NEWS — Tattoo Artist

The second Taco Tuesday at Studio 21 Tattoo is just around the corner. As you know we have this event the last Tuesday of June, July and August, so if you missed June, you still have a chance to get that taco tattoo or maybe two. Two street tacos are a bonus with your $50 Tattoo and there’s lots of designs available to choose from so there is no excuse not to head our way. Cheap date, why not? Maybe bring a friend or two. Hope to see you there. Summer wouldn’t be summer without Taco Tuesday.

Back in February of 2017, I had a shot at tattooing Whiskey Emerson. Interesting name, right? Well, it”s actually a pen name for a very talented young writer from Portland, Oregon. She was visiting a close friend her in Las Vegas when they decided it might be a good idea to get a friends tattoo at Studio 21 Tattoo. As luck would have it, I was chosen to tattoo Whiskey!

I feel fortunate to be able to sit with interesting people from all walks of life. Sometimes you meet someone and right away realize this individual is special! This is the way I felt when I met Whiskey Emerson. One can always find common ground with others if you just take the time to show interest in what they have to offer. Whiskey enjoys motorcycling, which used to be one of my passions. If I were her age, I would still be enjoying the sport. Whiskey also shared some of her stories about her love for the great outdoors, something that I also enjoy immensely!

Our conversation eventually led to the fact that Whiskey was working on a book publishing deal. She told me she had done a kickstarter to finance this deal and was close to being published on Mascot Books, a publisher out of Herndon, Virginia. Whiskey had mentioned at some point in our conversations she was a history buff. “West of Hell”, is a historical fiction that takes place in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City in the late 1800’s. I wished her the best of luck with the publishing deal, finished her tattoo and said goodbye.

A few weeks later, I received an email from Whiskey. She wanted to know what I thought of the illustrations someone had sold her to use at the beginning of each chapter. A quick look at what she had was just some crappy clip art someone had sold her, I felt she had been taken advantage of so I told her I’d be glad to do illustrations for her that would be more presentable. Knowing that Whiskey had put a tremendous amount of effort into writing theis novel, I knew West of Hell deserved some quality illustrations to adorn the pages.

This was the beginning of a relationship that will now lead to my being able to help her with illustrations for her next novel, “East of Hell”, which is currently in the works.

Here we are, a little more than a year has passed since the first time tattooing Whiskey. “West of Hell” was published and is now for sale just about everywhere books are sold! She sent me a signed copy which I am very proud of. I have read my copy and have to say, it’s a really amazing story and a joy to read. Whiskey hooks you in right from the start and created some fascinating characters. The best part is, there’s more to come as West of Hell is to be the first part of a trilogy.

“West of Hell” Book Signing at Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery will take place April 7th, 2018, 6pm – 9pm, Author, Whiskey Emerson…writer, adventurer, renegade.

If you are interested learning a little more about Whiskey Emerson visit her website https://www.whiskeyemerson.com

Charles Spencer – Co-Owner/Tattoo Artist at Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery https://studio21tattoo.com

Schedule of other book signings for “West Of Hell”

March 25, 2018

Vroman’s Bookstore (Just outside Los Angelos,CA)

April 7, 2018

Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery (2 miles west of the Strip, Las Vegas, NV)

May 12, 2018

Barnes and Noble (Just outside Portland, OR)

J “Swarm”, a resident tattoo artist at Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2008, is an accomplished traditional artist and proud father of two beautiful girls. In December, 2015, Swarm decided to make some life changing decisions. He decided to start running to improve his physical and mental outlook. Swarm began running two miles three times a week. As time passed his running distance increased as did his goals. For 2016 Swarm aspired to run 1,000 miles and complete 6 races for the year. Not only did he accomplish ambitious goal, he dropped over 50 lbs. in the process and exceeded the original 1,000 mile distance by 200 extra miles.

As a benefit for outdoor enthusiasts, Las Vegas offers ideal weather and beautiful scenic areas to train for races. Whether its early morning runs through the 17 mile loop in Red Rock State Park or conquering the 20 mi. round trip trek to the 11,056 ft. elevation of Griffith Peak summit in the Spring Mountains of Southern NV. There is no shortage of breathtaking scenery to benefit those training endurance runs.

The year 2016 marked a significant time period of great accomplishments for J Swarm and his excitement and enthusiasm carried forward to 2017, leaving his old habits behind him. Swarm’s new intentions were designed to go beyond his dream to achieve even bigger goals, including 2000 running miles, drop additional weight and complete 10 races ending the year with a marathon in Hawaii.

Among the many races completed his 5th race of 2017, the St Jude’s Rock & Roll Marathon, really tugged at Swarm’s heart strings. In 1993 his younger brother passed away from Leukemia. With the help and generosity of friends and family he raised $1500 to benefit the St. Jude’s Hospital and Research for Childhood Cancer to help those families with expenses as they go through such a difficult time.

In July of 2017, J. Swarm was notified that Michelob Ultra was giving out 100 bibs (running numbers) to the New York City Marathon. In order to win a bib, one must share your name, email and a written story about running. With nothing to lose, he decided to take the challenge. He began relaying the details of his tremendous weight (now down 80 lb) and how his passion for running developed into an obsession for his personal achievement. J Swarm won his bib to run in the New York City Marathon. on November 5th, 2017
as a winner of the team Ultra contest. Needless to say he is honored, humbled to be among the chosen candidates and extremely excited to win the opportunity to experience to this historic marathon. The NYC is right around the corner and the Michelob Ultra Team has supplied Swarm with all the right gear to hit the ground running.

The entire Studio 21 Tattoo family wish him luck accomplishing this great running event.
These are the races completed by J Swarm:

2016:
Lake Mead 10K
Hot Chocolate 15k
Recycled Run 10K
Pumpkin Man 10k
St. Jude’s Rock & Roll Marathon, San Diego, Half Marathon (raised $1500)
Turkey Trot 12k
1200 miles outdoors

2017:
Lake Mead 10K
Hot Chocolate 15k
Revel Mt. Charleston Half Marathon
Running With the Devil Half Marathon
Dam Ruck & Run Trail Race Half Marathon
Pumpkin Man 10k
St. Jude’s Rock & Roll Marathon, Las Vegas (raised $1450)

Upcoming:
New York City Marathon 11/05/17
Turkey Trot 12k
Hawaii 12/10 Full Marathon

https://studio21tattoo.com/

https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/

J Wood, commonly known as Swarm, a long time resident tattoo artist with Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery in Las Vegas, NV. For those who have frequented our studio, you know the extent of his passion for Star Wars, the film series based on the adventures of various characters in a galaxy long ago and so far away, as we all know. His love of Star Wars passion is reflected in his everyday lifestyle, whether in his traditional style of tattooing Darth Vader and other similarly themed characters or his meticulously smooth tattoo style watercolor artwork.

Swarm has recently expanded his interest by joining the 501st Official Costuming Legion, which is a volunteer organization for the sole purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts to promote interest in Star Wars at events and contributing to local communities through charity fundraising and other volunteer work. The 501st Legion is very focused on the building and wearing of quality authentic costumes as part of their devotion to bringing fans together. Swarm not only collects action figures and memorabilia, but now participates in the 501st Legion activities by visiting hospitals, local events and even parades in full storm trooper costume. He is one of millions participating in the worldwide pop culture phenomenon of Star Wars, and loving every minute of it! The local 501st group is the “Neon City Garrison” which keeps Swarm busy with as many events as he can squeeze into his busy schedule.

Most days you can catch Swarm at Studio 21 Tattoo Wednesday-Saturday if you are interested in Star Wars themed tattoos or otherwise. You can follow him on Instagram @darthswarm. https://www.instagram.com/p/BWS2SFph51Q/

For a more comprehensive look at his tattoo portfolio visit www.studio21tattoo.com. For more information on the 501st check out their website www.501st.com to learn more about the organization. Their Instagram @official501st and the local group is @neoncitygarrison.

While in San Diego for a friends bachelor party last weekend, I decided it was  a good idea to go sky diving over Tijuana, Mexico!? Yup.  So Amazing. This was an incredible experience put together at the last minute with some long time friends over a couple Bloody Marys at breakfast. If you haven’t tried this, I HIGHLY recommend it. The Guys at Pacific Coast Skydiving in San Diego were so great! They handled it just like I needed..a couple jokes but were incredibly professional and didn’t push it or make fun of how insanely nervous and uncomfortable I was. The whole experience was humbling and really really cool. While going through this, I couldn’t help but think of how great it is to work with someone so calming and confident while experiencing something so new, potentially dangerous, and unknown. On a daily basis someone in our Tattoo Studio is being walked  through a  “first time”  tattoo experience with one of our artists. This is a BIG deal. I remember my first tattoo and was thankfully put through a great experience with that too. After all, It led  me to learning how to tattoo and eventually opening Studio 21 Tattoo. This makes me happy and LOVE the fact that we get to do this for our clients. I can’t help but feel like our crew is just as good and takes as much pride in doing this  as Pacific Coast Skydiving. It means a lot to us. My Skydiving instructor probably won’t remember me, but I will certainly remember him. He ruled. He was kind and fun and informative. I hope that every experience with my clients and all the other amazing artists we have, have offered this to Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery clients. It really can make or break an experience and hinder the clients interest in a potential new hobby or even lifestyle. I certainly am not apposed to sky diving again, I’ve done it, it was fucking incredible but I myself don’t think I’ll go out of my way to do it again. I can check it off my bucket list. I can see how that experience could get addicting just like my clients become so obsessed with getting more tattoos after their first one. Damn. My stomach still feels that crazy feeling it did when I dropped out. Do it. Don’t hesitate on getting your first tattoo, skydiving, or anything else you want to do. It will all work out.

Thanks Jason Taylor for making the call and booking the Jump. Thanks to all the clients who let us walk them through their first tattoo and Thanks to the guys at Pacific Coast Skydiving, I wont’ forget it.

Before I die, I want to_____________________.