Art Intensity Network – Tattoo Video MagazinePresented by Tattooed Kingpin, Philadelphia Eddie’s 7th annual Tattoo Arts Convention was held July 29th – 31st 2005 At the Philadelphia Convention Center.
If it wasn’t for the security guards and police officers at every door way to search you and tell you where to go, one might have got lost in such a giant place. If I were a terrorist a Tattoo Convention would be low on my list of targets. Of all the conventions I have ever attended around the country I have never seen but a small number of incidents. However the police would be the least of your concerns if you were to show your ass in a place with an army of large tattooed guys and women who could beat an average man's ass.
I was the only member of my team that was smart enough to remove my pocketknife before trying to get on the Convention floor. So after going back to the hotel located right across the street to drop off our contraband it was time to try it again. The first thought in my mind was how giant this room was. I walked over to the contest registration booth to pick up an artist list and map to their booths'.
Some of my favorite artists were there, Shane O'Neil, Pat Sinatra, Bald Bill, Joe Capobianco and even Jason McCarty of Body Art Tattoos was there sitting on the receiving end of the needle. One of the highlights of the whole show for me was to stop by the booth where 3 legends of tattooing were sitting and chatting with collectors and artists alike. Coney Island Freddie, Bowery Stan, and Philadelphia Eddie-- all together telling stories and answering questions.
Freddie had a collection of vintage machines he had used and collected over the years for sale. I picked up a hand made aluminum machine to feel the weight. He smiled and told me, “That one there made me allot of money over the years.” “Now hold this one." Bowery Stan told me as he handed me a "Jonesy" and told me about Jonsey's start and revolution of the Tattoo machine, Stan worked for him and learned how to make and assemble them. He told me that his father was a tattoo artist and came to this country in the late 1800's. What an incredible story and history he has. To see and hear more of his story and colorful life, check out - "Like it was…" an Art Intensity Network special edition DVD.
Also available is "A Night Out With The Boys" Historic footage of Philadelphia Eddie, Bowery Stan Moskowitz, and Coney Island Freddie talking freely about the changes in the tattoo business, styles, laws, history, and stories only they can tell. You have to give it up for the "old timers" who fought to keep the business alive and going all these years and paved the way for tattooing to become a respected and legitimate art form.
We make our rounds to catch some of the great tattoos in progress and get the scoop on how the show is coming along. After a full lap of the convention center I have worked up an appetite that only the Reading Terminal Market can satisfy. If you are ever in Philly you have to go here. Located just across the street from the Convention Center and with more fresh food than I think I have ever seen in my life. This place is incredible and all I wanted was a Philly Cheese Steak.
Counter after counter I was told "Sorry we are closed" What the Hell? It is only 4pm and this place is not supposed to close till 6pm. Here I am craving a Philly Cheese Steak and not a single Amish bastard will make me a damn Philly Cheese Steak. A little pissed I settle for chicken strips and Marconi and cheese and watch all the tattooed people take over this place. I bump into a friend while eating who was really excited about eating a, you guessed it, a Philly Cheese Steak. I broke the bad news and we went back to the convention.
Inside I heard rumors about what I thought was a lie. I was told there was going to be Midget Wrestling and I nearly passed out. This was a childhood dream come true. Thank you Philadelphia Eddie and Tattooed Kingpin for making my dream come true. Combining Tattoos and Midget Wrestling was something I had always hoped would happen someday. With the excitement of Midget Wrestling behind me I step outside to catch a conversation with Sage of Sage's Urban Art in Mesa Arizona. Sage is also one of the Promoters for the Phoenix Tattoo Convention. I asked him what he thinks about the new media attention to the tattoo world and lifestyle. 
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