ARTIST PICKS 2023

Each month during 2023 we asked artists to dig through their favourites lists and pick the products they can’t live without.

November Artist

Who the F@#K is

Brett Masse

Brett Masse is the owner of Classic Windsor Tattoo and he’s been tattooing for 9 years. When he began his career, he was working in a shop that specialized in Black & Grey tattoos. He has since become known for his American Traditional and Traditional-inspired Japanese-style tattoos. Brett says he prefers these styles because he finds them simple and direct for the customer to read, and they age wonderfully. 

The Artwork

@brettmassetattoo

November Artist

Meet The Artist

Brett Masse

Brett Masse is the owner of Classic Windsor Tattoo and he’s been tattooing for 9 years. When he began his career, he was working in a shop that specialized in Black & Grey tattoos. He has since become known for his American Traditional and Traditional-inspired Japanese-style tattoos. Brett says he prefers these styles because he finds them simple and direct for the customer to read, and they age wonderfully. 

The Artwork

@brettmassetattoo

October Artist

Who the F@#K is

Hans Deslauriers

Hans began tattooing in 2013. He tried many styles before focusing on Realism tattoos, but after a few months he got bored, so he started mixing Realism with different styles. Hans was inspired by collage artists and when the iPad pro came out, it became easier for him to play with collage without getting his scissors and glue out.

Now he specializes mainly in portraits and Realism with bold minimalist illustrations. He loves contrast, and the mix between dark stuff and colourful cartoony stuff works perfectly together.

‘’In 10 years I never felt like I was working. I'm in love with tattooing and art in general. I feel so grateful to meet and spend time with new people every day.” - @hans.deslauriers

The Artwork

@hans.deslauriers

October Artist

Meet The Artist

Hans Deslauriers

Hans began tattooing in 2013. He tried many styles before focusing on Realism tattoos, but after a few months he got bored, so he started mixing Realism with different styles. Hans was inspired by collage artists and when the iPad pro came out, it became easier for him to play with collage without getting his scissors and glue out.

Now he specializes mainly in portraits and Realism with bold minimalist illustrations. He loves contrast, and the mix between dark stuff and colourful cartoony stuff works perfectly together.

‘’In 10 years I never felt like I was working. I'm in love with tattooing and art in general. I feel so grateful to meet and spend time with new people every day.” - @hans.deslauriers

The Artwork

@hans.deslauriers

SEPTEMBER ARTIST

Who the F@#K is

TANIA ZHANG

Tania began her realistic black-and-grey apprenticeship in Vancouver, BC in 2009. After completing a mostly useless Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr University, she moved to Toronto in 2013. Her illustrative/ neo-traditional Smoking Mermaid style today is inspired by nautical tattoos in a tropical coral reef colour palette. A versatile artist in both black-and-grey and colour, her other tattoo specialty is cover-ups/fix-ups.

The Artwork

@smokingmermaidtattoo

SEPTEMBER ARTIST

Meet The Artist

TANIA ZHANG

Tania began her realistic black-and-grey apprenticeship in Vancouver, BC in 2009. After completing a mostly useless Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr University, she moved to Toronto in 2013. Her illustrative/ neo-traditional Smoking Mermaid style today is inspired by nautical tattoos in a tropical coral reef colour palette. A versatile artist in both black-and-grey and colour, her other tattoo specialty is cover-ups/fix-ups.

The Artwork

@smokingmermaidtattoo

August Artist

Who the F@#K is

Boeden Alfonso

Instagram: @tattoosbyboeden
Location: Calgary, AB
Style: Japanese

Boeden Alfonso’s apprenticeship began in a street shop in 2007. Both he and his wife Lisa (aka JiggyStackss) tattoo, and in 2017 they decided to open a shop called Skull and LotusTattoo in Calgary, AB.

Coming from a walk-in shop, Boeden’s had experience doing many different tattoo styles, but his favourites are Japanese, and Black and Grey with Japanese/Asian subject matter.

The Artwork

@tattoosbyboeden

August Artist

Meet The Artist

Boeden Alfonso

Instagram: @tattoosbyboeden
Location: Calgary, AB
Style: Japanese

Boeden Alfonso’s apprenticeship began in a street shop in 2007. Both he and his wife Lisa (aka JiggyStackss) tattoo, and in 2017 they decided to open a shop called Skull and LotusTattoo in Calgary, AB.

Coming from a walk-in shop, Boeden’s had experience doing many different tattoo styles, but his favourites are Japanese, and Black and Grey with Japanese/Asian subject matter.

The Artwork

@tattoosbyboeden

July Artist

Who the F@#K is

Myriam Bolduc

Instagram: @mybolductattooer
Location: Quebec City, QC
Style: Black and Grey Realism

Myriam has been tattooing since 2010. Her path has allowed her to explore and practice many different styles and textures such as watercolour, realism, linework and graphics.

Currently Myriam works mainly in black and grey. Her work is composed of bold and fine lines, illustrative, realism and textures with a “witchy” twist.

She loves nature and light, but also loves what’s dark, delicate, raw and technical. Myriam is a nomad, a passionate and romantic soul, who is grateful to be able to leave a mark on this world by spreading art all around.

The Artwork

@mybolductattooer

July Artist

Meet the Artist

Myriam Bolduc

Instagram: @mybolductattooer
Location: Quebec City, QC
Style: Black and Grey Realism

Myriam has been tattooing since 2010. Her path has allowed her to explore and practice many different styles and textures such as watercolour, realism, linework and graphics.

Currently Myriam works mainly in black and grey. Her work is composed of bold and fine lines, illustrative, realism and textures with a “witchy” twist.

She loves nature and light, but also loves what’s dark, delicate, raw and technical. Myriam is a nomad, a passionate and romantic soul, who is grateful to be able to leave a mark on this world by spreading art all around.

The Artwork

@mybolductattooer

June Artist

Who the F@#K is

Brian Mackenzie

Instagram: @bmactattooer
Location: New Glasgow, NS
Style: American Traditional

Brian began tattooing in 2006 with a two-year apprenticeship under Sailor Jerry Swallow at “Sailor Jerry’s” in New Glasgow, NS.  He took over the shop and changed the name to “Vintage Tattoos'' after Jerry moved to Vancouver Island. Brian is a versatile tattooer and his style includes Traditional, Japanese, Neo-Trad, and Black and Grey work. These are his favourite picks:

The Artwork

@bmactattooer

INSTAGRAM

June Artist

Meet The Artist

Brian Mackenzie

Instagram: @bmactattooer
Location: New Glasgow, NS
Style: American Traditional

Brian began tattooing in 2006 with a two-year apprenticeship under Sailor Jerry Swallow at “Sailor Jerry’s” in New Glasgow, NS.  He took over the shop and changed the name to “Vintage Tattoos'' after Jerry moved to Vancouver Island. Brian is a versatile tattooer and his style includes Traditional, Japanese, Neo-Trad, and Black and Grey work. These are his favourite picks:

The Artwork

@bmactattooer

INSTAGRAM

May Artist

Who the F@#K is

Andrei Draworking

Instagram: @Draworking
Location: Vancouver BC
Style: Retro-Futuristic

You may recognize Andrei as the feature artist from Draw All Night. He’s been tattooing since 2013, and also owns @lovemoretattoo in Vancouver. Andrei specializes in his own surrealistic portrait style. His neon coloured pieces and portraits are complex and definitely deliver the “wow factor”, which he loves. Here are his top picks from his Favourites list:

The Artwork

@draworking

INSTAGRAM

May Artist

Meet The Artist

Andrei Draworking

Instagram: @Draworking
Location: Vancouver BC
Style: Retro-Futuristic

You may recognize Andrei as the feature artist from Draw All Night. He’s been tattooing since 2013, and also owns @lovemoretattoo in Vancouver. Andrei specializes in his own surrealistic portrait style. His neon coloured pieces and portraits are complex and definitely deliver the “wow factor”, which he loves. Here are his top picks from his Favourites list:

The Artwork

@draworking

INSTAGRAM

April Artist

Who the F@#K is

TAYLAR DOBBIE

Instagram: @taylardobbietattoos
Location: Guelph ON
Style: Illustrative Black & Grey

Taylar is tattooing out of Spring Fever Tattoo in Guelph, ON, where she enjoys doing tattoos of animals with personalities. She’s been at it since 2018 and has been focusing on black and grey Illustrative tattooing.  Here are her top picks, that she keeps on her workstation:

The Artwork

@taylardobbietattoos

INSTAGRAM

April Artist

MEET THE ARTIST

TAYLAR DOBBIE

Instagram: @taylardobbietattoos
Location: Guelph ON
Style: Illustrative Black & Grey

Taylar is tattooing out of Spring Fever Tattoo in Guelph, ON, where she enjoys doing tattoos of animals with personalities. She’s been at it since 2018 and has been focusing on black and grey Illustrative tattooing.  Here are her top picks, that she keeps on her workstation:

The Artwork

@taylardobbietattoos

INSTAGRAM

March Artist

Who the F@#K is

Heather Bisaillion

Instagram: @heatherbisaillion
Location: Ottawa ON
Style: American Traditional

Ottawa artist Heather Bisaillion describes her work as tried and true and reminiscent of the classic American Traditional style; bright, bold, with a modern flare. She’s been tattooing since 2019 and is dedicated and thoughtful in both her work and her clients’ experience.  Check out her art below...

The artwork

@HeatherBisaillion

INSTAGRAM

March Artist

Meet The Artist

Heather Bisaillion

Instagram: @heatherbisaillion
Location: Ottawa ON
Style: American Traditional

Ottawa artist Heather Bisaillion describes her work as tried and true and reminiscent of the classic American Traditional style; bright, bold, with a modern flare. She’s been tattooing since 2019 and is dedicated and thoughtful in both her work and her clients’ experience.  Check out her art below...

The ARTWORK

@HeatherBisaillion

INSTAGRAM

February Artist

Who the F@#K is

Jason Goettler

Instagram: @jasongoettlertattoos
Location: Kingston ON
Style: Illustrative

Kingston, Ontario shop owner/artist Jason Groettler loves to tattoo illustrative art of all kinds. From cats in space, to putting a new spin on the good old lighthouse, his dedication and talent come through in his tattoos. See more of his art below...

The Artwork

@jasongoettlertattoos

INSTAGRAM

February Artist

Meet The Artist

Jason Goettler

Instagram: @jasongoettlertattoos
Location: Kingston ON
Style: Illustrative

Kingston, Ontario shop owner/artist Jason Groettler loves to tattoo illustrative art of all kinds. From cats in space, to putting a new spin on the good old lighthouse, his dedication and talent come through in his tattoos. See more of his art below...

the artwork

@jasongoettlertattoos

INSTAGRAM

JANUARY ARTIST

Who the F@#K is

Jim LeClerc

Instagram: @jimleclerctattoo
Location: Montreal QC
Style: Black & Grey Realism
"the tattoo artist who put cats on his pictures"

Black and grey tattoos are Jim LeClerc’s jam, and he does them on a daily basis… That and posting cat pics... Yup. No compromises for him. 10 years of tattooing and hanging with top notch tattooers has resulted in crazy depth and saturation in all of his tattoos. The secret sauce? His dedication, talent and hard work, along with some “Go-To” items from the Eikon store.

The Artwork

@jimleclerctattoo

INSTAGRAM

JANUARY ARTIST

MEET The artist

Jim LeClerc

Instagram: @jimleclerctattoo
Location: Montreal QC
Style: Black & Grey Realism
"the tattoo artist who put cats on his pictures"

Black and grey tattoos are Jim LeClerc’s jam, and he does them on a daily basis… That and posting cat pics... Yup. No compromises for him. 10 years of tattooing and hanging with top notch tattooers has resulted in crazy depth and saturation in all of his tattoos. The secret sauce? His dedication, talent and hard work, along with some “Go-To” items from the Eikon store.

the artwork

@jimleclerctattoo

INSTAGRAM