September the 5 th had finally arrived and it was off to catch Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore where I was to meet up with Hwee Lo from JB in Malaysia and her worker Adrian. Then all 3 of us were Beijing bound.

What a city, nothing like you can imagine listening to other people's tales of this place, everything about Beijing except the people is huge and with a population of 0.1 billion people in Beijing it is cross the road if you dare. If you think Chinese drive bad in Perth think again, I think we are lucky to be alive. Road rage is alive and well in Beijing and we got our taxi to wait for a while outside our hotel to witness one such incident hoping to see some Kung Fu, no such luck a few bitch slaps that never even landed, I was very disappointed. The road rules are quite simple in China, ie: I am in a car so fuck you, but the person in the biggest car or truck wins, indicators well what the fuck do they even put them in a car for, it's pretty obvious the car that has just cut you off forcing you to break so hard you go through the windscreen was going in your lane anyway. The horn of the car is there to see if any one can set a new world record for the most amount of times it can be pressed in any given time frame. The police were very tolerant and patient, should send a few of ours over there might fucking learn something, although I doubt it.

The Chinese people were all very friendly and we were made to feel welcome where ever we went. I found that they are a race very proud of there history and immense culture and why shouldn't they be, but with the Shaolin Temple being the Birth Place of Martial Arts why did they invent gun powder? And the answer to the age old question, If English people get Chinese Tattoo's do the Chinese get English Tattoo's is yes.

On the 6 th we all went to the Great Wall of China and Great does not even do it justice what a monument to the efforts of the Chinese people of that time, I heard two American ladies say “You have to feel sorry for the people that had to build it” I replied I felt sorry for the poor bastards who had to carry the bricks up there.

On the 7 th we went to Tiananmen Square where we were met by a group of Chinese University Art students, very friendly, very informative and immensely proud of what they were doing and how there art forms conveyed in picture form some of the Chinese beliefs. They invited us to the Art Gallery and with time on our hands why not?

Inside the Gallery was a huge collection of paintings done by various students and their masters, these were all for sale at various prices depending upon who was the Artist.

The very pretty young lady who showed me her set of four paintings explained the Chinese Philosophy behind each one so it was impossible to buy one of the set and then in turn explain this back home so I done the right thing and bought the set and am glad I did. These paintings show what the Chinese believe is your life's journey from birth to death and so being hand painted to no end of exactness and detail I have beautiful 1 of a kind set and also some photos of this young lady.

After bidding our new friends Farwell it was time to get the tourist shots of Tiananmen Square , it was suggested that I lay down for a photo I didn't think that this would be appropriate, especially with all the Chinese watching us.

Next the Forbidden City, you actually really couldn't see the whole place and appreciate it in 1 day, but we did our best seeing as though yours truly was trapped for 3hrs by camera happy Chinese wanting a photo with me, how could I say no to these very friendly people without offending them?

On the 8 th we all had a very relaxing day doing absolutely nothing, a bit of retail therapy for Hwee Lo and the convention was the next day for 3 days so a rest was in order.

We visited several restaurants whilst there and the food was always top class, even the street stalls that sell deep fried scorpions, crickets, star fish and all the little creatures that generally send Westerners looking for the nearest McDonalds or KFC were of a high standard.

We also went to a few bars as you do, Maggie's was a favorite and even the Blue Bar with Tracy and her boyfriend Nikkita, Tracy actually met us at the airport and was one very hot young lady and can she dance. I'm not allowed to mention that Adrian got told where to go by one very ugly girl at this bar, why? He wasn't good enough that wasn't bad coming from well my Dobermann was better looking. So I won't.

Peggy was another of the organizing staff who helped us a lot and of course Susan who spent long hours sending emails to us all with details long before our arrival.

On the 9 th it was the start of the convention, so it was with anticipation we all left early for the start, and for the next three days the Jinri Art Gallery would be our home as well as for Artists from all over the world along with trade stalls etc.

What a convention it was, the art work being done by the Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese Artists was fuckin incredible.

The organizers had worked tirelessly to put on a convention equal to that of anywhere in the world. Martial Arts displays, live drawing displays and many other cultural displays on stage that were incredible to say the least.

I was honored to be asked to judge every category at the convention so I had an excellent view of the work on display .There were a total of 5 judges for every category and I personally think that all those that won were very fitting recipients of their award.

I must add that I don't think there were any losers, the standard was very high and anyone would be proud to wear the work that was not judged to be the best, and some categories would have been so close it's not funny

Everybody in my eyes were winners although they never got Trophies, they won because the crowd was appreciative of the effort put in by their Artist so the Artist and the crowd were also winners. Other winners were the Chinese people and the Organizers.

No one would have thought 10 years ago that a convention of this caliber would be held in China .

On a sad note it was disappointing to me personally that a public thank you was not made to all the event staff that made this convention run the way it did, a small over site but an important one for the future success of functions like these.

So on behalf of myself and every one else concerned to all you people I extend a huge thank you.

We met up with Jessie Smith from the states, and his dad who is in Germany had a few beers with them and a few yarns as you do, don't forget your welcome anytime Jessie.

On the Sunday the last day of the convention I got an eyeball in a hole Tattooed on the back of my head from the Master at THE SKIN WORK. He donated this piece to me free of charge so thank you very much your work and your gestures were much appreciated.

Actually later that day this same artists work was judged best Black and Grey wash at the convention a very nice piece that he put on one of his students forearms, now that was a hard category to win.

All that was left to do now was to sink a few more beers at the after party and back to the hotel room to prepare for the early flight back home. So with fond memories of a top class convention, people and new friends we left Beijing to eagerly wait for 2006.

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VIC PTAA TATTOO SHOW 2004

We left for the show flying Virgin Blue and all I can say is thank Fuck for Qantas.
After doing the Red Eye flight we were greeted at the airport by KD and Ted from Stray Catz in Melbourne and not forgetting Bree who thought it would be funny to arrive dressed in a schoolgirl outfit. After seeing Bree’s Albino legs it was the proof you needed to know the sun never shines in Melbourne.
It was then out to Bev Robinson’s for a huge breakfast.

Later that day I caught up with Greg Hoskin’s a very good friend of mine for many years, the industry could do with a few more people like Greg that’s for sure.
Greg gave up 3.5hrs of his own time to tattoo the top of my head thanks heaps Greg for another great job. Greg even missed an appointment for me so thanks also to the lady that had to rebook I know you’ll appreciate the work on your next booking.
Saturday saw the start of judging for the Tattoo show which, I was invited to do the MC for the judging par which enabled me to get a really close look at some of the fine work being done in the state where they do play the best football.
The reception was again at the Moonlight reception center in Carlton and a great night was had by all.
Congratulations to all the winners of the various categories.
After spending most of Sunday walking around the Vic markets with Bev it was time to return home to Perth.

Congratulations to Patsy on another well organized event the work that goes on to organize shows like this is incredible and invariably it gets left the few so on behalf of everyone concerned Thanks Patsy.

Hope to see you all at your next show.

AJ

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VIC PTAA TATTOO SHOW 2004
RESULTS

Contestant/Artist

BEST BACK…MALE
1ST Kelvin/ Gina
2nd Spider/ Nutz
3rd Kevin Chong/ Steve Cross

BEST BACK…FEMALE
1ST Melanie Irving/ Matt Chubb
2nd Kellie Gray/ Jason Bannerman
3rd Justine Hefal/ Jenny Roach

BEST CHEST…MALE
1ST Greg/ Tubby (Tasmania)
2nd Potsy/ John Limbrick
3rd Gary Mattson/ Matt Chubb

BEST CHEST…FEMALE
1ST Tam Smith/ Tubby (Tasmania)
2nd Liz Kat/ Beans
3rd Kerry Smith/ Dave Andrews

BEST LEGS…Male or Female
1ST Bert Di Grandi/ Dave Andrews
2nd Skipsy/ Dave Rand
3rd Shawn Rees/ John Limbrick

BEST ARMS…Male or Female
1ST Tim Moroney/ Tubby (Tasmania)
2nd Liz Kat/ Beans
3rd Steve Gray/ Jason Bannerman

BEST LARGE COLOUR TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Leigh Smith/ Jade Baxter
2nd Scott/ Tubby (Tasmania)
3rd Kelvin/ Gina

BEST SMALL COLOUR TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Jim Bascarini/ Greg Hoskins
2nd Tam Smith/ Tubby (Tasmania)
3rd Eric Geddes/ Dale Huggard

BEST LARGE BLACK TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Rick/ Ross
2nd Melissa White/ Simon White
3rd Scott/ Jimmy (Tasmania)

BEST SMALL BLACK TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Rick/ Ross
2nd Tracy Treby/ Shorty
3rd Graham Milkins/ Bobby B

MOST REALISTIC PORTRAIT…Male or Female
1ST Mick Finn/ Jenny Roach
2nd Chris Martin/ Greg Hoskins
3rd Declan Mort/ Steve Cross

BEST SIDE TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Frank/ Nick Dutt
2nd Karl/ Nadine Bryant
3rd Kevin Chong/ Steve Cross

BEST CELTIC OR TRIBAL TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Karl/ Nadine Bryant
2nd Shawn Rees/ John Limbrick
3rd Scott McClay/ Beans

BEST COVER-UP TATTOO…Male or Female
1ST Gary Mattson/ Matt Chubb
2nd Danny Loxton/ Chris Millar
3rd Norman Chapman/ Tattatude

BEST OVERALL TATTOOED MALE
Greg
By Tubby (Tasmania)

BEST OVERALL TATTOOED FEMALE
Tam Smith
By Jimmy (Tasmania)

Body Art Asia 2000 - Bangkok

Shane and I, on invitation from my very good friend Ebby Bauch from Thaiman Tattoo 11, gladly attended the first convention of its kind held in Thailand.

Drama started before we even left Perth International Airport.  As we were about to go through immigration I got called back to the Singapore airlines desk where the Federal Police greeted me.  They had scanned my suitcase and thought they had hit the jackpot.  The scan had shown something in my case they were very interested in, and, at that stage, I was stuffed if I knew what it was.

I was escorted out to where the case was surrounded by more Feds than you could poke a stick at.  I was asked if I had packed my own case and was there anything in there that I thought they would be interested in.  Answers were yes and no, respectively.  Seeing as how the case was full of Tattoo equipment and clothes, how could they be interested?  Let's face it, it's not everyday that the Studio is inundated with Feds wanting tattoo's!

I was asked to open the case and they then explained that the scan had shown a human hand in my case.  It was then that I asked if this was "Funniest Home Video".

Now remember that the machine will show the difference in organic and non-organic tissue and our highly trained operators can see the difference - so imagine their faces when their human hand turned out to be my bloody metal skeleton belt buckle.  So what were the odds of being stopped on our return with nothing to declare?  Well, I won the bet, of course I was stopped and then on the TV with the Olympics customs stated that they don't stop people at random - they work on the risk factor.  Well, Tattoo Affair is either the Importer/Exporter of Prime Body Parts or they are full of shit!

Anyway, it wasn't too much hassle and we soon boarded our flight to Singapore.  We then continued to Thailand on our connecting flight.

Shane and I actually stayed at the Grand Central Hotel situated approximately 15 minutes from the city, depending on the traffic.  If you imagine Perth peek hour and multiply that by 1000 at least you have Bangkok on a quiet day.  13,000,000 people live in Bangkok and 65% of the population is female.  Shane still has to pick his jaw up from the ground.

Shane and I caught a taxi down to Pattaya to see Ebby and Mamma for a short while - time enough for Shane to get legless again and sit watching the girls at the Go Go bars.  We also met up with a few of Ebby's friends that had also traveled for the convention.  Ebby had secured us a stall joining his in the prime spot - you could see the stall as soon as you entered the centre.  There were artists from all over the world so it was good to catch up with Richard and the boys from Johnny Two Thumbs from Singapore; Lionel from KL; and others.  It was also good to meet new friends for the first time - all the crew from Gino's in Belgium, Jimmy from Germany who actually did some work on me.  Thanks to Jimmy, Syd, Piak and many others who we will not forget.

The convention itself was not just about tattoo's but rather all forms of body art as well as health, beauty and some cultural displays.  Credit must go to Christian and his staff for a very well run event and one that Bangkok can look forward to as an annual event.  One of Christian's staff, a very beautiful young lady named Fong (Fon) escorted us around some of the sites in Bangkok with her friend Suk.  We were lucky enough to be shown around without all the hassle generally involved in being a tourist.

We were also lucky enough to be introduced to the boys from GREMIUM MC who showed us immense hospitality, putting on barbeques for us and making us welcome all hours of the day and night.  Matthias and Teeogh will not be forgotten either and I won't be drinking Tequila again - well not in such large amounts mixed with huge amounts of Sambuka and beer anyway or until the next time at the Gremium Club House.

On our way back to Perth we again stopped at Singapore where Richard from Johnny Two Thumbs met us late in the evening to give me a bag sealer for the studio - so thank you also Richard because that was really going out of your way and it was very much appreciated.

So now we are back home and being kept busy by our loyal clients and our new ones that we hope will stay loyal to us and we are eagerly awaiting our next Body Art Asia.

~AJ~

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