When Jeremy Barber was a young kid growing up in Milwaukee, tattoo shops were illegal in the city. That didn’t deter him from pursuing his passion for art and becoming a tattoo artist. He’s been tattooing for almost 20 years and has been living in Denver for the past five…
The third annual Rock for Youth concert should not only be a good time, it will raise funds for a good cause: The concert supports Metro Denver Partners, an organization that provides mentoring for at-risk youth, as well as gang interventions and prevention through its GRASP program. See also: GRASP…
Sam Yamini has come a long way since getting his first tattoo in a trailer. Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, he has been tattooing for fourteen years and is a founder of Dedication Tattoo with Andy Canino, Jason Boatman and Brian Thurow. Westword recently sat down with Yamini, who…
The graphic novel Wild Ocean dives into the plight of endangered animals by giving readers a glimpse of life in the deep sea. The collection of stories looks at twelve sea creaters that are dangerously close to extinction, from sea turtles to albatrosses.The book, edited by Matt Dembicki, was created…
Andy Canino started out with a basic tattooing kit and a natural talent for art. He figured out how to tattoo on his own, and has been tattooing professionally for almost a decade. He is now co-owner of Dedication Tattoo. Westword recently sat down with Canino, who talked about making…
Lorenzo Baca’s tattoos are influenced by both his hometown of Albuquerque, and his tendency toward perfection. His work as an artist began with graffiti, then turned to an interest in tattoos. He has been tattooing professionally for eight years and currently works at Thick as Thieves Tattoo. Westword recently caught…
Musician, artist and former social worker Diana Rose Frances founded St. Francis Healing Works to extend access to the healing arts through Spacecraft, a creative re-use store; Forte Expressive Works, a music program, and more. “I consider the creative healing arts anything that connects people to their own human nature,”…
The stage is set for Monday Magic Madness, the fourth annual celebration of the art of close-up magic. The showcase, which will feature six magicians, benefits the Mile High Magicians Society, a nonprofit that supports the magical arts in Colorado and is one of the largest magic clubs in the…
Jason Boatman believes that dedication is one of the most important attributes of a good tattoo artist. Coincidentally, that’s the name of the shop that he owns with Sam Yamini, Andy Canino and Brian Thurow. Originally from Little Rock, Boatman has been tattooing for fourteen years and has been working…
What started as a pile of wooden pallets is now in the process of becoming Colorado’s first major upcycling festival, set for October in Denver. With founder Kenny Fischer leading the way, Upcycle Events is currently raising funds for PalletFest, a festival showcasing the versatility of materials usually considered waste…
Shawn McDonald believes the art of tattooing is experiencing a renaissance. The industry has changed a lot since his childhood in Massachusetts, where tattooing was illegal until 2000. Now a prolific artist in the industry, McDonald has been tattooing professionally for thirteen years and currently works at American Standard Tattoo…
Sam Kuhn, aka Samazon, grew up drawing ponies and comic-book characters. Now she gets to transform that inspiration into tattoos for her clients. The Kansas native has been tattooing for four years, and currently works at Thick as Thieves Tattoo. Westword recently caught up with Kuhn to talk with her…
Growing up in Little Rock, Brian Thurow never thought he would become a professional tattoo artist. But after six years in the Air Force, he decided to part from his conservative background by getting tattoos — and he’s now been tattooing professionally for almost ten years and is one of…
From unconventional drawing workshops to lectures on what is real, Moxie U is redefining school. Founded by Rebecca Vaughan and Susan Stites, two former employees of the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, the new organization offers a variety of classes for people who want to learn something new…
For many people, April 15 is a taxing experience, so Warm Cookies of the Revolution is throwing a day-after Tax Day Carnival, aka “The Esteemed Philosophe and Adventurer, Dr. Fosberry, & His Civicus Carnivale Spectacular: Burlesque & A Lively Discussion of Issues Pertaining to Taxation, The Publick Sphere, and The…
Su Teatro’s fourteenth annual Neruda Poetry/Spoken Word Festival kicks off tonight with PLACAS, a performance combines spoken word, hip-hop and theater that’s written by visiting artist Paul S. Flores, directed by Michael John Garcés and stars Ric Salinas of the performance group Culture Clash. “Paul did a lot of research…
Colorado native Scott Ferguson has always been an artist, but what drew him to the tattoo industry was the rugged lifestyle. Ferguson has been hanging out a tattoo shops since he was a teenager and tattooing professionally since 1996; he currently works at Thick as Thieves Tattoo. Westword recently caught…
The documentary Fruits of War tells the story of four former members of Mara Salvatrucha 13, who are all now part of the social justice organization Homies Unidos. GRASP, the Gang Rescue and Support Project, is hosting a screening of the documentary at Su Teatro on April 8 to raise…
Tattoos have colored most of Walter McDonald’s life — he got his first ink at age twelve and has been tattooing professionally for more than twenty years. Originally from Houston, he has lived in Colorado for 26 years, becoming a well-known name in the industry. He’s now the owner of…
When Michael Pinto opened Thick as Thieves Tattoo in 2004, he wanted to create a place for people like him. A self-proclaimed misfit, Pinto has been immersed in the lifestyle since he was a teenager, and has been tattooing professionally for fifteen years now. Westword recently caught up Pinto, who…
Tattoos have become a popular modern art form, but Juli Morsella is exploring tattooing’s ancient, sacred roots and has put together an exhibition with works by artists from all over Europe and the U.S., examining tattoos from around the world. The show, Tattoo in Contemporary Art, opens Friday, March 21,…
Missy Rhysing was not exposed to art until she got her first tattoo. She immediately fell in love with the art form, and began working toward becoming an artist; she’s now known for her work combining modern and antique imagery in portraits of women. Rhysing is co-owner of Ritual Tattoo…
