John Portik, of Niagara Falls, has been fined by the health department after 8 cases of skin infection (one being MRSA) were traced back to tattoos performed by him. Although he claims to have worked in a shop, the owners of Hardcore deny having ever heard of him - let alone employed him - and he did most of his tattooing via tattoo parties and in people’s homes. His tattooing equipment has been confiscated and he’s been told to stop tattooing, but anyone who has received a tattoo from John Portik since 2001 should be tested for blood disease since his methods of sanitation cannot be verified.

More Information:

Tattoo Clients Urged to be Tested

MRSA and Tattoos: What Are the Risks?

Are Tattoo Parties Safe?

DIY Piercing Lands Teen in Hospital

15 year-old Zeke Wheeler is in the hospital with a severe case of MRSA after trying to pierce his own lip. He has already had to have multiple surgeries to remove infected flesh from his body. Now Zeke wants his friends to avoid making the same mistake and is advising them not to do what he did.

Tattoo Artist Suspected Child Molester

Michael Joseph Chavez, a tattooer from the San Diego area, is being sought by police on suspicion of molesting his two step-children. They are looking for any tips on the whereabouts of Chavez.

3rd Suspect Arrested in Murder

A third suspect has now been arrested in connection with the murder of Joshua Trobaugh, owner of Mr. Tank’s Tattoos, last August.

Sydney (AU) to Ban Intimate Piercings on Minors
A new law is set to go into effect for minors in Sydney, Australia. They will no longer be allowed to get any intimate (nipple or genital) piercings and must have parental consent for any other piercings.

“I wanted to change my second earlobe piercing for the first time today. It has been 6 weeks and I planned to change the jewelry. I went to remove the labret stud but I can’t get off the ball on the end. When I try I end up rotating the jewelry causing pain and bleeding. Is there a trick to removing the jewelry? Any tips or tricks would be great. Thanks.” - Mnstn

Tattoo Shop Owner Busted on Drug Charges

Rodney Pendleton, owner of Area 54 Tattoos in Peachtree City, Georgia, has been arrested for cultivating and distributing marijuana. Several plants were found in his home. As far as I know, he’s still in jail.

What pisses me off the most about this story is the back information. Area 54 just opened earlier this year and it was the first tattoo studio to open in Peachtree City. (source) It was a struggle to begin with, and the city tried to shut Pendleton down. Rodney Pendleton rounded up the support of residents and sympathetic legislators, and eventually opened up Area 54. He could have taught people that we’re better than they expect us to be. He could have proved that we don’t mean these cities or their residents any harm. In a year or two, he could have softened the hearts of the local lawmakers and opened a doorway for more tattoo studios in the area. But instead, he has proven them right - that they should never have allowed him to open and that such a business has no place in their fine city. Regardless of how they may have felt before, the city will more than likely be even more vehemently opposed to the presence of a tattoo studio anywhere near their borders thanks to the idiocy of one person.

People like Pendleton are in the minority. Most artists and shop owners take this business very seriously and do not purposely do things to jeopardize the reputation of the industry or its supporters. But the actions of a few people can really hurt the way the rest of the world perceives all of us, making it twice as hard for the rest of us to be accepted.

More News This Week:
Undercover Investigation Results of Some Colorado Tattoo Shops

Stearns County Bans Suspension Shows in Bars

Last weekend, I attended the Hell City Tattoo Festival in Columbus, Ohio. It was my first time attending this particular event, but the itinerary and artist guest list promised one hell of a good time (pun intended). Did it rise to the challenge and meet my high expectations? Read my review and view the photos taken during my three-day venture into the depths of Hell.

Traci Hancock, featured on this site last year, has made some big changes! She has recently opened her own shop with her husband - Boomtown Tattoo - in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Since then, she’s been slinging out even more superb tattoo work and has shared some of her latest pieces, which have now been added to her gallery. Check it out!

“Has anyone ever heard of leaving a deposit for a tattoo appointment, then not having it be applied towards the cost of the tattoo? My g/f and I just got new tattoos. I went in early in the week, made our appointments and left a $50 deposit. They quoted me a price of $100 per tat.

So this past Saturday we go in and get the tats, when I go to pay, they charge me $200 more. I questioned Eric (the guy who did our tattoos) and he said it is their policy to charge just for a reservation since they are so busy. There wasn’t a single customer in the place at the time.

Just seems weird to me. So be forewarned, if u make an appointment at Tattoo City and leave a “deposit” it’s actually a fee in addition to your tattoo. We do like the tattoos, just feel we were overcharged.” -sharonM45458

Hey everyone! I’m in Columbus, Ohio right now and have been covering the fantastic events of the Hell City Tattoo Convention this weekend. I’ve met some amazing people, seen hundreds of awesome tattoos, watched some of the best artists doing what they do best, and witnessed one of the most amazing collaborative art projects ever. And it’s not over yet! Stay tuned for a detailed article and pictures from Hell City later this week.

If you’re anywhere near the Columbus area, I encourage you all to come down here and check it out. And if you see me, come say hello! Sunday is the last day of this event and the schedule is just as packed as the past two days. Here’s what’s coming up:

• 
  12 pm - Gates Open and Hyperspace Special Event/Art Gallery Opens
• 12-3 pm - Tattoo Competition Registration
• 12-2 pm - “Modify: The Movie” shown in the Sinema
• 1-4 pm - Nick Baxter’s “Fundamentals of Oil Painting” Seminar
• 2-4 pm - The Art Fusion Experiment Show
• 2-3 pm - The Goodtime Engineers Perform Live
• 2-6 pm - Tattoo Wars - ALL EPISODES - Shown in the Sinema
• 3-6 pm - Tattoo Competitions
• 5-6 pm - Steve Haworth “Successful Surface Piercings” Seminar
• 5-7 pm - The LAST Art Fusion Experiment Show!
• 6-7 pm - Tattoo of the Day Competition
• 6-8 pm - Paul Booth’s Art Fusion Experiment Documentary Shown in the Sinema
• 6-7 pm - Steve Haworth’s Genital Bead Placement Seminar
• 7-8 pm - Steve Haworth’s Successful Laser Brandings Seminar
• 7 pm - Tattoo Competition Awards Given by the Suicide Girls
• 8 pm - Gates Close and Hell City Tattoo Fest is Exorcised!

Armor Tattoo Shop Robbed
Armor Tattoo Studio in Lakeport, California, was robbed of thousands of dollars of tattooing equipment earlier this week. Tattoo machines, needles, and tattoo ink were among the items stolen. Fingerprints were found and are being tested, but police have no suspects as of yet.

More News This Week:
IL Man Tattooed Teens in His Basement

New Law: Body Artists and Studios Must be Licensed in New Mexico