This last weekend over 140 tattoo artists and other alternative artists came together at the Convention Center for the first annual Tattoo Masquerade, created by Vinyasa Productions and presented by the Denver Tattoo Collective. Everyone was showing off their existing ink and at almost every booth someone was getting a new tattoo, filling the ballroom with the collective hum of hundreds of tattoo guns. The atmosphere was an interesting mixture of freak show and art fair.  There were tattoo artists from 25 states and the UK, but Colorado artists took the majority. Aside from the live–tattooing, there were also live painters, birds of prey displays, aerial dancing, stage performances and… snakes. This was definitely an event that should keep gaining steam in the years ahead, representing Denver as one of the most tattooed cities in America.

 

All photos by Kiddest Metaferia.

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Denver, Kiddest Metaferia

Fritz from Littleton tattooing a mandala.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Alternative Arts Tattoo Booth

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Live tattooing by UK artist Bethanie Wilson.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Work in progress by Bethanie Wilson

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia, Denver

The tattooed tattooing the tattooed.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Cassady Bell from Oregon live tattooing a large hip piece.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Having someone to distract you while getting inked is always a good idea

 

Adam Rose, Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Live tattooing by Fallen Owl Tattoo’s Adam Rose

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Attendees looking through design books

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Judges inspect sleeve tattoos for one of the competitions

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia

Another sleeve to judge for the competition

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Showing off some ink

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Booths were also selling prints and merchandise.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Workhouse Irons Tattoo Machines

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Oddities, curios and antiques displayed by Learned Lemur Co.

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

An aerial dancer stretches before getting on the fabric

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Two aerial dancers from Firebird Moving Arts LLC perform together on one fabric

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

A performer walks around with a snake.

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia

The Enigma

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia, Denver

The Enigma performing something “freaky.”

 

Tattoo Masquerade, Kiddest Metaferia

Bubbles!

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Carved skulls by Rachel Lee/Bone Cellar

 

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade, Denver

Live painting at Threyda’s booth

Kiddest Metaferia, Tattoo Masquerade

Paintings lined the back wall