“Tattoo Highway” review and interview with Thomas Pendelton

A&E is featuring a new series that celebrates the artistry, humor and compassion of a famous tattoo artist, Thomas Pendelton. There are moments in this series that will gut you emotionally, as Thomas takes us along in his colorful moving tattoo shop, a bus that houses his entire entourage and family, as they stop and work, finding stories worthy of telling on this A&E series.

There are moments in this series that will gut you emotionally, as Thomas takes us along in his colorful moving tattoo shop, a bus that houses his entire entourage and family, as they stop and work, finding stories worthy of telling on this A&E series.My initial reaction to “Tattoo Highway” was one of pure curiosity, and healthy skepticism based on my feelings about the act of tattooing. I do not possess the psychology that makes me seek the “tatt,” or piercings or any other extreme forms of body modification. Regardless of how I feel, I found myself completely drawn into the series and the expansive personality of the show’s star Thomas Pendelton, who is a sentimental and kind artist who loves his wife, his life and relishes his gift of inking others who are like-minded.There are moments in this series that will gut you emotionally, as Thomas takes us along in his colorful moving tattoo shop, a bus that houses his entire entourage and family, as they stop and work, finding stories worthy of telling on this A&E series.

Pendelton is a 15-year tattoo veteran and star of former A&E hit “Inked,” and in this series we see him expand his idea for the network as he takes his tattoo parlor on the road to cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Salt Lake City to interpret and transform personal stories onto the medium of human flesh. Pendelton’s a newlywed and adores his wife Monica, who travels with him on a redone 1970s tour bus, his tattoo parlor on wheels.The show aired its premiere Wednesday May 27, and promises to feature a wide variety of American stories from the POV of the tattoo artist, who, like a bartender or makeup artist, hears the most personal stories from those seeking to immortalize a moment, person or idea on their skin. It was this premise that A&E bought into, and it makes for an interesting slice of American life.The 13-episode, half-hour series has some riveting stories to tell.“From the creation of the art, to the environment that I tattooed in, it has always been about my customers’ experience,” says Pendelton. “In a street shop it was easy to forget just how personal that experience should be. Rolling up and parking the shop right in the middle of someone's life, well, there is nothing more personal than that.”Pendelton’s new business is the “Ministry of Ink” which sees Pendelton make available his art for those who might never have access to a quality tattoo artist and someone who listens to them, and then creates the perfect design to commemorate their love, loss or life ethos.These personal stories are what makes this series much more intriguing to me than tattoo Queen Kat Von D’s tattoo show, which is more of a rock and roll cliché and lifestyle celebration. Pendelton’s smallscreen efforts have heart, and it will keep me, a non-fan of tattoos, coming back to hear the poignant tales of complete strangers. Pendeltons arm tatts

Pendelton's arm tatts

The episode that features a grieving widower is a tough one, and unexpected in its emotional repercussions for Pendelton, who cannot control his empathetic grief response to the man’s simple desire to keep his beloved wife close to his heart.The twist in the show is when Pendelton’s team figure that they can mix her ashes into the ink, and use on him in a symbolic union.Everyone has a story, and the series delivers a varied perspective on each person’s reason for the permanent mark.I had a few questions for Thomas, who was kind to take time out of his production schedule to share some insight into his craft, and the show.How did A&E Network find you? Did you pitch them the idea?Thomas Pendelton: I pitched Juma Entertainment the idea and we took it to A&E.

Why were you so broken up about the widower? Thomas Pendelton: Trooper was his name; he had so much pain from the loss of his wife it was impossible to not get caught up in the emotion. It made me happy to be at the beginning of my life with my wife…

Have you ever mixed human remains ashes in ink up until that point? Thomas Pendelton: No, we always talked about tattooing our teacher, Rick Walters, into us when he kicked it, but he’s still going strong.

Which one of your tattoos is your favorite, and tell me why, what was the story behind it?

Thomas Pendelton: Probably my face tattoos. I have an aum symbol on one side and an upside down cross on the other. They are a constant reminder to stay peaceful and humble.

Why do people, in your opinion, feel the need to tattoo themselves? Thomas Pendelton: I think that people are getting tattooed without thinking of their future. We are a society of instant gratification and unfortunately that trend has now invaded the tattoo culture. I don’t think people realize that their tattoos will be around long after the thrill of the needle is gone.

Tell me the most artistically challenging tattoo you were commissioned to do? Thomas Pendelton: Every tattoo is a challenge. It’s a lot of responsibility to permanently mark someone.

Is there a point when the love for tattooing becomes an unhealthy obsession? Have you ever refused to tattoo someone based on your opinion the person needed psychological help? Thomas Pendelton: Are you saying I am obsessed? I have talked plenty of people out of getting tattooed. Not because I gave a shit of their psychological standing but because their ideas sucked or they just sucked. Everyone gets the tattoo they deserve…

Is there a region of the USA that has more tattooed people than others, perhaps a city or state you think trumps all for sheer number of body art aficionados?Thomas Pendelton: I have never been, but it’s my understanding that Austin, Texas is the capitol of tattooing. Between the music and art scene I guess it’s just crazy with ink.

What is the appropriate age for someone to begin acquiring tattoos? Thomas Pendelton: According to the government 18, but I didn’t start making smart decisions until I was 33.

Do you prefer colored in vivid tatts or old school black and charcoal ink? Thomas Pendelton: I really love color tattoos but as I get older they seem to hurt more. I am starting to lean more towards black and grey. They go on a lot quicker.

Who is your tattoo guru-the person whose work inspired you to do this? Thomas Pendelton: When I started I would have to say it was Rick Walters, the guy who taught me to tattoo. Since then, I have learned a little something from everyone I have worked with.From A&E:TATTOO HIGHWAY - SEASON 1 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS EPISODE 101 - VEGAS BABIES!
Thomas takes the bus to Las Vegas to drop his daughters off at Monica's mother's house After an emotional goodbye, Thomas tattoos a phoenix on a woman who gave up her child for adoption ten years ago. Later, Thomas pays his respects to the Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. at their tattoo shop and brings a mother and daughter closer together through his artwork. From Vegas, the bus heads down to Long Beach to see his mentor Rick Walters and visit Burt Grimm's, the shop where he learned to tattoo.EPISODE 102 - BREAKDOWN LANE
Thomas drives the bus to Reno, NV to visit his old friend Chris at his tattoo shop, Sinister Ink. Krystin tattoos a sexy blonde's foot inside the shop, and everyone accuses Thomas of being the biggest flirt on the bus. Later, Thomas visits his old high school, and Monica worries that his bad experiences in school might affect how he raises their daughters. After coming to terms with his home town, Thomas takes the bus to Hawthorne, NV to meet Trooper, a man who recently lost his wife and wants a portrait of her on his chest. Thomas mixes Trooper's wife's ashes in the ink and gives one of his most meaningful tattoos on the trip.EPISODE 103 - SHOW US YOUR TATS
The crew takes a day off from work to celebrate Chili's birthday. Chili is very close to his mom and asks Thomas to tattoo a note she wrote him onto his palm. Thomas uses UV ink so no one can see the tattoo unless it's under a black light. For Chili's final gift, the crew calls a stripper onto the bus to give him a lap dance. Tommy gives her a tattoo as payment, but an argument arises after Tommy can't figure out how to finish the tattoo. The next day, Thomas rents an RV to take his crew on a trip to the mountains. On the way out of town, Thomas hits a fire hydrant, and they end up tattooing prostitutes at the Mustang Ranch to pay for the damage.EPISODE 104 - MINISTER OF INK
The bus travels to Sacramento to tattoo Heather, a voluptuous artist who used to work in a mortuary and has a collection of dead animals. Thomas completely changes the artwork she drew for her tattoo, but she ends up loving the tat. The bus moves on to San Francisco to interview potential shop helpers. None of the women they interview are right for the job, so they continue their trip without hiring anybody. While in San Francisco, Thomas and Krystin tattoo matching eggplants on a gay couple. After the tattoo, Thomas performs a renegade wedding for the love birds.EPISODE 105 - THIS BUDDHA'S FOR YOU
In San Francisco, Thomas hires a portrait artist named Stash to tattoo a picture of his spiritual mentor on his calf. Ajahn Le is a Buddhist monk Thomas met years ago. After the tattoo, the bus heads to San Jose to visit Ajahn Le and show him the portrait. Later, the crew visits a Buddhist temple with Ajahn Le, but Chili grows uncomfortable. To end the day, Tommy tattoos a Koi fish on a man who hopes the symbol will bring good luck to his unborn son.