LAST YEAR I ATTENDED THE LIVE FREE OR DIE TATTOO CONVENTION IN MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE (AS I DO EVERY SINGLE YEAR). I WAS LESS THAN IMPRESSED WITH THE “AWARDS” THAT WERE GIVEN IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS CONVENTION IS A “POPULARITY CONTEST” AS OPPOSED TO ALL ABOUT THE ART.

THE FOLLOWING PHOTO IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I MEAN.

THIS “TATTOO” WAS GIVEN 2ND PLACE IN THE SMALL COLOR DIVISION.

I SAW WORLD FAMOUS ARTISTS ENTER THEIR PIECES INTO THIS CATEGORY AND THEY GOT NOTHIN’.

ITS BULL SHIT, I’M PISSED, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE TATTOO COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS HORRIBLE TREATMENT OF LEGITIMATE ARTISTS WHO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK.

ENJOY THIS MOCKERY OF THE INDUSTRY: