Hey all. Issue #3 here, following on the heels of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which, by the way, was a great time. As many of you already know, we participated, as did our neighbor, Andy from Wayne’s Gold Seal Automotive. He was kind enough to drive a classic Buick Skylark convertible with Shamrock Tattoo decals on it and some kids in the back while a few of us walked alongside. And as promised, I dressed as a leprechaun. Be sure to check out the video in Face Time—it captures some of the day’s festivities, as well as a few other choice moments from roughly the last six months.
Shamrock Tattoo is proud to announce the addition of a third tattooer: Desiree Cassano. I’ve known Des since her days as a hairdresser (she used to cut my hair—way back when I had hair) and we couldn’t be more pleased that she’s chosen to continue her tattooing career with us. Look for her bio and portfolio on the website soon. Or come in and meet her yourself: She’s working out of what used to be the waiting room, I’m upstairs, my old room is the new waiting room, and Patrick is right where we left him. As Patrick put it the other day, Des joining Shamrock feels a bit like the last piece of the puzzle has come into place. More Parking And as we’ve been threatening for sometime now, the parking lot south of the building is finally going in. Should be real nice—yes, that means asphalt but also a fair amount of landscaping and trees and such so keep those doughnuts tight when exiting. On a somewhat somber note, Tiger Tattoo’s Sprague location closed its doors over the winter. The Sprague shop crew can now be found at Tiger North on Garland. I got my first of many tattoos at Tiger Tattoo on Sprague. I apprenticed there, as did Chris. Patrick began working there about the time I started my apprenticeship and that’s how we became friends. And it’s where, of course, I got to know Tiger’s owner, Walt Dailey, the man who brought me into the world of tattooing. I remember hanging out at that shop even before getting tattooed. My friend Rob Fitzpatrick was a regular customer of Walt’s, and while Rob got worked on, I’d sit there taking in all the crazy art on the walls and all the collectables spread out behind the artists’ desks and jammed onto the shop’s few shelves. It smelled of incense and green soap. If there wasn’t blues on the stereo, there was a movie playing that I never found as interesting as the shop banter. The artists, especially Walt, were quick, familiar with all sorts of esoteric subject matter, and had no problem telling each other or their patrons exactly what they thought—all while tattooing. I loved that place and its people from day one. Due to the popularity of tattoos, we now have more shops in more varied locations—one no longer has to go to a somewhat seedy part of town to get a tattoo. Whether or not that’s a good or bad thing is debatable—and probably beside the point. And if I had to have a point, I’d defer to one of Buddha’s Five Remembrances: “All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.” Rob left this earthly plane several years ago; the tattooers who worked at Tiger in its early years have moved on; and now the shop itself is closed. And though one day they too will disappear, for now I still have the memories, still have the tattoos.
Our friend Chris Spriggs, formerly of Tiger Tattoo North, was working upstairs earlier this year while waiting to get into his own space. Well, his shop, Rage Studios, is now open, but before he left we took advantage of his presence and sat him down for an interview. It was great having him around, and though he doesn’t need it, we wish him the best of luck.
Another Beautiful Day in Paradise
Hey everybody. I was sick a few weeks ago—not catastrophically sick but not well. As a tattooer it puts me in an awkward position. On the one hand, I want to keep my appointments and make everyone happy, but, on the other hand, I know I won’t be doing my best work. People are always disappointed when they can’t get tattooed when they are supposed to, and I understand that. Sometimes people take time off work, are coming from out of town, or are just looking forward to getting tattooed. When a tattooer is horribly sick it’s a little easier to feel justified in putting people off. It would be easy to come in and do sub-par work, take the money, and forget it. That’s not what we are about at Shamrock, and I have to say everybody has been super nice about it. Other places I have worked, people have not been so nice about rescheduling, and I just want to say thanks to everyone for understanding that our commitment to doing the best job we can sometimes means a short wait. Conversely, if you’re sick, don’t come in and get me and Buck sick. We can wait until you’re well. Speaking of other places I’ve worked, my 15th anniversary of tattooing professionally is coming up at the end of June so maybe we will do something special. Stay tuned. Patrick Thank You Paddy’s Day people: Andy, for use of the car and driving it; Jen Holland, for putting my outfit together; Matt, for the photos and camera batteries; Ron and family, for simply being there; Jen Ethington, for coming up with the whole idea as well as organizing our participation. It was far more fun than I think any of us imagined, and the get-together at the shop post-parade was a pretty good time as well. Thanks to all who showed up, and we hope to see more folks (in leprechaun outfits or not) next year.

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