Steve Azzara (RIP) President/Editor in Chief/MFIC
Pamela Haven Co owner/President/Writer
Matt Sellers Writer/Creative director/Editor
Contributors
Cypress Bates Video Journalist/Writer
Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez
Cover- @amelia_may_i
Photographer- @amelia_may_i
Special Thanks to...
Daniel Kearney, Santelmo (Saint) Vazquez, Mark Lawrence, Shawn Alexander, Tommy’s Supplies, New England Tattoo Expo, Sellers Ink Tattoo, Sean Hightower, Walt Anderson, Carnival of Ink, The Most famous studio, Urbans edge tattoo after care. New England tatoo expo, DR. Rebecca perry Pro Team
Lydia Bruno, Pammy Sellers, Pepe Carire, And Jimmy Dalessio, Ninetoes, Nikko Gould, Josh Paul, And Mike Geyer
Felicia-6
Bryn Beer-24
Loretta-42
Amelia-56
247inkmag spotlight-62
Barbie B-80
Jeremy Miller-88
CYD-102
Luke Coyotee-108
Nysa Rose-122
Motor City-134
Felicia
Tell us a little bit about where you are from and what was it like growing up?
I am from the Springfield area of Massachusetts. I grew up mostly here, with my grandmother.
How did you first get into tattooing? Was there a defining moment?
I got into tattooing because, when I was in 8th grade I figured out I could draw. In 9th grade I got into body modification. By 16 I knew I could combine both of my interests and turn them into a career, tattooing! In my high school we had a “Senior Project” that was the entire focus of senior years English class, you could pick any subject you wanted. I picked tattooing which gave me a year to focus of researching, learning history, preparing for what’s expected of me in an apprenticeship and, most importantly gave me a reason to convince my grandmother to let me buy a tattoo set up with the money I saved bussing tables. I graduated at 17, and a month after I turned 18 I went into a shop with a drawing portfolio and my 5 page essay on tattooing- I got the apprenticeship.
What does tattooing mean to you, beyond just the art form?
Tattooing is everything to me. Tattooing saved me. I sincerely do not know where I would be today without this industry. Tattooing pulled me out of the deepest spell of depression I ever experienced in my life.
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?
I have now proudly been tattooong for 12 years at 30 years old. My tattoo journey was a fight worth winning. I stayed at that first shop for 8 years before trying another shop, which lasted barely over a year before I decided if I wanted to open my own shop. I spent some time guest spotting at other shops, taking notes over the years of what I do and don’t want to implement at my own shop one day. I opened Iron Ink wanting to be the shop owner I always wished I worked for.
How would you describe your tattooing style, and how has it evolved?
I am currently into tattoo black/grey realism, which has been my style for the last four years or so. Before that I did mostly linework pieces with simple black/grey or color.
What do you like to do outside of work? Hobbies ect…
I find fun in whatever art project I am into at the time, from jewelry making to candle/wax creations. I get hyper focused on different art projects for a month or so then it’s on to the next experiment!
Byrn
So tell us a little bit about where you’re from and what was it like growing up?
I was adopted and raised by a strong Christian family in northeast Indiana—small-town lake life with that peaceful, close-knit vibe. Growing up, I was an athlete and always carried that drive into everything I did.
How long have you been tattooing and how has the journey been for you?
I bought my first tattoo kit from Amazon back in late 2013, but I officially kicked off my career in May 2015 when I earned my license. So it’s been 10 years professionally, and man… a lot has changed.
Have your views on tattooing changed over time?
In the beginning, I was all about coil machines. I was stubbornly against color and realism—not because I disliked it, but because I didn’t believe I had the skills for it. I was insecure. I used to think realism wouldn’t hold up over time and didn’t see the point. Thankfully, I outgrew that mindset—realism and color are now the heart of my work.
How would you describe your tattoo style?
Today, I describe my style as hyperrealism. I aim to capture every detail from reference images, pushing the limits of what seems possible on skin. I’m not a fan of tattoo designs that look overtly drawn—it’s a common aesthetic, but I’m drawn to work that feels almost unreal in its execution. That’s hyperrealism for me.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?
As for inspiration, artists like Steve Butcher, Nikko Hurtado, Matthew Perry, and Anna from Germany have all played a role in shaping my perspective and pushing me to improve. Their work is phenomenal.
What’s your creative process like—from idea to ink?
Creatively, my process starts with a client sharing an idea or theme. I ask them to send reference images so I can fully understand their vision. I’m selective with the projects I take on—I want to ensure what I create digitally aligns with what they want and what I’m passionate about. The more I grow, the more confident I feel tackling challenging pieces.
How do you care for your hands/wrists, given the physical demands?
I’m lucky—my partner’s an aesthetician, so when my hands or wrists need some care, I get massages (when I remember to ask for them!). It’s my back and neck that really take the hit from long sessions, though.
Russ Theboss Quinn
Sean Overbey
Steve Myers
Tony Wayne Sydney
Tyce Johnson
Vanessa Kendyll Keith Edmonds Jr
Verona Fink
William Scherbarth Luxink
Thomas J
Josh Paul
Jason Rhodes
Mike Fox Sr
Jimmy Dalessio
Pammy Haven
Dash Williams
Danny Mack
Ashlee Wilson Austin Bounds
Brian French
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what was it like growing up?
I am from Houston, TX, but now live in Austin, TX. Growing up in Texas was great! I was pretty much in the suburbs of a major city, but close enough to get out into the country too. I spent most days skateboarding because it was the mid-90s and that’s what was cool. My family would take a lot of short road trips, either going up to the Texas Hill Country or going down south to Beaumont where my grandparents lived. Traveling around the state really made me grow up being proud to be a Texan. I guess that’s why I started calling my style Texas New School.
At what age can you remember getting into art?
I really started getting into art around 11 or 12. I am sure I would draw a lot before then, but Junior high is really when I started to be passionate about creating art. There was a boy in school that sat next to me who used to draw the coolest robots and dragons, and it just blew me away how unique of a skill it was. So, I wanted to be able to stand out like that. So, I started drawing everything I could.
Once I hit high school, I started getting into drawing cars, and I eventually went on to win the state drafting championship for automotive design. Around the end of my junior year I started seeing people getting tattoos, so suddenly I found myself drawing more things in tattoo styles. During my senior year I started drawing tattoos for all of my friends.
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been for you?
I have been tattooing for 22 years now, and the journey has been quite incredible. But, I won’t say it has been easy. From the moment I started tattooing I was in love with it. There is just something so captivating about putting needle to skin and creating something that will last a person’s lifetime. The tattoo industry sure has changed a lot during my 22 years. When I first started, tattooing was just beginning to gain a bit of main stream popularity. Tattoo TV shows hit the scene a couple of years into my career and the industry just went berserk. So suddenly I was one of the cool guys for the first time in my life. It was intoxicating and I just wanted more of it. So I started grinding as hard as I could to draw more and more and more in hopes that I could continue to stand out. But that passion eventually waned and in my early thirties I just couldn’t keep up the pace. About that time burn out started to set in and I found myself craving an escape. Fortunately for me, I had been going to school that whole time and I had a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. So, I was able to use my doctorate to land a job teaching at a local university. This allowed me to cut back tattooing to a few times per week instead of relying on it for my full income. Now nearly a decade later I am still tattooing approximately 3 days later and pursuing another career simultaneously, allowing for the perfect balance.
What is your favorite style of of tattooing and why?
I love new school tattoos with big chunky lines and bold and bright colors. But mostly, it is the silliness that I love. I like things that are based on a funny story or a bit of word play. Tattoos have always made me smile, so I look at this style as the best way to pass that smile onto other people.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the tattoo and art industry?
My biggest inspirations in the tattoo industry have always been Tony Ciavarro, Timmy B, and Josh Woods. These three helped shape me as an artist and tattooer right at the right time in my career. Now days you can see amazing work all over the internet, but when I was coming up, these guys were the game changers.
What’s an issue with the tattoo industry right now?
The development of AI is the biggest issue in the tattoo industry right now. Sure, it is a great tool and can do some wonderful things. But, the birth of AI is the death of creativity, and once that creative nature is gone, then people will surely lose interest. I do not think that AI will kill the tattoo industry, but I do think that it will kill tattooers. Eventually it will all even out, but so many good artists will forget how to be creative because they rely on the tool to do the creating for them. This will make them nothing more than a technician. What I love about tattooing is not the technician component, it is the full creative process. I love coming up with an idea and starting a sketch. Then watching that sketch develop into a full drawing. Then coloring that drawing and finding the perfect frame for it. Then making a line drawing from it and making a stencil, and finally, seeing the final product on the skin. AI removes half of that process, and that makes me sad.
Antimicrobial Properties
minimizes the risk of infection during and after the piercing process.
top choice amongst PIERCING professionalS
HYDRA
PIERCING & BODY MOD SALINE RINSE
Gentle Formulation
gentle on the skin to minimize irritation and discomfort, especially those with sensitive skin.
Effective Cleansing
cleanses the piercing site without causing dryness or excessive moisture, helping to maintain a healthy healing environment.
pH Balanced helps to support the body's natural healing processes and prevent disruptions to the skin's natural barrier.
Non-Irritating
hypoallergenic to ensure safety on a wide range of skin types
Inhibits Keyloid growth
enriched with tea tree essential oil for its proven ability to inhibit keloid formation, ensuring a smoother healing journey
Tell us a about yourself where youre from and what was it like growing up!?
I’m from Louisiana and moved around a lot as a kid. Though I have relocated back to Louisiana in the past few years. I now have a wife and 2 kids and own a small private studio with three other people called The Hidden Gem. Growing up isn’t something I have a lot of memories of but who can really complain. I remember going to school and playing sports (football/skateboarding) and lots of spending time outside in the woods and creeks. 90s kid ya known.
What kind of apprenticeship did you have to go through? Was it a tough time?
I had a traditional ish apprenticeship roughly about 1year and a half out in central Texas. Got brought on to help build the shop and then they couldn’t get rid of me lol. I think life at the time was rougher than the actual apprenticeship. I lived like 27miles from the shop and would have to walk or hitchhike to make it there sometimes. Most of the time I just couch surfing so save myself the journey. Slept in the park for awhile too. So although the apprenticeship was a little on the average abusive side it was more a way out of my current life (at the time) so it never really bothered me.
How long have you been tattooing for and how has the journey been treating you?
I’ve been tattooing going on 10 years and it’s been a struggle and a dream lol. As said tattooing definitely changed my life and provided me with a fairly comfortable life far beyond what I had thought it would so although like anything it’s had it ups and down over all I’m blessed to be making a living off an art craft.
Do you specialize in a certain style of tattooing and if so what style is it and what made you pick it?
I specialize in realism both black and grey and color. I’ve always leaned towards a more realistic style of art. I think it’s mostly that I love nature and all the visuals of it. As far as tattooing it goes. I didn’t actually know it was a thing when I was learning to tattoo so my master was a new skool, Chicono artist and I remember seeing my first realism tattoo and being blown away by it. I just fell in love with the complexities of it after that. I wanted to be impressive and that style impressed me.
What do you like to do outside of tattooing like any hobbies?
Outside of tattooing. I love to go hiking and take my kid to go catch bugs and critters. I like kayaking and bike riding and camping. All things outdoors. I also collect reptiles. I have a reptile room of close to 100 snakes, frogs, lizards, and turtles. Every once in awhile I’ll reproduce some of them and do a reptile show. Then painting and sculpting and the other art stuff that got me into tattooing in the first place.
Artists and vendors alike bring you face-to-face with color, graphics, and tattoos, and talent. You encounter a familiar artist like Marshall Bennett, Myke Chambers, Big Ceeze, Rember Orellana, Tony Ciavarro, Liz Cook, James Vaughn, Carl Grace, and tattoo legend Bob Tyrrell. This year the MCTE brought a lot of reflection as we lost our good friend and tattoo Legend Jack Rudy weeks before the show. Jack was a huge part of the MCTE and had designed many of the logos in past years. He will be forever missed, and the industry will be forever thank for his contribution to the industry. There is also a visual feast of tattoo art. Amazing, elaborate, and beautiful tattoo art! Arms, legs, hips, chests, and backs come alive with living art inked by national and international tattoo masters. Color explosions of tattoo fantasies, haunting gothic-horror creations, photorealism tributes, memorial portraits, traditional, and neo-traditional tattoos. This is a very personal art form but is comfortably and proudly displayed within the ballroom. A high point of the convention this year was the art fusion in honor of Jack Rudy. And we can’t forget the tattoo awards. Judging tattoos requires a learned understanding of the tattoo art form. The Motor City Tattoo Expo invites seasoned artists and industry professionals to join a panel on stage and review each submitted tattoo across 23 categories. The five-judge panel rotates during the 3-day weekend. It is a meticulous scrutiny of art and artistic skill to highlight the very best of our industry. Amazing artist like Durb Morrison, Marshall Bennett, Chris Hollifield, Candy Dunbar, Michael Davis, Bryn Beer and more joined Gina (Eternals Baby G) on the stage throughout the weekend to judge the many tattoos that are
To our beloved friend Steve Azzara your legacy and hard work will be rememberd and continued through your magazine and memories. We all think about you everday until we meet again ol friend.
Rip
Steve Azzara Owner/ Founder / Mfic
