Prick Magazine - August Moon Feature

I first met August Moon at the 2001 Meadowlands Tattoo Convention. We were at the hotel bar when this gentleman walked past us, almost glowing, wearing a bright mustard hat and suit. This boldly clad gentleman was August Moon. He wore a gold tattoo machine ring, which actually works. (In 1999, there were only 12 rings and seven necklaces made. Four rings and one necklace are still left for sale. They are really incredible.)

Charismatic and a delight to talk to, I sat down with August recently and got to know him a little better. August started out in the tattoo business in 1993, working with Philadelphia Eddie. With his artistic background, he picked up the skill quickly and in 1995, he decided to branch out on his own, opening his own shop in Delaware. He has since expanded to a larger studio, one of the largest I have ever seen.

In addition to being a well-respected artist in the tattoo community, he is also a very revered businessman. The respect that he has gained does not come undeserved. His good business sense and participation in helping with the new rules and regulations that govern the tattoo business, have helped establish legitimacy of the industry as a whole. He has worked with the health department and shed new light on current tattoo practices and safeguards in the industry.

He credits Cliff Raven and Ed Hardy for taking the first steps to get the tattoo business out of the basement and give it a better image. "The business is more about the art and not just about being a freak," says August. He attributes the success of the tattoo business in the last 10 years to the the collaborative efforts of the community as a whole.

August Moon's Tattoo Studio is a very organized, clean, and an aesthetically pleasing shop, with the assistance of his receptionist and crew. August's handmade signs and paintings adorn the studio. Each of the artists' tattoo stations are personalized with there own artwork and décor, making the work place as comfortable as can be for his artists and the clientele.

Of August's crew, I first spoke with piercer Jesse, 26, a compulsive clean freak, who calls himself a redneck from Virginia and wears a tattoo that says "Hillbilly" with an out-house on his ankle. Apprenticed under Larry Bridges and John Dombrowski, Jesse proclaims "I am in it for the art."

Among the tattoo artists is George Moore, one of the few black tattoo artists I've ever met. He is a phenomenal artist. He started out as an airbrush artist and has been tattooing for the last five years. His influences include Tom Renshaw and Eric Merril, but his open-minded mentality shows in his diverse style. He loves to meet new people within the tattoo community and when asked if he ever sees himself becoming very well known, he says "I'm happy where I'm at." I definitely see George going to higher levels within his tattoo work.

Kirk Douglas, a Star Wars fanatic, is yet another artist in the studio. He does incredible portrait work, but can take on all styles. Last, but not least, there is Jeff Godwin, 34, who has been in the business for 10 years. Jeff leans toward traditional and old school style of tattooing. He has great respect from Philadelphia and sports wonderful work done by Dave Fox and Joe Cappobianco on his body.

Finding Delaware to be a pleasurable trip, we were impressed by the hospitality shown by not only August Moon, but by his wife and crew also. It is nice to know that being in the tattoo business you can still find "old school" friendliness instead of the cutthroat attitudes you come across once in a while. Thanks again to August Moon and his crew for a very pleasurable and knowledgeable experience.