Needles and Sins News

We wrote up Hori Smoku's first NYC appearance just over a year ago, but I can safely say that this weekend's screening at Rooftop Films will be a heck of a lot cooler than how Marisa and I originally watched... Brian Grosz http://www.needlesandsins.com/brian.html

Austin has become ground zero for exceptional tattoo artists -- the city seems to be flooded with recent transplants from around the country. [Also home base of The Lizardman.] One such artist is Joey Ortega of Triple Crown Tattoo... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Samuel M. Steward, PhD was an English professor, a writer of esteemed literary works and gay porn. He was also "a furtive but exuberant erotic adventurer." [Put this on my own tombstone please].Sam Steward was also "Phil Sparrow," a... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Is this tattoo related?  No.  No it's not (unless you consider the fact that Marisa and I have had this track blasting on a continuous loop at the Needles and Sins Compound today whilst much booty-shaking has taken place).  Regardless,... Brian Grosz http://www.needlesandsins.com/brian.html

One of my favorite styles of tattooing is the feverish abstract art movement that has its greatest popularity in France, Belgium and even Montreal but is created by top artists around the world. One of those artists is Loic... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

In my next tattoo book, I won't just be featuring champion tattoo artists but also a number of exciting photographers. With this image featuring one of Americana's finest, Myke Chambers, photographed by Jaime Ibarra, it's a perfect union of... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Legos. Tattooed. One "badass" ad campaign. [The "badass" was theirs, not mine. I told ya I'm weening myself off the word.]The intricate and detailed tattoo designs were created to illustrate just how fine Pilot Extra-Fine ball-pens are. I think they... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Next week, Solid State Publishing--an enterprise of Solid State Tattoo in Milwaukee--is releasing These Old Blue Arms: The Life and Work of Amund Dietzel. The preview page they've got up looks fantastic and at over 200 pages and a mere... Patrick Sullivan http://www.needlesandsins.com/patrick_sullivan.html

When I got back to Brooklyn from the Traditional Tattoo & World Culture Fest in Ireland, I found the latest issue of the wonderful Swallows & Daggers tattoo zine waiting for me. Considering it's published in the place I'd... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

For my LA homies, this Saturday July 31st, Known Gallery will present Bob Roberts & Bert Krak's Ladies Welcome show, which will run until August 21st.What's particularly exciting about the show, in addition to the art on view of... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

It's not easy setting up an interview with a tattoo legend who doesn't need any press and has no time for your shit. [Or at least my shit.] Thankfully, the Godfather of Black & Grey tattoo, Jack 'From Way... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Not too long ago, I was introduced to Gene Priest (above, right), a brilliant musician and tattoo-collector out of Knoxville, TN.  He was playing drums for a handful of bands at the time, but I was truly blown away once... Brian Grosz http://www.needlesandsins.com/brian.html

Actually, the title of this post should be: The Human Avatar = Dumbassness.The opportunity to be a video game character is cool. I get it. I too have dreamed of being a cross between Lara Croft and Princess Peach... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

And speaking of criminal tattoos...A collection of 60 tattooed skins (preserved in formaldehyde) taken largely from dead prisoners is the subject of a "photo story" by Katarzyna Mirczak called Preserving the Criminal Code.According to Mirczak, the Department of Forensic... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Check the top right of this site and you'll see our new advertiser: MIR Russian Criminal Tattoo Designs apparel. The clothing line was created by two designers from Russia--now living in Brooklyn--who are inspired by the tattoos from the 40s... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

In continuing to highlighting tattoo art featured in my upcoming book, I figured I'll give ya some biomech goodness courtesy of Dan Hazelton.I've been a fan of Dan's work for a while--not just his tattooing but also his airbrush art... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

It was way past midnight and we had all thoroughly over-served by the bar-staff at the pre-party for the Traditional Tattoo and World Culture Festival.  At this point in our European trip, Marisa and I had gone from tiny airline... Brian Grosz http://www.needlesandsins.com/brian.html

It was a tattoo love fest this past weekend at the Traditional Tattoo & World Culture Festival -- festival being the key word as Phil Cummins made it clear that he set out to organize a gathering that was... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

While I'm writing my monster redux of the Traditional Tattoo & World Culture Fest, I thought I'd give ya a preview of a wonderful experience we had: watching the skin sewing method of tattooing done by the always awesome... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html

Horns High!  Awesomeness by Loz of West Side Tattoo in Australia. Also check the portfolios of all the West Side crew. ... Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia http://www.needlesandsins.com/marisa.html