“jeff, meet angel

angel, meet jeff

talk amongst yourselves.”

That was how my friend, Jen, had introduced me to tattoo artist Jeff Johnson over e-mail. It was 2006 and I had recently relocated to Portland. At the time, I didn’t know Jeff from Joe Q. Tattoodude except that Jen had raved about his work, and I loved the design he helped create for her.

Jeff and I exchanged e-mails, but another year would go by before I stepped into Sea Tramp Tattoo Company, where he’s a co-owner, on SE Grand to sit in a chair to get my tattoo from him.

Fast forward a couple more years to the summer of 2009 where I recently finished reading Jeff’s first book, Tattoo Machine: Tall Tales, True Stories, and My Life in Ink, which is just as much about his personal life as it is the experiences he’s had as a tattoo artist for nearly 20 years.

Whether you have one small, discreet tattoo, full sleeves, or absolutely no ink at all, you’ll find Jeff’s storytelling style quite engaging as he recalls stories of tattoos as well as relationships (personal and professional) gone wrong. He provides a glimpse into Portland that will have you nodding your head as you picture the scene at some of the people, places, and incidents that have occurred over the years. You may even let out a “Oh God, Gross!!!” in some instances. (But I won’t give those away.)

Although given more attention towards the end of the book, Jeff weaves his thoughts on the craft of tattoo artistry throughout the book — from where it’s been and those who came before him to an honest look at the state of tattoo design in the modern age. He shares his thoughts on the shoddy tattoo schools and the less than stellar graduates who don’t have the chops. He talks about the innovations made in colors. He thinks about the life of a tattoo and how it has a expiration date of sorts once the person wearing it leaves this mortal coil.

Jeff gives a very vivid glimpse into the people and personalities who are working in the tattoo industry. Sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll? Covered. Elaborate schemes? Check. Potential serial killer? Yep. People with a heart of gold? OK, they’re in the book, too. Jeff provides examples of all of these and many more who fall somewhere in between good and evil.

At the beginning of the book, Jeff ponders if after reading the book if the reader would consider getting a tattoo from him. Well, I’m just one reader, but I’m sure I’ll be back at some point in the future for another.

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If I were told Portlanders had more tattoos per capita than other cities, I would not be surprised. Tattoos have the ability to be both personal and public at the same time. They can be used to permanently mark significant events, an artistic vision, a current (or past) relationship, or other journeys in our lives on our bodies for either the whole world to see…or limited to a select few depending on the location.

For instance, there’s the hidden not-so-hidden tattoo I got at Sea Tramp a couple years ago. It’s relatively simple to understand to anyone who sees it, yet the meaning and its placement probably require a bit more explanation to get a sense of the “why.”

You probably have a story about your tattoo, or tattoos, as well. And now, the Portland Art Museum would like to see your ink. As part of their new exhibit, “Marking Portland: The Art of Tattoo,” the museum is asking those who were tattooed in Portland to submit photos via Flickr for possible inclusion in the exhibit.

The exhibit will be on public display through September 7, 2009.

Starting this month, the museum will offer free general admission on the fourth Friday of the month from 5-8PM. Also, if you have a Bank of America card (ATM, debit, credit), show your card on the first weekend of the month and you’ll get in for free. (The Portland Art Museum will be closed on July 4, but will be open on July 5.)

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