As some of you already know, I was born and raised in upstate South Carolina so getting to tattoo at Sweet and Sour holds a special place in my heart.
I planned this trip to have a full week back home tattooing, then head up to TN for a few days in Nashville.
I got off the plane and went straight into my first appointment. Travis Holder: an old friend who I’ve shared many skate sessions and cold beers with.
It was good to start the trip off with a fun design and good conversation. I loved getting to catch up, Travis! Come visit Tampa soon.
While tattooing at S&S, I shared a room with my favorite “bruhzillian”, Lucas Feltrin. He consistently puts out some of the sharpest work in the shop. Lucas also skates and is the only reason I made sure to bring a board this trip.
We broke away from the shop and went to Companion Skatepark.
Tre Greenlee, who owns the park, has been in the game for a long time. Peep the date on this old newspaper article from Easley, SC.
I am excited to know he is behind the wheel of a piece of skateboarding in SC.
He is a LIFER when it comes to this skateboarding shit and he cares.
Back at Sweet and Sour, Josh Bovender and Eric Carranza were staying busy with appointments.
Eric did a bad ass gator head that looked like it came straight out of a Florida swamp and Josh was making dreams come true with a big ol’ glamour shot portrait.
We talked pigment, lining techniques. Josh and Lucas both let me borrow machines to try out.
I still want to take you up on making me that machine, Josh.
Rose for Ruth
No IPad this trip
Dylan’s pickin possum
Case knife for Zane.
Big thanks to Beau Jones and Kyle Sitarz for letting me crash at their place for the week in Powdersville. They make a mean breakfast!
We heard a tough man contest was going on in my hometown of Pickens and decided to take a shop trip to check it out but first stop: the Pizza Inn Buffet in the Ingles Plaza.
IYKYK!
It was Lucas’s first visit to the iconic Pizza Inn. He grabbed a tattoo on his way out to help keep up appearances at the tough man event.
ButterBean was in attendance.
Of course I ran into some old high school buddies at the Tough Man Contest. Good to see you Corey!
I got to tattoo some close friends and family, including my younger sister.
She asked me for something “Pickens”. We grew up on Foxsquirrel Ridge Road. Hope you like what we landed on, Jodi.
Harley got one of my favorites of the trip for sure.
Michelle’s Shells
Nice meeting you, Jordan! Thanks for getting tattooed.
Austin gets rad tattoos.
George made the drive up from Orangeburg, SC for this sailfish and coverup/rework.
Emily’s second tattoo. She sat like a champ.
A major thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who traveled near and far to get something from me in SC.
I spent the first day in Nashville playing tourist and bouncing around graveyards and museums. I definitely did not have enough time and wish I could have hired a country music expert to chauffeur me around to give me a tour. I love the history this city holds of my favorite genre of music.
I swung by Adventure tattoo and got myself one from Sean AKA Squishyeyes. Sean had worked in Tampa long before I started tattooing.
Black13 is an absolutely beautiful shop. Doy and the crew there run a tight ship and have a very unique space. Everyone at the shop was super friendly and welcoming.
The way they run the counter there is top notch. The clients and artist have it easy.
Wiggle worm
Stained glass bugs
Got to paint one
On my last day in town, I got up early and drove one town over to visit an old friend, Matt Calhoun. He builds skateparks and is working on a doozy of one just outside of Nashville.
On the way back in to Nashville my electric POS rental car died on me. Leaving me stranded on the highway for a bit.
My tow truck driver Austin was super helpful and had a funny hand tattoo. He was nice enough to let me take a photo.
Circle circle dot dot
I’m hoping to visit Nashville again and do it even better next time. Thank you to Michael Thompson and Steve Pearson for the place to crash. Come to Tampa and let me return the favor.
I look forward to coming back real soon.
