PATRICK COSTE | PUBLISHED MAY 01, 2023

Woohoo! What just happened? After one hell of a whirlwind weekend (or two) The Eikon convention team would like to thank @stevepeacetattoos and his crew for the hospitality, as well as all of the #tattooartists who attended the #EdmontonTattooShow2023.

It was our first time back to Edmonton since, well you know what, and we had a blast making up for lost time, seeing friends we haven’t seen in a long while, and meeting some new ones that we’re already looking forward to seeing again. That's what conventions are all about after all.

Oh how things have changed… The Edmonton Tattoo Show opened its doors for artists to set-up at 9:30am on Friday. So early that many artists actually beat us to the floor! Setting up earlier also gave us time to mingle and chat and make those hugs and laughs last a bit longer!

As always the Edmonton show was a well-oiled tattoo convention, with Eikon convention packs on every table, and Eikon gloves on every hand, Steve’s shows have always been “artists first” and whether you’re from Grand Prairie or London England, you’ll have what you need to tattoo all weekend long.

I know it’s been awhile, but can you believe the Edmonton show had 400 artists in attendance? With that number even I couldn't talk to everyone (although I tried, as Rob and Rebecca were keeping the booth flowing smoothly).

Just like Saskatoon the week before, the Edmonton Tattoo Convention kicked off with a giant line-up of tattoo collectors that wrapped around the building, each eager to add to their collection, some multiple times.. This place looked like a hospital with so many collectors bandaged from head to toe.

The convention brought together a diverse range of artists, from seasoned tattooers like @chiwontattoo sharing a booth with crewmate @lindseytattooist and long time friend @jamesdenny, @rob__hoskins (he got called out for a piece that was too big to be judged!) and the next generation artists like our booth neighbour @linkachutattoo, and @tattoosbyboeden. All of them, us included, have one thing in common: a passion for tattooing.

It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from and engage with like-minded individuals who shared the same interests and goals. I was proud to have the opportunity to connect two artists at the top of their style, who’d just never had the chance to shake hands before now, @azlmtl and @crysalexart. (tho’ after a few tequila filled nights with Azl we may owe Crystal an apology 🙃)

One of the highlights of every Tattoo Convention is the daily tattoo competition. This year Steve Peace changed things up and went with a “3 tokens” approach over the traditional grading system. Each judge awarded a token to their favourite piece, the tattoo with the most tokens won. If you were there, let us know what you thought of the change.

The competition was intense and exciting, and everyone was such a good sport. Quite a few artists rushed to get a piece done in time to enter before the entry deadline was over.

And speaking of competitions, as has become tradition, this year's trophy was designed once more by the very talented @adrian_kalyn. On the closing night we got the chance to check out Rob Hoskins’ new studio. That guy has so many Edmonton and Calgary trophies hanging in the shop he may actually have more of Jesus‘ artwork than his own on the walls, the shop is worth going to such a beauty.

We had an awesome time in Edmonton. It was truly great to meet new people, old friends, learn and be part of tattoo history.

Up next: NIX… are you ready?