A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Tattoo Hollywood, Day One: Lizards, Leg-Humping, Air Sex and More


Well, the first day of Tattoo Hollywood (yesterday, that is) went off with nary a hitch! A solid Friday turn-out, plenty of great work and very few indications that there will be any sort of East coast/West coast dance-off at any point. After the jump, lots and lots of pictures.

It’s the BME booth! It’s always nice to have friends stop by and work for free.

Here we have Aaron Is out of Bunny Brigade, who was apparently hit in the groin with a football immediately before this picture was taken, going to work on Melanie’s leg.

Bob Roberts and Norm, hanging out in the front of the Spotlight Tattoo booth.

“Oh my God, are you taking my picture? I am so surprised! I was not expecting this at all!”

Meg, making sweet love to the Hollywood skyline.

The entertainment for the weekend consists largely of our old pal The Lizardman and Joel Keith, pictured above. Earlier in the day, we’d overheard a member of the hotel staff say they hoped any comedy or performances would be kept PG-13. Joel, of course, took the stage and immediately launched into an Air Sex exhibition, which is like air guitar, but with slightly more imaginary semen. He was promptly arrested and thrown into the Sunset Boulevard gulag, forever.

The Lizardman worked a little blue (and a lot green! Hi-oooo!) as well, but who can stay mad at a punim like this? We hadn’t seen his act in quite some time, but his transition from straight sideshow into a more comedy-heavy act seems to be working out well. I wish I had a rebuttal to his argument that, when it comes to George W. Bush and Nickelback, Canada currently has more to answer for on account of the latter still being active while the former has been put out to pasture, but I just don’t. Goddamn you, Nickelback.

And then, of course, there is your editor, who typically ends up being the entertainment for the entertainers. Whether it’s our utilitarian Gap button-down shirt or Young Republican hair cut, The Lizardman seems fairly convinced that we’re a narc, and so Dr. Ho attempted to rattle us by vigorously humping our leg. We just stood there stoically, dying a little on the inside with every passing second.

The refractory period.

And what would a convention be without a little friendly competition? Here, of course, is the judges’ table. It’s good to be a judge.

Among the contestants for Tattoo Of The Day was the aforementioned Melanie, sporting a piece by the also aforementioned Aaron Is from Bunny Brigade.

Here we have Jameson wearing a piece by Grant Cobb out of Spotlight Tattoo.

That’d be Nick with fresh work by Brian at Tattoo Gallery in Huntington.

And finally, Dareo’s brand new piece by Klown at Lifestyle.

We’ve got much more coming, so keep checking back!

All photography by Phil Barbosa, Thaddeus Brown and Jen Savage.

Tattoo Hollywood, BME’s first tattoo convention, is going on right now in Los Angeles from August 21-23, featuring contests, prizes and some of the best artists from around the world! Click here for more information.

Comments

28 responses to “Tattoo Hollywood, Day One: Lizards, Leg-Humping, Air Sex and More”

  1. nope Avatar
    nope

    ah-mazing.

  2. nope Avatar
    nope

    ah-mazing.

  3. Laura Avatar

    Shit, that last tattoo is so fucking beautiful. I’m in awe

  4. Laura Avatar

    Shit, that last tattoo is so fucking beautiful. I’m in awe

  5. deeeeeeee! Avatar

    seee you guys tomorrow :]

  6. deeeeeeee! Avatar

    seee you guys tomorrow :]

  7. fascinatingnewthing Avatar
    fascinatingnewthing

    despite the “Young Republican” coif, I am strangely attracted to out editor. Hey Jordan….how you doin’?

  8. fascinatingnewthing Avatar
    fascinatingnewthing

    despite the “Young Republican” coif, I am strangely attracted to out editor. Hey Jordan….how you doin’?

  9. fascinatingnewthing Avatar
    fascinatingnewthing

    ahem…our editor.

  10. fascinatingnewthing Avatar
    fascinatingnewthing

    ahem…our editor.

  11. blackberry Avatar

    Out of all the cool artist their fucking lizard retard gets featured… i wanna see new artist on here

  12. blackberry Avatar

    Out of all the cool artist their fucking lizard retard gets featured… i wanna see new artist on here

  13. Joeltron Avatar

    Love how Jon snuck into most of those photos.

    Missin you LA! <3

  14. Joeltron Avatar

    Love how Jon snuck into most of those photos.

    Missin you LA! <3

  15. rdza_spi Avatar

    The lowest one, juz breathtaking:)

    Waiting for more!:)

  16. rdza_spi Avatar

    The lowest one, juz breathtaking:)

    Waiting for more!:)

  17. Laurel Avatar

    I really like the last one as well but when I first saw it I couldn’t tell what body part it was on because of the angle. The hair worried me. XD Then I realized. Haha

  18. Laurel Avatar

    I really like the last one as well but when I first saw it I couldn’t tell what body part it was on because of the angle. The hair worried me. XD Then I realized. Haha

  19. aleks Avatar

    so fucking nice pics, hola desde mex

  20. aleks Avatar

    so fucking nice pics, hola desde mex

  21. vini Avatar

    the guy with dr.ho looks a bit like matthew mcconaughey , at least i think so …

  22. vini Avatar

    the guy with dr.ho looks a bit like matthew mcconaughey , at least i think so …

  23. mark Avatar
    mark

    i would really really like some info on that crazy tattoo machine from the first pic! thanks you!

  24. mark Avatar
    mark

    i would really really like some info on that crazy tattoo machine from the first pic! thanks you!

  25. alouicious Avatar
    alouicious

    happiness is seeing seeing a picture of someone wearing a t-shirt you designed at a convention you wish you could have attended… (warm fuzzies)

  26. alouicious Avatar
    alouicious

    happiness is seeing seeing a picture of someone wearing a t-shirt you designed at a convention you wish you could have attended… (warm fuzzies)

  27. Wanda Avatar
    Wanda

    That last tattoo made me go “ohhhh” out loud. What a GORGEOUS piece of art. I am amazed. Bravo!

  28. Wanda Avatar
    Wanda

    That last tattoo made me go “ohhhh” out loud. What a GORGEOUS piece of art. I am amazed. Bravo!

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