Strolling by way of the doorways of Marion Avenue Tattoo is a bit like stepping contained in the pages of an I-Spy guide. From flooring to ceiling, the store is adorned with taxidermied animals, work, tattoo machines, trophies, flash tattoo sheets and extra. Whereas it could appear cluttered to their shoppers, to the handful of artists who work out of the store, it seems like house.
Although the store hasn’t referred to as Marion Avenue its house for just a few years – it’s now situated at 2823 East Colfax Avenue – it’s been a favourite amongst Denver tattoo-enthusiasts for the final decade. Because the doorways of the unique store opened practically 10 years in the past, Marion Street Tattoo has had a lot of attention-grabbing shoppers stroll by way of its doorways, together with members of noteworthy bands which have bought out venues throughout the Mile Excessive Metropolis. Nonetheless, it’s not simply the friends which have walked by way of the doorways of the store, however the doorways which have been opened for the artists who name the store house that make Marion Avenue Tattoo memorable.
The story of Marion Avenue Tattoo begins with founder and present store proprietor Ryan Willard. A transplant to Denver, Willard made his method to Colorado with hopes of pursuing his ardour of mountain biking as an escape from the detrimental setting that surrounded him in his hometown of Detroit. Along with his sights set on Hawaii, he picked a spot off of a map and located himself in Telluride. “Type of as a blessing, I obtained caught,” mentioned Willard in an interview with 303 Journal. “I got here out in the direction of fall time, ended up staying – after which years glided by.”
Dwelling out of his automobile and portray murals within among the mansions on the town, Willard was all the time drawn to the world of artwork. Nonetheless returning house to a few of his previous haunts, he was all the time surrounded by tattoo tradition. “I used to be all the time actually pushed in the direction of tattooing, however I simply felt like I didn’t have it,” mentioned Willard. “It was a unique way of life, that type of factor. At the moment, it was a bit rougher sort of group than what’s occurring now – rather more fringe.”
Although it could have been intimidating, Willard didn’t draw back from the tough tattoo way of life. Following encouragement from business chief Terry Welker, Willard discovered an apprenticeship at a biker store on the western aspect of the state and started instructing himself tips on how to put ink into the pores and skin. Shortly after proving he had what it took to be a tattoo artist, he moved into a store as a full-time tattooer, finally transferring to Denver the place he would open Marion Avenue Tattoo with a fellow artist.
Nonetheless, Willard’s co-founder rapidly realized that the store was not what he actually needed for himself and allowed Willard to purchase him out of the lease – making Willard the only proprietor of the store. Since then, Willard has discovered a brand new house on Colfax, pioneered the Friday the thirteenth tattoo pattern that sweeps Denver, kicked off Marion Avenue’s first-ever chili cook-off and made a mark on numerous tattoo fanatics all through the state.
Whereas the tattoos that come from Marion Avenue Tattoo converse for themselves, the platform that a few of their house owners stand on amplify the store’s voice ten thousandfold. So, who precisely has Willard and the remainder of the Marion Avenue Tattoo group left their mark on? The checklist is lengthy and seemingly filled with highlights. Nonetheless, just a few musical names stand out amongst them to incorporate Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Shakey Graves and members of his crew, the members of The Menzingers, Laura Jane Grace of Towards Me!, The Bouncing Souls, Mumford and Sons and lots of, many extra.
Removed from simply tattooing gifted musicians, Willard’s authenticity and constructive outlook make him straightforward to befriend. Consequently, most of the noteworthy names which have sat below his tattoo machine have become repeat shoppers and extra importantly mates. From partying with Dave Grohl in Nashville after an opportunity encounter with somebody boasting a Foo Fighters’ connection to getting a Black Flag tattoo finished on his leg by Invoice Stevenson in a recording studio, Willard’s artwork has allowed him to expertise features of the music business that many music-lovers would kill for.
“I’ve been lucky sufficient to satisfy so many wonderful folks, and I imply that actually, with out being tacky I actually imply that,” mentioned Willard. “I’ve realized a lot from folks and simply with the ability to expertise one thing tremendous intimate and private, so far as tattooing and particularly after I get to tattoo them. It’s wonderful, it actually is a present.” Whether or not his shoppers boast fame and fortune or not, Willard counts each expertise he has as a blessing – an angle that retains him genuinely humble.
“It actually blows my thoughts each day that folks wish to get artwork from me of any type, whether or not it’s this or tattooing. For it to snowball like this? It’s wonderful. I can’t give it some thought as a result of I get too overwhelmed.”
Although he has no guesses himself, it’s doubtless that Willard’s constructive vitality is a contributing issue to why so many people search him out for tattoos. When reminiscing on among the highlights of his tattoo profession – which embrace serving to Brian Kienlen of the Bouncing Souls open his personal tattoo store and being part of Mumford and Sons’ Road to Red Rocks when Marion Avenue gave the band commemorative tattoos – Willard clearly finds himself overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what he’s been capable of expertise.
Although Marion Avenue Tattoo is commonly pigeon-holed as a store that makes a speciality of American Conventional tattooing, Willard and his colleagues will tattoo something on anybody. “If I can stress something, it’s all the time the basics – and that’s in every little thing in life. Whether or not it’s relationships or weight loss plan or artwork or something, you understand. The basics of tattooing all begin with what is known as conventional tattooing, which is principally simply good tattooing,” mentioned Willard “It’s not prefer it’s a convention of shit, it’s a convention of sturdy traces, sturdy coloration, tattoos that as we age and disintegrate are going to be sturdy and maintain up.”
“My recommendation throughout the board for everybody is simply ensure that your stuff is constructive and pleased and be wholesome. We’re not right here lengthy, so let’s have a great time with it and be colourful and no matter that’s. Respect for one another and respect for your self first. So fuck yeah, get tattooed – if that’s what you need, and if not then cool, that’s superior too. However tattoos are superior.”
From residing out of a van and portray homes to proudly owning a preferred tattoo store {that a} group of gifted tattoo artists calls house, Willard has lived a curler coaster of a life – however he wouldn’t have it every other means. A messenger of positivity, Willard’s authentically constructive angle makes him an enigma that you just’ll wish to be round whether or not you’re getting tattooed or not – and his unimaginable tales concerning the folks he’s met all through his profession are only a bonus.
You possibly can schedule a session with any of the artists at Marion Avenue Tattoo here. Sustain with all of their tattoos by following them on Instagram.
All images by Kennedy Cottrell.
