Ralph Ashwell

The folks at Yellowbeak Press just opened up preorders on their newest book- a look at never before seen designs by Harrisburg, PA tattooer Ralph Ashwell. I’ve had a chance to check it out, and it holds up to the high standards of previous YBP volumes. Check it out!

https://www.yellowbeakpress.com/collections/books/products/ralph-ashwell-book

We are excited to announce our latest book about Harrisburg, PA tattooer, Ralph Ashwell! Born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania in 1901, Ashwell was a tattooer from the 1930s through the early 1960s. Working as a trade laborer who held various positions while also tattooing, he was a hidden gem amongst the other practitioners of his day. His flash embodies the functional, technical, and artistic aspects that defined a multifaceted, visually oriented craft. With a career that spanned the Great Depression, at least two wars, and the accompanying waves of servicemen, Ashwell always had something to offer everyone – from roses and banners to military insignia and pop culture imagery. Despite a somewhat elusive history, he holds a place among America’s twentieth century tattoo artists. This book will contain over 100 never-before seen full-color flash sheets beautifully painted by Ashwell, spanning the late 30s to early 60s, along with a biography written and researched by Carmen Forquer Nyssen.

Random Scans

When it comes to the old prints in my archives, some, particularly the ones that came from sources other than the ones who donated them to me,  come with very little context or information. I try to use due diligence to put the pieces together, emailing tattoo friends from the old days who might be able to fill in the blanks with a name, location or time period, but even those connections are starting come fewer and further between.

Three of the four photos in this update, for example, came with no context other than a few familiar faces and (not pictured) a photograph that featured a button noting it’s wearer was at a tattoo convention in Knoxville, TN. Recognizing my friend JD in one of the prints I sent off an email and found that it was the 1986 Knoxville Convention. He was able to put names to faces in a group photo (not pictured) and add some personal stories about the gents in it. History is a communal effort.

Large photo: Unknown.
Top Right: JD. Knoxville 1986
Middle Right: Randy Adams, Knoxville 1986
Bottom Right: Shotsie Gorman, Knoxville 1986

D.E.T.H.

Don Ed Hardy front/back pieces, late 1970s.
Scanned from 35mm prints from the Sailor Sid Diller collection.

Weird Wit

Late last night I had a conversation about bullfrogs. Earlier tonight I had a conversation about Philly tattooists and Chris Kline’s name came up. These two events are probably not directly connected, but Mr. Kline’s affection for the noble Bufonidae is well known so, really, who can say.

Chris is one of my favorite local tattooers; if I were to do a ‘five to watch in 2017’ you can bet his name would be on the list. You can follow him on Instagram or shoot him an email for appointment information: Christopher.awesome@gmail.com

Tattoo Totem: Sailor Vern

In 2015 Scott and Kayla of Colorado’s Yellow Beak Press released a comprehensive book on the life, times and art of Sailor Vern Ingemarsen (which can be found here: Yellow Beak Press) and they’ve just recently loaned me a copy of an obscure tattoo film called ‘TATTOO TOTEM’ that belonged to Calamity Jane. I’m in the process of capturing, editing and preserving the contents the whole video, but this first clip was too good to wait for the finished archival so we decided to let the cat out of the bag a little early.

The VHS- which was provided to Yellow Beak by Aaron LeGore- has some audio and tracking issues which I’ve done my best to fix. All things considered, given it’s age, it’s held up fairly well and is a great chance to put a voice to Sailor Vern.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Sailor Vern by Yellow Beak Press.. treat yourself. Like all of the YBP books it’s made by and for the tattoo community and their dedication to collecting stories from it’s golden age.

 

Blowguns Beach Whistles and the True Definition of Powerlessness Converted

“I’ve heard that the Internet is a powerful form of communication”- Scott Harrison.

A much less embiggenable version of this video used to be available on Scott Harrison’s HEADBAND BROTHERS website. It’s probably one of the greatest films ever made. Much more enjoyable than, say, Citizen Kane or The Godfather. Check it out.

Blowguns Beach Whistles and the True Definition of Powerlessness Converted
A Video Project by Scott Harrison, featuring stories told by: Michael Malone, Oliver Peck, Daniel Higgs, Kevin Q, Annette Larue, Michael Palmer, Jason Mast, David Quale, Jerry Ware, Bobby Love, Jennifer Reeder, Ernie Gosnell, Seth Ciferri, Eric Perfect, Robert Winslow, Clio Weisman, and Don Ed Hardy. © S.D. Harrison 2005