Toulouse: tattoo capital this weekend
Saturday and Sunday, the Diagora space in Labège hosts the Toulouse Tattoo Convention. It is one of the largest gatherings of tattoo artists internationally.
At the beach, in summer; at the swimming pool, in winter, when the bodies are undressed, we can then measure the influence of the tattoos on the skin. In a few decades, tattooing has gone from a confidential practice to a mass phenomenon. Who’s getting a tattoo today? ” Everybody. Both doctors, lawyers and grandmothers, ”says Marc Ray Pleux. He is the one who organizes the Toulouse Tattoo Convention, which is being held this weekend, at the Center Diagora Labège. Nearly 200 professionals from France and around the world are expected to attend. “Toulouse will be the great tattoo fair in France”, warns Marc Ray Pleux.
PictaM pellis, whose private lounge is deployed in Saint-Jean, at the gates of Toulouse, will be part of it. For her, this meeting “is an opportunity to discuss techniques with professionals but also to meet individuals”. Specializing in dotwork, a technique that consists of inking a drawing point by point, PictaM pellis is inspired by the animal, plant and floral world. But with the pandemic and the uncertainty it has brought, she has seen people “wanting to write something very personal about their bodies, rather than choosing one of my designs.”
“jewels on my body”
In addition to creation, part of the activity of tattoo artists is to cover up failed designs or designs that pass the time badly. In this area, the tattoo artist JojoLita, based in Saint-Michel, offers the Skinial cosmetic technique. “It’s laser-free tattoo removal. Soon, I will organize online training for my colleagues,” announces this professional, specializing in repair tattooing.
But for Eskimo, one of the oldest professionals in Toulouse, “when a tattoo is well thought out and well done, you never get tired of it. It is part of us,” he says. A philosophy shared by Emy, a great lover of ink drawings. For her, these are all “jewels that adorn my body”. (see next page).
Dolphin, rose, pin-up, saber, dragon, skull… in color or black and white: when it comes to tattoos, all tastes are in nature. Another big trend of the moment, “Full black” or “Black out”, in other words black without a pattern. This style can be a way to cover up old tattoos, but not only… “We also have people who go straight into full black. For the Polynesians, the solid black remains magnificent. This is really the essence of tattooing. “, we explain at Dekalcomanu. Another old tattoo veteran in Toulouse, this professional has turned to black and gray “for reasons of personal taste. Then it was black and gradients » For 4 years, Manu has only produced large pieces in full black. These are aimed at customers who are very familiar with the world of tattooing. They can cover torsos, legs, arms in their entirety. A good listener…