STATE OF GRACE IN SAN JOSE
BY Richard Todd

When I arrived Thursday evening for the State of Grace San Jose Convention of Tattoo Arts in California, I was among some of the world tattoo community's best, everyone from new-wave inkers to old-school greats. Organizers Horitaka and Roman Enriquez always put on an outstanding event, and 2007's affair was no exception, thanks to sponsors Three Tides Tattoo Japan, Black Dragon gloves, Bud and Monster. Located next door to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Jose, the event site was extremely comfortable for all of the attendees, artists and press. Plus, it was close to great dining and an active bar and gallery scene.

On Thursday evening, the day before the event was to begin, there were two art openings featuring the tattoo talents of local artists, as well as famous participants from all over the world. One exhibit, entitled Skin Vandals, featured the cross-pollination of thirty-five tattooists, graffiti writers and fine artists. The special exhibit was organized by Norm from Primal Urge Tattoo in San Francisco to coincide with the San Jose convention, and featured the art of Paul Booth, Shawn Barber, Adrian Lee, Horiyoshi, Jill Bonny and several others.

Later that night, Juan Puente from Spotlight Tattoo in Los Angeles and I walked down the street to attend the grand opening of Analogue Tattoo, the new shop of tattooers Adrian Lee, Matt Shamah, Ron Earhart and Jim Miner. It was a smokin' grand opening, and a great way to kick off the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, I set up my photo studio backstage and started shooting the appointments I'd set up the night before. The San Jose Convention is one of the few events that has a low stress level, so the whole scene was totally relaxed and laid back.

The first art fusion took place on Friday and continued throughout the weekend. Later that night, the best-of-day tattoo was judged and the winner announced. Saturday and Sunday turned out to be extremely busy for the artists and me. There was a large amount of beautiful work being shown and after being judged in the contests, all the contestants came by the studio to be photographed. In the midst of all the other festivities, who should come over to say hello but Chris Wade, whom I hadn't seen for at least ten years. Chris, along with his son and his tattoo artist Steve Potton from Steve's Tattoo in Great Britain, had come to the convention from England. We had a wonderful reunion and it was my pleasure to shoot a family portrait for them. Chris was last featured in a gallery exhibit I had years back, but subsequently we'd lost touch. So it was great to see him again.

The artist Shawn Barber was hard at work in his booth, painting the likes of legendary San Francisco tattooer Bill Salmon. Bill Funk and Anna Paige were also in attendance, along with Don Ed Hardy showing his latest endeavor, painting on porcelain. Also in attendance were Jack Rudy, Robert Hernandez, Chris Treviño, Bugs, Scott Sylvia, Filthy Bill Henderson, Dave Gibson, Dave Fox, Ethan Morgan, Grime, Horigyn, Horiken, Horimasa, Horitoshi Family, Horisho, Horitomo, Jill "Horiyuki" Bonny, Joe Capobianco, Trevor McStay and Aaron Bell. The legendary Pinky Yun was there, too, still tattooing at eighty years young, which was great to see.

Finally, I have some advice. Before you make plans to go to a tattoo convention, do the research and make sure the convention you attend is, like the event in San Jose, put on by a tattoo shop, artist or tattoo organization. There are people out there who do not have anything to do with the tattoo industry but put on events simply out of greed. They don't live in or support the local areas, so don't be a stooge and support that kind of event. This is Richard Todd and I approve that message.

For information on the next Northern California convention, visit the website at www.stateofgracetattoo.com.