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13 ROSES TATTOO PARLOR
by Max Brand
From the October 2005 issue of Prick Magazine.
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Like its artists, 13 Roses Tattoo Parlor in East Atlanta is
creative, original, and mixes style with aesthetic. It's the
bastard child of two great tattoo minds Watson
Atkinson, a tattoo artist of national renown, and Johnny Rockit, a
life-long tattoo collector (he sports a full bodysuit!) and artist who
has had a long involvement in the tattoo industry.
Recently, the 13 Roses crew let everyone know they were
open for business by throwing a two day bash that East Atlanta
and the tattoo scene will not soon forget. It kicked off on a Friday
night at the studio and the Flatiron, an East Atlanta bar located
below the studio. That evening, a few hundred of their closest
friends and clients were invited to schmooze the night away at a
exclusive VIP event. An open bar,a quartet playing mountain music,
belly dancers and performance artists were highlights of the night.
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The festivities continued Saturday at the open house, which
was held during the East Atlanta Strut Fest. Later that evening, the
party continued as 13 Roses hosted the sold out Avett Bros. show
at the Drunken Unicorn. Opening bands included Fisher Meehan,
Blind Pig, and Fiend Without a Face, wearing their signature black
pantyhose on their heads. The Avett Bros. were a perfect ending
to a long awaited party.
The 13 Roses Tattoo Parlor opened its doors to the public in
late July, but it was only a few short years ago that opening a tattoo
studio was merely an idea for Watson and Johnny. At that
time, Johnny was spending a lot of time in Atlanta and the two
friends frequently bantered about their ideas of what the "perfect"
tattoo shop would be. From opinions on tattoo artists, client relationships,
equipment and creating the perfect creative tattoo environment,
each had strong opinions, but they meshed and complimented
one another perfectly.
As it would happen, opportunity then came knocking.
"After lunch at the EARL one day I was walking through East
Atlanta and I saw a 'For Lease' sign up in the window above the
Flatiron bar," recalls Johnny. After investigating the space, Johnny
"quickly realized that the layout and location were exactly the
type of space that I had envisioned for a tattoo studio."
"It was simply loaded with character," adds Watson. "It recalls
a past era of tattooing in America." The two immediately knew
this was the space and grabbed it. "In a sense, you could say the
location demanded to be turned into a tattoo shop," says Johnny.
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From May throughout the hot Atlanta summer, the two embarked on the arduous journey to
create what is now 13 Roses Tattoo Parlor.
"From the outset Watson and I have focused on creating a space that will inspire both tattoo
artists and their clients," Johnny continues. A walk-through of the space reveals just that extraordinary
attention to detail in every sense of the word. Guests come through an etched glass door
surrounded by an
eccentric custom
facade. A long center-hall gallery is
outfitted with
framed art including
tattoo related prints
and original paintings,
to a variety of
framed photographs
showing brilliant
custom tattoos. You
can also find a few
wonderful pieces of
American tattoo
history, like an original
Percy Waters
newspaper ad for
tattoo machines and
equipment.
At the front of
the shop, clients can
peruse the portfolios
of the shop's
artists in comfort,
relax and shoot a
game of pool all
while overlooking
the newly remodeled
East Atlanta
streetscape.
Individual studios
inside the shop allow
for privacy, yet are
open and comfortable
with large textured
glass windows
separating the
rooms, opening up
the second story space
as music plays throughout the shop with speakers and volume controls in every room. The windows
are painted with some amusing sayings such as "High Voltage Tattooing," and the popular saying
"As ancient as time ... As modern as tomorrow."
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Natural light is a big
part of the studio during
the day due to the wonderful
placement of the
building on the corner of
Flat Shoals and
Glenwood. The studio
also showcases some
wonderful vintage furniture,
which is a nice juxtaposition
against the modern
stainless steel fixtures.
"But a shop is more
than just its surroundings;
it lives and breathes
because of the artists. In
that regard,we sought out
and have put together a
group of outstanding
artists," adds Watson.
The other talented
artists in the studio include Russ Abbott, Pat Carmack and Soul.
"13 Roses' artists are skilled at every genre of tattooing, a fact that keeps their individual clientele
coming back for more. But more than that," he continues, "we wanted to create an environment where
artists will push the boundaries of one another to further excel in their work.
In addition, we plan on bringing to 13 Roses some of the great tattoo artists from around the world
to guest in the shop," adds Johnny. "Tattooing has undergone a seismic revolution in the past 10 years,
not only in mainstream acceptance, but in the expectations of clients for inventiveness, originality and
quality. It is that excitement about tattooing that really is the foundation for building 13 Roses ... and
13 Roses is very excited to become a part of the Atlanta tattoo
community for many years to come!"
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 The Avett Bros. |
 Fiend Without A Face. |
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13 Roses Tattoo Parlor is located at:
524 Flat Shoals Avenue - 2nd Floor
East Atlanta, GA 30316
Tel: (404) 880-0713.
Shop Hours: 12-10 M-Th, 12-12 Fri & Sat, 12-7 Sunday.
For more info, visit www.13rosestattoo.com.
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