Tattoos/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding tattoos and tattoo artists as well as Canadian tattoo shops.

Experience in the area

Over 30 years as a top rate tattoo artist and tattoo shop owner. ATI registered Master Tattoo Artist / Body Art Technician. Founding member BC Body Art Association.

Organizations

To The Point Tattoo Canadian Arts Council Tattoo Association of BC

Publications

Tattoo Flash magazine, Tattoo World magazine

Education/Credentials

M.Sc. degree in health sciences and M.A. in fine arts.

Awards and Honors

3 magazine features in Tattoo Flash.

Past/Present Clients

G. Simmons, P. Stanley, Ryan Grice-Mullin (NFL), Roo Phelps (JRFM),

What do you like about this subject?

Tattoos have gone from the seedy backrooms to the mainstream, high-end level of prominence that such beautiful artwork should have had all along. The level of creativity had risen exponentially and the modern artist is becoming a true master of the craft.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope to have enough influence in the industry in Canada to make mandatory exams and certification a reality and thereby get rid of the dangerous and untalented "scratchers" out there whom are damaging people with unsafe and untrained practices and procedures.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Canada has only 2 provinces where a tattoo artist requires certification. The rest of the country is (sadly) unregulated. I believe that certification should be mandatory for ALL tattoo artists and piercers.