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LUCKY DRAW TATTOOS
by Geoffrey Stephenson
Photos courtesy of Lucky Draw Tattoos
From the January 2006 issue of Prick Magazine.
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 The Lucky Draw Tattoos cew (l-r): Holly the counter girl, Earl, Travis Kelly, Phillip Duke, Chris Cooper. |
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Lucky Draw Tattoos opened its doors in 2003, after formerly being known as
Lucky 13 for almost a decade. As Lucky 13 shut its doors, new owner Phillip
Duke moved the old shop from Kennesaw, Ga. to its current location a few
miles north in historic Acworth. Once there, Phillip fought his way through the bureaucracy,
opened his own digs and changed the name to Lucky Draw Tattoos.
Phillip has been tattooing since 1977, when at the ripe old age of 13, he did his
first tattoo on his neighborhood friends using some India ink and needles tied with
thread. "My mom wanted to kick my ass - and so did my friends' moms and dads," he
recalls with a laugh.
Phillip did his first tattoo with a machine four years
later. "It was a homemade machine and the unicorn came out
great," he adds.
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Over the years, Phillip quickly became a highly talented
and well-respected tattooer. He consistently creates quality
work that keeps his customers happy, while still staying humble
and appreciative. Phillip says he has "nothing but respect
for the artists who've come before me, and the old-school
cats that are still kicking deserve props from everyone."
He cites his influences as "mainly old-school cats like
Tramp, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Albee from Black Cat, Brian
Everett, Gill Montie, Tom Painter, Painless Paul, Scotty, Mike
Krango, Glen Schmidt, Tattoo Lou, and The Illustrator. Also
newer impressive artists like DJ Minor, Deano Cook, Jason
McCarty, Eric Merrill, Dave Fox, Cory Kruger, Joe Cap,
Brandon Bond. I could name a lot more artists that deserve
props but that list would never
end."
A good family man, with
three daughters and a beautiful
wife that keep him busy, Phillip still
enjoys finding some time to work
on his collection of vintage hot
rods and bikes.
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 Travis Kelly, Phillip Duke, Earl, Tim Ambrose. |
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Phillip has surrounded himself
with a very talented crew at
Lucky Draw. He describes his
artists - Travis Kelly, Chris Cooper
and Tim Ambrose – as "amazing
individuals who come together as
a team and brotherhood that's
built on respect, learning and
teaching."
Travis began tattooing in
North Carolina back in 1996 and
has worked all over Florida and
Georgia until "finding his home" at
Lucky Draw two years ago.
Chris has been working at
Lucky Draw for over a year. He
brings his unique, self-taught style of art, and he says
he has "learned a lot from Phillip Duke and Travis
Kelly, both great artists."
Tim did his formal tattoo apprenticeship
under Crash at 3rd Eye Tattoo. After hopping
around a few shops trying to find where he fit in, he
landed at Lucky Draw almost a year ago. "I think I've
found a good home here and have no plans on moving
any time soon,” he says. “Doing badass tattoos,
listening to rock 'n' roll – what else is there?"
Rounding out the crew is Earl "The Squirrel." Earl is described as the "shop
bitch" until he finishes his tattoo apprenticeship.
As far as plans for 2006, Phillip will be opening Lucky Draw II, which will keep
him "slammed for the year," he says. You can also catch the Lucky Draw crew at a couple
of conventions this year.
When asked about giving any final words or shout-outs, Phillip replies, "I gotta
give props to the people bringing this industry together as a brotherhood, like PRICK
and the Art Intensity Network DVD magazine. Chuck Brank and Scott McCool, I want
to thank you guys for all your hard work and dedication to the industry. I know you
guys don't tattoo, but you guys are living it and doing everything you can to bring artists
and the industry together as a whole."
Lucky Draw is a clean, professional
and friendly shop with talented artists and a
laid-back atmosphere. Next time you're in
the area, stop in and check out their artwork
and meet the crew.
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| Phillip Duke’s phat rides: two 1959 Ford panel trucks. The big Ford (left) is a ‘59 ratrod panel, 351 stocker with a C-6 trans. with shift kit. The ‘59 English Ford Angila (right) is a
sleeper. It has a tube chassis that was built by Pat Mussi in 1974. It’s a Gasse drag that he drives on the street. Phillip also has a 1939 BMW 650cc with a sidecar (not pictured). |
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Lucky Draw Tattoos
4500 South Main Street
Acworth, GA 30101
77.917.0075
For more information, go to www.luckydrawtattoos.com.
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