Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US!

So it's still only morning here in Toronto Canada but I am aware that the New Year has already begun back home. So I thought it would be time to write a short blog, reflecting on our past year.

2010 was an awesome year for us, lots of travel, lots of new tattoos and business is going well. We had lots of time to play but we worked hard too.

So everyone knows now that we have Jamie and Simone at the shop and it has been one of the best decisions we have made thus far for Progression. Thanks so much to Jamie and Simone for looking after our baby while we have been away, it's nice to know the shop is in such good hands when we are not home and we don't have to worry when we aren't there. We love you guys a bunch and are so happy to have such awesome people to work with everyday. Who gets to go to work each day and laugh that hard?

We have now well and truly passed our 1 year mark at Progression and we couldn't be happier with how things are going. Clients are awesome, shop is looking more and more how we want it to look everyday and the way things are going is far more than we could have ever dreamed of. I have to pinch myself everyday to see if I am dreaming. Matt and I have wanted to have our own shop for a very long time and to wake up in the morning and look forward to work everyday is something neither of us will ever take for granted.

Oh and all Matt has to contribute to this blog is his album of the year "The National- High Violet" and his movie of the year is a tie between "Fantastic Mr Fox" and "Inception".

So BIG THANK YOU to our clients because without you there is no Progression. We can't thank you enough!!!

And following is a little photo montage of our year.

Our new nephew, Elliot AKA "Tugger Nuts"

New Zealand

India

Japan

Allan tattooing Matt's palm, Matt thinking "Maybe this isn't such a great idea after all" http://onkelallan.blogspot.com/

Ouch

The Progression gang (plus Taco from Singapore)

Looking for their muma. They are helping their dad tattoo.

Bring on 2011, so much to look forward to!

"It may all end tomorow,

or it could go on forever."



Shot by Avery.





In total disaster we trust. In progress. One of my faves recently. Seems fitting that the film get fogged on those photos on this roll.




The Santa Claus parade, seen from Corner tattoo. People were packed tight as sardines, but that didn't last long 'cause they all got burned up to bits by a dragon.




Homo sapiens.


In their natural habitat.

Some tattoos:









The den.


The cub.


Sweetheart alert.

Thanks, Bram

Rebel Waltz Tattoo
873 Notre Dame
204 832 6733

If you wanna be wild,

you've got alot to unlearn.

So, I'm at my new shop, here are a couple visual samples of what your eyes will behold if you come see me. Just a couple promo shots, I'll have lots more coming of the new work I'm up to and my new space soon.

My work hours are 11 - 7 Monday to Friday. If you come by before noon, please call first, because we aren't quite open yet.

873 Notre Dame ave.

204 - 832 - 6733




Thanks, Bram.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Well, looks like we will not be having a white Christmas after all. Clear skies are the forecast but it's ok. We have a family lunch on boxing day, which requires travel to "London" (that would be the Canada London) where we are promised mountains of snow. So I am moving Christmas to the 26th.

Anyways, just a quick post to advertise the 12 page write up we got in the latest edition of "Tattzz" Magazine. Should be able to find it in most local newsagents, so check it out.

Also if we can just ask that any tattoo related enquiries please wait till after the 10th of Jan. I already have a pile of people to get back to and I just don't want to miss anything. So probably best to just wait till we get back and I will get back to people as soon as we return, promise!

Don't forget "Rites of Passage Festival" is coming up (Melbourne Tattoo Convention). So if your from Adelaide and in Melbourne come by and say hello. For those who live in Melbourne, you better come by and say hello! Please visit: http://www.ritesofpassagefestival.com/
It's turning out to be an awesome event and a few more big name artists have been added to the growing list. Should be awesome!

New merch is on it's way. We are just doing a reprint of the original black t-shirt (with the gold "Progression" logo). We are also hopefully doing singlets too, with the same design. So they should be available from the 15th of January.

And some more snaps from Japan........

At the "Art of Tattooist show"

My gorgeous kitty tattoo on paper- my dedication to the best cat in the world. Cedric mama loves you x

Getting my sweet kitty cat tattoo from Allan

Matt at the Horiyoshi Museum

That's all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Everyone!!!!!

Japan

I know, I know, it's been like forever since I blogged. But I must admit we have been so busy, I haven't even had a chance.

So we spent 5-6 in Japan and had one of the most amazing trips ever. Met great people, got loads of tattoo's, ate great food and had the best shopping experiences ever.

You would think that spending such a long time in one place we would have had more time to do things but it just went so quickly and we jam packed our days full of sightseeing and tattooing.

Mine and Matt's Sleeves

We spent most of our 6 weeks in Yokohama but we did head out on some more extended trips out of the city. We visited Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto again and even took a trip to the snow (Nozawa Onsen). I saw snow for the very first time and surprised myself at how much I loved it and how little the cold actually bothered me.

I love all the different foods at the market. It was those times that I actually wish I wasn't vegan so I could try stuff.

I loved these little guys. They sing and dance. I am getting one next time I am in Japan.

We actually found a vegan cafe in Hiroshima. So we ordered up BIIIIG! And ate there 3 times. Best food ever!

Anyways, there is just too much to talk about regarding Japan and I am sure your all going to be pissed if I rub it in too much, so I should talk more about business.

Jamie and Simone will be taking time off over Christmas and New Years. So from the 24th of December till the 10th of January the shop will be closed completely. Both Jamie and Simo and Matt and I will be back to work on the 10th.

So after I cracked the shits with facebook and cancelled it, I have caved in and reactivated my account- I know who is laughing at me right now:P Seems like no one communicates any other way anymore. So if I want to keep in touch or communicate with the rest of the world, it seems I have to keep the bloody thing. Now not to be completely hypocritical, I now have a twitter account too. I know, how do I go from hating everything internet to actually committing to more social forums?? I am a sucker, that's why. But my reasoning is I want to blog/twitter more and facebook less (facebook and I are still not friends and I prefer not to use it). So follow me on twitter. I can't promise I have anything intelligent or witty to say but I am a fucking looser right now with 8 followers, so help me out so I look less losser-ish.

So we have left Japan and made it to Canada! Surprised the hell out of Lauren, which was fun! It's so good to see Bobby and Lauren and we are already having an awesome time. It was -3 today, which was lovely and mild. But I am so excited to experience a white/cold christmas, the way it should be! If it doesn't snow christmas day I am going to be disappointed. But more about Canada when we have been here longer and I am less tired.

Well must be off, we are having a christmas party and expecting guests any minute. Plus I haven't even had an alcoholic beverage yet, I must get on it! Gotta show the Canadian's how it's done.

Bye for now!

Christmas opening times

Over Christmas we are Open as normal up to and including the 23rd.
After that we are open on the 27th and 28th.
We return to normal opening hours on 3rd January
If you would like to book in on a day we’re shut please call up on 0208 616 4473
Have a Merry Christmas!

We now accept all major Credit and Debit Cards

Also we have a few more photos in the latest edition of Tattoos Only so check it out!

The song was an old rebel one.

Marcie!


Mr. Messi


All day!




Iko and I skated to comicon.


Iko tattooing.


Work.


My bulletin board at Corner Tats.

Text blog moment:

I'm excited to say that After a great year at Corner Tattoo, I've been given an opportunity to fill a spot at Rebel Waltz Tattoo. It's surprising to me to be leaving Corner Tattoo so soon, but opportunity knocks, and I'm obliged to answer. The shop is owned by Don Ritson, who has been putting some nice tattoos on people. He also has another artist named Sypras working, in a smooth, realistic comic style. I will be fully moved over by the new year, and for now looks like Thursday, Friday and Saturday I'll be at Rebel Waltz, likewise next week.

873 Notre Dame Ave

204 832 6733

WPG, MB
CANADA

http://www.rebelwaltztattoo.com/

Thanks for checkin out my blog,

Bram


Avery, cuteness enders.