Ink-credible artistry as tattooists take over arena for Big Show
COLOURFUL EVENT BACK IN CITY
THERE are eye-catching inkings galore to be seen at the Metro Radio Arena this weekend as The Big North Tattoo Show takes over the Newcastle concert venue for the second time.
Talented tattoo artists from all the over country set out their stalls on day one as rows and rows of attractions filled the arena.
Everything from celebrity portraits to traditional hand tapping tattoos were being inked onto ticket holders already covered in designs and others who were getting their first. As songs from the likes of Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 and live music from Justin & the Argonauts filled the air, so did the noise of tattoo needles with pets, popstar and ancient figure heads among the inspiration for the many inkings being done.
One of Saturday’s larger tattoos was being intricately drawn onto the body of Sam Edwards who travelled up from Bury to get more work done on a huge inking which include a snake, a mythological hero and plenty of colour. Aaron, the artist responsible for Sam’s tattoo, estimated that after starting on it just before Christmas, it would take around 40 hours to complete.
Music icons were well represented at the tattoo show. Rap fan Barry Welsh travelled down from Glasgow to get the face of Snoop Dogg put on his leg, to go with previous inkings of Eminem and Tupac.
And then Tim Burke travelled up from Bristol for his first time in the chair to get a tattoo of the late and great Prince. It’s been two years since the Purple Rain singer died and since then Tim has been whittling down potential ideas for his tattoo tribute.
The woman responsible for turning his idea into reality was MARTIN MCIVOR Edinburgh artist Claire Hamill, who estimated that it would take around eight hours to complete.
Co-organiser of the Big North Tattoo Show, Martin McIvor said, that after a very successful first year, it was great to be able to once again stage an event to show off the great tattooing talent in the region and further afield.
“We were overwhelmed with the interest to last year so we’re hoping this one will be even more successful.
“There are some fantastic tattoo artists in and around Newcastle but until last year, there wasn’t really an event for them for them to showcase their talent.”
The Big North Tattoo Show continues at the Metro Radio Arena today from 11am to 6.30pm. You can pay on the door.