The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: tattoo expo

  • Tattoo Expo Brings Body Art to Humboldt County

    Tattoo Expo Brings Body Art to Humboldt County

    by Emma Sjostrom

    Tattoo artists, enthusiasts, piercers and piercers alike came together this past weekend for the 13th annual Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo at the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. Featuring over 30 artists, the three day event allowed attendees to get tattoos, piercings and to simply witness tattoo artists’ work. 

    Not unlike the planners and artists themselves, some patrons have been looking forward to the event for weeks. Take for example, Ashley Juarez-Mazariegos who came to the expo for a long-awaited tattoo. 

    “It’s my first time at the expo so it’s exciting,” Juarez-Mazariegos said. 

    As music rang and tattoo needles buzzed, attendees excitedly chatted with artists and meandered around their booths. Expo goers were not the only ones excited. What started as a rushed event scrambled together in 3 months and just a $15,000 budget back in 2009, has turned into a much-anticipated showcase of art that draws numerous tattoo artists from Humboldt County and beyond. Co-hosts and owners of NorCal Tattoo Ted and Amy Marks spoke about what an event such as this brings for the community. 

    “Humboldt gets to see the best work they’re ever going to see, and artists get to see Humboldt for the first time,” Ted Marks said. 

    This so-called heart-to-heart connection is what in part inspired the convention, and the logo for that matter. According to the Marks’, the event allows for local artists to work alongside artists who have traveled great distances to get to the event. 

    Ventura Tattoos for example made the over 600-mile trek from Southern California to be in Humboldt for the event. Artist Danny Rentevia expressed excitement for the convention, despite what he described as the stress and jarring nature of leaving the familiarity of their shop and coming here. 

    “It’s a great event, it’s a great time,” Rentevia said. “It’s just fun to be here.” 

    As a local, Amy Marks touched on how the expo has grown into the event that it is now and what that has brought for the community. 

    “I love [this event], especially growing up here there was never anything like this,” Amy Marks said. “Nobody’s done it up here, so it’s fun for us to work together.” 

    Photo by Alex Anderson | Former Eureka high teacher, 63 year old Craig Carroll shows off his tattoos at the Inked Hearts Expo.

    More than just a prime time to get a tattoo, featured tattooists say the event serves as a sort of celebration of the art form, or at the very least a chance to interact with other artists. The event allows for artists to speak of their work with each other and clients, be highlighted in daily contests, and even get tattooed by fellow artists. 

    “This cannot be replicated, I guarantee it,” Ted Marks said. “[Large shows] are cool and sometimes there’s a lot of people, but none of the artists talk. And art doesn’t grow in that environment.” 

    As a relatively small event, Ted and Amy marks have gotten offers to expand their operation, offers that they have readily denied.

    The Marks’ also commented on what Cal Poly Humboldt students have brought for their shop and expo. Ted Marks  mentioned his pride from seeing new students come to their shop to bond with new roommates and friends to witnessing them graduate. 

    “It’s amazing, without [the students] we’d be done,” Ted Marks said. “Cal Poly keeps us going.” 

    While the event has passed, students have not missed their chance at a tattoo. Artists featured at the event can be found through the event’s Instagram page @inkedhearts_tattoo. Students can also enjoy discounts for good grades at NorCal Tattoo. They are located at 750 16th St., in Arcata, and can be contacted by phone at (707) 496-7034 or Instagram @norcaltattoo707.

  • Under the gun

    Under the gun

    The pros and cons for artists at tattoo expos

    Tattoo guns were whirring and the Blue Lake Casino was jam packed with tattoo artists from around the country attending the 10th annual Inked Hearts tattoo expo. This past weekend they opened up their doors to roughly 50 artists who all specialize in various styles and techniques of their art.

    Riley Smith is the owner of two tattoo shops, Lifetime Tattoo and Queen Bee, both located in Oregon. He is no stranger to expos, attending an average of 20 expos per year as well as being the founder of three expos himself. These expos are the Evergreen Tattoo Invitational, Evergreen Tattoo Champions and the 208 Boise Tattoo Fest.

    “Actually it was a bit of a fluke, me and my business partner Josh McCarlton, he’s the master of realism tattoos, got together and decided we wanted to make tattoo shows better,” Smith said.

    CAUDILLO.TATT (18).EXPO20190208.jpg Being tattooed by Jared Glassburn from Vancouver, WA. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    [perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”Riley Smith” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Of all the shows I do around the world this is my favorite show.”[/perfectpullquote]

    Having a long history with expos, he said that the best part of these expos is being able to see artists do what they’re best at, but did mention that expos aren’t the most ideal place to tattoo a person. However, he does have a high appreciation for Inked Hearts.

    “I’m honored to be here,” Smith said. “Of all the shows I do around the world this is my favorite show.”

    Nico Herring, an artist at Inkfatuation located in Port Hueneme, California, shared a lengthy list of both pros and cons, in which he agrees with Smith on some. Having attended expos in the past and specifically Inked Hearts twice, he had a few things to share.

    “You get new clientele, you get to meet new artists from around the world, you get to see artists tattoo that you’ve been wanting to see,” Herring said. “Cons…traveling and having to fish for appointments, but normally there’s a lot of people that come so it’s not too big of a deal.”

    CAUDILLO.TATT (17).EXPO20190208.jpg Michael Bales, artist from Texas, is tattooing a large quail and flowers in his original style. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    Artists who attend these shows can make anywhere from $1,000 to $12,000 per expo weekend. There are some artists who find that despite making those few thousand it is difficult to break even when you take into consideration the traveling costs. These artists do agree that coming to these expos is worth the hours long drive or various flights.

    First timer Ceka Kitami, from Faces in the Dark tattoo shop in Kyle, Texas, said that for her the most grueling part of an expo is the traveling. Her team and her had to fly to Humboldt with all of their supplies and then haul it to Blue Lake via car.

    “I always learn something new every expo I go to, but the traveling and having to lug all of your stuff all around the world isn’t very fun,” Kitami said.

    CAUDILLO.TATT (12).EXPO20190208.jpg Woman gets artwork done on her arm at the expo.

    Joe Elliott, who owns Tattoo Joe’s out of Vacaville, California, mentions that he has been coming to Inked Hearts for nine straight years. He only does three shows a year and Inked Hearts is always one of them. He enjoys being able to catch up with old artist friends and see new talent.

    “It’s like a working vacation,” Elliott said.

  • Inked Hearts leaves mark

    Inked Hearts leaves mark

    Tattoo artists and enthusiasts looking for a good time flocked to the Blue Lake Casino last weekend for the ninth annual Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo. Hosted by Amy and Ted Marks from NorCal Tattoo in Arcata, the event featured multiple contests, pageants, local vendors and, of course, plenty of ink.

    Gucci, a 35-year-old carpenter from Monterey, comes to Inked Hearts every year. Inked from head to toe, Gucci does not only come for the tattoos, but to see the friends.

    “I love Inked Hearts,” Gucci said. “It’s nice because everyone gets to know each other. It’s getting better every year.”

    Gucci’s skin sported the pieces which won best black and gray and the best back awards. The trophy was awarded to his artist Juan Gonzalez from Exclusive Ink in Salinas.

    A man who calls himself Gucci shows off his Jackie Robinson tattoo, which won the “Best Black and Grey” award at the Inked Hearts Expo at Blue Lake Casino and Hotel Sapphire Palace on Feb. 4. Gucci’s tattoo was done by artist Juan Gonzalez. Photo by Megan Bender.

    Other awards for the show included best leg, best traditional, best arm, best tribal and best in show. All winners received one-of-a-kind trophies crafted by local artist Ken Beidleman of the Kinetic Sculpture Lab.

    Tattoos were not the only draw for attendees this year. Other events included the hot guy/hot girl contest, the Super Bully Bowl dog pageant and the “hot wings of death” challenge sponsored by Humboldt Hot Sauce.

    During this entertaining spectacle, a group of eight contestants were required to choke down 12 spicy chicken wings in three minutes to compete for a $250 cash prize, a trophy and a $500 gift certificate from NorCal Tattoo.

    Three sweaty, watery-eyed winners took to the challenge. NorCal Tattoo was kind enough to give them each a $500 gift certificate.

    One winner, Bill McBroom, said he wasn’t in it for the money or the tattoos. He plans to give the gift certificate to his daughter.

    “I got the trophy and the bragging rights,” McBroom said. Then, quoting a sign made for him, “Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.”

    Fortuna resident, Nate Peake, 25, came to support McBroom, his girlfriend’s dad. He was very proud of his performance. Peake said he was also excited about the rest of the expo and was maybe planning to get a tattoo while he was there.

    “A lot of phenominal artists are here,” Peake said.

    Beyond providing eclectic events and a haven for tattoo heads, Inked Hearts helped to support the local economy. Ted Marks, owner of NorCal Tattoo and owner of the show, said the event helps support not only Blue Lake Casino and NorCal, but many other local businesses as well.

    “It makes all the tattoo shops see a boom for the next couple of months,” Marks said. “The people who come spend their money in town, a lot of money gets poured back into the community.”

    Marks said this was by far the biggest turnout for Inked Hearts and he was extremely pleased with this year’s event. He is already planning for the 10th anniversary in 2019. This event is important because tattooing means everything to him.

    “It means I get to show what I love,” Marks said. “I get to show the culture that embraced me and didn’t judge me. Being a part of that fuels me and motivates me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”