2013 Pacific Ink and Art Expo News

It was recently announced that the 2013 Pacific Ink and Art Expo was sold out!!!  Say what?

The event, which is yet to happen, is not sold out to the public but tattoo artists hoping to set up temporary shop for the public and fellow folks in the industry.  The promoters of the event are hoping to rework the floor plan to accommodate more businesses interested in taking part at this second annual Hawaii tattoo convention.  

There is also the opportunity for an additional 10-20 business vendors interested in setting up shop.  Last years event featured a host of well-known artists from around the world, exhibits, and demonstrations of live traditional Polynesian tattooing.  Stay tuned here for all your Hawaii tattoo news and check out the official Pacific ink & Art Expo homepage for more details.

And if you just can’t wait for some Hawaii Custom Tattoos, come on down to 434 Tattoo, our tattoo studio in Waikiki for your free consultation and the best custom tattooing on Oahu!

The 411 about 434:

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto: adamsiehr@gmail.com
1-808-391-8287

APEC Aftermath: Back to Tattoos in Honolulu

It’s still too early to tell whether or not the presence of APEC in Honolulu was a boon or a bust.  Many local businesses outside of Waikiki did not see much of a difference in their clientele base.  But now that APEC is in the rear view mirror, we can get back to business!!!

At 434 Tattoo,  our Waikiki Tattoo Studio, we specialize in the custom tattoo.  Our tattooists can do just about any tattoo out there (although there are some places an artist won’t go…) from thousands of Tattoo Flash designs to choose along the walls to putting together a custom piece based on an idea, picture or theme you have.

There are alot of Tattoo Parlors in Hawaii so why should you chose 434 Tattoo and not Tattoolicious, 808 Tattoo, or Koi Tattoo?  Shop owner Tattoo Adam is world famous, having been in the industry for two decades and has tattooed people from all walks of life including “Iron” Mike Tyson.  Marko Livingston also has tattooed celebrities including Grammy Award Winner T-Pain and is an accomplished graffiti artist in addition to being a tattooist.  The “youngest” member of our crew, Andy Burley, has earned the prestigious accomplishment of being the only person to ever complete an apprenticeship with Adam, and his book is growing by leaps and bounds.

“I was brought up in the old school way of tattooing.”  ~Tattoo Adam

All that aside, we love tattooing and we strive to share our love for what we do during the entire experience.  Our Waikiki tattoo shop is clean following the Hawaii Department of Health Protocol, we are all licensed by the State of Hawaii to tattoo, and use the most up to date techniques to sterilize our shop and equipment.

Our Honolulu Tattoo parlor is not only award winning but fun!  Come on down for your free consultation, let your Inner Child run around, and get some work with the pros at 434 Tattoo.  If you’re in the military, be sure to take sure of our Military Appreciation Special, going on during the month of November.  Ask our staff for more details.

Thanks for reading!

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

Hawaii Tattoo Laws

am·bas·sa·dor

http://www.Dictionary.com   [am-bas-uh-der, -dawr]

noun

1.a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary).

2.a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.

3.a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country’s mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.

4.an authorized messenger or representative. Abbreviation:  Amb., amb.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English am-, embass ( i ) adour, imbassadore  < Anglo-French ambassateur, ambassaduer  < Italian ambassatore, dialectal Italian ambassadore,  equivalent to ambass-  ( see embassy) -atore, -adore  < Latin -ātōrem  accusative of -ātor -ator

Related forms

am·bas·sa·do·ri·al  [am-bas-uh-dawr-ee-uhl, -dohr-] Show IPA, adjective

am·bas·sa·do·ri·al·ly, adverb

am·bas·sa·dor·ship, noun

pre·am·bas·sa·do·ri·al, adjective

FIN

Recently, 434 Tattoo was invaded and bombarded with a line of questioning that got us thinking about what it means to represent the Tattoo industry or be an ambassador.

Adam Siehr, or Tattoo Adam, owner of the multiple award winning Best Hawaii Tattoo Shop, is licensed by the State of Hawaii and a member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.  He has been a part of the Tattoo Community here in Hawaii since 1999,  and has been in the industry for nearly two decades.  He has also volunteered his time as a member of different committees in the past, working with both the State and C & C of Honolulu on laws Relating to Tattooing in Hawaii.  434 Tattoo has also recently assisted Federal officials with some of their work.  At 434 Tattoo, we are all about integrity, quality work, serving the customer, and doing what is best for both the community and the State.

Laws take time, energy, and passion to craft.  Adam can testify about this from his experience with the Hawaii Department of Health, where he took part in forming committees, organizing meetings, and keeping the minutes (Editor’s Note: And so can I from my three years in politics here in Hawaii).  Did he, his brother, his sister tattooists have to do this?  No of course not, but they care and when you care, you take the time, you put in the work, and you find a way to get done what needs to be done with what you’re given to work with.

We are all for introducing new ideas and seeing the best things come to pass for our business, but please, take the time, know what your talking about, and realize that change does not occur over night.  Many of the current professionals in the industry, were there in the trenches, battling to make things the way they are today.  While our system may not be perfect, it is growing and improving.

Case in point: until about 2002, if someone wanted a face tattoo or a hand tattoo, they had to get a Doctor’s written consent before they could get the work done.  Our legislative system is what it is and we are fortunate to be able to play a role to advocate for change. People get killed in other places for thinking about this much.

And just like getting a large piece of ink done, change is a process.  When you plant a seed, it doesn’t grow sprout the next moment.  It requires nutrients in the form of the sun, earth, and water.  And studies show when love is given to plants, they grow greater, they grow stronger.  So channel that passion and do the other work and in time these ideas will blossom…

And lastly, if you want to represent the industry, there’s a good word in Hawaii to know: Pono. Pono means a great many things, but let’s go with ‘Just’ regarding a course of action that can unite, motivate, and get work done… And to if you want to be an Ambassador, you probably shouldn’t alienate those who would be your biggest supporters.

We are 434 Tattoo.

We are here for all of you.

Can I get a Chee Huu!!!

Credit www.Dictionary.com for the definition above.

434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

Tales from the Tattoo Parlor

Remember that show that got its cue from the comic, Tales from the Crypt?  Cue: Evil laughter but not tacky like muahaha from that guy The Crypt Keeper.

Well, Tattoo Adam has many a tale or two from his two plus decades as a custom tattoo artist in Hawaii, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, and his travels all over the world.  I wonder what an episode of Tales from the Tattoo Parlor show would be like…

INT. Tattoo Keeper’s Study – NIGHT

TATTOO KEEPER:  Greetings Tattoolings! Here’s another fabulous Tale from the Tattoo Parlor.  (EVIL LAUGHTER).  This time we visit Tattoo Adam at his Waikiki Tattoo Parlor… in the middle of doing a custom tattoo!!! (More EVIL LAUGHTER)

Cut To:

INT. 434 Tattoo – MORNING

Tattoo Adam is working on a custom arm sleeve for a customer.  Tattooist Andy Burley is getting his equipment set up to work on another customer.  All is well or as the UFC President Dana White says, “business as usual” in the tattoo crypt, or is it…

TATTOO ADAM:  “I’ve got a story for you.  One day, I’m working and this big dude comes in and he’s got on a fat chain.  You can tell he had money.  Well, he wants a tattoo from me.  So we hook it up and as soon as the needle hit his skin, this smell, like you could tell that he’d been on drugs for years, just wreaked out of him.”

CUSTOMER ONE: That happens?

ANDY:  Dude, I can tell when people drink, not like one or two drinks but seriously, it comes out of their body…

TATTOO ADAM: So this was back in Milwaukee right.  Well the same dude tracks me down while I’m tattooing out of Vegas, right, and wants to get another tattoo.  Of course I remember him, how could I forget him after that first time?  So I tattoo him again and sure thing, same smell…

CUSTOMER TWO: You gotta watch Cocaine Cowboys, that’ll trip you out.

Fade Out:

INT Tattoo Keeper’s Study NIGHT

TATTOO KEEPER:  Tattoos.  Drugs.  Smells?  You think  the next word would have been Rock’n’Roll.  (EVIL LAUGHTER).  Well, it wasn’t (EVIL EVIL LAUGHTER) and it once again you never know what expect from TALES FROM THE TATTOO PARLOR!!!  (EVIL EVIL EVILEST LAUGHTER)

ROLL CREDITS.

Come on down to 434 Tattoo and you can hear first hand a tale from our Honolulu Tattoo Shop for yourself.  Or who knows, maybe you’ll make your own story while you’re visiting.  Whatever it is, a Hawaiian tattoo design to commemorate your trip, just a meaningful piece from the tattoo flash on the walls, or your own custom piece, it’ll surely be an experience!

(FREE SPIRITED LAUGHTER)

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

 

A Story Told in Ink Continued

Marko getting ready for "tattoo removal"

A Story Told in Ink

Artist in the Spotlight: Marko Livingston

By: JMAW

“It’s never good enough.”  He says with a laugh.  Four years into his craft and a perfectionist nonetheless.  Since my first custom tattoo session with Tattoo Adam, I remember Marko walking in, saying “wassup” then being all about his business, getting a pencil, a paper and then getting right into and starting his sketching.  He has some of the sickest stencils I’ve ever seen, posted in the shop and you totally can feel that the man loves what he does.  Adam said just that to me recently: “Do what you love?  Don’t worry about the money.”  He lets out one of those free-spirited laughs that trips me out each time because though human like the rest of us, he’s a part of the “All Ready There Club,” as if he’s tasted the secret of life, drank of the Fountain of Youth, climbed the Tree of Life, shoot, all of the above.

One day, I got the chance to ask Marko a few questions and take a peak into the words of someone who lives for artistic expression. At first he didn’t really have much to say, but it flowed quite smoothly actually, much like his custom tattoo style.  And well, Dude is already there as well.

On describing his influences as a custom tattooist: “I am inspired by everything and everyone… there’s something to learn for the rest of my life.”  I could not agree with what he said here more.  Each moment, each experience of life can teach in so many ways and it is so inspiring to take that in.

On the best part of the job:  “Meeting/working with different people, allows me to do what I want to do in life like travel and make people happy.”  As I take my notes, I feel like he’s speaking my language.  I’ve spent many a day, a night, years of my journey, reflecting on what would allow me to do that, an ever twisting/turning path, which took me into the different world of politics, universities, the food industry, being a psychic, spirituality, and now tattoos.

Marko’s 1st foray into art was drawing and painting.  “I’d draw, paint everywhere, on myself, clothes, desks, napkins, whatever.”  I am a believer in mirrors, that life reflects what’s going on within/all around us, and I recall, as a child, being a writer from early on, how I wrote on everything, I still have old napkins with rap lyrics when I thought I wanted to be a rapper (albeit a hapa-haole kid from Hilo), poems, the draft of my speech as Best Man for my cousin’s wedding, etc.

I’m getting chicken-skin.  Though I’m not in the place physically, where Tattoo Adam or Marko are at, I feel like I’m getting closer, in fact within, I feel I am already there.  I see it reflected in their vibe.  Hear it echoing in their words.  I feel it in how I finally feel like I’m doing what I love: living life fully no matter where I am.

To be continued…