Category: Info

Epic Battles

On By Ian OverseasIn Info, TattoosLeave a comment

PhotoGrid_1509186776622Guam 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!

 

Local Stuff

On 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 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 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!