Coming this weekend Long Beach welcomes the Ink & Iron Festival for those who share in the culture which people express everything from the simple 'Mom' and other loved one's names, to works of art which some say rival Michelangelo's strokes.
Tattoos have come along way from something only sailors got from those ports of call in the Pacific and Far East. From the iconic anchor, to now intricate works of life-like artistry, tattoos are more common now than anything you can name. But where do you find the really good artists?
Hidden in Long Beach is the nation's oldest tattoo parlor, Outer Limits Tattoo. Open since 1927, and having changed ownership several times, it is currently operated by Jeremy Suppes, who is not an artist but has been acquiring his own set of illustrations for about 13 years. Two artists of Outer Limits, Brandon Flores and Tasi Tautolo will be among the over 100 premiere tattoo artists from all over the world.
Brandon Flores says that he began drawing in school and received much of his influence from early Iron Man, X-Men and other comic books, and has been a tattoo artist for over ten years (we will leave out the months and days), and likes illustrations, portraits and 'new school' art.
Tasi Tautolo (Tasi Lyn) has been an artist for about the same time, and began as an apprentice after someone took a liking to her drawings. Having a liking for staying within the lines, she also likes art from the whimsical to the complicated and 'twisted'.
More artists from Outer limits will also be at Ink & Iron, along with a slew of bands performing like The Offspring, Iggy And The Stooges, and Sublime with Rome. Along with the Motorama Car Show, this three day festival is certainly one of the years biggest events in Long Beach.
So if you have ever considered getting a tattoo, or want to see someone put their craft and art to a living canvas, THIS event IS the place to be next weekend.