Author: david

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Best of Tucson Voting is live… so lets get best tattoo artist and best tattoo shop this year!

Traditional Pinup Hula Girl Tattoo available in Tucson at David Meek Tattoos

The time is upon us. The Tucson Weekly’s Best of Tucson 2019 voting has begun. Last year I was so very fortunate to have so many wonderful people put my name and my private studio in the ring for Best Tattoo Artist as well as Best Tattoo Shop in Tucson. It was such an honor to have the trust and votes from so many. My goal has always been to make tattoos that stand the test of time, are applied with clean crisp technique, in a clean and relaxingly comfortable studio…. So, as far as that goes, Ive been a winner for along time in that competition.

But… The competitor in me always wants a little more haha. So last year was only the first year my studio was open, and I was a finalist for Best Tattoo Artist and the studio was a finalist for Best Tattoo Shop. Amazing. But I think we can do a bit better this year.

This first round is for nominations. So please take a moment to go the the link and show some love for your favorite things in Tucson.

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR BEST OF TUCSON

Best tattoo artist – David Meek Best Tattoo shop – David Meek Tattoos, Best Hot Dog- You Sly Dog, Best radio or morning show hosts – Cyndi and Chris, Best Hamburger- Molecular Munchies, Best brewery-Dilinger Brewing Co Best Yoga Studio- Yoga Oasis… these are just a few of my friends that deserve some recognition and a nomination!

Thanks for taking the time to support local tucson businesses!

Dave Meek

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Episode 15: Clint Vaught and the biography of tattooer Mike Huff

I was eager to receive the call from Clint about being on the podcast. I love tattoo history and where it brought us. Im sure you have noticed there is a bit of nostalgia in most every episode with an overtone of distain for the modern process of instagram and hashtags…and this episode is no different. But this time we get to delve into a tattooer that was part of the history we so revere and yet have never heard of him. He quietly slipped into history having done his duty as a tattooer. He worked for the people, he plied his trade, he fed his family and he provided shelter. Far from where we are now with hashtag millionaires and iconic tattooers known for their hairdo more than their work. I submit this chat for you to enjoy not only Clints journey and dedication to our humble beginnings but also Mikes part in it. 

Clint at Mikes final resting place

Lyle Tuttle and Clint Vaught

Please follow Clint and check out what hes done for us on Instagram and the his website

IG @clintvaught

IG @royalartbooks

IG @lyletuttlecollection

 

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
 
 
 
or subscribe on Itunes or Google Play here
 
Thanks so much for all the support and feed back everyone… there are alot of podcasts out there and to think you waste a couple hours with me each month is crazy… Thanks 
 
 
Dave Meek
 





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The Best of Tucson Finalists are in!

Hey everyone, it happened… The Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson finalists are officially in… And even more exciting, I have been nominated for Best Tattoo Artist (David Meek) as well as Best Tattoo Shop (David Meek Tattoos). This is an incredible honor and I have to thank all of the people that have allowed me to tattoo them. The only thing is… We Need to Win. So here is the link to head back to ballot and let Tucson KNOW who is the best. Im also happy to report some of my close friends have also made it in the finals Best Food Truck ( You Sly Dog) Best Brewery (Borderlands) Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Beer Selection ( Tucson Hop Shop) just to name a few. 

Here is the link for you to cast your votes for the Best in Tucson.

Im so excited. Thanks so much… and you can bet money we will have a celebration when we win!!

 

Dave





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Episode 14: Jeremy Miller Texas New School Tattooer

 

 

Love this Tat Gun by Jeremy Miller of Pigment Tattoo in Austin Texas

Jeremy Miller may be the most educated tattooer there is. For this podcast, I get to talk to Jeremy about earning his PhD and how his education background is business has affected him as a tattoo artist. We chat about the balance between making art and making money. You many know Jeremy from the first season of Ink Master, and I got the opportunity to learn about the ups and downs of reality TV, especially how it has come into play with the tattoo industry in the past decade or so. Jeremy is a straight talker, telling me all about what he thinks the failings of the tattoo world will be in the years to come, and what we as artists and shop owners can do to fight that.

Be sure to follow jeremy and his shop on social media 

Facebook-

Instagram

 

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
 
 
 
or subscribe on Itunes or Google Play here
 
Thanks so much for all the support and feed back everyone… there are alot of podcasts out there and to think you waste a couple hours with me each month is crazy… Thanks 
 
 
Dave Meek
 
 
Words by Amber Sipe

This roasting marshmallow is just too damn good. By Jeremy Miller of Pigment Tattoo in Austin Texas





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The Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson 2018

The Tucson Weekly best of Tucson primary voting is underway til June 17th and there is no better time to let your favorite Tucson establishment know how you feel about them. Categories include best Food Truck (You Sly Dog) or best radio host (Cyndi from 92.9) to best art gallery (MOCA) or best yoga studio (yoga oasis). I love being able to participate and support my favorite things about Tucson. From Roccos little chicagos wings to renting movies at Casa Video or grabbing a beer at Borderlands Brewery it makes me feel good how awesome our local stuff is. 

Click THIS LINK to go to the Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson Voting page to get started.

And support all your favorite local stuff including best tattoo artist ( ME!) and tattoo shop (David Meek Tattoos) 

Thanks everyone, Im really excited to see how this goes..

 

Dave





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Epidode 13: Shanghai Kate and Jack Rudy

Awesome pic of Jack Rudy and Shanghai Kate tattooers with over 80 years combined exprerience

Rad Hula girl by Shanghai Kate of Austin Texas

Freehand Skull rose and eye by the black and grey master tattoo artist Mr. Jack Rudy of Good Time Charlies in Anaheim California

Bell Bottoms. Led Zeppelin. Shanghai Kate peeing standing up. The 70’s were an amazing time,
especially in the tattoo world. In what may be the funniest Tattooer’s Podcast to date, I shoot the
breeze with the awesome Shanghai Kate and a special guest, Jack Rudy about tattoo trends over
the last few decades, tattoo removal, and their intricate knowledge of how skin and ink react to
each other. From the days of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry, to the days of the tramp stamp, and
present-day trends, Kate and Jack take me through the history of tattooing and the influential
changes that they’ve helped implement in the industry, whether it’s single needle tattoos or
sterilization processes. Kate is all spirit and science, Jack is all antics and aliens. I hope you
enjoy this month’s episode as much as I did.

 

You can find Kate online here or you can check our her facebook or instagram @shanghaikate

You can also follow Jack on Instagram @j_rudy_gtc

or on Facebook

and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
 
 
 
or subscribe on Itunes or Google Play here
 
Thanks so much for all the support and feed back everyone… there are alot of podcasts out there and to think you waste a couple hours with me each month is crazy… Thanks 
 
 
Dave Meek
 
 
Words by Amber Sipe





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Episode 12: Freddy Negrete

Freddys awesome book

Just one of many of Freddys pieces

I still cant believe i had the chance to chat with Freddy Negrete. Ive known his work for so long and I yet have known nothing about where he came from or how he got where he is. I read his book Smile Now Cry Later and it grabbed my attention from the beginning. I wanted to hear more of his story or at least share it with other tattooers. His life has been super crazy, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Even staring down deaths door. Only to come out the other side stronger and more focused than ever… If you don’t have his book, obviously you should get it. But you can learn alot from just hearing this living legend share what his journey has been like. I hope you guys and gals enjoy this episode as much as I do.

 
Here are the best places to find or follow Freddy.
 
 
 
 
and dont forget to follow the show on all the social medias
 
 
 
 
or subscribe on Itunes or Google Play here
 
Thanks so much for all the support and feed back everyone… there are alot of podcasts out there and to think you waste a couple hours with me each month is crazy… Thanks 
 
 
Dave Meek
 
 





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Episode 11: Remembering Royboy with Tim Svetly


On this episode I got a chance to chat with the author and curator of the new book The King and Queen of the Badlands Royboy and Debra the Tattooed Lady… Tim Svetly. Hes gonna take us on his personal journey in collecting the crazy stories of the notorious tattooer Royboy Cooper. From hearing legends of a tattooer who defied all social norms to becoming an important part of collecting tattoo history. 

Enter Royboy

From wrestling bears as a kid, to learning with Cliff Raven, to buying tigers guns boats and cars, to having a hardcore gym in the basement of his tattoo shop. His  life was his own 3 ring circus and he was the ring leader. A life of adventure and the willingness to do any and all things doesnt seem to do Royboy justice. I highly recommend checking out Tims new book on Royboy and his wife Debra to get a taste of what 70s and 80s biker tattooing was like in Gary Indiana. 

 

You can follow Tim on Instagram @royboybook or you can purchase a copy of the book directly at www.royboybook.com

 

You can also follow the show in Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast  and dont forget to follow the show on Itunes or google play and subscribe. It only takes a second and helps the show out so much. 

 

Thanks for listening

 

Dave Meek

www.davidmeektattoos.com

music by www.bensound.com





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Episode10: 39 years and counting with Deb Yarian

 

 

In this new episode of the Tattooer’s Podcast, I am joined by Deb Yarian of Eagle River Tattoo
in Alaska. This woman is nothing short of incredible. Not only has she been tattooing for 39
years, but she has worked all over the United States building her skills and clientele. Deb tells us
all about the underground world of tattooing in the 70’s and 80’s, describing the risks of being a
tattoo artist, as well as some of the danger that came with working in cities where tattooing was
illegal. Not only did she make it through some tough times in the tattoo world and in her
personal life, she did it all with some thick skin, being one of very few female tattoo artists of her
time. Thanks for joining us to listen to the amazing wisdom of the incredible Deb Yarian.

39 years strong! Deb Yarian owner and tattooer at Eagle River Tattoo in Eagle River Alaska

 

You can follow Deb on Instagram @debyarian or her shop @eaglerivertattoo or on the web at www.eaglerivertattoo.com

and Dont forget to follow the show on Instagram @thetattooerspodcast or on www.facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast 

you can also subscribe to the show on Itunes or google play to make sure you get all the future episodes. It only takes a second but it helps the show so much. 

 

music by www.bensound.com

words by Amber Sipe





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Episode 9: Chicago Tattooer Nick Colella

 

The Best Traditional Chest Eagle Tattoo by Nick Colella in Chicago at Great Lakes Tattoo State street

Nick Colella making the best tattoos in Chicago

Work by Nick Colella Chicagos best tattooer at Great Lakes Tattoo

 

In this week’s episode, I take a trip back to the 90’s and the days of “house punk rock tattooing”
with Nick Colella, owner of Great Lake Tattoo in Chicago and the brains behind the Walk Up
Classic. He talks about all the antics of the old-timers, how tattooing used to be, and how things
have changed over the years. You can hear the passion in Nick’s voice, and you can tell how true
it is when Nick says that tattooing was his first love. You’ll learn about how internet and social
media have changed the way customers get tattoos, and how it can be a gift and a curse. Nick’s
humility is something to behold, and hearing him say that he’s just a “regular tattoo guy” is
hilariously weird for someone who knows what a tattoo hero he truly is.

Be sure to follow Nick on Instagram @nickcollela and his shop @greatlakestattoo and dont for get to follow the show @thetattooerspodcast as well as on facebook.com/thetattooerspodcast

You can also download and subscribe to the show on Itunes and Google Play. It should only take a second but helps the show so much.

 

Thanks for all the support for the show and tattooing. Let me know what your favorite part of my interview with Nick was in the comments. 

 

Thanks and happy new year!

 

David 

 

music by www.bensound.com

words by Amber Sipe and David Meek