Tattoo Nation: The Most Important Documentary on Permanent Art...Ever

By now, you've either seen Tattoo Nation (more than once) or you've been living under a rock. 
Conceived by Eric Schwartz and brought to life by the forefathers of West Coast tattoo culture, this documentary may just be one of the most important films within the industry.

Tattooing in the United States is at an all-time high in terms of popularity and acceptance, and it's quite obvious that the industry has changed considerably over the last century. There are now multiple television shows dedicated to tattooing, institutions fashioned toward the education of tattoos and countless celebrities sporting permanent artwork on their body. The public has been aware of tattoos for quite some time now, but never before has a considerable percentage of the general public been tattooed themselves.

David Oropeza and sons

With a constantly growing number of tattoo shops opening in every town across the country, it can be difficult to choose the right shop if you're not well connected within the industry. Which shop has the best artists? How much am I going to pay for this tattoo? Do I need to make an appointment for this? While these may be some common questions for your average customer, you should be asking yourself “How well do these artists truly understand the history behind tattooing, and how have they applied that knowledge to their own practice?” Director Eric Schwartz decided that he wanted to help tell the general public a story about how modern tattooing came to be, an idea more than seven years in the making. Tattoo Nation is that idea.


Eric Schwartz is a professional photographer, and his client list has allowed him to meet some very established members from differing industries. The tattoo industry is no different, and with a chance meeting with legend Edward Caballero, better known as Chuco amongst the world's finest tattooists, Eric had a basis for his documentary. Having grown up in New York and transplanted to California later in life, Eric had never seen such immaculate black and gray work in his life. Chuco was happy to introduce Eric, a blank canvas with no tattoos, to his friends and artists in the tattoo community, and from there, the documentary had started. One such friend of Chuco's was David Oropeza, a tattoo collector and well-respected member of his community who would ultimately help Eric create the exact vision for this film.

Freddy and a mural from the past

Although Tattoo Nation began life as a 27-minute short featured in a local gallery night of Eric's, it quickly became so much more when producer and colleague John Corry encouraged Eric to expand the project.

“He said, 'this should be a TV thing!'” recalls Eric. “But we talked some more and came up with [the film]. We started production two years later, and here it is.”

With so much of the tattoo industry in the mainstream light, it can be difficult to understand what's pure and what's merely a misrepresentation of the truth. Tattoo reality shows have dominated a variety of television channels over the last few years, and in a way, have helped usher in a new generation of tattoo collectors. Aside from the drama and scripted aspect of some of these shows, director Eric Schwartz believes that reality shows have helped non-tattoo members of the world better understand what tattooing is all about. Because emotions and real, every day people are involved, it helps the general public become more familiar with the artform.

“The motivation of the film is like blue's music,” tells Eric. “It didn't start with Elvis Presley, and tattoos didn't start with reality shows. I wanted people to know where it came from, and the Chicano culture helped shape the revolution. It came from the prisons. These 'white guys' opened up a shop in a war zone and took on Freddy Negrete.”

Freddy tattooing Ed Hardy

Prior to the introduction of Chicano art in the tattooing world, traditional Japanese- and American-style tattooing was made common by the likes of Ed Hardy, Norman K. Collins, Lyle Tuttle and many more. But Freddy Negrete and his innovative prison-style work opened up the doors for customers to bring their ideas to the artists, and not vice versa. And thus, Tattoo Nation sets out to help better translate this history.

The film doesn't conclude without the assistance of such recognizable celebrities like Danny Trejo, a seasoned veteran of both Chicano tattooing and the old school way of life, and Travis Barker, a self-made musician with a lifetime of memories celebrated through his nearly complete bodysuit of tattoos. Because today's society is so attached to the idea of our favorite celebrities having tattoos, it's likely that the permanent artwork

Theater showings of Tattoo Nation happened on April 4^th and April 6^th in major cities across the country, while private viewings occurred as early as late March. If you missed the premiere, there's no need to worry. Tattoo Nation will soon be available on DVD and streamable online. For more information on how you can check it out and become more involved, visit http://tattoonation.com.

Artist Spotlight: Brian Kennedy

Growing up in San Diego, tattoo artist and motorcycle painter Brian Kennedy recalls his first memories of tattoos from skipping school. The image of tattooers posing against walls, smoking cigarettes just seemed like such a rad concept to young Brian at the time. At this moment, he knew that tattooing would be something that would be a part of his life someday.


Because it was the 70s, Brian wanted to capture the essence of tattooing during that time period. In an age where he and a childhood friend would steal the dad's motorcycle to cruise for cigarettes and girls, motorcycles would be Brian's second lifelong passion. But there needed to be some way to bridge these two loves together, so right out of high school, Brian began painting to spark his creative flow. But it was a freak accident while working a typical nine-to-five that led to his current career path.


“I was actually an analytical engineer for a major corporation for twelve years,” Kennedy tells me. “While working the corporate grind, I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly ended my life. I decided that life was too short and started focusing on tattooing. I hung out with a lot of other artists, started getting tattoos and drawing more. I just picked it up and never looked back!”


Fast forward to present day and Brian is owner and operator of Aces and Eights Tattoo, Casa Grande's largest and longest running tattoo parlor. Since 2004, the tattoo shop has provided the community with killer ink and exceptional customer service. But when he's not managing the shop, he's custom painting motorcycle helmets, gas tanks, fairings and anything else you can throw his way.


Nine years later, Aces and Eights still has the same integrity and artistry as the day they opened. For now, Brian's concentrating on his shop, his new line of metal flake and his extracurricular work to keep him busy. If you'd like a tattoo, have some custom painting needed or anything else, you can find Brian at Aces and Eights!

Now serving 2 locations - Southern Star Tattoo

Tattoo by Keet D'Arms

Long regarded as the capital of the south and widely known as Hate City, Atlanta has become one of the leading areas for the tattooed arts over the last several decades. Classically managed parlors and unique boutiques alike seem to appear overnight in each of Atlanta's many neighborhoods, but are quality tattoo artists still outshining their less proficient competitors? With one look at Southern Star Tattoo – now with two locations in the city – the answer is clearly yes.

Tattoo by Chris Howell

Back piece by Eric Thrice

Though Southern Star's first location on Ponce de Leon did not come into fruition until 2010, the shop's dedicated team members have well over 50 years of expert work and patient styling on their side. But the men who tattoo at both Southern Star locations are more than just employees of a business; They're close friends who share a common vision in work ethic. Some might just call this success, while others know it best as Ponce Life. This original location, settled firmly in a strip of trend-setting bars and clubs, gained such notoriety because it represented the community so much. With a brightly painted wall on their prime Ponce de Leon real estate, Southern Star quickly became much more than just a tattoo shop, and overnight they've become a tattooing institution. They've adopted the motif “Hooked on Ponce,” and one visit will have you hooked, as well. The artist lineup at Ponce de Leon includes Demian Bouchon, Bill Conner, Brian Gattis and Josh Haynes.

Tattoo by Keet D'Arms

The same determination carries over into the new location in Atlanta's Little 5 Points shopping district, located less than two miles from the original shop. While the physical locations of these two Southern Star parlors are relatively close to one another, Atlanta's characteristic neighborhoods allow both locations to cater to completely different clients. If you spend any real time at either spot, you'll start to notice that even the bums who slum around outside have a slightly different swagger than their respective counterparts.

The idea for a second shop came about when Colette, owner of Holy Mother Tattoo, offered up the space. Despite Holy Mother's closing, the space was to remain a tattoo shop.

“The opportunity was there,” says Keet D'Arms. “Colette offered it up, and since it was going to be a tattoo shop anyway, it might as well be us.”

Back piece by Eric Thrice

Situated right in the center of Findley Plaza, the newer Little 5 Points location hosts Keet D'Arms, Chris Howell, Eric Thrice and Tim McGrath. Much like the Ponce location, the new L5P shop is adorned with brilliant flash artwork, original paintings from the country's best tattoo artists and funky folk art from around the world.

But the artwork and professionalism of Southern Star are the two leading qualities in the brand's success. No matter the artist and style, every member of the team is a studied craftsman with careful attention to both detail and traditionalist values. Whether you're looking for true Japanese artwork or want to immortalize a passed family member with some simple script, Southern Star Tattoo has you covered. All eight of the working artists between the two shops has some connection to the old world of tattooing. Bridging that gap between early 20^th century sailor imagery and today's needs is what puts Southern Star at the forefront of Atlanta's tattooing scene.

Tattoo by Chris Howell

Keet D'Arms, Brian Gattis and Chris Howell have each painted their own flash for Jesse Gordon and Sean Baltzell's Eleven Fourteen book project, now on sale and available for pre-order. The book features over 200 pages of the country's finest tattoo artists from the very best shops, a great representation on where Southern Star ranks among tattoo establishments in the United States. 

Both locations are open seven days a week and appointments and walk-ins are both welcome. For hours of operation and artist availability, visit their website or call them to talk more about how they can turn your dream idea into a reality.