highly skilled artist with a fine attention to detail.

Mike Bradley, a realism tattoo artist from 717 Tattoo and Body Piercing in Columbia, Pennsylvania has no less than eight years experience in the industry. The sky is the limit for this exceptionally talented artist, and his creativity and skill continues to grow. Originally from Lancaster, Pa. Mike decided to become a tattoo artist while working various construction jobs. During this time he performed freelance projects while he only dreamt of being a full-time artist. His friends persisted that he look into tattooing as a creative outlet, and although hesitant at first, he

Mike Bradley pursued tattooing as a full-time career. To hone his skills in art, Mike attended Maryland Institute College of art in Baltimore with an illustration major.

This guy is extremely versatile. He has no specific choice of style. He is hungry for life, for experiences, and to create art. He constantly tries new things, but became renowned in the industry for his quality of realistic work. He pays a lot of attention to details and puts a lot of soul and effort into his art, so much so it seems to come to life. He finds enjoyment in any theme if given a bit of freedom with the design. Outside of being a phenomenal tattoo artist, Mike is also a painter and sculptor.

Mike is usually booked out one to two months if you are looking for a weekend appointment, and two to three weeks for an appointment on a weekday. Prices are discussed at the time of the consultation. The Ink Well is more than confident that any person that goes to see this guy will leave loving the art on his or her body.

For many people, the lessons they learned from storybooks as children have stuck with them through their adult lives. Tattoos of illustrations from children’s books are a way to proudly display affection for the literary characters and to also entertain their own children, honoring the impact that the story has had on their lives.

Born in historic Old New Castle, Delaware, Dana Jones got her first spontaneous tattoo at the age of twenty-five. At that time she had no desire to pursue a career in tattooing. She chose to stick to her passion for charcoal and graphite, and calligraphy and watercolor painting. It wasn’t until 2008 she decided to become a full-time tattoo artist. She has solid experience, undisputable reference work with both black and grey and color that will knock you off your feet.

Dana has inked a variety of tattoos, ranging from storybook imagery, black and grey, organic, and nature inspired. Among her works are portraits, animals, insects and images of skulls. She prefers black and grey to any other mediums. However, she has tattooed a lot of color, but freely admits she’s more drawn to the style of charcoal and graphite that she regularly uses in her own personal works.

The natural world plays a huge role in Dana’s amazing tattoo designs. In fact, if she had not become a tattoo artist, she would have pursued a career as a Scientist. Her main areas of interest are

" Black and grey keeps a more classic feel and it’s just always been my taste."

nature, from mineral history and deep-sea life forms, animal behavioral studies to plant mutations, insect socialization and everything in between. She centers her custom designs with her own personal illustrations. These drawings are often very stylized, influenced by nature. It’s only natural that the human form reflects the natural curves and accents found in nature would be accentuated by nature inspired tattoos.

Dana enjoys and prefers the freedom to make a tattoo request into a custom piece that is more impressive than the client originally expected. She custom designs all of her pieces with the shape and movement of your body in mind. With clean, fluid lines and a love of all things aesthetically pleasing, she’ll bring a feminine sensibility to even the most hardcore of tattoos. She awes with an uncanny attention to detail, meticulously adding shadows, shading, and dimension to her work. She includes patterns in her designs that add texture, visual

interest and meaning to the tattoos, creating what is undeniably art-though not the kind typically seen in museums.

“ Most clients really appreciate knowing that I’m taking my time to create rather than copy.”

Dana has made a name for herself as one of the top female artists in the keystone state. She is an artist everyone should explore. She has a great deal of drive and ambition in her work, so much so that she creates art through how she views the world.

Dana is blood Bourne pathogen certified. Her schedule varies anywhere from two weeks to a month wait time. The price of your tattoo will be discussed at the time of your consultation.

/missdanajones

www.pencilinpixels.com

717 Tattoo Shops

DANA JONES

All tattoo photos in this article are courtesy of Dana Jones.

Lancaster, PA

Keith ElliotIn 1988, a 17-year-old Keith Elliot lied about his age to get his first tattoo. The rest of his teenage years he spent in that same tattoo shop. His dreams of becoming an artist came at a very young age as he drew skulls with his crayons. Before he broke into tattooing his life was heading down a dark path. Nowadays, with tattoos on his hands, arms and neck, he looks like he just walked off the set of “Sons of Anarchy.” This guy is a passionate, honest-to-God no shit USA-loving man. He has a very old school style and his bold colors make for an amazing piece of art. With his amazing traditional style work he is definitely a staple in the tattoo community.

Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Keith has lived all over the East and West coast. He travels as much as he can these days, mainly to Ohio to visit Thrill Vulture Tattoo Studio-the shop he originally apprenticed at. As for conventions well, Keith would rather stay out of the convention circuit.

He enjoys all styles of tattooing, whether it’s color or black and grey. He finds inspiration from the music he’s listening to, or a joke he heard. “Inspiration is everywhere,” he says. His constant source of inspiration, and business partner, Ben Whitman, who he has worked along side of for many years has done a lot of his personal tattoo work. When Keith isn’t tattooing you

can find him painting, mostly tattoo related images. You don’t have to worry about scheduling an appointment. He operates on a walk-in only basis. The price of your tattoo is discussed at the time of walk-in. Keith does amazing traditional style work. If you find yourself in Lancaster, Pa be sure to check him out.

www.keithelliottattoos.com

Tattoo photos courtesy of Keith Elliott

In America, when we say, “tattoos” many of us envision a very specific art style. That style usually includes a number of nautical designs including anchors, compasses, stars, and ships. The classic American tattoo style, also known as traditional or old school is one of the oldest and most enduring tattoo styles in America today. Simple bold and solid lines with few contrasting colors easily distinguish the American style. It’s synonymous with simple sophistication and often carries clear and direct messages. Some believe that the American traditional tattoo is dying out, but they continue to serve as an inspiration for custom tattoo work. The artwork itself conveys a sense of heritage art; a historical tradition passed down from teacher to student. The 19th century era gave rise to the American tattoo forefathers. At that time criminals and sailors, or circus and sideshow freaks were

the only ones sporting ink. Later, the American tattoo tradition stuck close to the armed forces, particularly the Navy. Traditional artists developed a series of stereotyped symbols that soldiers and sailors sported through both World Wars. The designs represented courage, patriotism, defiance of death, and a longing for family and loved ones left. The American traditional style tattoo has remained very popular in the tattoo world. It has become a time-honored tradition and is still celebrated and referenced in countless studios across the country. The electric tattoo machine may have revolutionized tattooing at the end of the 19th century. However, it wasn’t just electric current that propelled and continues to drive the traditional style forward; a couple of other factors contribute to the wide circulation of American traditional style tattoos, and they are Keith Elliot and Ben Whitman

Red Rose Tattoo Parlourof Red Rose Tattoo Parlour in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Their parlour is a visual wonderland. It’s like standing in the middle of an odd work of art and its two major components are Whitman and Elliot. “Flash” sheets of pre-drawn designs line the walls so clients can choose a design easily. Whether you want an anchor to represent security or a nautical star to express your desires of getting through life safely, or perhaps a dagger that not only symbolizes death, but also life-as well as the tool by which you live, these two precise artists have perfected the traditional tattooing style, making them two of the best old school American style artists around.

Red Rose Blog Spot link:www.rrtparlour.blogspot.com

/ Red-Rose-Tattoo-Parlour

The Ink Well Magazine 31

Jerry first tried tattooing as a teenager by hand-poking designs on willing customers while hitchhiking and hopping freight trains across America. At age nineteen, Sailor Jerry enlisted in the US Navy. During his travels at sea he was exposed to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. He learned traditional Polynesian and Asian methods, in where he honed his own style. Jerry regarded tattoos as the ultimate rebellion against “the Squares.”

Collins found his first formal teacher in Chicago during the 1920s, legend Gib “Tatts” Thomas, who taught Jerry how to use a tattoo machine. Thomas would take Jerry to the city morgue where a friend of his worked the night shift and would allow the young apprentice to practice on corpses. Jerry’s first studio on his own was in Honolulu’s Chinatown, then the only place on the island where you could find a tattoo studio. It was here Collins’ love for naval culture and his roguish attitude of the American sailor impacted his classic

flash designs. The overall message of his work is that you cannot win for losing, nothing is going to go your way and of course, hard times have shaped you and made you hard. His style projects war, stories and heartache, but it’s the craft and detail of his work that has made “Sailor Jerry” one of the most popular and influential artists of our time.

" If you like my style of work, fine, come to me, but if you want to make me over into your kind of stylist, forget it!"

Most men went on shore leave with one purpose in mind, to get, “Stewed, Screwed and Tattooed.” It was then that booze, stories and legends made their way to matey’s arms and legs in tribute to their time spent on board the ship. Jerry’s familiarity with the ins and the outs of nearly every sailing vessel afloat during his heyday allowed him to create ship designs that were accurate depictions of real ships, right down to the rigging. Jerry’s work became a worldwide symbolism of American unity during the otherwise somber times of war.

Originally there were few colors available to artists. Jerry expanded the array by developing his own safe pigments. Other artists would often ask his secrets, as to how he had such bright colors, but he was never one to share the secrets of his craft. Being the prankster that he was he took

I’ll tell you a tale about Sailor Jerry, and his legacy of tattoos. His story is a long and tumultuous one that deserves respect and recognition. If you don’t know

who Sailor Jerry is - you don’t know tattoos. Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins is the foremost American tattoo artist of his time. Arguably, he did more for the ancient art of tattoo than most any other single person. It’s time to pay some tribute to a

man that helped nudge along the American tattoo culture.

A Tale of Legend

Captain Cook’s navel voyage introduced him and his crew to the tattoo cultures of the South Pacific. At the turn of the 20th century Japan had become a popular port frequented by Americans, it was then the Japanese style of tattooing spread.

The atmosphere of a tattoo parlour was alternative to anything Ben Whitman ever knew, and it instantly influenced him artistically. At the age of 18, attempting to tattoo himself didn’t occur to him yet, but he always knew he would become a tattoo artist. For barely attending high school or gaining any further education in art, this incredibly talented artist proves his multifaceted gift for the arts with traditional kick ass tattoos anyone is sure to love.

Originally from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Ben Whitman worked as an EMT in the medical field up until he began his apprenticeship 14 years ago. He enjoys both American and Japanese traditional style tattoos

Ben Whitman

because they have proven to stand the test of time, and with the recent resurgence of American and Japanese traditional styles he gets to do what he loves every day. His inspiration stems from his co-workers and legends such as August “Cap” Coleman, Charlie Wagner, Bert Grimm and many more. Back when he began tattooing there was no tattoo television-he learned and grew by what he saw around him; bold biker tattoos, that most of our uncles and father’s have, it’s this outlaw biker style that influenced him most and it’s what he loves to do. “It just looks tough!” he says. Although he prefers American and Japanese traditional, he loves a great challenge and will take on any style, whether it’s color or black and grey.

The experience of getting a tattoo, he believes is just as important as the artist doing a great tattoo, if not more. He treats all of his clients with respect and does the best tattoos he can.

Ben’s other creative outlet is painting, usually tattoo flash in traditional watercolor fashion, he paints wood and glass signs with enamel as well. When he gets tattooed he chooses artists he’s worked with for years, but his favorite tattoo by far is the one he got from his kids on Father’s Day. He has traveled to New York for work and now travels to Ohio regularly to guest spot at his mentor’s shop. Ben can usually book clients in within a few days. He prefers walk-ins at a rate of $100-$150 an hour, depending on the size of the tattoo.

Red Rose Tattoo Parlour

Tattoo photos courtesy of Ben Whitman

“ When a client doesn’t appreciate my opinion & just wants a bad idea tattooed, I’d rather not do it, but at the end of the day it’s their tattoo & I’ll do what the client wants.”

Photos courtesy SailorJerry.com


SEVIL JAMESFEATURED ARTIST & BUILT TO LAST OWNER

Born in Erie, Pa, Sevil James became interested in both art and music at a very young age. His childhood dream was to become a musician and open for KISS, until one day he accidentally won an award for best Easter egg decoration, therefore taking his passion for art to the next level.

Sevil knew what he wanted to do as far as a career; although Vo-tech didn’t accept tattoo art as an art form, he attended the vocational school for Commercial Art. Once he graduated from high school, he took a year off before enrolling at the International Fine Arts College in Miami, Florida. It was during this time he had a job lined up alongside Mario Barth and Lov Rubino. When the opportunity fell through he completed the visual arts program. He continued to live in South Beach where he was one of three punk rock kids who met and networked with as many tattoo artists as he could from all over the world. He openly admits that was the time in his life that he “grew up.”

Sevil completed his apprenticeship at a small shop in Lancaster, Pa. He learned traditionally about what was most important: his own health and the client’s health. He does not agree with the fact that anyone these days can go online and earn his or her blood borne pathogen certification. He believes people should learn the traditional way.

Sevil opened his first shop Built to Last in 1999. As well as winning awards for his own personal abilities, his studio Built to Last in York, has won its own fair share,

including best of York six out of seven times. Sevil’s designs are spectacular due to his years of research and learning, soaking up knowledge, images, and techniques. It is this dedication that has earned him and his shop

a reputation as one of the best around. He specializes and enjoys tattooing Japanese and black and grey pieces. And like all talented artists, Sevil enjoys a challenge and constantly thinks beyond what his client initially wants, and tries to push them in a more experimental direction. Like his clients, his opinions of styles have changed as the trends change. If a client comes to him and asks for a design he normally wouldn’t tattoo, he knows that one of his resident artists can achieve the task.

He moves further away from fads of the tattoo world, instead focusing on his own creative instinct. He sees inspiration everywhere and in everything, but will always remain old school at heart. He is a one-of-a-kind artist and his portfolio is truly impressive. His designs have a uniqueness that is instantly recognizable as his own work.

Sevil’s ideas aren’t ones that a client would find normal or want to do. He’d love to do a full sleeve

of traditional roses with nothing else, just the roses that overkill the arm, or something insanely psychedelic. Eyeballs, breasts, weird textures and skulls. He enjoys big pieces that flow with multiple styles together.A devoted husband and father, he is currently unable to travel, and prefers to spend his time working out of his own shop and with his family. His local clients keep him busy, but in the future, he plans on returning to a

UGLIEST TATTOO CONTEST WINNER:

BRITANI PUTTBritani chose to use her $100

gift certificate with Jacqelyn Snell (featured artist from 717

Tattoo in Columbia)

advantage of an artist that came in and asked him how he got his color ink. Jerry told him all he did was add a little sugar to it. The man went back to his shop and added sugar to all his ink and called it a night. When he opened his shop the next day he found it infested with cockroaches.

Jerry was never one to compromise his professionalism or take his craft lightly. He created needle formations that embedded pigment with much less trauma to the skin, and was one of the first to use single-use needles and hospital-quality sterilization. He helped revolutionize the ink industry by regulations of sanitation and sterilization that are still mandated to this day.

Along his travels Jerry took in two prodigies whose talents and attitude he respected, among them legends Don Ed Hardy and Mike Malone, to whom he entrusted his legacy of flash designs. Some say Ed Hardy sold his old mentor, Jerry, up the river, taking much credit for Jerry’s style and pocketing the dough. It’s very possible that Sailor Jerry is rolling in his grave.

Sailing and tattooing were his only two professional endeavors. He only

tattooed for twelve years, between his 20s and 50s he stopped entirely, as a part of a disagreement with the IRS. While he wasn’t tattooing or sailing Jerry took interests in other things, such as: being a radio host and avid poetry writer. His flair for poetry came from his dramatic and romantic outlook on the world. Another of his favorite pass times was the saxophone, an instrument he’d played for most of his life. He never preferred fancy things, Collins preferred to play instruments that had been around the block a few times. He said that the musician should pay attention to how it sounded, not how it looked.

He remained a sailor his entire life. Even during his career as a tattoo artist, he worked as a licensed skipper of a large three-massed schooner. Even when tattooing took over most of his life he was still a sailor

at heart. Some would call Sailor Jerry a true pirate. Thankfully, he left a treasure of talent behind known as the old school tattoo.

" I raise my glass in a toast of love, to all of the countless girls,

Young ones, older ones, tiny ones, larger ones,

Certainly all of them daring and courageous,

Who have shared momentary intimacies

With me In getting a personalized “Mini-o-graph”

Tattoo as an outward expression of some inner most personal feeling."

- Norman Collins

Photos courtesy SailorJerry.com


limited convention circuit with hopes of traveling overseas.

Sevil is available for bookings with anyone who would like to become one of his living works of art. The current wait for an appointment will

FEATURED ARTIST & BUILT TO LAST OWNER: SEVIL JAMESvary, especially if you want something custom. He will discuss prices at the time of your consultation. For those looking for an incredibly skilled and dedicated artist that can bring his own personal touch to any design, whilst preserving its unique

/Sevil-James-Tattooing/b2ltattoo

“ I see things better as a complete, not random acts or thoughts. A transformation I suppose.”

“I’d be a stay at home dad if I wasn’t a tattoo artist. My heart

and life is with my family.”

“I’m attached to everyone I tattoo. I’m with people forever.

It’s a blessing and a curse.”

www.myspace.com/b2l717

“ I listen, I try to help people, I really do. I do what I know how to do best.”

Tattoo photos courtesy of Sevil James

beauty, Sevil is your artist. There is, however, one drawback to having his artwork inked on your skin, dozens of passers-by will constantly stop you to get a closer look.

BUILT TO LAST ARTIST: JUSTIN STORMIn the tattoo industry it’s the client’s that give the artists a great life. Without their willingness to let them permanently put something on them, tattoo artists wouldn’t have anything to do; they wouldn’t want to do anything else. The relationship with the client comes first. An artist wants their client to leave them feeling like they have a world-class piece of art, have made a friend, and had a great experience from start to finish.

“ A lot of clients come in to get tattooed to memorialize a special event in their life and it’s nice to create something for them that will help them remember that event.”

Justin Storm, from Built to Last Tattoo in York, Pennsylvania, believes in making each piece he creates memorable. Interested in the art subculture of video games and comic books from a very young age, he pushed toward the goal of becoming a comic book artist or a video game designer. He entered Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts to further his skills, graduating

in 2000 with a multimedia design degree. Shortly after, he discovered a new way to express his love for art when he fell into tattooing.

He has a very developed and distinctive style, specializing in photo realistic tattooing. He strives to create art his client is happy with, and will remember for a lifetime. He manages to recreate fine art designs on skin, turning each client into a living work of art. With an unmatched portfolio it’s hard to find another tattoo artist that can match his black and grey realism talents, or his ability to take a photograph and turn it into a realistic tattoo. If you’re looking for an artist that can deliver your idea for a portrait, or a rendering of your favorite macabre horror film character this guy is the one you want to see. He’s a master of dark art, a blend of creepy and beautiful, almost scary. It’s mind-blowing to think he has achieved such life-like pieces of art with a needle.

He admits the majority of his inspiration comes from his clients. He understands exactly what they’re

looking for and how to make sure their crazy ideas come to life.

“ Seeing other people’s work pushes me, and inspires and motivates me to do better.”

His vibrant and detailed tattoos make him one of the best around. He would love to travel in the future, but for now chooses to stay local, close to his daughter. During the winter months you can book an appointment within a few weeks. However, if you’re looking to book a summer appointment there’s a possible wait of 3 to 4 months. Justin’s rate starts at $100/hr.


BUILT TO LAST ARTIST: CHARLIE MURPHY

Although Charlie Murphy is a relative newcomer to the industry his work has the mark of an experienced professional. Having entered the business at the young age of twenty, he quickly became known under the tutelage of artist Mike Hynes, out of Jordan New York. Before the tattoo bug bit Charlie he had used graffiti as an artistic outlet.

Charlie was born in Media, Pennsylvania, but lived in Hershey until he was thirteen years old, when he then moved to Rockland Maine, the lobster capital of the world. Three years later he moved with his mom and dad to Manlius, a suburb in Syracuse New York. It was here Charlie finished high school with a passion for technical drawing and design. He then moved to Bangor, Maine and went on to complete a year of college with a major in Philosophy, but quickly realized he didn’t want to write books, teach or go pre-law.

Charlie left college and moved to Portland, Maine where he began his formal apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Mike Hynes. It was here Charlie learned the basics, setting up and breaking down stations, making stencils and talking to clients as well as getting blood borne pathogen certified. He learned at a time when you had to make the most of the equipment you had, using acetate stencils, all while making sure nearby competitors weren’t going to burn your shop to the ground. It was a time where people weren’t apprenticing anyone just to make a buck, only to give them the boot shortly after, and hands were getting broken if you didn’t pay your dues. A time where artists gave respect in general for those who were in town before them.

“ I don’t think I had a real understanding of how lucky I was to meet and be able to hang around someone like Mike and I feel very blessed that I did. I felt like I was being let into something really special and sacred.”

Charlie’s down to earth persona and friendly disposition are one of the reasons he is highly regarded among the tattoo community. Since his time as an apprentice, his tastes in styles and tattoos have turned upside down from realistic into more gritty and bold designs.

“ I think if you’re going to get a tattoo, don’t be afraid of sending out the wrong message, be yourself and go bold.”

His artistic inspiration stems from early American traditional tattoo flash. He is open to new things and loves drawing custom designs as well. Exposed to eastern philosophy at such a young age, it tends to surface in the pieces he creates. He also avidly practices meditation and tries to merge some of that esoteric vibe into his flash work.

“Not everything has to be custom. People attach their own meaning to things even if the design had a totally different meaning originally.”

After all, if everyone were the same, well, tattooing wouldn’t be very interesting.

Charlie is genuinely passionate about what he does. He’ll even go into the shop on his day off to accommodate a client. He loves walk-in tattoos and meeting various types of people. He does his best to relate to his clients. “We’re all human so we all have something in common,” he says.

He has a huge interest in taboo conversation, such as conspiracy theory, politics or religion, so if you like to talk while getting tattooed, Charlie is your artist. Charlie is also very much into Austrian Economics and the writings of Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard.

Charlie tattoos larger scale pieces at $100/hr. and everything else he charges by the piece, depending on the size and placement of the tattoo. His personal flash piece rates are less expensive because he truly enjoys tattooing them. For those who are looking for something different and require a unique tattoo, Charlie is more than capable of providing it. You can find him at Built to Last Tattoo in York, Pa.

Follow Charlie's Work:

/brianmurphytattoo

/Built-To-Last-2

BUILT TO LAST ARTIST: KURT WINDISH

After pursuing a two-year apprenticeship in 2006, York native Kurt Windish gave up his unsatisfying job that failed to challenge or motivate him, to begin his full-time career as a tattoo artist. Sometimes we don’t have enough faith in ourselves, or our creative talents to take the leap we need to take to reach our goals. We look to the people who mean the most to us for advice. This is exactly what Kurt did in 2006. After talking with his wife, he made the decision to become a tattoo artist, and took an adult education course in drawing. Although the class was expensive he did what he felt he needed to do to further his knowledge in Art and sharpen his skills to the best of his ability.

“ Choosing a favorite tattoo is always a tough thing. Any time you create something that enhances someone’s life is a favorite.”

Kurt is a young artist specializing in Biomech/Bio organic, Geometric, Bioluminescence and Realism tattoo designs. His least favorite styles are Traditional and lettering tattoos, and although black and grey are easier on his brain, “there is nothing like the fun of an unlimited color palette,” he says. When it comes to theme, Kurt’s choices are organic texture, light source, light-play and color theory.

“ I really enjoy organically inspired aesthetic tattooing with light-form or geometric presence. Also realism, I would like to do more character portrait tattoos.”

Today people go looking for cheaper rates rather than quality. Kurt goes to great lengths to customize every aspect of a design and experience. He offers a maximized approach to the tattooing experience to usher in a greater understanding for the tattoo enthusiast, collector and artist. These days it’s hard to make every client happy. Some people prefer not to have the kind of service offered by Kurt.

“ I find inspiration seeing the amount of work other artist’s put into things. Nature and the mystery of existence are also pretty inspiring.”

Kurt is Blood Bourne pathogen certified and renews every year. Clients usually don’t consider these things when choosing an artist, or the harms of cross contamination. It’s comforting to know the artist tattooing you does.

The Ink Well asked Kurt which artists he goes to for his tattoo work. He stated that Wayne King and Brian Geckle are his top two artists. His favorite tattoo, most time spent and enjoyable by far is his upper arm piece done by Geckle out of Flower of Life Tattoos in State College, Pa.

If you’re looking for an insane custom design Kurt can usually schedule you in within a week. Expect to pay at least $100/hr. for one of his works of art.

/kurt.windish /b2ltattoo

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BUILT TO LAST ARTIST: JAKE BILLER

Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Jake Biller is a renowned tattoo artist, specializing in American Traditional. After climbing Mount Saint Helen’s at the age of fourteen, Jake’s exposure to tattooing came while he was in high school. Fascinated with the tattoo art form and the drive installed in him, he’s constantly searching for new ways to refine and polish his craft. Even though he has no formal art training, within the twelve years as a tattoo artist, he produces his own unique style; a body of work that ranges in all forms, but keeps its own identity. His patience and drive are what keep him learning and progressing as an artist. He keeps busy and motivated to climb to the next level. Although he prefers American traditional, he enjoys tattooing other styles as well, and incorporates different aspects of his own work to keep things fresh and interesting.

His favorite tattoo is his ‘ALOHA’ monkey done by Professor Ouch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ouch’s connection to Mike Malone, ‘Rollo’- is about as close as you can get to a legendary Sailor Jerry tattoo. With his passion for self-expression Jake can’t imagine working in any other profession, as for now his sight is set only on pushing the industry as far as it can go. His passion has become his life, keeps him moving forward, and thinking bigger.He has no plans to travel or take part in any upcoming conventions. You can find Jake at Built to Last Tattoo in York, Pa. He is available, whether a client is looking for an appointment or a walk-in. However, he does prefer an in-depth consultation with his potential clients, that way he has a strong sense of what they are looking for. Rates for a tattoo will be discussed at the time of the consultation. Biller has the distinction of a highly decorated artist in York County.

“Bold will hold.”

KEEP YOUR TATTOO HEALTHY, INSIDE & OUT.

designing your success

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Green Ink All Natural Hemp Salve 4 New Ink has been specifically

designed to promote healing and preservation to your new tattoos.

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