The North Lakes Tattoo Show is always a personal highlight of the UK convention scene; being one of the smaller, more intimate shows you could be forgiven for thinking this is just another small local show, but you couldn’t be more wrong! With a long history and a lot of expectation behind it, every year the show succeeds in going from strength
to strength 2011 was no different.

Colin and Mike who run the North Lakes Show, located at the Shepherd’s Inn in Carlisle, really go all out for their artists, traders and public. The warmth of the welcome is obvious as soon as you enter; these guys really care about everyone having a great time, the show runs not only smoothly but with an ambience about it so relaxed you know you’re in for a great weekend as soon as you enter.

The diversity of work on show is obvious coming from the great selection of both national and international artists plying their trade over the weekend; Oliver Peck of Elm Street Tattoos, Texas sat comfortably among some of the cream of the UK scene including representatives of Modern Body Art, Jayne Doe and Black Garden with the Europeans being represented nicely by Infamous Tattoos of Sweden. 

Wading through the crowded aisles, the quality of the work on display was clear... not least the smile on Martin Couley’s face for the amazing gangster sleeve he won an award for and Bez taking a couple of trophies for best large and small colour let the rest of the world know what we did already! 

Some may think there are too many conventions around these days, but whether you agree with that or not, the North Lakes show continues to be one of the best in the country and for me, always will be.

And the Winners are...

Best of Sat
Kimberley by Dave the Buddha
All Style Tattoo

Best of Sunday
Crash by Paul Naylor
Indigo Tattoo

Large B/G
Steve by Martin Couley
Couley's Tattoo

Small B/G
Margaret by Roy Priestly
Skinshokz

Tribal/Celtic
David by Mel
Dark Circle Tattoo

Leg Sleeve
Nikki by Hazel
Saz's Tattoo

Large Colour
Jeanette by Bez
Triple Six Tattoo

Small Colour
Julie by Bez
Triple Six Tattoo

For more images from the North Lakes Show, pick up Skin Shots issue 75 - out now!