We are more or less in a perpetual state of regret that we cannot be at all of the wonderful tattoo conventions and other various body modification gatherings from which we receive photographs, but we are always thrilled nonetheless to receive said photos. Like these, for instance! Esteemed European correspondent Mpatshi sends in these excellent shots from the recently wrapped-up London Tattoo Convention. We will contain our jealousy for the time being, enjoy these and hold out hope that we will not be stuck on this infernal continent next year.

Whoa hey, so here’s some news! Coming this August is the inaugural Tattoo Hollywood convention, presented by BME. That’s us! Awesome, right? We’ve partnered with Bob Roberts’s World Famous Spotlight Tattoo, rounded up some of the best tattoo artists around and, for three days in August, will be playing host to a back-to-basics tattoo convention that we’re all pretty excited about.

The workhorse here, however, has been BME headmistress Rachel, who has been busting her ass and is far more qualified to speak on the subject than I am. So, on that note, take a look after the jump for a quick interview I did with the boss-lady, which should explain a bit more fully what this is all about.

So! That Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention that all the movie stars are talking about? Well, it just got 22.8 percent sexier, because the word is that Steve Truitt will be sharing a booth with noted gridskipper John Durante, offering cuttings and all that good stuff. Above is one of Truitt’s most recent pieces: a dainty lily! Your common StumbleUpon user is thoroughly disgusted.

As well, there is still space available for people/shops/etc. looking for booths. Visit the convention’s web site for details, or call Troy at 215-882-1362.

I know we’ve been talking about the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention a whole lot lately, but it’s with good reason: This is really shaping up to be an incredible event that should be a huge “get-there” moment for a lot of people in the community. To say nothing of the stellar scarification artist lineup and BME’s own presence there, as that poster shows, this is just going to be a lot of fun with some really great performances. (Plus, there’s always a good chance that an all-out brawl will develop with the Suicide Girls/God’s Girls/Burning Angel trifecta, and as far as the live painting goes, I’ve heard good things about those Shawn Barber and Kim Saigh kids.)

As well, there is still space available for people/shops/etc. looking for booths. Visiting the convention’s web site for details, or call Troy at 215-882-1362.

(Self-done BME logo cutting by Jon Underwood — his first, no less!)

As if John Joyce, John Durante, Brian Decker and Ryan Ouellette weren’t enough to get you to the upcoming Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention, running in scenic Philadelphia from February 27 to March 1, hold onto your butts, because BME will be there too! And not just walking around fondling people, either — we’ll have a booth and everything! The ever-lovely MissMeg will be on hand to pierce, and Rachel will be there holding down the fort, filming, taking photos, selling T-shirts [Note: buy T-shirts, lots of them] and doing all sorts of fun giveaways. This is shaping up to be one hell of a weekend, friends — get there.

Also, there is still space available for people/shops/etc. looking for booths. Visiting the convention’s web site for details, or call Troy at 215-882-1362.

You begged. You pleaded. You weren’t satisfied with a line-up of scarification artists at the upcoming Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention that featured only John Durante, Brian Decker and Ryan Ouellette. Well, Syracuse heartthrob John Joyce will also be in attendance and is looking to fill up his Friday. How can you resist? You can’t. And not only that, but he’ll be bringing the very talented (and open for appointments) Rick Lohm with him, as well.

Healed shot of the above scarification, after the jump.

In addition to the already stacked line-up of scarification artists at the fast-approaching Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention, globetrotting bon vivant John Durante will also be available for scarification appointments every day of the convention. This is an absolute murderer’s row, folks. Get thee to Philly.

The rubber king of Williamsburgh, xPUREx, sends in this recent cutting out of his very own Pure Body Arts studio in Brooklyn, New York. And, much like Ryan Ouellette yesterday, he will also be at the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention from February 27 to March 1, and wouldn’t you know it? He just had a cancellation, and is available all day on the Friday. Visit him on IAM or at PureBodyArts.com to set up an appointment.

A healed/healing shot of the above scar, after the jump.

Gangster number one Ryan Ouellette from Precision Body Arts in Nashua, New Hampshire, sends in this phoenix cutting he did recently. Wait, what’s that? You want Ryan to cut you? Well holy damn, you’re in luck. He’ll be at the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention from February 27 to March 1, 2009, doing all sorts of fun things. Visit him at PBAscars.com to set something up.

Also, the above cutting after three months of healing, after the jump.