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With so many creative places to go with a blank pair of Havaianas sandals, we decided to put some of the tattoo world’s finest to the test by taking the needle out of their hands and replacing it with other artistic materials. The results are footwear you’ll want to sport for the summer, but won’t be able to find anywhere other than these pages.
Scott Trerrotola
Tattoo Ritual – Long Island, ny
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: The inspiration behind this piece is the onset of summer. As it warms up, I tend to think of fall. I wanted to paint something that reminds me of how creepy the woods are when the leaves fall off them.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: Tattooing gets respect from the collectors. The only people who really matter are the people wearing the art. Everyone else can go scratch.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: I specialize in large scale black and grey. My style is illustrated realism.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: Well, I haven’t traveled much. I liked Miami. Asbury Park was a lot of fun. But there’s no place like my place. Love it right here in the ‘burbs of New York!
Where your work can be found: You can find me online at http://ritual13.com/
Pon
Tattoo Seen – Bronx, NY
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: The design is a combination of a Sailor Jerry design and myself. Sailor Jerry’s work has inspired me for my whole career so I thought I would do a piece of his, so it almost feels like a collaboration piece even though he’s long been passed.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: I think tattooing gets a lot of respect, but I feel that tattoo artists don’t. I get phone calls on the regular asking for tattoo parties or if I’d be willing to do a private session in their house for cheaper… First of all, fuck them. You never ask your dentist if they do dental parties, and why would a house call be cheaper? Yeah, let me lug my shit halfway across town and then make less. I’m not a scratcher – an artist who makes messes of tattoos with little to no knowledge of the art – and take my art very serious.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?:My favorite city to work in would definitely be New York. This is the home of tattooing, not only was the tattoo machine invented here, but there is a history here. Pioneers of the art came out of New York and I feel honored to be among that history. Don’t get me wrong, for every one good artist we have a dozen scratchers, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: My favorite city to work in would definitely be New York.
Where your work can be found: You can view my tattoo work at tattoopon.com or you can join our shop Facebook page and see updated work as its being done at facebook.com/tattooseen. My other art can be seen at feedthepigeons.net.
Joy Rumore
Twelve 28 Tattoo – Brooklyn, ny
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: I studied forensic anthropology (specifically the human skull) while getting a BA in anthropology and I find skulls fascinating.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: Sometimes. It depends on who you ask. Taste is subjective whether it be tattooing, religion, fashion, politics, etc. Even though one may enjoy tattoos and/or enjoy having tattoos, that doesn’t mean they respect the industry. I’ve had plenty of clients who have treated me like I don’t have a “real job.” To call it frustrating would be an understatement.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: I do a lot of color work. Animal portraits, floral work, skulls and enjoy silly, fun pieces.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: I’ve done a fair amount of traveling in the U.S. and recently in Europe, but I keep coming back to Brooklyn!
Where your work can be found: Walking around the globe.
Mario Rosena
Art Junkies Tattoo – outside of L.A.
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: Asian Pop Art
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: I think that in recent years the respect level has gone up. More and more traditional artists have crossed over into tattooing, and as you can see, it has had a huge impact in the fashion world and media.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: My shop is known for portraits, but I also love to do more illustrative type art or new school.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: Hesperia, California
Where your work can be found: www.robotfresh.com
Mike Montoya
Rubes Tattoo – Arcadia, Ca
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: I just like horror movies, so that was kind of the inspiration.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: Yeah, now I do because of all the celebrities and how mainstream it went with TV and all.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: Black and grey, anything realistic.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: Arcadia – that’s where I’m at.
Where your work can be found: Online or magazines or just at the shop.
Bang Bang
East Side Ink – Lower East Side, NY
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: I was inspired by the process of tattooing. I applied a stencil and let it dry.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: I’ve never really cared much if tattooing got respect as an art form. Hip-hop didn’t get much respect in the music industry; that never stopped me from listening. Hate it or love it, tattooing is everywhere. And it’s taken me all over the world.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: My specialty or style is mainly realistic work. Black and grey or color, I really do my best to pull off photo-realism.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: My favorite city to tattoo in is NYC, of course! People let me do whatever I want on them here. In NYC, it seems people are much more open to letting go of being an art director. I tell people I’ll use their idea for inspiration, but they are gonna get what I’m gonna give, and in the end they will love it!
Where your work can be found: My work can be found at www.eastsideinktattoo.com.
Kenny (K-Bar) Restrepo
Hellhounds Tattoo – Brooklyn, ny
What was the inspiration behind this piece?: My inspiration was the traditional designs in Japanese tattoos.
Do you think tattooing gets the respect it deserves as an art form?: Today, I feel tattooing is excepted more as an art form, and I feel that it is a way for an artist to be able to communicate with his canvas and team up to make the perfect work of art.
What is your tattoo specialty/style?: The tattoo style that is mostly requested of me is realism and comic book art, but I also enjoy traditional Japanese and any color work.
What is your favorite city to tattoo in?: I love tattooing in Philadelphia. I had the most fun at that tattoo convention, but much love to Brooklyn where most of my art can be found.
Where your work can be found: My work can be found worldwide on skin and at the art gallery in Hellhounds.
Awesome idea. Would love to see more of this kind of thing done in the future.