EDITOR'S COMMENT—November 2003
Dear Baxter:
I am sorry to hear the Tattoo Road Trip Family Reunion and Trade Show event had to be cancelled. I
honestly believe that just such an event was long overdue, and surely there must be others out there that agree. Why is it that in almost any profession there are trade shows and conventions where the
public is not allowed to attend, yet this doesn't happen with tattooing? Could it be apathy or maybe an attitude of "pay to go to a convention? Shit , they should pay me to appear." Or could it be an attitude of
"no public, no bucks to be made there," or maybe just an attitude, period. I know I have one: I'm pissed off that the first event of this kind will not be taking place.
―Steve Anderson
Custom Body Art
Medford, Oregon
Dear Steve
I'm more disappointed than anything else. First, Skin & Ink gets dropped
by Larry Flynt for not selling enough copies, and then the Road Trip event gets cancelled, because artists didn't send in their money. The tattoo community just doesn't seem to get it. Unless you get off your butt and
support something, it vanishes. If you like the magazine, buy the damn thing. If you say, "Man, a tattoo trade show where we can finally spend some quality time with other artists in an educational environment designed to
improve our business," and then you don't even put a check in the mail, you don't comprehend the situation. Perhaps I assumed too much, but, by reading this, hopefully we'll all know better in the future. Plain and simple: If
you don't support the magazine, or the event, or your favorite tattoo artist, for that matter, they will sink like a rock and go away. Pardon my rant, but
I've learned a lot from these two cancellations. I'm much more aware of the character flaws of certain people within the tattoo community, yet I will continue to respect the traditions. I have started watching my back, but I'll
still show up, eat my vegetables and stay accessible. Maybe the tattoo community has lived the gypsy lifestyle for so long it isn't very savvy when it comes to business. Unfortunately, many so-called leaders in this profession
cannot see beyond their noses, which is why prohibitive laws are being passed, profits often outweigh achievement and cults of negativism flourish like ragweed. But that's another matter. What's important here is that Skin
& Ink remains a leader in honoring tattoo as fine art, supports the sterile chain of events and continues to serve as a vital conduit between the tens of
thousands of tattoo enthusiasts that inhabit the globe, from Brooklyn to Bali. I feel a bit betrayed, of course, but I will persevere, continue to document
the ever-changing landscape of tattoo art in an entertaining and informative manner and, above all, churn out another one every 60 days
―Bob Baxter, Editor in Chief