Inked Mag Latest Issue

Inked Mag Latest Issue

The latest issue of Inked Mag is out and, yeah, I’d rather see Margaret Cho on the cover talkin about her first class tattoos than that Malin Ackerman chick and her don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it ink, but there are some meaty items in this men’s lifestyle mag (they’re not billed as an industry mag despite the name). 

My fave: MASTODON! Nuff said.

For more badass, my Greek homegirl and X Games gamine Tara Dakides not only talks about potentially facing her last season of pro-snowboarding but also the symbolism behind her tough torso tattoo. [Such a hot photo of her; that would've made a sweet cover!]

There’s also the hotness of Heather Gabel, painter and illustrator, best known for creating the Alkaline Trio’s iconic skull and heart logo.

On the tattoo artist front, I contributed two pieces, which you can read in their entirety online:

In Sewn Together, I talk about tattoo artist collaborations with couture houses and street wear brands. Keep in mind that it was written before Ed Hardy filed suit against Audigier. For artists and illustrators, I’m hoping that the feature might give some background info that could be helpful in negotiating deals and avoid law suits of your own.

Then check my feature on Smith Street Tattoo Parlour, home to old school stylists Bert Krak, Steve Boltz, and Eli Quinters (shown in their Brooklyn studio above). The internationally renowned tattooers, sought after for their custom tattoo work, defend the “street shop” and talk about why they love walk-ins and flash:

“We love the street shop,” says Boltz. “That’s what we all came up doing. I was doing that for 10 years before someone said they wanted something ’special’ from me.” It’s a change from the custom-only studio trend throughout New York that has led to some snobbery over personalized work. In response, Quinters says, “Some customers will come in and say they don’t know what they want, and we’ll tell them to pick something off the wall. Then they’ll say, ‘I don’t want something off the wall!’ But how do you not want that? Are you too good for old Bill Jones flash?”

Pick up the March issue of Inked on stands now and online.

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