www.dennisdwyer.com

Tattoo Elders

I am honored to have three of the industries Elders Lyle Tuttle, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie and Bowery Stan to share their stories. You don't want to miss that. The three of them have over 180 years of tattooing experience.

Featuring artist
Pili Mo'o Mo'oTraditional Samoan
Tatau and Marguesia

Guest appearance of Amy Nicoietto from LA Ink TV show

Wild Wild Tattoo Expo Hot Rod Show
and Pin-up Girl Contest
Saturday Feb. 25, 2012

Jessa Huebing-Reitinger

Art Gallery, Art Fusion, Seminars,
Painting Art Show




Wild West Tattoo Expo Quick Draw Contest

Plus a fabulous Burlesque

Reflections form the past from the 2007 Tattoo Expo

The first Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo of 2007 comments:
Setting the stage for the convention scene in Tucson

"In the wild west where it all began, there was a man named Dennis with all his friends. They colored the people of the desert with loads of tattoos." Judy Parker

"Dennis thank you for having us at your show, we had a really good time. Old Tucson was also a blast, thank you so much" Katie & Steve Easley
Stylin Tattoo

The "2007" Wild west Tattoo Expo was certainly wild with a wonderous array of tattoo artist decorating the visitine public. Dennis Dwyer telling the truth like never before on Sunday morning." Deana Lippens

"I had a very good time at the Convention, especially at The Old Tucson Tour, It was something that we all needed, some fun and get together with the old friends,. Thank you for your work and your dedication and for your good taste. I'm allready waiting for next year to go back." Emilia

"I remember my first tattoo convention 25 years ago. That was when I first met Dennis Dwyer. His first words to me were, "I'm here to see my friends." As I grow older in this business, I share that same sentiment.

Tucson is a beautiful place in the desert. Everyone wears a smile. Or maybe they're just squinting from the sun. In either case, the time we spent during the Wild West Tattoo Expo in April left a lasting impression in my memories.

Our trip out to the Old Tucson studio was an enjoyable bus ride there. The weather was perfect. Here were friends, old and new, behaving like kids at a school outing. What a special treat! Deb, from Imp Ink and Mike Martin of Flesh Skin Graphix and I wandered off and found a Chinese back alley that was perfect for a photo shoot. (It is a studio afterall!) A train ride took us around the lot and left us off near the Haunted Mine. What a hoot those too old "coots" were who ran that exhibit. They yelled at us and tried to scare us with stories of rats chewing our toes! We inched our way around in the dark, laughing and bumping into people and "things." We had so much fun-and that was just the first day.

That afternoon, conventioneers arrived and it seemed as if we all checked in at once. The accommodations were so restful, I'm requesting the same room next show.

Sharon Brouse and I were fortunate enough to work next to Greg James where we could get a good eyeful of his work and his technique. As contest judges, Rick Walters, Catfish Carl and l received gavels to conduct the contest. We used them loudly, too.

The rest of the weekend continued at a leisurely pace. It allowed us to spend time together. And we did, talking late into each night about all manner of things. Perhaps with the recent demise of so many of our friends, we cherish the time we actually do spend together. That is worth more than any accumulation of wealth.

Dennis Dwyer, as always, is here to see his friends. I am honored to be among them." Patricia Sinatra

First of all I'd like to thank you for inviting me to the "Wild West Tattoo Expo!" My crew and I had a great time. We were busy the whole weekend, also everyone I spoke with at the convention said they really enjoyed the show. Congratulation to you and the Wild West Tattoo Expo crew for putting on a excellent tattoo convention. Respectfully, Tony Edwards, Old Towne Tattoo.

Well Artists and Fans this surprising success we decided that we will be doing this again next year March 7-10, 2013.
Keep your eye on this site to look forward the outtakes from the show.
After five years, Dennis Dwyer returns with the Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo in Tucson, Arizona. This time the event was even bigger and at a better location. As one walked into the Holiday Inn with its spacious foyer and the sound of a waterfall, a comfortable setting for a wild weekend of entertainment and fantastic artwork in many forms was provided. Dennis brought artists, friends and fans together from around the country, including three of the tattoo industry elders; Lyle Tuttle, a walking historian, Bowery Stan, still hammering in the ink, and Philadelphia Eddie, who was on one of his many book signing tours. Also present was Amy Nicoletto from the TV series “L.A. Ink,” tattooing and signing photos, along with Pili Mo’o doing his traditional Polynesian tattooing. There were artists from six different decades, the new and old timers, Mike Martin, Pat Sinatra, Karen Roze, Todd Evans, Cap Szunski, and many others. There was a strong feeling of community, with four of the local shops sponsoring the show; Sacred Art, Old Towne, Enchanted Dragon and Ancient Art Tattoo, with a good number of the local shops supporting it by attending as well. The turnout was great and the talk about town was it was about time for an event like this to happen.

The Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo was more than just tattooing, as soon as you entered the hotel you could see someone painting a gigantic oil painting in the center of the hotel lobby, the center platform was the stage with a large backdrop painting of a grim reaper shooting up an old western town with tattoo machines that were shooting ink, and in the center of this stage was a collection of talented artists involved in art fusion. There was certainly no lack of ‘eye candy’ for the fans. I forgot to mention that as you entered the property there was a custom car show; Arizona has some of the finest hot rods in the country, with all of the chrome and fancy paint glittering in the sunlight. The proceeds for the car show went to a local high school for underprivileged students. Plus, the weather was perfect for a winter day in the desert, one could not ask for a better day.

The show started on Friday with set up in the morning, and by evening the hall was full. Military had free access, and some other patrons thought they got the same, but that issue got resolved after a little tactical maneuvering.  Dennis had a small team, Manny Torres and Jenny Carr, who made the hand crafted with love the trophies, managed the event, and Gabe Alverez, Sylvia, Izzy, and Ben Reiter who greeted the people, plus a handful of volunteers who were focused on their mission to complete a successful show. There were tattoo contests and fashion shows, everyone strutting their stuff. Later that night there was a burlesque show that was well attended and you could hear the cheers at the front door of the hotel. Saturday was a rerun of fun, but with an even larger attendance, all of the artists were working and happy, the only fall back we noticed was that the hotel had closed the bar at 11 in the evening, which made it difficult for the artists and fans to socialize after a long day at work, but the atmosphere still remained high. Another surprise was the quick draw contest, not what one would think; it was with pistols not pencils, and this was held out back with an ‘OK corral’ stage set up for a dueling match involving  airsoft pistols where people were standing ten feet apart, wearing a target, to see who could draw the fastest. One of the funniest things one could watch, where two fools would announce that they are committing an act of stupidity, adults acting like kids. The prize was an 1851 cap and ball pistol and there was no shortage of people to sign up for a shot.
Sunday was another sunny day with many smiles on people’s faces. They enjoyed their time in an escape to the sunshine land of Tucson in winter and said they can’t wait until next year for the return of the Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo.  David West

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Febuary 24, 25 and 26
at the Holiday Inn
on Palo Verde

Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo
part II

Promoted by
Dennis Dwyer, Gabe Alvarez, and Manuel Torres

Show information call 520-747-3340
or email dennis@dennisdwyer.com

www.dennisdwyer.com

Some kids never grow up, some never knew how to be a kid and for those who wish they could be a kid again, well this event will be that, a chance to have fun and play. Many children when young would play Cowboys and Indians and wondered what it was like to live back in the days of the wild west.

February in Tucson is a beautiful time of year, while most of the country is under snow. The beginning of the month Tucson hosts one of largest gems show and the end of the month is the famous Rodeo Week, with parades and all. What a great mix to have a tattoo festival

The Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo will be presenting a full range of the arts. First of all there will be live tattooing by very clever artist, art fusion and painting gallery. Alliance of Professional tattooist will be offering a seminar on blood borne pathogens course on safe tattooing. There will be life music, wild west costume show, and of course tattoo contests.

This event is a three day extravaganza at the Holiday Inn on Palo Verde, February 24-26, 2012. It will be much more then just a tattoo convention, it will be a festival of the arts, art fusion, seminars, pin-up girl contest, painting art show and fashion show. The success of this event is credited largely to our sponsors, who lend their names and financial support to the event and to the thousands of tattoo fans who are eager to show off their body art. This will all take place during the same week as the Tucson Rodeo.

The tradition of applying tattoo, or tatau, by hand has been unbroken for over two thousand years. The skill is often passed from father to son, each tattoo artist, or tufuga, learning the craft over many years of serving as his father's apprentice.

We will have an art gallery displaying many of the tattooist art work. There also will be art fushion were the minds of the arts will blend to create art work before your eyes. Also Jessa Huebing-Reitinger will be painting live, so all you see how she does it. Plus some of the great art work will be autioned off and certainly many of them will be for sale.

Click here for more info.:

Copy the poster add it to you Facebook - Tell your friends about the wild art festival!!!

The first Wild West Tattoo Expo held in 2007

The first tattoo convention I attended was in Reno in 1977. A time when there was only a few tattooers. We shared in what we did, we laughed and told a few stories. After attending hundreds of show over the years and promoting a few, I have seen that they are very different then in the past.

Gone are those days; now we have 'the mega shows'. With the only purpose:
to lay hold the title "the largest".

Well Pilgrim, I am going to do something different. A setting in which the old and new, the east and west, the good, bad and the ugly can share their tattoo experiences.

Bringing artists and fans together to share in the experience of tattooing from the past to the present.

I hope you join us for

"A Conference of Confidence.

Comments from the show:

Dennis, What an outstanding show you put on in Tucson!!! The best I have been to in years, the other artists were awesome and very cool. A great group of charactors. There were things to do all weekend long and something for everybody, it was great. The people of Tucson were very nice and they came in bunches, it was a very busy weekend for everybody. Thank you for inviting me and Susan, looking forward to the next Wild Wild West Tattoo Expo.
Sincerely
Mike Martin and Susan Kidder from Flesh Skin Grafix Tattoo out in Dago

Attending
Artists

Lyle Tuttle
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie
Bowery Stan
Amy Nicoletto LA INK
Gill Montie
Pali Mo'o Mo'o Tatua
Ancient Art Tattoo
Gina Dwyer
Sharon Brouse
Manuel Torres
Gabe Alvarez
Enchanted Dragon
Old Towne Tattoo
Tony Edwards
Sacred Art Tattoo
Donna Mello
Lenny Mental
Christian Marek
Britney Ramirez
Zachary Berrios
Jasmine Noble
Josh Hagan
Justin Schooly
Sanctity Tattoo
Jay Cavna
Josh Mixer
Tracy Martino
Immaculate Tattoo
Aaron Coleman
Pat Sinatra NY
Todd Evans
Emilla Laurel - Fl
Tattoo and Co.
Javier Acero - Miami
Pain and Wonder GA
Graham Bradford
Jampier 'JP' Alfonso
Rogue Parlour AZ
Sammy Solis
Jimmy Utah
Jessica LeMar
Sparrow Tattoo
Rob Scarpati
Melissa Pena
Gene Salerno 
Timeless Tatttoo
Cap Szumski
Istari Studios
Justin Oriani
Sacred Rose Tattoo
Keran Roze,
Paul Taylor
Flesh Skin Grafix
Mike Martin
Susan Kidder
Next Wave Tattoos 
Kenneth Shaw
Black Rose Tattooers
Mac
Tracy
Carlos
Hidden Hand Tattoo
Jeff Cornell
April Cornell
David Lopez
Black Sails Tattoo
Fritz Andrews
Amazing Kettle Corn
Smoke 4 Less
Dragons Den Tattoo
Daniel Kinkade
Joshua Hankins
2012 Tattoo
Paloma O’duly
Sailors Grave Tattoo Gallery
Gary Koblis
Phil Hatchet
Ghost House Tattoo
Ricky Perez
Ink Fever Tattoo
Big Mike 33
Earth Tribe Design
Deuces Tattoo Studio
Dean Kuns
Disciple Tattoo
Glass Bottom Smoke Shop
The Magic Fun Store
Bruce Gulick
Daniel Matlock
Ink Apothecary
Tiffany Garcia
David Sanchez

Music

Outlaw Rebels
RubixxQube and the Top 40 Entourage

Blood Bourne Pathogen Seminar

APT Class begins Friday
Feb. 24, 2012
9:00 AM

Lyle will be showing his historial collection of tattoo shops, plus his tattoo cartoons.

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