More Guam tattoos!!

On January 30, 2018 By Ian OverseasIn TattoosLeave a comment

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There are a lot of things that separate Guam from most places in the world. For starters, you have to cross thousands of miles of ocean to reach a larger land mass. Because of this great distance, Guam has a unique ecosystem and endemic species of both plants and animals. Cultural interest and identity has made many tattoo collectors seek out imagery specific to Guam as the perfect souvenir or a way to identify with the island we call home.

Despite thousands of military personnel and over a million visitors a year, Guam remains a rather small community. While our environment provides us a close up view of our flora and fauna, there is not a lot of tattoo reference available to get ideas on how to approach truly local tattoos. Doing custom local tattoos can often be both a big challenge and an opportunity to create artwork that makes a tattoo one of the best reminders of Guam anyone can get.

In this case, we have a tattoo of our territorial flower, bougainvillea. Though not an endemic species, you would have difficulty finding someone on island who is not familiar with the flower. Bougainvillea is grown as an ornamental in many front yards and it’s thorns are probably the leading cause of flat bicycle tires in the region.

Initially, I could find no examples of tattoos previously done. Not that I had any intention of copying another tattoo… I was more interested in seeing different compositions and color schemes. I think I was only able to find one tattoo from an artist in California, but done on a young lady from Guam. Perfect!! This guaranteed that any work I put into the drawing could not be negated by a few minutes of browsing the internet (which is super common the last few years). For those of you who draw a lot, you may also find yourself unintentionally drawing things similar to the stuff you have seen before. Inspiration for sure, but sometimes it ends up being really close without you realizing it. I really had none of the typical design issues to worry about, and I was able to exercise a lot of creativity at every stage of the process.

Long story short, I love doing these types of tattoos! If you or anyone you know is interested in something along these lines, I can be found most days at Eli’s ink in Anigua. Feel free to stop by and see what we’re up to or give us a call before you come through at 989-6087. I’d be more than happy to help!

New Work Schedule

On December 12, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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I’m still in action here at Eli’s Ink! We have added 2 new artists to the mix, so the variety of style and skill available here is definitely going to help us move the shop in a positive direction. Guaranteed not to disappoint, and the team of artists we have at the shop now will allow us to provide top level service to any and all tattoo enthusiasts on Guam!

For the foreseeable future, will be doing most of my tattoos by appointment. I will occasionally be available for walk ins, but an appointment is the best way to make sure you’re able to get your tattoo done. The best times to catch me at the shop are between 2pm and 8pm Monday-Saturday. For a while there, I was only able to work 3 days a week, and it was driving me crazy being out of the shop so much!

For Appointments:

Since I started making tattoos on Guam, I have been obsessed with improving the quality of the tattoos I do. In order to put in the time necessary to prepare for custom work, I will be doing most of my work by appointment. There will be times, especially for larger work, where it will be necessary to stop by the shop for a consultation. At any time, you can stop by the shop during regular business hours to discuss any ideas or ask any questions. I can also be reached anytime here. Be sure to include a name and telephone number, and idea of the subject matter, size and placement you would like. I will answer any and all emails in a timely manner!

I am required to take a deposit on all appointments. Once we have all the details worked out, we can schedule a date and time to work on your tattoo. Deposits are non-refundable, and count toward the price of your tattoo. In the event that you miss an appointment without 24 hours notice, another deposit will be required to reschedule. If you are not on Guam or for some other reason you are unable to make a deposit in person, I can accept payments online for your convenience.

I do my best to accommodate everyone. However, I have come to accept that I can’t win them all, and there will be times where I am already booked or I am just unable to do the tattoo.

Aside from all that seriousness, Happy Holidays Guam! I hope the best for you and yours throughout this holiday season and for all of 2018. Something tells me that next year will be better than this one, and this year was pretty damn good! As usual, be safe and I hope to see you soon. Eli’s Ink will be open and ready to serve all of your tattoo needs this holiday season, and you can reach us at 989-6087 to inquire about artist availability. Otherwise, just stop by! Walk ins are always welcome, and everyone is welcome to stop in and see what’s going on.

Epic Battles

On November 7, 2017November 7, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn Info, TattoosLeave a comment

Guam Waters are Rough!

It’s that time of year when Guam has high winds and rough seas. It isn’t a full on winter, but for all you who love the water enough that you can’t stay away, now is a good time to take a break and get a tattoo. This dude is an avid fisherman and spends a good part of his life out on the water in search of epic battles such as this one. I can’t wait to get another session in on this one soon!

This holiday season whether you’re out on the high seas or in the shallow end splashing around in the water, I urge all of you to be safe and aware of the conditions. By all means enjoy island life, but I’d hate to see the names of people I know in the news for something so tragic.

New Schedule Coming Up..

Eli’s Ink recently added 2 new tattoo artists to the roster. Because we have more than enough people to staff the shop, I will be working a different schedule. I’ll be posting my schedule as soon as I know and possibly some new Rules of Engagement for getting work done!!! Just a heads up guys, this will all be sorted out soon!

In the meantime, Eli’s Ink has extended business hours in order to better accommodate the busy schedules of our valued customers. Hours of operation are as follows:

12 noon – 10pm, 7 days a week and most holidays.

If for any reason you have any questions about making a tattoo appointment or our location, feel free to give us a call at 989-6087. See you guys soon!

Lying in a Grave

On November 6, 2017November 3, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn TattoosLeave a comment

Tattoo terminology is one thing that will forever be a subject of debate. I used to work for a guy who had issues with the term “freehand.” Apparently in his mind, freehand is just going to town on somebody’s skin with no guidelines. Is he correct? Absolutely. You can call it whatever you want as long as it works for you. Since I came back to Guam, I’ve been introduced to a whole new set of tattoo theory and terminology. Things like “head artist” and “lead artist,” “powder shading” and “tagging.” Regardless of what you call it, I’m happy that I’ve been able to work alongside a lot of these artists and learn from them.

Personally, I’m not a technical guy. There are all kinds of terms for different techniques. Along the way, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that there is no single correct way to do things. Everyone has a set of tools and tricks that works for them and as long as you are practicing safe procedure, the end result is all that really matters. In fact, I recently saw some lettering done in a stateside rehabilitation facility that blew my mind. For an improvised machine and a short amount of time, it was easily some of the best fine line work I’ve ever seen up close.

There will be situations where you have limited resources and you have to rely on experience and/or guesswork to make things happen. From some of the work I’ve seen, some of Guam’s backyard tattoo artists will make use of their resources to make 2 or 3 sessions’ worth of disaster happen on someone.

Whatever the case may be, if anyone is interested in what I do and how I do it, please don’t assume that this is the only way to do things. It just happens that it works for me. Likewise, if you ever run into one of those know-it-all guys that have years of internet research and certifications under their belt, keep in mind that they are merely offering advice and not stating facts.

Second Chances

On November 1, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

PhotoGrid_1481354809317 The tattoo starter kit has been a top seller for many years now.

Are you an emo teenager who is into dark art? Get yourself a tattoo kit!
Do you want a lot of small tattoos with out those ridiculously high shop minimums? Get yourself a tattoo kit!
Do you feel like you could do a better job than any professional tattooer in your area? Get yourself a kit!!!!!!!!!!

Guam is no exception to this craze. Considering shipping terms and the scarcity of companies willing to ship to the area, a lot of time and effort goes into putting your friends and family at risk of getting a bad tattoo, or even worse, infection.

There are a few common misconceptions that contribute to this phenomenon:

First, prices are too high. It’s understandable that people shop around for a better deal. While that may work for a car to get you from point a to point b, or maybe a dvd player, it isn’t the only consideration when looking for a tattoo artist. Like many other things, you usually get what you pay for, and while there may be exceptions, that car that gets you from point a to point b might not help you get laid. Same goes for tattoos. I have run into countless people over the years who are afraid to take their shirts off at the beach because of their bad tattoos. Guam has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You’d miss out on some of the best parts of island life if this were to happen to you.

Secondly, a tattoo is a tattoo. Mathematically this is true. Once ink is stuck in your skin, technically it is a tattoo. However, sometimes you don’t realize the difference in quality until it’s too late. You may be more comfortable on a living room couch or in an outside kitchen so you can smoke while you get your tattoo. These are good indicators that you may be getting a tattoo you won’t be happy with.

Third, if you can draw, you can tattoo. The ability to draw and the ability to tattoo aren’t mutually exclusive. Drawing is only one aspect of tattooing, and considering that many tattooers have been successful in their endeavors despite not being able to draw, it isn’t even a necessary skill. Likewise, there are many people who draw who don’t do tattoos.

The list goes on…

The worst part is that this is permanent. Sure there are removal options, but the reality is, you don’t want to have to experience that. LAser treatment and dermabrasion are painful to say the least, and very often you are left with scarring that may look worse than what you had in the beginning. When it comes to fixing or covering a bad tattoo, we are limited in what can do, and in many cases, it can’t be done at all.

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Tattooing has come a long way over the years. The internet has allowed us exposure to many different styles and opened our eyes to the achievements of all those who continue to push the possibilities of the craft. Guam has it own unique tattoo culture, and because of our diversity of visitors, there are several subcultures included in the mix.

Anyone who has spent some years collecting tattoos probably has a tribal tattoo of sorts. Especially on Guam, the tribal tattoo was a necessary accessory to complete the island image. Times change though.

Sometimes you want to leave the past behind and either cover or update that tattoo you got with your friends after graduation. Completely understandable, and most likely possible. Tattoos that were done professionally are less likely to have glaring mistakes and scarring. This makes it a lot easier on us, and we would definitely talk less shit than if you had some backyard junk.

If any of this applies to you, we would be happy to help in whatever way we can. It isn’t always possible and your options are limited, but Eli’s Ink has an experienced staff that may be able to cover and/or jazz up your existing tattoo. We hope to see you soon!

Black and Grey

On April 6, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn TattoosLeave a comment

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Black and grey tattoos are a popular choice for tattoo collectors on Guam. Several factors contribute to their popularity. Primarily, there is a common belief that color tattoos don’t hold well on darker skin. While there is some truth to that theory, a better explanation would be the nice weather year round and the beautiful beaches on Guam exposing tattoos to more sunlight than in other parts of the world.

Black is perhaps the most durable of tattoo pigments. Being carbon based, it sits well with our bodies’ chemistry and there are few, if any, reactions to black ink. If a tattooer has been around long enough to remember the tribal arm band craze, there is a good chance that he/she has done at least several square feet of solid black. In that case, experience plays into how well a tattoo will age. Guam, like many other islands, has an affinity for tribal tattoos, and there are only a few exceptions where any color but black is appropriate.

Much of the black and grey tattooing as we know it is rooted in Chicano culture. As the story goes, the techniques were first developed in the prison system, where supplies (especially colored ink) weren’t as readily available. Humans are an innovative species, and even in the absence of such materials, artists were able to apply skillful designs to skin. To this day, there is an entire subculture dedicated to religious imagery and portraits done in black and grey.

As sentences were completed and people were released from prison with these tattoos, the community was exposed to an entirely new style of tattoo. It wasn’t long before there was a demand for these tattoos on the outside, and professional artists such as Freddy Negrete and Jack Rudy were able to capitalize on the new market. Previously, there were few options beyond the “pick it and stick it” flash culture which was central to American traditional tattoos. With black and grey, especially considering that you probably wouldn’t find a picture of your relatives on the walls of a tattoo parlor, the demand for custom tattoos grew like never before.

Even as tattoos become more and more mainstream, there are cultural stigmas attached to it, and it may never be classified as fine art. Is fine art what we want our trade to become though? There is a pride we all should take in being technicians and skilled workers, and to embrace the lowbrow history of the craft may go a long way to prevent us from becoming the stereotypical art snobs who we don’t really care for anyways. So for every Kat Von D or Dave Navarro pulling tattoos into the public spotlight, it’s important to have the mugshot of some psychopath with face tattoos in the news or someone such as Erik Sprague or Lucky Diamond Rich to maintain some balance. Although tattoos are no longer reserved for only prisoners and sideshow acts, that history provides us with a certain edge that sparks interest in many people and makes tattooing an art form through which our clientele are able to express their individuality.

I’ll be on island for another 2 weeks before I head out for a little while. I have time available for a few more tattoos, so let me know if you would like to get some work done sooner than later!!!

Local Stuff

On April 3, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn Info, TattoosLeave a comment

It’s a couple of days late, and Chamorro Month has come and gone. However, tattooing on Guam over the years, I have done a lot of local imagery. With the flowers, there is definitely some Polynesian motif, but the flowers are definitely local.

To be clear, I am not against Polynesian tattoos. I just don’t get many requests for that style. What I am against however, is the popularity of local tattoo artists claiming that this style is indigenous to Guam. In fact, there is no proof that tattooing ever existed on Guam prior to the 1950s, and that has more to do with the military population instead of the local population. You can find a more in-depth discussion of this lack of proof on the Guampedia website. The good people at Guampedia have compiled an extensive collection of information about the island and its culture, so it’s an awesome resource for anyone looking to learn more about Guam.

There are so many aspects of local culture that are beautiful and unique to Guam, and for the last 20 years or so, there has been a cultural renaissance in which many people have come to embrace who we are instead of aspiring to be someone they see in magazines or on television. From a business point of view, success depends on your ability to meet demand. however, there is danger in promoting misinformation for the sake of profit in a time where people are searching for cultural identity.

Inspiration for local tattoos can more readily be found all around us rather than on the internet. Tattoos traditionally are a depiction of a way of life, and only by going out and experiencing life can we truly illustrate that way of life on our skin. Whether or not the ancient inhabitants of Guam wore tattoos, today many of us have them.

Regardless of what history does or does not tell us, tattooing is alive and well on Guam, perhaps more now than ever before. Stop by Eli’s Ink in Anigua if you want to see what we can do for you, and I hope everyone had a successful Chamorro Month!

Eli’s Ink

On March 20, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn Info, Tattoos, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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My current base of operations is Eli’s Ink in Anigua, Guam. Since October of 2016, I have been making tattoos at this iconic location along Marine Corps Drive.

Iconic? Eli’s Ink has been open since 2013. At a little under 4 years in business, the shop is hardly one of the older fixtures in the local tattoo scene. However, the location has been a tattoo shop for around 15 years now. Previously, the shop was named Tribal Images, which is a name recognized by most of the older tattoo collectors on Guam. For almost 20 years, Tribal Images was one of the most trusted names in the business.

I spend most days at the shop from 3-9pm. In our efforts to keep up with technology, we have several social media outlets through which we can be contacted for your convenience. Still, the best way to initiate the process is to come by the shop and work out the details. Whether I am drawing or tattooing, I am never too busy to entertain questions from anyone who takes the time to stop in and see what we have to offer.

My focus the next couple of years is to expand my knowledge of tattooing. In order to do so, I will be spending some time traveling to meet and work with other tattooers. Last year, I did a couple of guest spots in Saipan, and the experience reminded me that my profession doesn’t confine me to Guam, and there is no reason why I shouldn’t take any opportunity to pursue new experiences. After all, evolution is a key aspect of tattooing, and to stay static may mean being left behind. Guam has some of the most talented people in the whole world, and many of the tattoo artists here are no exception.

I will keep you all updated!! Use the contact form for any inquiries or stop by the shop one of these days and see what I can do for you!!!

Back in Action!!!

On February 24, 2017 By Ian OverseasIn InfoLeave a comment

Ok, ok… The truth is, I’ve been in action this whole time. Over the years tattooing on Guam, I’ve met some of the coolest people, and I’m sure there are many more cool people to meet. For those who don’t know me yet, I guess a little introduction would be appropriate to start this thing off…

My name is Ian, and I’ve been an artist in one way or another for most of my life. Even to this day, well executed artwork fascinates me, and to see artwork created live is even more enjoyable for me. In that respect, I enjoy working with all different types of artists, and when it comes to tattoos, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the best tattoo artists on Guam.

I started my tattoo career in 2006 when I started a formal apprenticeship at Art in Motion Tattoos in Colorado Springs. It was one of the best opportunities I’d ever pursue, and although I never officially finished, the information I did learn has served me well over the last 10 years. I had every intention of moving back to finish, but once I moved back to Guam, I’ve found it really hard to leave home. Who can blame me for loving this island?!

It was difficult at first to get a spot at any tattoo studio on island. To be honest, I still had no idea how far I’d be able to take a career in tattooing, and I’m sure my life goals were different at the time. I didn’t really know any of the local tattoo artists anyways, so I wasn’t sure where to begin. I worked odd jobs and did tattoos when I could find someone willing. My equipment was running out though, so I wasn’t sure when my time would be up.

In 2007, I was able to take part in Guam’s first (and to my knowledge only) tattoo expo. Not as an artist, but as a crewmember to help move artwork in and out and set up the venue. With the exception of a few, most of the island’s artists were all in the same place at the same time, and it was there that I was able to meet them. The experience was amazing, and if not for that single event, things may have turned out way different for me.

Since then, tattooing has been my primary focus as an artist. Guam has definitely been good to me, and I’ve loved every minute of it even through the hard times. Currently, I’m working at Eli’s Ink in Anigua, which was the old Tribal Images Tattoo Studio. I’m going to spend some time building this page up, but I’ll definitely tell you more about it in a day or two!