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CALIFORNIA TATTOO
in Savannah, Georgia
by Clint Liquor
From the October 2003 issue of Prick Magazine.
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 The California Tattoo family. |
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Located in the scenic and festive city of Savannah, Georgia, California Tattoo cranks out solid tattoos and builds family driven by art, tradition and integrity. California Jack Witt, a legendary old schooler who got into the tattoo business back in 1960, has worked with the likes of Zeke Owens, Bob Shaw, Don Noland, Bert Grim, and Cliff Raven on the pike in Long Beach, Calif. Jack and his wife Sharon traded coastlines and moved to Savannah in 1967 where they opened the city's first official tattoo parlor. California Tattoo was born and has operated in the heart of downtown Savannah on Whittaker Street until two years ago. It has since been relocated next to the giant globe landmark to the south side of town at 23 East Derenne Ave. Jack is still tattooing, although he has retired at least 15 times according to shop manager Chris Anderson.
Chris has been with the shop since 1988. He used to hang out around the shop and would bring in his own designs to get tattooed. Jack had always liked Chris' art so one night, while Chris was hanging out, Jack asked him to watch the shop. Unknown to Chris at the time, upon Jacks return he would begin his tattoo apprenticeship. He has been there ever since.
After speaking with the in-house artists, it was obvious that this was a shop where tattooers found not only a home to showcase their art, but a family. Tattooer Roger Dunbar, who was shocked as he counted back, has been with the shop for eight years now. "Time flies when your having fun!" he exclaims. Originally from South Carolina, Dunbar drove down often to Savannah to get tattooed by Jack. So much so that Jack brought him into the fold and apprenticed him. Like Chris, Roger has been at Cali ever since.
The staff is rounded out by Michael "Magus" Garrison, Issac Dunn, Jesse Gordon, Will Whittington, Sam Kevin and Brian. Magus is a magician and considers magic his religion. At 50, he is the elder statesman next to Jack. He got his start at Cali Tattoo as well after getting a ton of work there. Tattooing is actually his second career. He is a retired departmental head of the radio chemistry division of a nuclear power plant in South Carolina. That's a switch. He has developed a wide variety of repeat customers that enjoy his artistic diversity.
Issac is a natural born artist who has been drawing since early childhood. He too learned the tattoo trade at Cali and has been with the shop for three years now.
Will and Jesse are the more recent additions to the family.
Will is a graduate of Savannah College of Art. His degree is in painting, but his career of creating art has been through tattooing. "It is a different experience working at a place like California Tattoo because you are in an environment with great artists from many backgrounds. It's an honor to be able to learn from people like Jack who actually have a history in the industry. You learn more than just how to tattoo," says Will.
Jesse Gordon has the makings to be a rock star with his style and attitude. He has been apprenticing for a year and is starting to turn out some great work. "I love being able to create bomb ass shit everyday. Tattooing is my life," says Jesse.
If you live in the Savannah area or have plans of visiting, put California Tattoo Company on your list of places to check out.
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