Reader Tats

     Kelvin is a promoter and clothing designer based in Memphis, Tennessee. He started getting inked at 15, and has been collecting skin art for the last 13 years. Some of the shops Kelvin has been tatted at include the world-famous City of Ink Studio in Atlanta, where Miya Bailey put the ink Kelvin's cranium. He's also been to Tattoo Spots in Memphis, where one of the shop's main artists, Michael, did the work on his fingers and hand. Twyla from Touch of Ink in Memphis is another contributor to Kelvin's collection--she has done his most recent works.
     Kelvin told us, at first, he never though he would get more than three or four pieces, but over time, he grew to "love tattoos to death. Ink has become a very big part of my life. Each time I add a new piece of ink to my skin, I feel like a brand, new person." That feeling of newness is what keeps him coming back for more ink.
    With all the attention his skin art has earned, Kelvin now uses his unique look to an advantage--by dabbling in a new career as a model. Kelvin also dreams of opening his own tattoo studio, beauty shop and nightclub.
    Some of his favorite past times are playing drums, shooting pool, designing clothes and traveling; and by now means, is Kelvin done being tattooed. "I still got a few spots on my body that I want to work on. I'm getting some major color ink to finish me up in the tattooing game."
    Kelvin is also part of Platinum Players, a Memphis-based media venture he developed, along with other party promoters, clothing designers, beat makers and a variety of entertainers to foster a community atmosphere within the Memphi indie arts scene. Kelvin expressed their goal is to one day have the venture spread to other areas in his region.

www.MySpace.com/platinum901
platinumplayersent@yahoo.com

Article by Razor Leary
Photography by Andrew Daley and EIJI Studios