Tatt Fest

The National Tattoo Fest pulled up again at the Assembly Rooms in Derby a few weeks back, and the ink was flyin.

Some well impressive imagery was being worked on with testosterone levels up and pain thresholds being pushed to the max, it turned out to be an exciting one for everybody.

Not just tatts though- bands played, burlesque girls flaunting their tushes, and video footage was being pushed out.

On the main stage was a live feed to the promotors"State of the Art" website of the days proceeding, with prizes on offer like best tatt on the day, tatt of the weekend etc.

A good and in some instances, pleasurably painful time had by all.

Closest to body art we got this weekend!

Face down and lovin every minute.

Thats what we like to hear.

Open wide... um no!

Shit I got an itch... second to last vertebrate on the left.

Chalkin up the stage miles... punters on show.

What an arty bunch... nice.

Just keep lookin straight ahead.

This baby had hair at the start of the day...?

Class act on this un!

This seemed to be a popular spot for some ink.

Twisted Smile hit the high notes... sweat, yes sweat.

Jimmy that's were that board went, it's holdin up the friggin xylophone.

Caught in the act.

Clean lines.

U auta try it sometime.

Big Thanks goes to Phil at State of the Art for his support... Cheers man.
And the site for sore eyes is... smile when it hurts.

RD's Art

Clownin

Another in the Self-Harm series.

Acrylic and spray on canvas

Ever have one of those days when you just can't help but feel down.

Off The Wall

Graffiti Kings, u heard of um?

Maybe not- well here's a run down.

These guys hire out graf artists- if you need an indoor/outdoor piece to enhance your property or shop.

Use free hand, digital or stencil art.

Community stuff- they can come to schools and teach the whole class how to bomb.

They organize events and much more...

We spoke to David the owner.

RD: Hey dude, nice to catch up.

RD:When did Graffiti Kings kick off Dave?

I'd been painting since 1983 worldwide for 20 years before bringing the Kings together. Over this time I painted with some of the very best, so I initially formed the team from the talent pool I already knew.

Soon after the word got out about what we were doing, artist started coming out of the wood work, contacting us to get involved. It's one of the things I love about my job- the constant exposure to new talent. Just when you think you've seen it all, someone comes around and blows you away.

Most of our guys are involved in other disciplines too, so we have fine artists, sculptors, tattooists, graphic designers as well as street artists in the team!

In the Hood!

This must be the ladies, far to nice for the Gents!

Got that sinkin feelin.

Nice hall mark.

RD: Do you have many well know artists on your books?

There are well know artists in our ranks, but we found that the Graffiti Kings brand has surpassed all our individual pseudonyms so we really focus on GK rather than any one individual. I guess it just comes down to us all putting our egos aside with the view to making something bigger.

Bedroom Bits

RD: You run community workshops, is there an age limit, do you work with schools mainly or can the older folk get involved?

We've worked with younglings all the way up to grannies.

But yeah, it's mostly schools that we deal with. Our workshops artists all have teaching experience in other fields and are really passionate about helping people learn how to graffiti.

Event hi-lites.

Well- fast food.

RD: Your defo doing some exciting stuff... thanks for enlightening us Mr.

To find out more go to:

Smear goo on your walls...

Meet...

Swoon...NYC

Great inspirational interview with a well know NYC Graf Artist.

If you get a chance check out the DV "Inside Outside", it features a sound collection of New York's finest, along with other class acts.

Tregoning Summer Show

Frairgate Gallery

Derby

Outside- there is work going on, re-routing the automotive chaos which is Derby's ring road. Tarmac being turned from a flat surface to chunks and dust. To enable a fresh redirected surface to appear and serve the vehicular masses.

From the clatter of hydraulic hammers to the deafening scrapes of digger buckets extracting solid matter from the earth's surface...

In the distance appears a retreat of blocks and glass, a sight for the sorest of eyes- We are attending the Frairgate Studios, Summer Art Show.

Inside- a stark contrast, a relax atmos, music soothing the sole of one's feet.

It is the first time we'd been to this place, a pleasant gallery with a contemporary collection.

Consisting of a ground floor exhibit, and then into a security elevator to the third floor which again was a gallery but with a difference.

We exited the elevator to an atrium type space with great views of the north of the city, so good it proved difficult to concentrate on the art.

Into the Lower Floor Gallery.

Great textures on this piece!

Jenny Reading's ceramic dogs £140

Scratch an go, another cool work.

Close up this looks like a bunch of blobs on a canvas.

It's once you step back the technique hits.

Acrylic on canvas £1450

Dude called Paul Cummings did these. A local graduate, he was also commissioned by Chatsworth House to do some stuff in the gardens.

Some classy bits in the pit.

Aahh... that's where the term "cock and bull" comes from!

We know its upside down, but it looks better that way... sorry kids.

Nice roof.

Lets Go Upstairs.

View from the top floor, with crow on the prowl.

Umm spark plugs and baby... what do you say about this one?

We were scared to look at the title.

How bout:

Bosch Baby

NGK Kid

or Champion Crapper??

Another slant on "put a cork in it".

Another scratch.

Likin this, not sure how much it was?

Workers on the street... priceless!

Seriously though, if you want anymore info and prices go to Tregoning Gallery.