Bancroft tattoo artists triumph in Halifax

June 9, 2016

Carmine A shows off her first place plaque, after winning that Tattoo of the Day at the Mariti me Tattoo Festival. TONY PEARSON Special to This Week

By Tony Pearson

Less than a year ago, Lisa Bickert opened Deuce Tattoos on North Hastings Street across from Tim Hortons. Now, not only is her business doing well, but her workers have been recognized by their peers.

Each year, tattoo artists gather at a number of shows to demonstrate their skills. Sometimes they simply operate a booth, sometimes they enter into competition.

Recently, Deuce Tattoos went to the Maritime Tattoo Festival, where they operated an all-female booth of eight artists. The booth was packed throughout the show.

Artists Carmine A. and Bronwin Ironside decided to enter competitions – each for the first time ever.

In an impressive feat, Carmine took first place for Tattoo of the Day after portraying her version of the Japanese White Eye – a bird that keeps the bugs under control on cherry blossom trees. The style Carmine used blended tattoo styling aspects from watercolour styles, geometric styles, and traditional styles.

Ironside took second place in an event where she was tasked with mirroring a flash tattoo. A flash tattoo is a painting of some of the tattoos available in a particular parlour.

Although Carmine tattoos all over Ontario, travelling out west or down east, she works mainly out of Deuce.

Ironside originally worked at Mike’s Tattoo in Peterborough, but as she lives in Wilberforce with her husband and daughter, she has opted to make Deuce her work base.

Both artists are enthusiastic about Deuce. Ironside described the shop as awesome, while Carmine spoke to its artists dedication to customers and to artistry.

Before she opened Deuce, Bickert managed the Lucky Duck parlour. She now has an apprentice, three full-time artists and four guest artists who rotate through Bancroft.

Bickert emphasizes quality of artistry, but also health and safety.

Deuce is now open seven days a week to accommodate customer demand.