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 Tim Harris took home the "BEST of 2010" Award at the Tattoo Society Anniversary last night. In addition to his Romel Award he also has an amazing 8 page interview in this month's issue. Check it out!

It's hard to segway into this one because I'm talking about myself, so I suppose I will just say read on about me! I'm Mary and I'm the shop manager of Off the Map Tattoo!

 1. How long have you worked in the tattoo industry and how did you get started?

I started at the shop in June of 2007. It was actually a fluke how it got started really. I was searching for a new place to get tattooed and Off the Map Tattoo came up in google, when I was perusing for tattoos I saw an ad that they were hiring. I emailed on a whim, interviewed the next day, got offered the job and promptly quit my "real life" job of 8 years to start working at the shop. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made,

2. What is your favorite style of tattooing?

I'm particularly drawn to bio-organic and bio-mechanical tattoos. I love how they can be conformed to flow with the shape and form of all bodies regardless of shape and size. I am also a huge fan of really colorful and super solid traditional tattoos. 

3. Who have you been tattooed by and who's on your wish list?

I have had the opportunity to be tattooed by so many tattoo artists. Since I started working at the tattoo shop I've been tattooed by Jeff Gogue, Guy Aitchison, Carson Hill, Johnny Berrios, Mike Cole, Orrin Hurley, Dee Dee Seruga, Timmy B, Durb, Shawn Hebrank, Nathan Kostechko, Tattoo Andy, Muriel Zao, and Paul Acker. As far as my wishlist, it changes a lot but some constants are Nick Baxter, Jeff Ensminger, Markus Lenhard, and Adrian Dominic.

Tattoo of the Day goes to Scotty Munster for this vampire bat tattoo.

  Here's a bit of an interview the Baroness at Hope Gallery (Nichole) put together in preperation for our upcoming show Shedding Skin, The Art of Tom Strom, and Jeff Gogue. September 11, 2010

In preparation for his upcoming show with at Hope Gallery entitled “Shedding Skin”, painter and tattoo artist Tom Strom talks about his inspiration behind his paintings and even gives us some previews.

Why is the show entitled "Shedding Skin"?

The title of the show "Shedding Skin" has some duality for me, maybe not so much for Jeff. It comes from the title of one of my favorite Pantera songs. Being a long time fan of metal, I like to incorporate its themes and ideals into a lot of what I do. I also thought it gave a very appropriate name to our show being that we are both tattooers trying to be artists past our job title, essentially shedding our "tattoo" skin.

What is your inspiration or theme behind these works?

My inspiration as of lately seems to be focusing more and more on science fiction and a mixture of a lot of the nature around my home on Minnesota. I've always had an affinity for nature paintings and landscapes so I've been working on really creating atmospheres that we can all relate to. In that, I've been trying to create a narrative of some sort using creatures that are mutated or evolved in one way or another. Basically playing with the idea that as humans progress, we are only pushing nature to to find a way around us and prevail over the earth again. I've only just started working on this theme so these paintings are only the start of it.

 Can you give us a background story for one of the pieces in the show?

  I feel like I am only just starting to find my stride with a lot of my themes so it also led to a slower start in my painting. I've been painting most of these pieces almost every night over the summer. It's been a lot of long nights. I'd say it's been a summer long painting binge that realistically, I don't think will ever stop at this point. Whatever I'm doing right now, seems like the beginning. 

How do you know Jeff Gogue?

         At the end of all this, I have to be honest and say that Jeff is a bigger part of my painting inspiration. I've only gotten to know Jeff over the years through short encounters at conventions and a few phone conversations. What I do know about Jeff though is that he is an incredible painter with what seems to be an endless supply of motivation. He's influencing tattooers around the world to paint and move past tattooing which is not an easy task. Seeing that made me want to become more of a painter and really get focused. I owe Jeff some thanks and probably a drink!

Hope Gallery Presents 

“Shedding Skin” by Tom Strom and Jeff Gogue

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 11, 7-10pm

Fun weekend here at Off The Map as the rest of the crew jet out to Arizona For the Hell City Tattoo Fest, leaving me and Chloe Vanessa here to man the fort. Air conditioner is broken here so its pretty hot in here, fun times!!! I have been finishing some bigger projects and have finally had the opportunity to do one shot tattoos, which i really love so if you have something that may take 3 to 4 hours bring it in. I have been on a botanical trip lately and really love tattooing flowers. Also looking to do some more Star Wars tattoos, Bio organic and Biomechanical tattoos so hit me up at 413-527-6574.

see you in paradise!!! sporting some new ink that will blow your minds I am sure!

BR 

Well not only does September bring the Paradise Artist Retreat, it also brings some seriously bad ass tattoo artists to the shop! Check out this amazing roster of national and international tattoo artists visiting next month!

Ivana traveling from Sydney Australia, September 2-7 & September 21-30.

Luca Natalini traveling from Italy, September 8-12

Thomas Kynst traveling from Deventer, Netherlands from September 8-11.

Jeff Gogue traveling from Grants Pass, OR from September 12-14.

Cory Norris traveling from Grass Valley, CA September 13-15.

Call the shop to discuss tattoo appointments and availability.