Earth Day & 10th Anniversary
As we rush from April in to May, there is a lot going on and coming up! Earth Day was April 22 and our 10th anniversary is May 3rd. Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and May Flash Day is the 28th! This year we only have the time to jump into 1 of those. We will be having a IG Live Client Appreciation Party for our anniversary, see details below. Check back in a week or two for the new May Flash on the Flash page.
Ink for the Earth: How Tattoos Reflect Environmental Values on Earth Day
Every April 22, Earth Day reminds us to honor and protect the planet we call home. While many people celebrate with clean-up projects, tree plantings or sustainability pledges, others express their love for the environment in a more permanent way – through tattoos.
Tattoos have long been a canvas for personal beliefs and identity, and in recent years, Earth inspired ink has become a powerful symbol of environmental consciousness. Designs range from delicate botanicals and endangered species to entire ecosystems and climate justice messages. For many, these tattoos are more than beautiful artwork – they are lifelong commitments to sustainability and a visible declaration of values.
But celebrating Earth Day in the tattoo world doesn’t stop with the artwork itself. More artists are adopting eco-friendly practices in their studios:
o Plant based inks and cruelty free pigments are gaining popularity.
o Biodegradable razors, compostable ink caps, and recyclable PPE are replacing single use plastics.
o Studios are reducing waste and switching to non-toxic cleaning products.
Some tattooers even offer Earth Day flash specials where a portion of proceeds is donated to environmental charities, making the art not just meaningful, but impactful.
For tattoo enthusiasts and artists alike, Earth Day is a chance to reflect – not only on what we put on our bodies, but also on how our choices impact the planet. Whether you’re getting an image of your favorite tree, honoring an animal at risk, or simply supporting a green studio, tattoos can be a powerful way to wear your environmental heart on your sleeve – literally.
10th Anniversary Client Appreciation Party
On May 3rd at 1 pm, Caroline will be live on Instagram answering questions and telling stories about her 27 years tattooing and 10 years owning her own shop. Back in the 90s, not many women finished their apprenticeships, much less continued tattooing in such a male driven industry. She has gone to more conventions that you can count, both in the USA and over seas. She has appeared on Ink Master twice, Rivals and Redemption, and sits on the board of the APT, the industry trade organization.
So, tune in to the Live event to hear the answers to your burning questions and exciting stories from Ink Master and many conventions. If you have any questions, comments or want to hear about any of her experiences, email RadiantEnergyTattoo@gmail.com or comment on the social media posts advertising the Anniversary.
Easter Tattoos
Caroline, Casey and Melanie went to the New England Tattoo Expo and had a blast. Flash Day is coming up on April 23rd and Easter can be great inspo for a tattoo.
Ink and Resurrection: How Tattoos Can Reflect the Spirit of Easter
Easter, often seen as a celebration of resurrection, renewal and hope, may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about tattoos, but the two can connect in surprisingly meaningful ways.
Tattoos are deeply personal expressions and for many, they mark turning points, transformations, or tributes to faith. Just as Easter tells the story of death giving way to new life, a tattoo can symbolize a personal resurrection; healing after loss, emerging stronger from hardship, or embracing a new chapter.
Common Easter inspired tattoos include crosses, lilies, lambs or even scripture verses – each carrying a deep symbolism of sacrifice, purity and spiritual rebirth. Others might choose less direct symbols, like butterflies or blooming flowers, to represent transformation and renewal.
Even beyond religious meaning, Easter’s themes can speak to anyone who’s ever needed a reminder that after darkness, light always returns – and what better way to carry that reminder than inked on skin, close to the heart?
Photo by Brandon Morales on Unsplash
Passover Tattoos?
While Caroline, Casey and Melanie are in CT for the New England Tattoo Expo, the rest of the world is getting ready for Passover. Well, part of the world anyway, which begs the question…How does that relate to tattooing?
Flash Day is April 23rd, check out the new flash sheets here… https://www.myradiantenergy.net/flash-sheets
Plus tax day is coming up… Have you taken Caroline’s Tax Seminar?
“You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord” – Leviticus 19:28
This is a passage that has been debated for years. Does it mean not to tattoo false idols or ancestors on your body for the purposes of worship? Or does it mean no tattoos at all, ever?
In ancient times, this passage became Jewish law to prevent the Israelites from following the religious practices of non-Jews and those of the nearby Baal tribe who were practicing ceremonial tattooing. For the last 1,000 years, it has meant “no tattoos at all, ever,” but there were 2,000 years where tattoos were not banned and between those 2 schools of thought, there was a time where it was seriously debated. So seriously in fact, that the debate continues today, butt consider this… Some archeologists suggest that there is evidence of Jews tattooing themselves without the intent of idol worship, but possibly fostering their Jewish identity.
The Torah was written in a timeless language for a reason, so that each generation could interpret it for themselves and build on the interpretations of the previous generation to further understand what God wants of them. So, in an attempt to become the most pious of Jews, past generations banned tattoos, but may have stunted the newer generation and prevented them from increasing piety and expressing their Jewish identities through body art. Can this further their own path of worship in a way that could be acceptable within the laws of the Torah? Just because a person tattoos an image on their body, it doesn’t mean they are idolizing it as more than what it is, a symbol, a reminder. Speaking of reminders, has the holocaust dampened the minds of recent generations to the point of continuing the ban? Is Gen Z too far removed to be bothered by that symbolism? It seems the debate is nowhere near over, but still going strong.
So, will we be seeing Jewish symbols and other Jewish tattoos becoming popular? What do you think?
https://tcjewfolk.com/2011/08/10/living-leviticus-tattoos/
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Spring Skin Care
The New England Tattoo Expo is next week! Caroline and Casey only have a couple of appointments available. If you are going to be in CT and want a tattoo, book your appointment now before it’s too late!!!
Flash Day is April 23rd, check out our new Flash Sheet section for this month’s flash!
We haven’t forgotten about our Dice Roll Contest, it is once again being revamped to be easy and fun for all.
Dry skin is a common condition that can cause your tattoo to fade and lose it’s vibrancy before it’s time. Dry skin is caused by many factors that you can easily control. The following list of vitamins and supplements will help keep your skin and your tattoo in great condition.
1. Vitamin C
Some studies have shown that vitamin C helps reduce water loss and increases skin barrier function which will help prevent dry skin.
Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production.
2. Collagen
Collagen is the basic building block for your skin. It plays a major role in:
helping new cells grow
replacing dead skin cells
providing structure, strength and elasticity to your skin.
Studies have shown that taking oral collagen supplements daily increases skin hydration and eliminates dry skin.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s critical for many aspects of health, including the health of your skin.
The skin cells that make up the majority of the outer layer of skin are the only cells that can convert vitamin D into a form that your body can use. Vitamin D is necessary for skin barrier function and skin cell growth. This is integral to maintaining the skin which is your first line of defense in your immune system.
Some studies have shown that low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with dry skin, while other studies have shown that D supplements significantly improve symptoms of dry, itchy skin.
A study has shown that women with low vitamin D, also had lower than average skin moisture, but as their Vitamin D levels increased, so did their moisture levels.
4. Fish oil
Fish oil is well known for its properties that promote skin health. Supplements that have fish oil in them will reduce inflamation, reduce water loss and reduce itchiness. It will increase hydration, protect against sun damage, improve the fatty acid barrier and resolve scaling, cracked, dry skin.
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Unsplash
The Oldest Shop in America
This week's woman in history is Kari Barba. Spring skin care is very important. New England Tattoo Convention is coming up for Caroline and Casey!
Barba on inspiration for tattoos, “It comes from the mixing of minds, from the client’s artistic ideas mixed with my artistic ideas.”
Kari Barba was born on July 10, 1960 in Minneapolis. She is now based in Long Beach, CA, having moved there in 1980 to pursue tattooing as a full time career. She began tattooing at the age of 19 and in less than 5 years she opened her first shop, Twilight Fantasy, in Anaheim. Like other female tattoo artists, she fought against the predominantly male industry by supporting women tattooists from the beginning of her career.
Barba’s renown illustrative realism style has earned her over 500 tattoo awards. “two time winner as Best Tattooist, and once as Best overseas Tattooist, all in my early career. I have owned 7 shops over my years and currently own the oldest continually running tattoo shop in the nation, second oldest in the world, opened in 1927.” She is credited with being a ground breaker, by being one of the firsts to add color to the realism style of tattoo, but more importantly, one of the firsts to wear gloves and wrap her equipment, thus driving the standards of sterility in the tattoo industry.
In 2002, Kari bought the location of her current shop, Outer Limits Tattoo, 22 S. Chestnut Pl in Long Beach, CA. This location opened as a photography shop in 1902 on The Pike, commonly known as the Coney Island of the West. Along with the family friendly amusements that drew throngs of people, The Pike also drew hundreds of sailors on shore leave. So, in 1927, the location was reopened as a tattoo parlor. The Pike began a steady decline beginning in 1942 with Knott’s Berry Farm converting to an amusement park and the 1955 opening of Disneyland. As The Pike was losing its allure to families, the patrons looking for the seedier side of entertainment, sailors and bikers, became more prominent. As did the amount of tattoo parlors. Many famous tattoo artists opened shops, the most famous being Bert Grimm who opened Expert Tattoo in 1952 and the location has been operating as a tattoo shop continuously since, making it the oldest continuously operating tattoo shop in the continental United States.
The Pike was completely demolished in 1979, coincidentally the same year Kari began tattooing, due to the increasing danger in the area and criminals looking for quick cash who began targeting tattoo shops and other busy cash businesses. Because her shop is the last remaining business from the original Pike, she and Matt Hand (the manager of Outer Limits) are trying to preserve the connection with The Pike and the Long Beach Naval Shipyard to “represent and honor the past of Long Beach being a port city.”
“Instead of completely modernizing it, we only modernized it enough so you could still have that naval feel when you come in.” She said.
Barba is trying to establish a tattoo museum. This will preserve the history of tattooing in the US and well as document the evolution of tattooing from the times when artists had to hide their flash to today’s AI imagery. She has created a board of like-minded tattoo artists to form the Tattoo Heritage Museum. They are scouting possible locations in Long Beach to house the permanent collections, but there will be collections that tour the world. In an interview with Sebastian Grewal, Barba explains, “This museum will host permanent collections and collections that tour all over the world and will be the only tattoo museum in the world that is not within a tattoo shop.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kari_Barba
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kari-barba/
https://www.cloakanddaggerlondon.co.uk/tattoo-history-the-long-beach-pike/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pike#
https://www.californiasun.co/the-heyday-of-the-pike-the-coney-island-of-the-west/
Spring Skin Care
1. Kick dryness at night.
If you wake up with dry skin, moisturize at night. It’s easier to get ahead of a problem than fix it afterwards.
2. Cleansing cloths shouldn't be your first line of defense.
Wipes are more convenient, but not necessarily better.
3. Take your time when applying products.
Allow your moisturizers to absorb for a few minutes, especially if you use more than 1 product - ie. moisturizer and sun block.
4. The sun is responsible for fine lines.
Not only is the sun responsible for wrinkles, it fades your tattoo and burns your skin.
5. Vitamin C is your friend.
Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and contribute to aging, sun damage, and other skin issues. It’s a powerful antioxidant that offers numerous benefits for the skin, including brightening, reducing hyperpigmentation, boosting collagen production, and protecting against environmental damage.
Mother of Modern Tattooing
This weeks’ featured woman in history is Mildred Hull, the mother of modern tattooing. Flash Day is next weds 3/26 and don’t forget about the New England Tattoo Fest that Caroline and Casey will be attending at Mohegan Sun. Also, Spring has sprung! Time to ditch your winter skin care routine and start your spring skin care routine!
“No, it isn’t a handicap to be a woman in the tattooing business.” - MH
New York City, The Bowery, the intersection of Bowery, Chatham Square, and Division Street in the early 20th century. What would later become New York’s Chinatown was the birthplace of modern tattooing. At the time, the Bowery was home to a whole host of influential artists, who we now know as the founding fathers of the tattoo community, but for Women’s History month, we are going to discuss the mother of modern tattooing.
Born on April 23, 1897 in New York, Millie, as she was known to her friends, begins her story, “Ushered into the world 37 years ago on April 23, on a tough, tenement-choked Hamilton Street, not far from my present establishment, I was a sturdy little urchin from the word go. School never made a hit with me. After attending Transfiguration R. C. Parochial School and Public School 117, I quit cold at the age of 13. I don’t think the authorities shed many tears. They saw very little of me anyway. My resignation made my absence official.”
Millie found work as a burlesque dancer, but soon found out that she could make more money in the circus. She goes on to explain, “The operator of the tattoo parlor saw an opportunity to bleed me dry financially. I had a few weak spells as a result of the tattooing, but mainly I suffered anemia of the bankroll. The sideshow tout told me I was a sap to be like the other girls. Why, if I’d get tattooed all over I could make $80 a week with the circus, and that would be only the start. The figures made me a trifle dizzy.”
She was completely tattooed with a month by the legendary Charlie Wagner. She described the experience like this.
“They started with my arms. Two more treatments disposed of my legs as low as my instep. Spaced by days, there followed two applications on my thighs, the operation feeling like a mild burn as long as the needles made contact with my flesh. Then there were four more treatments, delicate, painstaking, on my sides and back. And finally color ran riot on my chest. Was I embarrassed to have these men treat my body? What does a woman do when she visits a doctor?”
In the late 1930s, after studying under Charlie Wagner himself, Millie opened her own shop in the Bowery. Her Tattoo Emporium was located at #16 Bowery in the back of a barbershop. It is rumored that tattooing was banned in NYC during that time which could be the reason most tattoo artists set up shop in tiny locations such as a back corner inside other businesses, under stairways and even in horse drawn carriages. The barber shop where Millie worked was a clean space with a male clientele, the perfect spot for the only woman tattooist in the city.
She became known as the Queen of the Bowery and obviously pushed the boundaries of acceptable female behavior. It is said that she was a member of the infamous Butterfly Club, a group of women (usually prostitutes) that had a butterfly tattoo on their vulva as a symbol of sexual liberation. Knowing the modesty of the times there is no proof, photographic or otherwise to confirm that this club even existed. Other influential and inspiring accomplishments were the mere facts that not only was she a self sufficient, employed woman, she was a talented business owner who ran a very successful business for over 25 years in a tough part of town that catered to the depravity of soldiers and sailors.
This makes her next achievement all the more impressive. In 1936, she was featured on the cover of Family Circle. This was a magazine that provided tips to help the modern housewife to run the home efficiently. In an age where almost all women were housewives, Millie’s fully tattooed body was proudly displayed for the masses, extolling the unprecedented determination to blaze a trail for other women tattooists and for women in general to break down gender barriers in other industries.
https://www.instagram.com/bradfink/reel/CwQj5ldB1NS/
Unfortunately, of all her incredible successes, Millie lost her lifelong battle with depression. She committed suicide by poison in a Bowery restaurant in 1947.
"MILLIE, TATTOO LADY" IS FOUND DEAD HERE.
New York Times, Aug. 16, 1946
A woman said by the police and by former associates to have been known to countless seafaring men the world over as "Millie Hull the Tattoo Lady" was found dead yesterday in a rest room in the Gladworth Company, Inc., restaurant at 199 Worth Street. Her entire body, with the exception of her face and hands, was covered with Tattooing.
Proprietors of tattooing establishments on the Bowery said "Millie" had been known to them as for a long period as an expert in the tattooing "art," and had worked in a number of tattooing places. Sailors for whom she had wrought designs in the past sought her out when they desired additional tattooing, they said. Occasionally she took summer vacations to work in sideshows.
No one questioned by the police, however, appeared to know any other details about "Millie." On her person was found a savings bank book bearing the name Mildred Lee, but no address, and showing $135 on deposit.
When found lying on the rest room floor by Carmine Cerone, the restaurant manager, "Millie" was wearing a yellow blouse, blue slacks, blue bobby sox and brown and white sport shoes. Beside her, the police said, was a bottle of pills.
The police declared that she had been ill and apparently had died of natural causes. She was believed to be about 50 years old.
https://www.nyctattooshop.com/mildred-hull-new-yorks-first-female-tattoo-artist/
https://www.tattooarchive.com/history/hull_mildred.php
https://www.widowtattoo.com/blog/tattoo-pioneers-mildred-millie-hull
Tattooed Circus Lady
This week’s historical woman is more than just a circus freak. FLASH DAY is March 26, see the new flash below. We donated 2 more $150 gift certificates, this time to Drum Point Elementary PTA for their upcoming May events. Don’t forget the New England Convention is 4 weeks away! Book your Connecticut appointment today!
“It hurt something awful, but it was worth it.” - Betty Broadbent
Sue Lillian Brown, aka Betty Broadbent, was born in Zellwood, FL 11/1/1909. When she was 14, she met Jack Redcloud on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. She was fascinated by the fact that he was covered in tattoos. This began her interest in tattooing. Redcloud introduced her to his tattoo artist, Charlie Wagner, who, in 1927, along with Tony Rhineagear, Joe Van Hart, and Red Gibbons, began tattooing a 565 piece body suit on her.
She was offered a position in the circus from Wagner’s friend Clyde Ingalls. Not only was Betty the tattooed lady for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, but she also performed with Tom Mix as a steer rider. She worked as a tattoo artist in shops from NYC to San Francisco and as far north as Montreal. Her international career began in 1937 when she worked for independent circuses in New Zealand and Australia.
Being a woman in the 1930s with a body full of tattoos she did not embody the traditional views of beauty for women of the time. In 1939, she challenged these views by participating in a beauty pageant at the NY worlds fair. Of the 300 contestants was a large group of women who were fair workers and performers. The theme of the fair that year was “The World of Tomorrow” and the slogan they used was “The Dawn of a New Day.” Little did they know tattoos would steadily become more and more popular from then on. Another noteworthy fact about that pageant was that it was the first televised beauty pageant.
In a New York Times interview, Betty said of her famous back piece, a spread eagle that covered her back from shoulder to shoulder and took over 6 sessions, “It hurt something awful, but it was worth it.” Other tattoos include the Madonna and child on her back, Charles Lindbergh tattooed her right leg and a tattoo of Pancho Villa on her left leg.
Betty worked in the US until her retirement in 1967. In 1981, she was the first person to be inducted into the Tattoo Hall of Fame and was the most photographed tattooed woman of the 20th century. While living in Florida, she passed away in her sleep on March 28, 1983.
Women’s History Month
It’s women’s history month, so we will be featuring notable women in the tattoo industry. Flash day is March 26th. Don’t forget about the New England Tattoo Expo 4/ 11-13 and the answers to the new contest are below!!!
"Before, it was bikers getting the tattoos and 'bad boys.' Now (everybody from) lawyers to sport stars are getting them. The business is growing fast." - Deana Lippens
Deana Lippens opened her tattoo shop, Deana’s Skin Art Studio, in Christmas, FL in 1980. In the mid 1990s, she realized it was time for women to be recognized in the male dominated arena of tattooing. She organized the first Marked for Life Female Tattoo Artist Expo in 1995 with about 20 artists that she knew professionally. By that time, she had been tattooing for 26 years. From there, the expo had grown to over 60 artists and had become international with artists coming from Canada, Scotland, and Europe.
As with regular conventions, Marked for Life was open to the public and featured tattoo and creative art contests as well as educational seminars on tattoo safety and techniques. This female only convention was groundbreaking because although the industry was becoming more accepting of female artists, there was no school where they could learn tattooing skills. In a 2007 interview with The Ledger, Lippens explained, “It's apprentice only; somebody has to teach you. Guys only taught who they chose. Now it's opened up more."
February Tattoo Paint Roll Contest
The Criteria for these flash designs was 1. Foot, 2. Neo-trad, 3. Water, 4. Snake, 5. Pot Leaf
Each month, our artists create flash designs from criteria chosen by Tattoo Paint Roll dice. Each design will contain a body placement, a tattoo style, and 3 images. The flash designs are posted to Facebook, Instagram, and tiktok. Find the post, comment your answers. One week after posting, the comments are tallied and winners decided. All criteria must be commented in order to win. Winners will receive a Radiant Energy Tattoo t-shirt.
Shore Saves Animal Rescue Fund Raiser Event
Radiant Energy Tattoo donated a $150 gift certificate to this event. Here is the info from their website.
Shore Saves is hosting our 4th annual Rescue Pawlooza, the fundraising event that helps our non-profit rescue dogs from NJ’s overcrowded shelters all year long, on May 10th at Bar Anticipation (Bar A) in Lake Como, NJ.
This 21+, humans-only event is one you don't want to miss! Plus, no matter how you participate, you’ll help us save dogs. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year. 100% of event proceeds go directly to providing our dogs with shelter, medical care, food, training, and love while we find their forever families.
Email shoresaves@gmail.com with the number of people in your party and their names. Pay for your tickets via any of the following methods:
Venmo: @shoresaves
Paypal: Shore Saves
Check: Please mail checks to PO Box 7, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 and be sure to include the names you'd like the tickets reserved under
Ticket price covers admission. Though we'd love for everyone to participate in our epic basket raffle (details below), attendees are not required to do so! We'll have semi-separate spaces for those interested in participating in the raffle and those there to enjoy good company, delicious food, and fun drinks. There is no assigned seating - attendees are free to roam the large event space as they please.
If you'd like to participate in our basket raffle, you'll need to purchase raffle tickets separately at the event.
Bailey, Contest, Disease
What do these 3 things have in common? This end of February blog post. Miya Bailey, featured Black History tattoo artist; the dice roll contest photos are posted below and Rare Disease Day. For Rare Disease Day, celebrated on the last day of Feb because 2/29 is the rarest day, Caroline made a video to bring awareness to Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome. EDS is not a rare disease, but people have rarely heard of it. Being a tattoo artist is hard enough on the human body, but to have a debilitating disease on top of the regular stressors makes it that much worse. Caroline is currently working with Jordan of @the_tattooerhealthclub, an occupational therapist creating an exercise routine specifically designed to keep the tattoo artists’ body healthy throughout their careers. A video series on EDS is coming soon.
“Our community is one, but there’s different pockets in it, nd my pocket is the underground, the raw artists, the ones that came from nothing. I like those artists the best...” - MB
Born in 1975, Miya Bailey grew up in Asheville, NC. He has been tattooing for over 25 years and is the owner of Peters Street Station and City of Ink in Atlanta. The former, a multilevel, multi-use art and community space in Castleberry Hill and the latter, a custom tattoo parlor and art gallery originally founded by Miya Bailey, Tuki Carter and Corey Davis in 2006 is also located in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill Art District." You can learn more about the shop here https://www.instagram.com/cityofinkcastleberry/
Authors of the many articles written about him have referred to him as an illustrator, film producer, painter, celebrity tattoo artist, curator, a visionary, a humanitarian, and an inspiration to all creative professionals here and abroad. He is all those things and more. He is passionate about inspiring young artists to create to their highest potential and encouraging enthusiasts to support living artists by collecting art work from local and as yet unknown creators. You can see his art on IG https://www.instagram.com/miyabailey/?hl=en
Of Peters Street Station, he said, “I love Castleberry Hill; it’s my home, and I’ll do anything for this neighborhood. It’s always been good to me. It got my family out of situations, and I made my income here, so this is where I plant my seed.” You can visit the website https://blacklanta.org/listing/peters-street-station/
His documentary Color Outside the Lines, features other tattoo artists from around the country. One of the artists featured is Jacci Gresham who was featured in this blog a few weeks ago. Also featured is Tuki Carter with whom he originally opened his Atlanta shop. You can learn more about https://www.instagram.com/tukicarter/
You can watch the documentary here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmmjfI6cpM. Don’t forget to check out his IMDb so you can find his other films as well. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7381253/
Tattoo Dice Roll
What are the mandatory elements we had to use in our tattoo drawings? Find the post on our socials (FB, IG, tiktok) and comment your answers. Get all the elements and win a t-shirt!
Love Art, Flash and Pits
Remember Flash Day is Feb 26th, our flash sheets are bleow, on IG & FB and posted in the shop! Mohegan Sun convention is coming up, both Caroline and Casey will be there. We have many more events in the works and new merch coming to the shop soon!
“When we are creating and sharing the gifts of that creativity, we are living in Love. We come closer to God.” - Darnell Waine
Darnell Waine was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He was very young when he first noticed his artistic ability and loved being creative. After graduating from high school, he was not interested in art school, he was more attracted to tattooing. He did not want a regular job, so tattooing was the perfect career choice for him. He believes, “…drawing is the basis of a good tattooer’s abilities. The same principles apply in drawing and tattooing-—you’re just learning a different tool and canvas.” He has been tattooing for over 15 years and specializes in black & grey realism and illustrative realism. He loves tattooing portraits.
In an interview with Bethany Scott about his time on Best Ink, he said that the show was an awesome experience. “I like to compare it to a roller coaster ride—ups & downs and you get thrown for a loop from time to time. I definitely learned a lot about myself as an artist and things haven’t quite been the same since the show aired…in a good way, of course. Artistically there were definitely some tough competitors I was going up against. The other artists definitely kept me on my toes and pushed me to really dig deep creatively.”
Although tattooing is how he pays the bills, painting is his passion. And he does dig very deep creatively. This can be seen in his art at AMH Gallery which stands for All My Heart Gallery. Darnell once believed that his purpose in life was to create art. One day he found his highest purpose was Love. That art was not his greatest purpose, but his greatest tool to fulfill his purpose. Darnell’s art embodies the spirit of love and he shares his art to inspire others to cultivate love from within and share their love with others.
Darnell’s Gallery https://amhgallery.com/#home-section
IG https://www.instagram.com/darnellwaine/?hl=en
Interview with Bethany Scott https://www.edmondoutlook.com/my-outlook-darnell-waine/
WORKSxWAINE interview with VoyageLA https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-darnell-waine-worksxwaine-south-bay-los-angeles-ca/
2 Days 4 Pits
Radiant Energy has submitted a $150 gift certificate to Brick City Rescue’s Hardcore for Pits 7 weekend fundraiser. Pre-party, March 1st at Ghost Hawk Brewing Co, 321 River Road in Clifton. On March 2nd doors open 1pm at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ featuring Judge, The Take, Mephiskapheles, The Ice Cold Killers, Damage Done, Kirkby Kiss and Steady Sound System. Plus Art Auction - Killer Raffles and supply drive (crates (large), dog bowls, food, treats, leashes! Tickets available in IG Bio or eventbrite.com
https://www.instagram.com/brick_city_rescue/
Brick City Rescue Inc (BCR) is dedicated to finding loving, stable homes for all adoptable homeless dogs in NJ with a main focus on Bully Breeds.
