tattoo
Something is coming…
It is always darkest before the dawn…
Rites Of Passage Tattoo Convention 2012
This weekend was one of the best weekends i’ve had in a long time. It just so happened that Carbon was on at the same time meaning friends new and old would be flying in from all over the country for both events. To say good times were had would be somewhat of an understatement!
Sorry about the lack of updates too, Tristan and myself have been over in the States for the last few weeks!
Life is good.
Jetsetting…
Jane Laver
I recently caught up with Jane Laver of Chapel St. Tattoo, Melbourne. It seems like i’ve been featuring a lot of female tattooists from Australia of late, it’s not that I don’t like mixing it up or that I am in any way biased toward Australian tattooers, but this country boasts some amazing artists, and I feel that by not sharing them with you all, I am doing you some what of a disservice.
You would be right in thinking that Melbourne is the tattoo Mecca of Australia, it’s crazy that so much talent is jammed into one city, and Jane is definitely at the forefront of that talent!
Chapel Tattoo is located at 155 Chapel St. Windsor Victoria Australia – This studio hosts some of the finest artists in the country, and if you are looking for traditional work, you can’t go past it!
For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
How does a typical day in your life usually unfold?
What initially got you involved in art, and how did that lead you in to becoming a tattooist?
Favourite medium to work with apart from tattooing and why?
Who taught you to tattoo, and how have they had any effect on your style today?
And in saying that, how have your styles evolved since you began tattooing?

I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in today’s society, possibly even expected, obviously there being more people for you to tattoo is a good thing, but do you think there is a downside to it?
How do you think certain “reality” tattoo shows on TV have affected tattooing on a broad scale?
What’s been pumping through your speakers lately?
Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?
No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?
Favourite place to kick it?
What are you thoughts on the resurgence of Traditional Tattooing?
What was your first tattoo, and who did it?
What inspires you to create?
What are your views/opinions on the World and Society today?
What are 5 things you always pack on your travels?
How much has tattooing changed since you began, and where do you see it going in the future?
Any words of advice for any aspiring tattooers out there?
Jane Says:
Word association, you know the deal, say whatever comes to your mind when you read the word.
Meighan Mary
aSomeone asked me the other day, “Why do you post so much traditional tattoo stuff”? To be truthful, i didn’t really have an answer. It’s not as if i don’t like other styles of tattooing, I have all the respect and admiration in the world for guys like Paul Booth and Jack Rudy, through to the Japanese masters such as Horiyoshi III (hint), all the way to guys doing super realistic portrait style work such as Nikko and Mick Squires, but something always draws me to traditional tattooing, whether it is how it speaks volumes through it’s relative simplicity, or be it that it is a style that will stand the test of time – I’m not too sure. Perhaps it still retains that certain element of magic and mystery that seems to be ever fading in the tattoo world, whatever it is you are sure to find a whole lot more of it here at This Life.
Staying true to building you a database of the best tattooers from all over the globe, thslfe is stoked to present you, Meighan Mary, working at Alien Art, Mayfield NSW, AUSTRALIA.(Soon to relocate to Melbourne, VIC)
Thanks for your time Meighan, whats been happening?
For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
well im from newcastle, which is about two hours from sydney. im a pretty quiet person, i like good rum, good people and good humor. i have been tattooing for three years now an totally enjoying it. i love doing traditional tattoos i find them the most fun an exciting to do.
How does a typical day in your life usually unfold?
Get up and all that stuff, get to work then have a coffee or tea, draw stuff for the day, draw a penis for Ash, work work work then home to Mitchel and Nacho.
What initially got you involved in art, and how did that lead you in to becoming a tattooist?
I always loved art and making it from when i was young, but i went to a fancy school and it never occured to me that you could make a living from doing art unless it was graphic design and i’m terrible with computers. So i sort of gave up on it for a while until i started getting tattooed.
Favourite medium to work with apart from tattooing and why?


Who taught you to tattoo, and how have they had any effect on your style today?
And in saying that, how have your styles evolved since you began tattooing?
When i first started tattooing my style was a bit darker. Now its a bit more like the tattoos i have myself. I like it when i put a tattoo on someone that i would like on myself.
I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in today’s society, possibly even expected, obviously there being more people for you to tattoo is a good thing, but do you think there is a downside to it?
I think it’s lost the mystery abit. I love the craft’s history and it’s kind of a shame people dont care about it and a tattoo to them is just the latest trend or to be like that “cool dude” that has hand an throat tattoos without a job.
How do you think certain “reality” tattoo shows on TV have affected tattooing on a broad scale?
I guess good and bad. I don’t really watch it so i dont think i can really comment but i just wish people would stop telling me what their tattoo represents. Those shows are not real!
What’s been pumping through your speakers lately?
I like a bit of everything. mostly Rancid or the Slackers, West bound train i’m enjoying and i love the new Spinnerette album.
Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?
No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?
Favourite place to kick it?
At home with my boys. I really enjoy the food and Sangria at our local mexican resturant.
What are you thoughts on the resurgence of Traditional Tattooing?
I think its great.They stand the test of time and they are so beautiful, i don’t know why people wouldn’t like traditional tattoos.
What was your first tattoo, and who did it?
What inspires you to create?
What’s in your pockets right now?
I’m a pretty simple person and i try to just focus on my immediate world because the world as a whole is a bit fucked up.
Name 5 you always pack on your travels?
Camera, Mitchel, nacho, thongs and rum.
How much has tattooing changed since you began, and where do you see it going in the future?
Well i havent been tattooing all that long. I guess it’s a lot more popular now. A guy i work with is convinced were all gonna go back to Celtic and Ornimental tattoos, i hope he is wrong.
Advice to aspiring artists/tattooists?
Anything in the mix or coming up that we should know about?
Meighan Says:
Word association, you know the deal, say whatever comes to your mind when you read the word.
Kevin Rudd – The dude without the big eyebrows
America – Crazy
Obama – Will probably sell out at some point.
Religion – No thank you
Happiness – England