Featuring Interviews
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MAGAZINE TATTOO/CULTURE/LIFESTYLE Featuring Katie Jones Dave Puhky Cassie Askew Interviews Jeff Custeau Nick Chan FREE Issue 1 / 2012 06 04 24 index. West Coast Ink is a tattoo and culture magazine established in Victoria, BC. Created by owner Ryan Bishop, the magazine has been developed to showcase the incredibly talented tattoo community on the west coast. From tattoo artists, to shops, to models and more, West Coast Ink Magazine has your daily fix to everything tattoo... Cassandra Cassie Askew 04 Over 60% of her body is covered in tattoos. 12 Why? Read Cassandra’s inspiring story to find out. Jeff Custeau 06 Our exclusive interview with the tattoo removal guy. He’s talented, funny, and he’s got some great stories. Jamie Miles Katie Jones 10 Full time truck drive, Jamie tells us his 18 passion for tattoos started before he could remember. Duncan Polson 16 Funny and sexy? You better believe it! This stand-up comedian gets personal. Nick Chan Dave Puhky 24 Tattoo artist Nick Chan tells us about his 26 grind to success. Tips from Beyond the INK 30 Getting your first tattoo? Read our tips on “How to Interact with a Tattoo Artist”. 2 | West Coast Ink | Issue 1 Issue 1 | West Coast Ink | 3 Cassandra MORGAN Photographer : Julia Loglisci They say only the strong survive in this life; for Cassandra Morgan, this is an understatement. Those who know Cassandra might say that she’s been through hell and back, but her amazing strength and charisma allow her to live each day to its fullest. West Coast Ink had the honor of meeting with this young woman and listening to her incredible story. orn and raised in British Columbia, my son for helping me change my old ways; portrait done by Greg Murphy at Union Tat- Cassandra is proud to call Victoria her he is the reason I strive to be the best person too. I have spent quite a lot of time working Bhome. If you ever have the pleasure I possibly can. Once I became a mom I real- with various artists at Union Tattoo. Mateo of meeting Cassandra, you might find your- ized that life was no longer all about me - I has done some incredible cover ups for me. self speechless. With over 60% of her body would only live for that child.” He has tattooed most of what you’ve seen in heavily tattooed, she is a walking form of art. my leg sleeve. The way he was able to con- Most articles of clothing don’t even begin to The Tiger - “A representation of the pride I nect all of the paneling from my sleeve, down cover up her tattoos, but then again, why should always feel in myself; something I had my back, to the leg on the opposite side of would she want to cover them up in the first once lost somewhere along the way.” my body is absolutely incredible. I could not place? have expected it to look any better! Two Coy Fish – “There was a time when it Cassandra’s story was very inspiring to us, seemed that everything was against me and “I have a large back piece with approximately so we let her tell it in her own words… my loved ones. One coy fish is swimming up- 35 hours invested in it; all of this was done stream, showing its struggle to swim against by Bob, the owner of Universal Tattoo. His “A few years back, I went through some ma- the current. The second coy fish is swimming attention to detail is stunning, the tattoo just jor life changing events, and my tattoos be- downstream; this metaphors overcoming the pops!” came a story; a representation to each out- tragedy and making it through to the other come of each event. The order I got them in side.” An Angel - “My final tattoo is that of an angel and their representations are very significant holding the hand of a fallen angel; one who and life changing for me. It was almost as if The Sugar Skull – “It represents life after was living in darkness for so many years. each design, once tattooed into my skin, set death. I feel as though people are always giv- With the light shining on them the one angel me closer to being free. When someone suf- en a second chance. No one should have to whispers to the other… Please let me take fers such a significant amount of loss in such live with a haunting past or a shadow that fol- you out of the darkness and into the light, a short period of time, one may ask themself, lows them for life. Something great can come cause I have faith in you that you’re going to what else can be taken from me? I believe from something bad; it is possible to become make it through another night. After that tat- that my tattoos are something that no one a wiser and overall better person. One must too I felt free and since receiving all of this ink can ever take from me. My body is my can- see the good from the bad instead of letting I feel different - content and happy.” vas and it tells my story.” it destroy them. Nobody likes to feel dam- aged and everyone expresses themselves “A lot of people may not be able to relate to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - “The pro- in different ways; mine was getting tattooed. me, or understand why someone would get tector I call him, was a major cover up of five Something was released from me while sit- so many tattoos; but now you know. A tattoo smaller tattoos on my back. I wanted to cov- ting in that chair for over 100 hrs. The pain means so much more then just a pretty pic- er up my past and start with a fresh slate. changes you and I was fortunate enough to ture - they have a life of their own.” I decided to go with a dragon because of get through the hurt and anger I once felt.” the power and strength it symbolizes. This meant the first step as a representation that Portrait of my Son - “I have a beautiful portrait my number one priority in life is to be a good of my son with angel wings as a symbol that mother and always protect my son. I thank this little boy saved my life. It is a gorgeous 4 | West Coast Ink | Issue 1 Issue 1 | West Coast Ink | 5 I went head to head with How many tattoo removal our drummer - Oldschool companies have you seen WWF style! situated in an active tattoo shop?! would allow me to fulfill my desire to help people into the shop. She’s blonde, well dressed, and I’m while working in an industry that I loved. I trained thinking she’s lost or something. She say’s to me, with and was certified by Lorenzo Kunz Jr. based “I have a bad ass tattoo I’d like to have removed!” I out of New York City. From there I joined New Skin look the girl up and down and can’t see any tattoos. Laser Tattoo Removal and shadowed Peter Mckay I said to her, let’s see this “bad ass” tattoo then. until I was ready to work on my own. The girl proceeds to pull the collar of her shirt down only to reveal the actual words “BAD ASS” tattooed eff Custeau Photographer : Eubey Panter What are some of the challenges faced in the across her collarbone! tattoo removal business? J Misconceptions of how laser tattoo removal works What would you say is so significant about “Motorcycles, old cars, and anything that hauls ass.” – These are just a few of Jeff Custeau’s many interests. Jeff’s the new based on the crap people hear and read from the New Skin Laser Tattoo Removal? guy with New Skin Laser Tattoo Removal, the only company in Victoria that removes tattoos in an actual tattoo shop! Jeff grew internet. People don’t realize that it is in fact, possi- Both Pete and I are certified laser tattoo removal ble to have tattoo’s removed, or they think that laser technicians. We operate one of the best laser ma- up around everything that inhibits the tattoo culture. Obsessed with music and art, he has lived a life of rock and roll and has removal will leave a scar. What many people don’t chines in today’s market and practice the highest enough stories to tell to fill this entire magazine. Jeff and his band have played with such notable bands as: The Dead Kennedy’s, know is that we can actually lighten an existing tat- level of sterilization in our shop. Pete and I have both Nashville Pussy, SuperSuckers, Vibrators and so many more. Jeff currently plays with a local band called The Stockers, who will too to then be covered up with a new one, or we fallen victim to the split decision to have something be releasing their newest album in 2013. We spent some time hanging out with Jeff, chatting about music and the tattoo removal can alter and fix mistakes. tattooed on our bodies, only to realize years later industry. Here’s what Jeff had to say… that we hate it and want to have it removed. For this You have some tattoo’s I can see. Which would reason, we can relate to our clients and we under- ey Jeff! Let’s talk about your music.