Mutiny Ink in North East, Pa is the first establishment in a long line of posts of individuals bringing culture to Erie, Pa.
So if you take the scenic 15 min drive past vineyards into North East, you will find the old bank building on Main Street fly the Jolly Roger. Now why is this flag flying? Well that is because that building belongs to a motley crew of tattoo artists that supply the tattoo sub culture with a way to express themselves. The crew consists of Nate "Capt" Bajis, Patrick Mazzone, and Tim Schwenk. Combined these talented individuals have 23 1/2 years experience in the industry.
If you are thinking you've seen one tattoo shop, you've seen them all - think again!! Mutiny Ink is a very inviting place that is well lite and you are greeted when you come in the door. these guys are great with people - while I was there our conversation stemmed from the zombie apocalypse to why puppy mills are horrible. These guys do flash but prefer to do custom pieces that no one else will have. If you bring an idea into them they will work something up for you that you will love! Oh and did I mention the cannon? yes there is a cannon there!
Another thing that I love about the shop and these guys, they give back to the community. They are involved with Breast Cancer Awareness this month and when you go in and get the pink ribbon tattoo the proceeds go to the cause!!!!! They are also involved with Autism Awareness and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Now let's meet the guys shall we!
Nate "Capt" Bajis
Coming from the Art institute of Pittsburgh - Graphic Design, he brings 4 1/2 years of passion in the craft. He stated that while he was an apprentice he would ask and ask to tattoo and when he finally got the chance he fell in love with it and did not want to do anything else. When asked why his reply was simple yet perfect "Art is fun and tatting was a great avenue to live art" And it is about the art for Nate, he prefers to work with modern design with traditional techniques. Nate's first tattoo was a Jedi (very fitting, and you'll see once you go in) and it started a love affair that has brought Mutiny Ink to North East. Check out more about Nate and the Shop at
Artwork of Nate Bajis
Mutiny Ink
Patrick Mazzone
This guy has been creating art since he could hold a crayon! He is a self taught man that brings 6 years of creative backing. Pat told me that he actually started out when he was a kid working on comic book design and one day he was at a local restaurant with a buddy and it was his buddy that got him in the industry. He loves the fact that tattooing is like comic book design in the fact that you are working with lines and shapes and you do that when you tattoo someone - you work with the lines of that persons body. I asked Pat who his idols were and my little hand could hardly keep up lol they included the likes of - Ben Temple Smith, Scotty Young, David Tevenal, and DJ Minor - just to name a few. His style is modern design with traditional techniques and loves to work with multi-session pieces and is always thinking of ways to improve the pieces that he is working with. This guy loves what he does for sure!! Check out more and see for yourself:
Pat's Blog
Pat's Tumblr
on Twitter @patrickmazzone
on Instagram at bornasghosts
Tim Schwenk
What can I say about Tim, a man of many words and he definitely does not want to own a puppy farm (yes from the conversation we had when I was in the shop) This guy brings to the table 13 years of experience to Mutiny. He said that he just loves the way a shop smells and couldn't think of any other profession he would enjoy more. He is another one that has been been creating ever since he could pick up a crayon, in fact he joked and said the only reason he went to school was for the art supplies!! His style is different in that he enjoys to do animal portraits the most, when I asked why that is he stated it was all in the shading.
I cant say enough about these guys, the shop, or the work they do!! Asked about any advice or words of wisdom they may have for the public or other artists and the advice was: Artists - DO IT RIGHT! Tattoo Seekers - Get something that has meaning and reflects the person you are at the moment of the tattoo, make sure it is you!!
And in the words of Sailor Jerry (and this one was said a few times) "Good tattoos aren't cheap, Cheap tattoos aren't good"
Thank you guys so very much for being my first Spotlight Erie and my first interview :) I hope you enjoy it!!!!
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