Hi, my name is Joshua St-Aubin

and I love tattoos! My earliest memories of seeing tattoos were nothing special. A crooked little cross on my uncle’s shoulder and a heart and name hand poked into my cousin’s arm. I thought they were cool, but I remember thinking “I can draw

better than that”

In high-school I saw a reaper tattoo on a fellow student. It was freshly done and his t-shirt sleeve was rolled up to show it off! The dark black lines and vibrant colour was applied so well that it looked like a sticker! Far from the hand pocked designs I had been used to seeing. I didn’t know tattoos could look this way. I was intrigued.

Later, looking through some of my buddy’s Mom’s old tattoo magazines, I would discover black and grey tattooing from the likes of Paul Booth, Jack Rudy and Freddy Negrete. Realism from Tom Renshaw and Brian Everett. Rendered in exquisite detail, like that of a fine pencil drawing. I was obsessed! How did they do it? I had to know. It was like witnessing Majic.

Now, 20 years later, countless hours on both sides of a tattoo needle, I can say truthfully; It wasn’t just How they did it….but Why they did it. It wasn’t only technique, but a love for tattooing that made their art so great. 

In my pursuit, I have grown a deep rooted love and respect for this craft and it’s history. I am  grateful that after all this time, there is still magic in bringing these images to life. Thank you all for keeping it interesting.