Why?
This association was created so we can share knowledge and information regardless of language barriers. We found it essential to offer a place of exchange where tattooers from all over the world can present their work and their technique, and talk about their philosophy and how they view tattooing in a wider sense.
We want to preserve all this precious technical knowledge for future generations and avoid what sometimes happened with the work of too many classic painters. The finer details of their unique and defining technique wasn’t passed down, and even with today’s best tools, we have a hard time to unveil some of their mysteries.
Our country, as small as it may be, is blessed with many talented and influential tattoo artists, and we would love to give more creative and expressive freedom to those who may be limited in their work by the boundaries of their own technical knowledge in tattooing. We shouldn’t forget that in order to progress in tattooing, one must learn, hone and master a set of important technical skills. Talent and inspiration eventually come into the fold to really turn on the magic as time passes.
Both the Internet and the dedicated press have initiated valuable exchanges, but we feel that direct contact allows people to best feed on knowledge. I have always made a distinction between my job as a tattooer who delivers a paid service to a client and the notion of exploring a more artistic side of things that may not be so profit-driven. I think that both the craftsman and the artist can claim the same technical knowledge, and I find it necessary to master the basics of the trade in order to produce a piece that satisfies both your business and your artistic sense.
How?
We decided to call on our friends to help us bring our vision to life, and we reached out to Shane O’Neill, Nikko Hurtado, Bob Tyrrell, Saint Marq and Joshua Carlton. These are few of the many artists we hope to bring onboard with us in the future.
They were generous with their time and agreed to come to France to share with you some of their secrets. I am very proud to count these great artists among my friends. They have already traveled everywhere to educate others on their ways, holding seminars at conventions the world over, so they are perfectly qualified teachers.
Our seminars won’t be focusing only on the technique of tattooing but will also touch other topics that are relevant to the evolution of our business. Some of these topics will include a photography workshop, using tablets and various softwares to make use of digital tools, a drawing and painting workshop, tuning and making your own tattoo machine. These courses will be open only to professional tattoo artists.
This project was made possible by the participation of world-renowned artists who are far more approachable than their reputation would lead you to believe. Instead, these are humble and generous educators. By working this way it will be possible to further change the world’s view on tattooing. Indeed, scores of very talented artists are at work all over the world this very minute. They would be able to communicate, to see and to understanding, to be heard and recognized by joining us.
Where?
The defining principle behind these seminars is exchange, and we hope that future gatherings can be held in other venues, so as to keep up with the traveling nature of our trade. In other words, future seminars will be held wherever a host artist is located. This artist will agree to share his knowledge and will also host guest artists like Shane O’Neill or Bob Tyrrell in his shops, while learning from them at the same time. It will also be a rare occasion for collectors to have work done by a famous guest artist that they would have a hard time meeting otherwise. It’s also a great opportunity for the guest artists to get to know different parts of France.
Let us know if you would like to host one of our seminars and one of these talented guest artists.
Cécile and Stéphane Chaudesaigues.
