The Thawing of Frost
The new year has been off to a good start and I’m finally feeling over the hump of getting everything sorted out with the new shop. I did not anticipate having to restructure almost every corner of the business but it feels right and lighter with every step. I’ve been allowing myself to take time to reflect, process, and heal while getting things in order. There’s been a vibe of spring cleaning but in the middle of winter so the pace has been slow, but productive and manageable.
The shop has been filled with new faces and creativity the past few weeks which has been nice to shake things up. Each artist has a unique style and approach to tattooing and are all planning to returning in the future so take a peek at what they each have to offer:
Taylor specializes in intuitive flow tattoos that come to her through consulting with her clients and connecting to the unseen. They have spiritual base and feel like ancient ways of tattooing reappearing which is inspiring to witness. She also does custom tattoo work which is backed by her fine line and dot work knowledge. She is currently a resident at Electric Tattoo in Longmont, Colorado.
Kai is a young tattooer currently working in Houston at Painstaking Art but is a San Antonio native so he will be back with us quite a bit to work. His artwork has a 90s feel with a metal twist and he crushes it at both black and grey and color work. He not only is a visual artist but also is a musician, so I also recommend checking out his band, Leather Church.
Glo approaches tattooing in a radical way by embracing newer and more experimental styles in the industry. She spent some time in San Antonio where she owned a private studio called Athame that hosted resident and guest artists that all push these new and radical styles. She now tattoos in Houston at It Always Hurts but plans to be back almost every month.
Lately I’ve been really enjoying the events that Cherubs has been participating in outside of the shop. It’s not something that we did a lot with Red Devil or that I participated in, in Chicago so it has been so fun to do pop-ups and markets in San Antonio and seems to be woven into the culture here. I had the pleasure of working a local DIY fashion show put on by Kassandra Jonas who co-runs The Fashion Business Network and a local vintage vendor Self Surrender. It was really inspiring for me to see local creatives coming together to put on what ended up being a sold out show. I spoke with Kassandra at the end of the night and she mentioned that before their shows had about 10 attendees so it was very cool to be a part of their first larger event.
Eric popped up for the shop at Shotgun House Roasters this month to sell some of our artwork at Cherubs. Rick and I swung by to say hello and I have to say I am always so impressed by the talent here in San Antonio and just how many people are passionate about craft and art. I love to see everyone’s self expression while being able to afford truly amazing handmade stuff for my home. If you’d like to see what it is all about we will be at the next one in February tattooing and selling art, check out the flyer below!
I’m not sure how many people check the website frequently anymore but incase anyone does and hasn’t noticed we are hiring a new tattooer, OP! She is someone that I have had an eye on and knew that if she ever moved back to San Antonio I would be interested in hiring her. I was very excited when she contacted me recently to come and work with us at Cherubs. I met OP at Athame’s one year anniversary party and later ended up tattooing the $20 True Believers souvenir tattoo that she got matching with her mentor Glo (who I mentioned earlier). At the time she was moving home to Wichita Falls to address some personal matters. I told her to keep her head down tattooing, as she was able to get a job at a street shop in her hometown, to save as much money as she could, and take on any tattoo and style she felt like she was able to tackle to make the most of her time away. This is advice that I’ve given lots of tattooers, especially when they are starting out, but she is one of a few that have actually taken it which makes me happy to facilitate her return to San Antonio. I’m also excited to start working together and to have another girl around. I love all of the boys and am so glad they all get along so well but am ready to lean into some more feminine energy. I am also happy to have a younger artist around as I am the youngest and I am 33 LOL.
OP’s work has a hint of humor with a dark twist and an early 2000s undertone. Be sure to check out her tattoos and art, give her a follow, and most importantly get tattooed by her!!
Anyhow, I’m feeling very positive in this new year even though the outer world feels bleak my inner work is paying off. I’m feeling filled to the brim with inspiration and I am so happy that the shop is finding stability so I can have some time to start express it again. I hope everyone is feeling the same in the new year and has the energy to serve your purpose in the world. If you’re not feeling that way then take the time you need for yourself and turn inward. It is nice to find peace even if it’s an inch more than you have in this moment.
I’ll leave you this quote that I loved after rewatching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Rick, “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.”
P.S. Please check out the local tabloid “Occulto!” we took out our first ad in it this month and it is seriously SUCH a cool free, local publication that deserves any freak’s attention.
