There was another community art project being featured throughout the weekend as well as Art Fusion, and it was almost a spiritual experience to view. It's called Innerstate and it was founded by Guy Aitchison and Michele Wortman of Hyperspace Studios. The premise of the project is to bring together a large group of tattoo artists who also enjoy painting, provide them with an artistic atmosphere - lighting, music, incense, etc. - and just let them express themselves creatively. Then, invite the public in to watch while, over a three day period, blank canvases turn into amazing works of art.
I'll be writing a separate article about Innerstate later, but it was a real joy to walk into that room when I was feeling tired and overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the convention. It was like a whole different world beyond those doors - even the crowds of people standing and watching were silent as they took in the beauty that surrounded the room as forty talented artists poured their souls onto canvas. It was easy to get caught up and if I didn't have other obligations, I think I could have stayed in that room most of the weekend!
Great Art, Great People
Although it's not a scheduled program or event, one of the most enjoyable things to do while at a tattoo convention is meet the people who are attending. Most of the people who aren't there to work or sell goods are there for one reason - to show off their art. These are the people who are so fun to meet--all you have to do is walk around with a camera in your hand and a press pass, and they flock to you because they're so proud of their artist, they want to make sure the work is seen. I absolutely love it when an entire group of people are all wearing work by one artist or shop and they travel as a pack, happy to show off their art to anyone who wants to see it. That's how we discovered Shagoo last year, and it's how we learned about the art of David Newman-Stump and Nathan Perry of Skeleton Crew Tattoo in Columbus, Indiana and that of Chad Sinkhorn and David Goodwin of Studio Ink Tattoo this year.
The Skeleton Crew entourage consisted of seven enthusiastic collectors who shared one fantastic piece of art after another. We had such a good time talking with all of them and experiencing their ardor for their artists. It's sharing that kind of passion with people that makes going to a tattoo convention such an amazing experience. But it takes a great show like Hell City to provide just the right environment to pump people up and get them excited about their own and others' art.
I'd like to also acknowledge the importance of the part played by the Hell City announcer (and I'll be damned if I know his name, but I WILL find out), who really knows how to work a crowd and get laughs. He stands on that stage, tirelessly, all weekend long announcing current and upcoming events, hosting the tattoo competitions and enduring the ever-thankless job of assisting and watching the beautiful Suicide Girls as they hand out the trophies. OK, so maybe that part isn't so bad. Actually, they had a paid comedian act that totally bombed - I think their own in-house guy could have done much better!
In Conclusion
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and the best part about it, for me, is that it's not over yet - this September I will also be attending the Phoenix Hell City festival with the whole family. So, it's more like Hell City is taking a little break, but will be picking back up on Labor Day weekend to finish out the hellish year.
If you only have the time and/or money to attend one show per year, go to Hell City. You absolutely will not be disappointed.