Bossman75

Today the 13th edition of the International London Tattoo Convention  begins and it's the first I've missed since 2008. Held once again at the Tobacco Docks and boasting over 400 international artists as well as live acts like the Fuel Girls and artists like Cam Rackam . Each year it's touted as bigger and better than ever, and that's likely apart from one exception. The crew from Deer's Eye Studio in LA won't be in attendance.  If I'm honest as much as I like the atmosphere, the entertainment, the food and booze, really the reason I keep going is to see the guys. In previous years I've had the honour of meeting some of the World's greatest artists, including legends like Jack Rudy who will be in attendance and I believe tattooing this weekend. A small part of me does wish I was going but not enough to do anything about it. This weekend I have plans which I would have gotten out of had they travelled but for whatever reason the show mus...

The 10th London International Tattoo Convention, the greatest, most respected and prestigious body art convention in the world, is to be held on 26th, 27th and 28th September 2014 at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, London E1W 2SF. When The London Tattoo Convention was established a decade ago, it was estimated that one in eight of all British adults had been inked. In 2010 it was guesstimated that a fifth of all adults had got at least one tattoo, and now it is estimated that at least a third of all British adults have gone under the needle. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to hear that attendance figures have risen from 3,500 at original venue The Old Truman Brewery ten years ago, to well over 20,000 at the vast, picturesque setting of Tobacco Dock last year. Sabina Kelley an elegant and sensual statuesque platinum blonde pin-up girl with singular grace and style, has been chosen to star as fairy godmother of this year’s convention. A hugely succes...

I first saw Toshi at the International London Tattoo Convention in 2008 I think. He was being worked on by master of the single needle Chuey Quinatanar now of Deer's Eye Studio (then Good Time Charlies Tattooland). It wasn't until the following convention (or maybe the one after that) that I got to meet him and discuss some ideas around jewellery. A native of Japan, Toshi has a very distinct look about him, definitely punk rock with a dash of menacing. However this can be misleading. Then again, as a member of US Thugs and mates with the likes of Skinhead Rob and the members of Rancid, well you can make your own mind up. I find just being around Toshi inspiring. He exudes creativity and a certain spirituality. He's calm, focused and caring. The dude could be from another planet, here to enlighten us and bless us with his works of art. He's somewhat of a recluse and chooses to spend the majority of his time honing his skills, but when he does come out he's a riot. I...

The 9th International London Tattoo Convention happened this past weekend with over three hundred artists from around the World, plus entertainment, merchandise stalls, food and drink. This event is NOT billed as The Happiest Place On Earth nor will you find the tag line Too Much Magic For Just One Day. However, this is well and truly my version of Disneyland and exactly how I would describe it. This was my sixth visit to the convention and my interest and excitement has never waned. There are always artists I wish to see and talk to, not so sure the feeling is always mutual. I tend to come across as a stalker. Not a great impression but I promise you it's all with good will and the best intention. I should have been behaving like this in my teens and not as I get ever closer to forty, but this is how it is. I was accompanied by my Brother this year and set out to visit a handful of artists and try and see some of the entertainment that we usually...