Melbourne Tattoo Convention

Random Tattoo Pictures & Words

The 21st Annual Tattoo Convention in Melbourne pulled up pretty good after organized chaos the night before doors were meant to open. At one stage it didn't look like the doors weren't gonna open at all on Friday as certain people in charge went AWOL.

The Carlton Crest Hotel Bar probably sold more grog from Thursday night until Sunday night as a steady stream of tattoo enthusiasts and artists took over the place. Had to laugh at some of the scared hotel guests as they pulled up in taxis to be met by a group of well tattooed guys hanging out front.

Some of the well known tattoo artists were booked weeks in advance by people travelling from overseas to get tattooed by them. I was hoping to get some more Polynesian style tatau work done on my arms by the guys at Moko Ink but they were booked the entire weekend!

Joe Capobianco and Julio Rodrigues from Hope Gallery were buzzing away from the getgo by a steady queue of people looking to get inked by these two legends. These guys are not only true professionals but awesome guys as well.

Lisa Schmoldt and Miss Mikki from the USA and Nadine Bryant from New Zealand were flat out doing mostly larger tattoos on females. If you are ever in their home towns you should check them out.

But by far the most impressive part of the day was when four (five at one stage) Japanese artists started a charcoal drawing together from scratch. It was mind-blowing to watch these guys working in unison to create this drawing.

Pity they didn't try to auction the drawing at the end cause I am sure it would raked them in a few hundred dollars. There were at least two serious buyers willing to bid on the drawing. Apart from that watching these masters at work was a treat. These Japanese tattoo artists are really in a league of their own and taking tattooing to new heights.

Was hoping to see Horigen in action but I think he was happy just kicking back and spending time with his family. I will hopefully be in Japan in September so will definitely hook up with Horigen and the other Japanese tattoo artists.

The final day of the convention on Sunday was very chilled and it gave me time to catch up with some of the tattoo artists that I have admired for years. All I have to do now get my ass in gear to get over to Japan, New Zealand and back to the States. Stay tuned for more convention tales...