I’m very privileged in my job as I get to go to many tattoo conventions all over the world (well, someone’s got to do it!) and some I go to I get the distinct feeling that they are just money making ventures with no thought for the attending artists and others I feel are meant as a meeting place for like-minded tattooists and punters alike. Paradise Gathering definitely falls into the latter category.
I have not been to a convention where the emphasis was placed so heavily on the tattooists enjoying themselves and learning more about their chosen profession. Paradise Gathering organiser Gabe Ripley is also the owner of Off the Map Tattoos in neighbouring Easthampton where he has a mouth-watering succession of guest artists with the likes of Joe Capobianco, Nick Baxter, Nate Beavers, Dan Henk, Nikko Hurtado, the Mikes DeVries and Demasi and many, many more coming to his shop to work on a regular basis. Off the Map also has a large art gallery and hosts seminars for artists; this shop is ALL about tattoos and art.
I first met Gabe a few years ago at the last London show to be held in the Truman Building, Brick Lane. He told me about his ambitous idea for the show and I was impressed by his enthusiasm and his list of tattoo contacts. Gabe invited me over for the show so how could I refuse?
After an exhausting twenty odd hour journey we arrived at the venue – The Jiminy Peak Mountain resort in Hancock, Massachusetts. The resort is a skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking centre nestled at the bottom of a massive mountain in the heart of the Berkshire range with ski lifts heading off up into the hills in all directions. Towering above the resort, sentinel-like, is ‘Zephyr’ – a 1.5Mw wind turbine that provides the power for all the lifts and some of the energy that is needed to power such a vast complex. Jiminy Peak also boasts the world’s highest alpine Super slide – more of that later...
The venue consists of various buildings all built from wood giving a real ‘chalet’ type feel to the complex. Some buildings housed plenty of ‘condos’ and others have purpose built seminar rooms, restaurants, bars and the like. These were all put to good use for the Paradise Gathering weekend.
As I mentioned earlier the weekend seemed to have the artists’ welfare at its forefront and from the Thursday evening there was a welcoming dinner out on the patio around a huge open fire, then a talk/discussion panel about tattooing to kick the weekend off in fine style. I walked in on the tail end of the discussion panel, which consisted of Joe Capobianco, Darrin White, Larry Brogan, Cory Cudney, Nick Baxter, Carson Hill and one other whose name I missed. The discussion was in full swing with all subjects about the current state of tattooing covered and the room was packed with working artists and those within the industry who had specifically come to the event for the list of seminars that were to be held over the weekend. The show seemed to cater more for the artists than the tattoo fans with a mass of forums, seminars and workshops going on all over he weekend. In fact many of the working artists I spoke to, said that they were a little sad to be working the show purely because the seminars looked so good and they would miss out on some. This has been duly noted by Gabe the he may be making the show start day a earlier to accommodate the wishes of the attending artists so they too can enjoy the forums and seminars. Gabe just keeps coming up with good ideas that benefit the tattooists. Gabe isn’t a tattooist; and I haven’t met anyone that has tattooists’ and tattooing’s best interests at heart quite so much as himself, which is very refreshing. All this and it was still only Thursday evening!
Whilst talking to Gabe at the London show, he had promised a good line-up of tattooists at his show and boy, he didn’t disappoint! I can honestly say that there wasn’t a single person working ‘the Gathering’ that I wouldn’t want to get some tattoo work off of. The list read like a who’s who of tattoo greats. Nathan Kostechko, Jeff Gogue, Jime Litwalk, Mike De Vries, Nick Baxter, Tony Ciavarro, Stephane Chaudesaigues, Joshua Carlton, Shane O’Neill, and Sweet Laraine – the list goes on...
As Friday morning came and the sun rose over the mountain, the event opened its doors to the public. There wasn’t a huge influx of tattoo fans filtering into the resort but then again this is a slightly out of the way venue being an hour from a major city – Albany – but a steady stream of folk slowly filled the rooms; but not too much, which was nice as there was always room to move about and see what was going on in the booths. This was really good as often I go to some bigger shows were some of these big names are working and you literally can’t get near their booth let alone talk to the artists as the crowds of adoring fans swamp the booth. I’m sure this must have been a refreshing change for the artists too, having ‘space’ to breath and work whilst situated in a very relaxed atmosphere.
This set the whole atmosphere for the weekend It wasn’t too long before I heard my first American tattoo machine burst into life and this signalled the opening of the Gathering to me.
All the artists were situated to two rooms or lodges; all having plenty of room to work and spread out if need be with piped but not too intrusive music to ‘fill’ the rooms.
With in a few hours I would say ninety nine percent of the tattooists were working and those that weren’t had had unavoidable cancellations, but they soon booked up when the public found out about the available slots in their schedules. The weather was stunning without a cloud in the sky with the sun beating down on the incredible multi- coloured trees as this is the ‘Fall’ in the Berkshires.
Friday saw the start of the many seminars and they kicked off with; ‘Similarities and differences between Illustrative, realism, painterly and traditional tattoos’ hosted by Joe Capobianco and helped by Russ Abbott, Jeff Ensminger, Mike Demasi and Murial. The one common factor to all of the discussion panels and seminars were that they were all very well subscribed with many artists queuing to go to these possibly once in a lifetime events.
As these were underway the tattoo rooms emptied out slightly but this gave me even more opportunity to wander amongst the booths and see exactly what was going on.
Dan Henk was working on a wonderful chest piece on a member of Gabe’s team. The tattoo was a very realistic ripped and sewn up scar that ran down over the top of both of her breasts and joined down towards her sternum with plenty of blood. I saw the finished piece the following day and it looked incredible. Well worth the obvious discomfort I’d say. She was very happy and quite rightly so.
Other tattoos of note were probably the smoothest tattooing I have ever seen; done by a lady I’d not previously come across before. Sweet Laraine from Texas Tattoo & Blues, San Antonio. She had tattooed a wonderful pair of sugar skull-esque masks entwined in multicoloured ribbons; the work was so soft and crisp and had a real feminine touch.
Some international artists were also in attendance including Stephane Chaudesaigues, Yang Zhou and Alex de Pase all three making the long trip from France, China and Italy respectively.
In one corner of Crane Lodge West was the one and only Nate Beavers. Nate is as big in stature as he is in his ability to put on an eye-wateringly beautiful tattoo. Whilst I hung about his booth like an adoring schoolboy wanting to see his pop idol, he worked on a chap’s foot and tattooed an incredible snail complete with snail ‘slime’ in about four hours. This wonderful tattoo walked (or hobbled in the case of the recipient) away with the trophy for best of Friday.
In the line-up for the best of day I saw a tattoo on the thigh of a young lady that made me stop in my tracks. You should see the tattoo here in the feature somewhere. Upon enquiring I was informed that it came for the machine and very capable hands of another artist I’d not heard of. I had a ‘butcher’s’ at the artist list and found his booth and had a browse through Christopher Allan’s portfolio and his work is lovely. Chris works out of Devine Machine tattoo in Buffalo NY and considering he has only been tattooing for two – yes, two years - he is going to make a big splash in the tattooing world I’m sure. That evening what seemed like the entire ‘Gathering’ crowd gathered (excuse the pun) in Christiansen’s Tavern for a well-earned beer or three. Not long after we arrived, the ‘Drunken Stuntmen’ kicked into gear to provide the evening’s entertainment. They are a really tight band playing a sort of mix between Blues Traveller and Little Feat and I loved them to bits. What a great way to finish a wonderful day.
Those who had some energy left went to Carson Hill’s room for the launch of the Neuma ‘Hybrid’ tattoo machine, this uses compressed air and/or electric to power the unit giving the tattooist the added benefit of not having to lug a heavy compressor to shows.
Saturday and the weather had changed to a dull grey colour with the threat of rain; this didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm for the days events including more tattoo seminars ranging from Colour realism with Mike De Vries to a painting workshop with Nick Baxter and Dan Henk. Another great idea was the ‘Brutal Critique’ where by if you are an artist, you were invited to bring your portfolio up in front of a panel that at times consisted of Joe Capobianco, Mike Devries, Darrin White and others. A great idea if you are an artist and can take some constructive criticism.
Saturday saw a few more people making the effort to drive to Jiminy Peak but again it was still not so busy that you spent the entire day rubbing shoulders with one and all. Outside there was lots of chill out areas and the views of the mountain and surrounding countryside was breathtaking. This made the whole weekend so relaxed it was more like a holiday for me rather than a work related trip (if you can class what I do as work!).
Most of the artists were hard at it all day and the judging in the evening must have been near impossible but made ever so slightly easier by the use of three computers linked together for the judges. These had a series of sliders on each laptop and all the judges had to do was look at the tattoo; give the corresponding tattoo the marks then press save and the scores were all tallied up automatically giving Durb (the organiser of the Hell City conventions and compére for the weekend) the total marks instantly.
What a great system and very fast. As the evening drew on, the rain started and grew to biblical proportions and I thought we were going to have to build an ark at one point. The Burbank Centre where the judging took place got very hot and steamy with lots of folk bursting in through the doors; dripping wet and desperately trying not to get their fresh tattoos soaked before getting them judged.
With Geoff’s new electric judging system in place, this took no time at all and people started to drift off to get ready for the evening’s entertainment back in the Bar. I missed this entirely as I decided to go into town with some artists for a well-earned meal. Even though the show was a really laid-back affair, the quality of work on show was very impressive so I was busy non-stop from the moment I emerged from my vast room. The condos on site were massive and could easily house six to eight people comfortably and come completely self-contained with every amenity possible. As the show is out of season the prices were very reasonable at around $100 per night. Break that down between six and that’s about a ‘tenner each per night; couple that with the flight of about £400 return and you are looking at a very cheap holiday plus you get access to the impressive artist list too!
The storm must have washed itself out as by Sunday morning the blue skies were back and sitting in the sun was a great way to slowly wake up. The ski resort seemed to get more visitors from the surrounding area coming to use the lifts and facilities for a family day out. This included the alpine Super Slide, which is a two lane bob sleigh run, apparently the highest in the country. So of course many of the tattooists it’s took this opportunity to go hell for leather down the slope, sometimes to disastrous consequences. At one point there was four-sled pile up with Nick Baxter, Jeff Ensminger and others in a big heap after shooting off the slide. Good fun and a great way to blow off some steam. It took about ten minutes to get up slope in the cable car and about two minutes to come back down. Fast - you bet!
In between the slide madness there was some serious tattooing going on. Cecil Porter (see feature in this month’s mag), who works with Mike De Vries had been put out some great work including a superb dog portrait on the Friday. I walked passed his booth on the Sunday to see a great Jimi Hendrix painting with a sticker-attached saying; ‘I want to do this today – make me a deal!’ Sure enough, by the judging on Sunday evening he had done the picture some real justice executing the tattoo on a guy’s leg.
Nate Beavers was working on a Salvador Dali portrait, Tony Ciavarro had laid down a wonderfully colourful chameleon on lady’s back, I saw three fresh Joshua Carlton hand tattoos, Dan Marshall from Tribulation in New York tattooed a great bleeding/crying zombie girl on a guy’s forearm, Darrin White was tattooing his son and Mike De Vries did a superb rendition of Gollum amongst others. Everywhere I looked incredible work was going into the skin.
One tattoo stood out for me all weekend was by Jeff Ensminger. The tattoo was of a Foo-dog with colours so bright they nearly seared my retinas! God, the pink was so solid and bright I think the girl who had had it tattooed on her could have lit her way home with the tattoo!
Jeff Gogue hosted his ‘Gut Level Tattooing’ seminar and the room again was packed for the whole four-hour duration and the Brutal Critiques carried on in another building on the Ski resort. Speaking to may of the artists either attending or working the show all agreed that this is what tattoo conventions should be about - Tattoos and Art. Gabe Ripley and his website Tattoonow.com and his studio Off the Map Tattoo have gained a huge amount of respect within the tattoo community as a guy who likes to give something back from his shop and doesn’t just take. His heart is firmly in the right place and I think that he has done something that has previously not been done before at a convention. Given the artists the opportunity to further their tattooing knowledge, to meet more like-minded artists and swap ideas and techniques in an environment that is completely conducive with making art and making tattoos.
And long may The Paradise Gathering continue. You can bet I’m there next year. If you like what you see on these pages then get yourself over for next year’s show, which will be held on the weekend of September 17th- 20th
My thanks go to all the Gathering staff, who couldn’t do enough to help myself and all the artists that took the time to talk to me and a big thanks to ‘Beaver’ Steve for the tunes and the lifts. You are all stars!
