Over the past ten years, we have come up with good ideas as well as bad. I think Tattoo Artists and Their Rides was a good idea. Featuring tattoo artists with their cars, buses, taxicabs and (in the case of Amsterdam tattoo legend Henk Schiffmacher) bicycles, the column is long gone but affectionately remembered.

Our personal favorite was SKIN&INK Babes, a centerfold spread featuring full-page tattooed ladies and gents, à la Hustler magazine. Since our first publisher was Larry Flynt, a centerfold seemed an appropriate homage to our then boss. But we needed the space and gave it the ax.

Another good idea that stuck around all these years was Chuck Eldridge's Our Living History. Chuck also brings us the monthly centerfold, wonderful, historical gems from his never-ending rummaging through the dusty bins at antique stores and flea markets the world over. Both of these are alive and kickin'.

And then, of course, are the past columnists who talked to their fans through these pages. Zeke Owen, Don Ed Hardy, Baba from Vintage Tattoo, Erika Stanley, Danny Fowler, Tennessee Dave James, Holly Tuesday and Uncle Tim Heitkotter-each has contributed their special brand of industry insight and love for the art.

Two relatively new columnists have continued that tradition of excellence. I'm talking about Ft. Bragg's Mr. G and Mike Bakaty from New York City. Their reminiscences about the early days and how things evolved not only puts the tattoo life into proper historical perspective but reminds us that great storytelling, like great tattooing, is an art form to be cherished and respected. Look for these every other month.

Our free, 16-page, outsert magazines are also a bit hit, as are the bi-monthly Legends posters featuring great artists such as Leo Zulueta, Jack Rudy, Aaron Bell, Bill and Junii Salmon, Joe Capobianco and Patty Kelley. We are happy to report that there's lots more coming, as an exciting list of great tattooists signs on.

And what about this issue? Inky Dinks goes monthly and Tyson MacAdoo illustrates our yearly calendar.

As the late-lamented 1950s TV icon Jackie Gleason used to say: "How sweet it is!"

Bob Baxter
Editor in Chief

baxter@skin&ink.com
www.skinandink.com