Tattoo Conventions are a great place to network, meet like-minded tattoo artists & customers, and absorb anything and everything to do with our subculture. That has never been more apparent than at Liverpool Tattoo Convention 2022.
This was the first show we have attended since before coronavirus and we were very keen to make it a good one. It was a great opportunity to showcase our studio- with the new logos on the banners, stickers and business cards- and our team of artists.
Representing the studio was Lee, Billy, Lewis and Harvey; and assisting them were Miki & Nicolle (Billy & Lee’s partners). Though Lee and Billy already had quite a few conventions under their belts, the excitement never diminishes, especially watching Lewis and Harvey, as this was both of their first conventions. Ellie and Milly manned the fort and remained at home at the studio, making the most of the peace and quiet.
After a few shenanigans to let Liverpool know we had arrived, we were set up and ready to show the city what we were made of.
Friday- Artists Day
The Friday was reserved for artists only, meaning the public weren’t allowed in on this day, which gave us an opportunity to find our footing and network with all the other amazing artists at the show. We got straight to work; Lewis was focusing on Walk ups for the public, so he was mainly using this day to talk with other artists, whilst Lee and Billy got to work on some incredible tattoos.
Lee was working on ram skull with flames and script that read ‘Creo’ (latin for ‘Create’) on a thigh, whilst Billy was getting a head start on a Jack Sparrow (from Pirates of the Caribbean) and doubloon calf piece.
Lee smashed it out the park! managing to get it all finished in one day and receiving some incredible feedback from some very big names in the industry. Billy completed the Doubloon portion of the colour realism piece. it was a very intricate and time consuming section, but having that part finished meant the next day would be so much easier.
Saturday
With the doors now open to the public, the guys got back to doing what they do best; Lee got started on a monstrously big raptor thigh piece, Billy carried on with the Jack Sparrow piece, and Lewis spent his time networking with Harvey.
There was quite a buzz around our booths from the public and tattoo artists alike and we couldn’t have been happier. We entered some competitions but didn’t take any victories this time. The level of talent on show would’ve made the judges decisions very difficult. Congratulations to all the winners.
Sunday
Lee carried on with the dinosaur piece whilst Billy took the time to finally take a look around and network with some of his favourite artists and had his Pokemon gumball machine available for walk-ups.
With all the talking and interest in his work, Lee didn’t manage to get the raptor thigh piece completed, but we look forward to seeing it finished back at the studio.
And with that, we finished up in good time, said our goodbyes and headed back to reality.
Conclusion
It was so good to be back at a convention and for the most part it was an incredible weekend; full of laughs and a pure celebration of tattoo art.
Unfortunately the convention also coincided with the Champions League Final in football and it was an absolute riot beyond the hotel doors, which put a little bit of a dampener on proceedings, but not enough to ruin the convention.
There is an unmatchable feeling of inspiration that comes from tattoo conventions: being around all the amazing art on display and having acclaimed tattooists loving your work is incredibly humbling and validating. We are so proud of the studio and what they all achieved over the weekend at Liverpool Tattoo Convention 2022.
Huge thank you to everyone that got tattooed by our artists- Harvey, Jamie, Owen- you guys done incredibly well. it’s not easy to get tattooed for as long a duration as you all did, especially in front of the public.
Thank you to Mik and Nic for being the glamorous assistants- it definitely wouldn’t have gone as smoothly as it did without your constant help and advertising. It really is appreciated.
Until next time Liverpool, thank you for having us .
Artoria Tattoos