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PHILADELPHIA EDDIE'S
TATTOO ARTS CONVENTION
by Max Brand
From the September 2005 issue of Prick Magazine.
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 Christina, Lyle Tuttle, Penny Funk and Troy Timpel having a good time at an awesome convention.
These guys have been to a few, and they know what good is. |
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So we all know that Philadelphia Eddie loves
to retire, but how long will it take? Who
cares, as long as there is a great party every
year in his honor. Troy Timpel of Kingpin Tattoo is
the man in charge of keeping that party going, and giving
Eddie even more reason
to be double fisting the
screwdrivers once again! As
usual, Troy, all in black, and
Eddie, in his trademark yellow
jacket, put together a show to
be remembered. Bands playing
all day, sideshow freaks,
and even midget wrestling
were just a few of the promises
kept for this weekend of
mayhem.
The Philadelphia Convention Center hosting the
show is right across the
street from the Philadelphia
Hilton Garden at 11th and
Arch St., where most of the
artists and vendors shacked
up for the weekend.
When I first entered the
Convention Center floor
Friday around noon, my eyes
widened by the sight of over
135 booths. People were just
getting set up, and it looked
like an uninhabited tattoo
jungle gym.
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 Holly Lane gets a pink pony tattooed on her chest by
Jon Jon of Cutting Edge tattoo. |
 Bill Pearson has work done on this extensive tattoo
by Jon Clue from Super 88 Tattoo. |
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But to no surprise, by the
time I had the PRICK booth
set up, the doors were opening,
and the machines were running. Right off
the bat it was apparent that this was a show
that the fans and artists were equally excited
about. Then there was the security checkpoint
at the door. Everyone knows that the security
played a big role in the weekend going off without
a hitch, but many smokers seemed annoyed
at having to empty their pockets every time
they re-entered the Convention Center. If this
was the only downside to the weekend, then
what more could you ask for?
How about two full days of tattoo contests?!
Cause that's what we got on Saturday
and Sunday, not to mention tattoo of the day
held late
Friday night. And the first trophy of the convention goes to ... Robert Weisz
for the awesome parrot on the back of his thigh, tattooed on Friday by Chris
Blinston of Big Brains Productions in Boynton Beach, Fla. Taking third place for
tattoo of the day on Friday was an insane dagger through a rotting hand by
Karel Mato of Fyre Body Arts in Perkasie, Pa., home of Ken Smith Bass Guitars!
Of course the most
amusing award went to Penny Funk. She was in usual convention form getting
tattooed all weekend. The portrait on her butt of Eddie as a pirate (sorry I
didn't get a good pic) by Telisa Swan of Little City Studios, took second place
in Friday's contest.
|
 PRICK photographer Max Brand hanging out in the
city of brotherly love. This spectacle at 10th and Arch
Street was one block from the hotel and convention. |
 Philadelphia Rollergirls. |
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After the Convention doors closed each night, the freaks fled to all parts
of the city. Chinatown, being only two blocks away, offers great convenient food
and neon signs all night, but South Street is the obvious hot spot! Tattooed
Mom is the host of the unofficial after-party each night, but all the bars on
south street offer great vibes, and great music. Not to mention some pretty
tasty cocktails!
Hours after last call, it's back to the smoke filled non-smoking rooms of the
Hilton, to catch a few zzz's before doing it
all again tomorrow.
Saturday, the music and sideshows continued,
along with some of the dopest tattoos
the NorthEast has seen. Joe Leonard
of Monkey Wrench Tattoo, Hope Gallery's
Joe Capobianco and Eric Merrill, Brian
Donovan and Scott Bramble of the local
Mercury Tattoo, and Jon Clue of Super 88
Tattoo in Massapequa, NY., were just a few
of the artists pumping out world class ink
at this show. It was also nice to see Joshua
Carlton of All or Nothing Tattoo representing
Atlanta. Saturday we got to see
some great healed tattoos when the contests
started. Best Large color went to
Alexis, tattooed by Justin of
Wizard World Tattoo. Pat
Walton took the trophy for
best small color with her
rib piece of stained glass by
the one and only Juli Moon.
Carlos Ponce was awarded
best large black & grey for
his tattoo by Big Gus at
Demented Image Tattoo,
and the trophy for small
b&g went to Rebecca
Lasalle tattooed by Dan
Craft of Jersey Devil Tattoo.
Rebecca and Dan also took
the award for most unusual
tattoo on Sunday for
Rebecca's light socket tattoo,
where there would
normally be a patch of feminine
hair. Or not.
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Tattoo of the day
Saturday was another
glimpse into what is possible
in one long sitting at a
convention. Penny walked
with another second place trophy for the flaming eye inked in her nether-region
(upper thigh) by Hungarian Laszllo Barath, who Penny obviously had a
crush on all weekend. First place for tattoo of the day Saturday went to
Michael Pogue for his tattoo by Randi Polillo of Ink Castle Tattoo.
By Sunday, the only thing keeping the fans from enjoying every second
of the convention was the sound in the room. While Chris Longo announced
the contest winners, the echo in the huge convention center made it impossible
to understand what he was saying. Finally, Penny Funk got up on stage,
grabbed the mic from a stunned Longo, and said "Talk slower. We can't understand
a fucking word your saying!" From that point on, all the winners made
it promptly to the stage, and the crowd knew when to clap. Trophies were
handed out for best overall male and female, best sleeve and backpiece, and
best portrait and cover-up. Also, a best flash award going to Jim Class.
After
a weekend of fun, food, tattoos, and spiritual enlightenment in the hotel
rooms, the convention closed with Sunday's tattoo of the day. New Zealander
Renee Lee won the trophy for a beautiful black and grey portrait by Joe
Capobianco.
Hats off to Eddie, Penny and Troy for an action packed weekend of tattoos
and for bringing the NorthEast community even closer. Also, big thanks for
the hospitality provided by the production company and convention center.
Can't wait to see you next year.
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