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Looking for a good way to start your evening on Saturday, February 4th? Head down to Sacred Gallery from 7-10pm for the NYC debut of “Shamanic Skin: The Art of Magical Tattooing.” The exhibition features thirty selected works from the portfolio of tattoo anthropologist Dr. Lars Krutak. The event is free and all are invited.

From the artist statement:

For the past fifteen years, Dr. Lars Krutak has travelled the globe to document the religious beliefs behind permanent forms of tribal body modification. His photographic exhibition focuses upon the deeply spiritual realm of tattoo through an examination of these fascinating rituals.

Don’t worry if you miss the opening night, as the entire exhibition will be available for viewing February 4th-29th from noon to 8pm daily. Further details about the exhibition can be found on the Facebook event page.

On Friday, February 3rd, Art Machine Productions will be holding an art show based around Philadelphia tattoo artists. With the amount of talent in Philadelphia, there’s no doubt this will be an amazing show.

The 2012 Paradise Tattoo Gathering & Artist Retreat in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM is coming up soon–February 20th-23rd, in fact–and I know some of you want to go *really* badly. Looks like the organizers are feeling generous, because everyone who ‘likes’ the event page on Facebook gets entered to win a set of tickets to the retreat.

They’re cutting off entries and contacting the winner via Facebook on January 30th – ‘Like’ the Paradise Artist Retreat 2012 page on Facebook for your chance to win!

Not sure what all the hoopla is about? Watch the video below for footage from last year’s retreat, as well as some great quick interviews with attendees.

Holy shit… another Friday the 13th. And you know what that means: fun single serving tattoos from all your favourites!

Here’s the events I know about:

• Hand of Glory Tattoo – Brooklyn, NY: starting at 10am
• Three Kings Tattoo – Brooklyn, NY: get there early, the line has a tendency to get really out of control
• Ink & Dagger Tattoo Parlour – Decatur, GA : “And remember: Show up with a moustache and leave with a moustache.” – Guys, this is a joke. Go to their FB and giggle a little!
• Kris Bushing @ John’s Tattoo – Bay Shore, NY: “$250 for a horror portrait after 7pm”
• Kyklops Tattoo – Pittsburgh, PA: Tattoos are $13+$7 tip. Special is on specified designs only. NO CHANGES to designs!
• Daredevil Tattoo – NYC: Friday the 13th tattoos will only be at Daredevil, it’s business as usual over at Fun City. (details)
• Massive Tattoo – Las Vegas, NV: $13 tattoos, $7 tip
• Oddball Tattoo – Portland, OR
• The Living Ghost Tattoo Parlour – Tempe, AZ
• Mercury Tattoo – Doylestown, PA

I’m sure I missed a ton — please leave a comment with the shop name, link & location to be added to the list.

**Pro-tip: Don’t be a prick. Most shops add in a $7 tip. But c’mon, it’s on you for life. An extra couple bucks isn’t going to break the bank!

If you’re in the New York area today, make sure you stop by Sacred Tattoo for their ‘Ho Hum Holiday Specials.’ Pick up a new tattoo for $50 and a new toy, blanket, or gently used winter clothing. All items will be donated to the Coalition for the Homeless.

Even if you’re not getting tattooed, this is a great event to support during the holiday season.

This Saturday the 17th, Massive Tattoo will have a skateboard art show called Deck the Halls. The event starts at 8pm, and officially ends at 11pm. If you’re in the Las Vegas area, this is definitely something to stop by and check out.

Painting by Jime Litwalk

Depending on your exact location, you still might have time to make it to the Heroes & Villains at Hope Gallery Tattoo. If you’re nearby, head down between 7pm and 11pm for a great time.

Our Final Event of the Year is December 10th!!

Every year we go all out for the last event of the year since it’s essentially our Anniversary Party / Massive Group Show. “Heroes and Villains” will feature over 30 artists doing their take on Good vs Evil. Opening will be Saturday, December 10th at 7pm only at Hope Gallery and will feature amazing giveaways from Gentle Giant!

You may have missed the first three Quick and Painful dates, but you can stil make the last one (assuming you live near Miami, Florida.) The event takes at Art Basel on December 3rd.

In case you forgot, let me tell you a little bit about this unique exhibit:

Quick & Painful is a traveling exhibition produced by Hope Gallery, one of the most prestigious tattoo art galleries, that features the work of more than 15 important artists and designers with backgrounds in fine art, graffiti, and illustration in a unique exhibition for one night only. During the exhibition fans are able to pick their favorite designs right off the wall and get them tattooed right on the spot for only $40 by World renowned tattoo artists like Joe Capobianco, Eric Merrill, Julio Rodriguez, Jime Litwalk, Dan Smith, Jesse Smith, and more.

Quick & Painful features today’s most elite low brow artists doing original Tattoo Flash. Among the artists and designers that will be presenting Flash Prints for the exhibition are Alex Pardee, Amanda Visell, Brandt Peters, Camilla D’Errico, David Horvath, Devilrobots, Frank Kozik, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Huck Gee, Joe Ledbetter, Junko Mizuno, Kathie Olivas, Pete Fowler, Ron English, Sam Flores, Shawnimals, TADO, Tara McPherson, and Tokidoki co-founder and Creative Director Simone Legno.

Miami, Florida isn’t a place we talk about much–but since Art Basel is December 1st-4th, it only makes sense that something good is happing on the Lower East Coast. Omerta Publications is having a book release party and art show in celebration of the release of their first project, Nunquam Dormio Vol. I.

The book, curated by Javier Betancourt & Jason June, features work from over 30 international artists. The book will be available for purchase, along with some of the artwork by the artists. Details below, or you could let them know you’re attending via Facebook.

Opening reception: December 1st. 8pm – 12am
Where: Ocho Placas Tattoo Company – Miami, FL
Live music & drinks next door @ Habana Mia

This Saturday, Dan Smith will be at Sacred Gallery signing (and selling!) copies of his new book, With The Light Of Truth. There’s also an event on the West Coast next month, so there’s no need for any of the Angelinos to feel left out.

If you’re interested in seeing more of the book, click here. For those interested in picking up a copy, click here.