Late October, one would think we should still have lots of riding time left. As I look out my window at the snow swirling off the porch roof I have a difficult time envisioning starting up the FLH, let alone riding in this weather, of course I may change my mind in a few weeks if it doesn't warm up, I'll need a fix by then. This is the time of year to make those modifications to your ride that you've been putting off, or to get that tattoo you have had on your mind for so long.

It's also a great time to do a story on ink work. Tattooing has come a long way from the days of good old Indian ink made with cigarette ashes and canned milk, and a needle melted into a Bic pen for the application. Nowadays there is no reason to get tattoo work done in any place but a certified and sterile parlor.

This past summer I made mention of tattooing when I took the opportunity to get a Dragon Yin/Yang design while covering the bike events in Wayne. I always have my eye out for impressive tattoo work to photograph and started researching who was doing the primo work in my circles of travel.

Being a tradesman, I know the importance of training new apprentices, but I don't like to have them doing my work. Seeking the best in the north was easy. I guess everybody comes to Calgary to get his or her serious tattooing work done. Down south, in the Lethbridge area, Tattoo Town has a couple guys who are pretty handy with a needle and ink. Khaos is the Artist who applied my Yin/Yang tatty and his fine line work is most excellent.

I've been around the Calgary area for many moons and I went to 'Smiling Budda's' for my first tattoo in the early 80's. 'Smiling Budda's' is still open and Paul Jefferies has been internationally celebrated for years.

My next tattoo was applied in my kitchen as I watched football. This was done by my buddy James who was a deaf artist working out of his van. I grabbed my Celtic Eagle while in Sturgis at 'The Tattoo Cellar' to remember my great aunt whose inheritance paid for my third trip to the Grand Daddy of bike runs. As I mentioned above, my Dragon Yin/Yang design and my Chen symbol were applied in Wayne this past summer.

When it comes to custom bike painting everyone knows who the best in the Calgary area is and you know his work when you see it. I'm not going to mention his name but his work is so striking that if you stare at it you will go Cross-eyed.

Good tattooing should also be identifiable, not just a blob of ink on your arm. Color can also set your tattoo apart from the crowd. Recently I happened to meet a beautiful Amazon. Her shoulder sleeves had colors that jump out at you, especially the purple. During our conversations, she told me that you could identify 'Living Color' tattoo work by just that method.

Naturally I kept my eyes open after that to confirm or dispel her words. Keep in mind now; that I mostly cover bike events so obviously most the tattooing I see is on biker/ rocker types, with the occasional Goth subject here and there. Shortly after Lori's boasts concerning 'Living Color', I had a chance to challenge her claims. While dining at Kane's Harley Diner, my waiter had his partial (incomplete) sleeves displayed. Soon as I noticed the vibrant and colourful tatty I asked him where he had his work done, sure enough, he has been going to 'Living Color' for his work and is making payments as they go.

I have given extensive thought over the years regarding my tattoos. Although I already have five tatties, I have reserved my right upper arm for my family's Coat of Arms. Obviously this is very important to me and when I get the work done, I want the best to do it. I've often seen tattoos on people that are a mess, poor cover-ups, or just down right ugly. An old rule is, if you won't hang it on your wall, don't put it on your arm.

My next stop for research was to visit my old amigo, Sly Dog. Now Sly has made a career out of social lunches, so if it has happened or is about to happen in our community, Sly knows about it. I mentioned to him what I was working on and what I had heard about Casey's work over at 'Living Color'. Coincidently, Casey is doing some work for Sly and he agrees that his colourful, realist work is top quality. In fact, he invites me to come check out his work when he goes under the needle.

That conversation was enough to send me in search of Casey's shop. He was occupied doing an arm piece at the time but said if I returned later that afternoon he would have some time to chat with me. During our meeting later that afternoon I showed Casey what I was looking for and he estimated two hours to do the job at $150 an hour.

Another benefit of having a well-experienced artist do your work when paying by the hour is that they are usually fast and smooth. The last tatty I had done this size took my bro five hours to do it. It wasn't so bad while I had Monday night football to watch but by the time he was finishing up, I had had more than enough pain for one day and I enjoy my share.

I even managed to book an open slot before Sly got his work done but since Casey was working on my right arm I was unable to take any notes or photos. I didn't want to move a muscle while he was working on me and it paid off. I have the most beautiful Coat of Arms tatty now and can't wait to show it to my Dad. The way he has been scooping my rings the past few years I wouldn't doubt he decides to get one, which would be his first. That's the whole idea in life; keep growing and having new experiences.

Casey has been in his current location for seven years and his style would best be described as realistic. He also enjoys doing Haida work, which is based on the Pacific coast Indians style of artwork. He has one other Artist working with him who does the New Skool style.

Talk about Karma, this is a guy that I've been trying to track down for the last couple of years. His name is Jay, and he has spent time working in Amsterdam as well as on this side of the ocean. Casey tells me that Jay compliments him as they have different styles so there is no competition for the same work. In the name of research I guess I'll have to get both of them to do some work for me.

One of my first questions was concerning his vibrant colors. No real secret colors although he did admit to having some powder pigments he mixes personally. It is more in his technique of applying the ink and his method of shading with the colors that make his work appear so three-dimensional. Casey prefers to do custom work but they have all the regular flash.

Casey usually saves the end of the day to meet with his clients to discuss their needs and answer any questions they may have. He even located both the Dragon and Celtic Eagle designs that I have on my other arm. Turns out that Dave Shore designed my Celtic piece and was the one of the first to mix the Tribal and Celtic styles together.

While looking around his work area I noticed a drawing of an old car in a Daytona like setting. Such a beautiful piece made me wonder why you seldom see cars as tattoo pieces. The only 50's style tatties I can recall seeing are ones like Elvis, Monroe, the Woodpecker, or dice.

Fast forward to the following Wednesday and we are back at the Parlor while Sly is getting his newest tattoo. During our talks he tells me that Casey is the only person he has ever gone to for his tattoos. Sly's tattoo is covering his full upper right arm and pictures the Virgin of the Guadalupe in prayer above his Nineteen Hundred and Fifty Six Cadillac SS Victoria Coach (hearse).

I shot a few pictures while Casey was working and spent some time discussing with Jay the work he'll do for me. I'm getting the Chinese character for wood, the fish with John 3.16 inside and possibly a Celtic cross or another green dragon.

Conny tells me that the shop is open five days a week from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM, from Tuesday to Saturday. They have two private rooms set up for use and treat all their customers with courtesy and respect. They also inform everyone how to care for their new tattoo and give all some special cream to help the healing process. About the only advice I have is start with a smaller tattoo and it is easier to keep a new tattoo out of the sun in the winter. I've had a few applied in August and you have to be careful not to blister them in the sun.

One thing for sure, everyone I've spoke with agrees, when it comes to tattooing in Alberta, Casey Davis is the man, the bomb, and the best around.

CCRyder

CCR@ccryder.com