I’ve just got back to Great White Tattoo in Kirrawee after a bit over three weeks on the road. Up the NSW coast, over the border to the Gold Coast and back down again, catching up with old mates, tattooing in some shops that mean a lot to me, and seeing one of my good friends get married. Here’s how it went.
Starting in Sydney
The trip kicked off at home in Sydney with my mate’s last hurrah. He’s about to have a kid, so we had to give him a proper send-off before nappies take over. Then I hit the road.
Forster
First stop was Forster to hang out with some friends, and I got a couple of tattoos in while I was there: a panther, drawn on freehand, and I finished up a cowgirl on a belly. Not a bad way to start a road trip.
Byron Bay and Suffolk Park
From there I drove up to Byron Bay, staying around Suffolk Park, to see some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. It was well overdue.
Lismore and the Northern Rivers: Two Rivers Tattoo
Next I worked in Lismore at Two Rivers Tattoo, my old mentor Butch’s (@mrbutchtattoo) shop. I did a big cobra while I was there. I stayed at Butch’s place and we hung out for a night in the Northern Rivers. It’s always good to see him, and if you’re getting tattooed around Lismore, go and see the Two Rivers crew.
A Wedding Inland from the Tweed
Then I headed up to the Gold Coast to stay with friends, because we were all meeting up for a mate’s wedding. It was out inland from the Tweed and it was a really beautiful day. Congrats again to the two of you.
Gold Coast: Little Tokyo
I hung around the Gold Coast for a week after that, hanging out with friends and working a couple of days at Little Tokyo in Surfers Paradise for my old boss, Rhys Gordon (@rhysgordon). While I was there I did a Kintaro and koi, a sacred heart and another crawling panther. Thanks to everyone who came in to get tattooed.
Smiths Lake
Then I started the drive back south and stopped in at Smiths Lake to see my friend Sam.
Got some quality time with Sam’s dog Billy, and Sam and I got stuck into some backgammon. I bloody love backgammon.
Newcastle: New Traditions
Next up I did a day at New Traditions Tattoo in Newcastle. I did a small snail flash piece, a Borneo-style tribal scorpion, and a row of skulls on the chin of fellow tattooer Jim Matthews (@tattoosbyjamesm). Thanks for having me, and thanks to everyone who came through.
Central Coast: Stella Tattoo, Long Jetty
The day after, I did a day at Stella Tattoo in Long Jetty on the Central Coast, where I did a dragon off the flash. I stayed with my mate Rixy, who lives near the shop, and then it was time to head home.
Back in Kirrawee
That was a bit over three weeks of driving, catching up with people I don’t see enough, and tattooing in shops I’ve got a lot of time for. Huge thanks to Butch, Rhys, the New Traditions crew, the Stella crew, everyone who put me up, and everyone who got a tattoo from me along the way. There’s more from the trip on my Instagram, @mitch.oscar.
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Back in the shop at Great White Tattoo, Kirrawee in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. If you’re after a traditional tattoo, send me an enquiry through my contact form.