NEWS

VEGAS STRONG

Disclaimer: Let me start off by saying I am not a writer so putting my thoughts into words for others to understand is not necessarily my strong suit. With that being said, I can’t help but feel the need to share some of the thoughts myself, family, and extended family (Studio 21 Tattoo and friends) have had over this last week given the wake of the tragedy our City has endured.

On that Monday morning, like many other friends and family living in Las Vegas, I woke up to dozens of texts and phone calls asking if me, and my loved ones were safe. Not understanding the gravity of the situation, I soon realized that Las Vegas was the most recent topic in the news related to a mass shooting, the deadliest in US History and my heart sank. After confirming my family and friends were also safe, I felt this heavy rock in my gut– A desire and need to DO something, anything, to help the victims and their families through this awful tragedy.

Las Vegas thrives off of visitors from every corner of the world and and every city. It’s the reason we all call this place home, and love it here. No one creates experiences, relationships, and memories like Las Vegas and sadly on that Sunday night at the Route 91 Festival it was an experience we all wish never happened, and would like to understand.

That day at the shop we decided to create a tattoo symbolizing LOVE for the victims and Las Vegas. A symbol that represents, love, strength, and unity. For $50, and as many people as we can possibly handle, myself and the other artists at Studio 21 would do the tattoo, and listen to the brave, kind, and courageous stories of that night, donating 100% of the proceeds to The Las Vegas Victims fund created by County Commissioner Steve Sisolak.

I am very proud to say that we helped raise $17,540 for this fund but beyond that, it was a moment I could share with new and old faces that all shared one common thing. LOVE.

Thank you to everyone who came through our shop. From the bottom of Studio 21’s heart to yours.

As the world is aware on Sunday, Oct.1, 2017, Las Vegas locals and visiting tourist became the target of a senseless, evil mass shooting. This attack took place at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Musical Festival at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. Words cannot express how heartbroken and devastated our great city and community are. It will be difficult to deal with the aftermath of this horrific incident. Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery organized a fund raiser to help raise money for the Las Vegas Victims @GoFundMe set up by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commissioner Chair from Las Vegas. The funds will provide relief and financial support for the victims and their families. Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery will be offering the state of Nevada outline with a red heart in the lower sector representing Las Vegas. All proceeds (100%) received will be donated to this fund by Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery. Due to the volume of tattoos being done, there are no substitutions to the existing design offered. For those who cannot give blood, this is a good way for our tattoo enthusiasts to show their love for our community. If you prefer to opt out of the tattoo, you are welcome to come by the shop and donate money to the cause or you may go direct to Las Vegas Victims’ Fund @GoFundMe. The amount of support that our local community has shown is overwhelming and greatly appreciated by the owners, staff and all of our tattoo artists who are donating their time and talent to help the victims. At current count, 59 people have lost their lives and over 500 injured, let’s try to help them in any way we can. Please follow us on Instagram @studio21tattoo.com and FB  https://www.facebook.com/Studio-21-Tattoo-Gallery-206119829429/ for updates on the #Las Vegas Love Fundraiser.

The following are links to information you might find helpful.

https://www.gofundme.com/dr2ks2-las-vegas-victims-fund

https://www.lvmpd.com/en-us/Pages/LVRoute91FestivalShooting.aspx

On certain summer Tuesdays, in blazing hot Las Vegas, tattoo fans can get a smokin’ good deal at Studio 21 Tattoo. We call it “Taco Tuesday” and a great time is had by all who participate!

The idea is that those who join in on the festivities get a fun, taco themed tattoo and a couple home made street tacos prepared by the Spencer family for fifty bucks. This year, we picked the last Tuesday of the month in June, July and August. Most of the folks that took advantage of this awesome offer last summer will show up for all three events. We also gain newcomers each time Taco Tuesday comes along.

All Taco Tuesday tattoo designs are prepared by the artists at Studio 21 Tattoo. There are so many cool designs to choose from, some people go ahead and get two!

This event is offered to give back to the community that is that has supported our studio over the years. Not limited to locals, we have had numerous tourists who just happened to be in town join in on the fun. It is always announce on social media by the studio and each of our artists and employees.

So if you feel the urge for some great tacos, excellent company and really fun little quickie tattoo custom designed by our outstanding staff of artists, drop on in on Taco Tuesdays for a real good time.

Follow us on Instagram @studio21tattoo https://www.instagram.com/studio21tattoo/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Studio-21-Tattoo-Gallery-206119829429 and visit our website to stay up with our stellar staff of artists. https://studio21tattoo.com/

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.

Yo Yo Yo!

This weekend Studio 21 Artists Mike Biggs, our buddy “Just Another Day” (Freddy) and I hit LA on Friday for the Secret Walls Battle of the year! The very first Los Angeles VERSUS Las Vegas Team Battle consisted of 2 Teams, 3 Artists. Each team givin’ the opportunity to rep their city via the walls of the Start Los Angeles Gallery. Artists were given black paint , a massive white wall roughly around 60’X 18′ split between 6 artists and 90 minutes to paint.

Both Teams selected a song to make their WWF style  grand entrance into the arena!  Team Las Vegas broke through the fog cloud to  AC/DC “Thundrstruck”, matching jackets and hats looking REAL FLY.  Mike Biggs and I were fresh off the Level Up Mural Project so we were stoked on keeping the ball rolling. With Freddy’s help we killed the wall in a little over an hour. Just enough time to grab a beer for the final crowd cheer.

I’d say 500 plus kids were smashed into the warehouse to watch the drawing match. We were blown away. Supposedly this Secret Walls turnout was the  largest turnout yet.  Team LA was great! They really brought some serious talent and positive vibes. In the end Los Angeles beat us with a bad ass mural with some hilarious Las Vegas puns and even a dash of DUMP TRUMP imagery. Well done LA, congrats and cant’ wait for round 2!

Thanks for all the support.

Austin Spencer

Artist/Owner Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery

@onmydong

EVENT LOCATION @startlosangeles

Team Las Vegas Artists:

@onmydong Austin Spencer

@biggsstudio Mike Biggs

@justanothrday Freddy

Team Los Angeles Artists:

@ryanthefoe Ryan Beckman

@joon_the_goon JOON

@tewsr Mike