Ink Atlanta Magazine August 2011

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Publisher’s Note

ell our first issue was so good we just had to make another one. I tell you what though, Bobby ... the months that we have to put together PRICK Mag and INK Atlanta at the same time almost killed all of us involved. I must admit the response was pretty awesome on the first one. I am as excited as I was in the first few issues of PRICK.I can’t wait to be even more fully engaged in the community back in my own home town.That’s where we need you - yes you reading this. We need volunteer street teams and interns of sorts to make sure were are covering all we can. Art shows, shop parties, tattooed people to feature, etc.We also could use some distribution help in some of the farther reaching areas around metroAtlanta. The most important thing of all we need help with is ad sales. I know as a reader you may not want to see more ads but thats how we increase the page count and feature more articles each month. They go hand in hand as long as the word FREE remains on the cover. So be part of INK Atlanta in any way you can. This issue is packed with local awesomeness. The super hot Haley Hellian is our Miss Ink Atlanta August and Kid Cedek is the featured musician. Rob Flat of Psycho Tattoo graces our pages as the featured artist and Inksomnia is our featured studio. Last but not least we can’t forget local friend to all he meets, Jon Hinkemeyer of 13 Roses Tattoo Parlour showing his tattoo collection and Jack’s Pizza for serving up their famous down home slices.

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LISTEN UP Kid Cedek

TATTOOED BISTRO

Jack’s Pizza and Wings

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Rob Flat

COVERED

Jon Hinkemeyer

MISS INK ATL AUGUST Haley Hellian

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT

Inksomnia

Reviews

Steadfast Brand v. Jason Kelly & Pinups on Two Wheels

ON THE COVER: Haley Hellian by Christopher S. Kennedy

Enjoy this issue. See you next month. – Chuck B.

Ink Atlanta MAGAZINE STAFF PUBLISHER - CHUCK B INC.

CEO / EDITOR IN CHIEF: CHARLES D. BRANK (AKA CHUCK B.) CO-PUBLISHER / CMO: JASON BEATTIE EDITOR / P.R. MANAGER: JESSICA HILL

ONLINE EDITOR AND CIRCULATION MANAGER: STEVE “CRUDD” RUDD STAFF WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER: GREG TRUELOVE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: J.J. DIABLO, HARRISON KNOLLE

Covered - Jon Hinkemeyer

Tattoo by Inksomnia’s Shane Sudduth

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: CHUCK B., CHRISTOPHER S. KENNEDY, RYAN “OH SNAP! KID” PURCELL, HARRISON KNOLLE DISTRIBUTION / CIRCULATION: CHUCK B. AND JASON BEATTIE ADVERTISING: JASON BEATTIE, JESSICA HILL AND CHUCK B. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: OASIS RIM

GRAPHICS: CASSANDRE DECORTE, JASON BEATTIE AND CHUCK B.

Tattooed Bistro - Jack’s Pizza & Wings

Ink Atlanta ADVERTISING & GENERAL INFO: (770) 723-9824 CONTACT PUBLISHER CHUCK B. EMAIL:

[email protected] www.inkatlanta.net

CHECK OUT OUR AD RATES AND SPECS ONLINE AT: SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO:

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

PO Box 381,Tucker, GA 30085

ADVERTISERS INDEMNIFICATION: All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. Ink Atlanta Magazine / Chuck B, Inc reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason whatsoever, without limit. All advertisers in Ink Atlanta Magazine, for fair and valuable consideration, including but not limited to the printing of each advertiser’s ad, the receipt and suffering of which is hereby acknowledged, hereby agree ad hold Ink Atlanta Magazine harmless with respect to any claim made by a third party against Ink Atlanta Magazine, as a result of publishing said advertisement in said periodical. Said indemnity includes, but is not limited to, any claims by any party claiming that the publication of the ad violates any trademark, design mark or that it violates an individuals likeness or violates any fair business practice act, and includes indemnification of Ink Atlanta Magazine for any and all expenses in incurs in defending any said claim, including attorney fees and court costs whether said claim is successful or not successful plus any judgement that might be rendered and any settlement of such claim or judgement. Advertiser warrants and represents that the description of the product or service advertised is true in all respects. Ink Atlanta Magazine / Chuck B, Inc, assume no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Ink Atlanta Magazine makes no recommendations as to the quality of any service provided by any advertiser. All views expressed in all articles are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the publication and Chuck B, Inc. Publication assumes no responsibility and no liability for unsolicited materials. All letters and their contents sent to Ink Atlanta Magazine become the sole property of Ink Atlanta Magazine and may be used and produced in any manner whatsoever without limit and without obligation and liability to the writer thereof. Copyright© 2011 Chuck B, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission is totally prohibited and violates copyright law.

DJ Kid Cedek (above) Artist Rob Flat (right)

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Listen Up

kid Cedek Bringing This City in Color

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by J.J. Diablo Photos by ryan “oh snap! kid” purcell isit KID CEDEK’s website and the first line of his bio reads, “The experience of music is an overwhelming excitement that is shared by people through harmony and energy.” Truer words have never been spoken and a study of KID CEDEK’s influence on ATL’s electronic music circuit will undoubtedly yield the same result, further proving that electronic beats, melodies and lyrics are not only another genre of real music, but one that can move people beyond realms of usual experience. Originally born in Puerto Rico, Merchicedek “DJ KID CEDEK” Reyes, is bringing it large and redefining diversity through his musical style, persona and influences. The name KID CEDEK evolved as he steadily focused his life on the pursuit of “good things in life and non-stop energy.” He was heavily influenced by his surrounding cultures, as he traveled extensively, crediting “Puerto Rico,The Dominican Republic, New York, Massachusetts, Florida and the ‘DMV’ more commonly known as the DC/Maryland/Virginia area.” All of these diverse and culturally rich places helped shape KID CEDEK as a person in multiple ways “from his distinctive tattoos, charming childish humor, and even down to his arsenal of denim and sneakers.” While beginning to hone his chops as a DJ, KID CEDEK traveled around the country, even hanging out with bands the likes of Staind “back in the day,” a stark contrast to his initial exposure to more Latin atmospheres. His other musical influences span every genre of music from The Rapture,The Postal Service, Mr.Vega, Daft Punk, Steve Aoki,The Chemical Brothers and Tiga to Minus The Bear, Modest Mouse, Thom Yorke and The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Now in his prime KID CEDEK has traveled most of North America, “encompassing all coasts of the United States as well as Canada” spreading his brand of music to new ears. Citing “the combination of his R.I.D.E. mix tape and Warped Tour 2010” where he was also tattooed by the likes of Vick Back and Oliver Peck, he has been “able to infiltrate his style and energy to audiences all over, exemplifying his versatility to the masses.” KID CEDEK has also been tattooed by James Marlowe, Jason Von Victor and by ATL artist Chris Howell of Southern Star Tattoo.

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Above: KID CEDEK Left: Forearm by Jon Kellogg, Chest piece by Jason Von Victor Below: Getting some crowd love @Masquerade

kid Cedek Above & Below: Sleeve by James Marlowe of Marlowe Ink, VA.

Back piece by Jason Von Victor

Below: Both crests done by Jason Von Victor aka “Painless J”

Below: Sneaker by Oliver Peck

KID CEDEK has played at “Atlanta’s major venues including Opera, Sutra Lounge, Graveyard Tavern, El Bar, Halo, Gold Room, Primal, East Side Lounge and Lucky Lounge to name a few” with his most recent residencies at Graveyard every third Friday and at Sutra Lounge for ‘BUZZ’ every first Saturday, bringing Atlanta “the truest nightlife experience featuring artists from across the nation.” With his signature grin, KID CEDEK is bringing the ‘A’ to rebirth with every performance and he’s doing it in full blown COLOR. He is also releasing a new EP, Circus Freaks on NY based label Rot10 Musik including remixes from local ATL producers Mayhem, Heroes & Villains, & Street Lurkin. KID CEDEK’s music is available on iTunes, Beatport and all major music distributors. For more information and dates on KID CEDEK, visit: http://www.kidcedek.com/ H 6

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Tattooed Bistros

Pizza Jack’s &Wings L

by Harrison Knolle

ocated in the Old Fourth Ward, Jack’s Pizza & Wings is a great lifestyle friendly spot with cheap drinks, great people and some absolutely ridiculous specialty pies. Originally a Johnny’s New York Style Pizza the owner, Jack, decided to break away from the franchise about two and a half years ago. Maintaining the same staff, Jack decided it was time to put his own spin on pizza and give the restaurant a new look. The place is decorated in a traditional pub manner but also has some giant blown up photos from around Atlanta, old school plastic Empire Strikes Back lunch pales to hold spices on the tables, and a spacious patio area riddled with some nice graffiti on their wooden fence. What makes Jack’s different from many of the other pizza options in Atlanta is their list of specialty pies. Along with their tasty traditional pies are unique concoctions like “The Jason”, a Mac’ and cheese pizza topped with bacon and the “Beanie Weenie” garnished with BBQ baked beans, bacon and hot dogs. But their originality doesn’t stop there, they’ve also got the “Big Mama” topped with pepperoni, ground beef, ground sausage, and bacon; not to mention the “Soul Food” pie which comes topped with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, collared greens and gravy. With such crazy pizzas I had to know just how they come up with these

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Specialty pizza, “The Hangover” (left) and Gourmet pizzas the “Soul Food” (middle) and “The Jason” (right)

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recipes. According to the manager, Leslie, “Our crazy ass staff in the back was just like ‘Dude, what can we put on a pizza?!’ and it kind of just evolved like that. We had like seven different pizzas and had a big party for the staff and all picked our favorites.” As for the naming of these beastly pizzas Jack was inspired by some of his buddies. “‘The Jason’ is named after the owner of Wisteria. He’d been trying to get me to put it on the menu for years so when I finally did I named it after him. The others are my friends ex-girlfriends like the ‘Roxanne’, the ‘Sunshine’, and the ‘Big Mama’.” Along with killer pizzas Jack’s has great drink specials including dollar beers and three-dollar wells every day. They are also home to some really cool events and specials like half price wings on Mondays, Adult Trivia on sex, drugs & music on Thursdays, Drunk Bingo Fridays and Sunday Bloody Sunday with cheap Bloody Marys and mimosas. I would also have to recommend trying their signature shot, ‘The Eye of the Tiger’, which consists of Gatorade, Red Bull, and Everclear. Jack’s is also hosting their fifth annual Jell-O wrestling party the last Saturday of every month this summer. According to Two femme fatales of the tattooed Jack and Leslie it’s unlike any other waitstaff at Jack’s. Jell-O wrestling you’ve seen before; “These chicks get buck wild man. We have five bands usually starting about 5 o’clock. We take over the parking lot with bars and music. For the wrestling itself we set up the pit on the patio and it’s closed circuited on all the TVs inside as well as a big screen in the parking lot.” The next round of wrestling will be on August 27th. Jack’s Pizza & Wings is open Mon,Wed, Sun 11:30am-12am and Thurs-Sat 11:30am-3am. Visit www.jackspizzaandwings.com to take a look at their menu, call for delivery at (404) 525-4444, or stop by! Jack’s is located at 676 Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA. H

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Rob Flat Artist spotlight

Psycho tattoo Strength Breeds Strength by j.j. Diablo

Albert Einstein, no stranger to adversity himself, once said, “In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity.”

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his month’s featured artist, Rob Flat, seems to have gone through his own personal and physical adversity to find his new opportunity in a tried and true, familiar setting. Back at Psycho Tattoo of Marietta, Rob Flat has come full circle as an artist and as a human being overcoming challenge and adversity. Rob began tattooing 9 years ago. He was brought onto the Psycho crew at Shop #3 in Douglasville where he worked for four years before moving to Shop #1 in Marietta. Shortly after though, fate would take a twisted turn. Flat was critically injured in a serious motorcycle accident where he was thrown over his handlebars and flew 150 yards before landing to break multiple bones including his leg and ankle, dislocate his left arm and shatter his left pinky finger.The impact was so brutal he lost his helmet, shoes, socks and gloves. He remembers being in the emergency room and pleading for doctors to not amputate his finger as he needed all of his digits for his livelihood. He woke to find that while they were able to salvage the finger, he would surely face a long and

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Rob Flat continued

extremely painful road to recovery and to tattooing again. Once on the mend, Flat traveled to Las Vegas and tattooed out of some of the city’s casinos.While he loved the Vegas lights, he returned to Georgia to be with his son, first tattooing out of Peachtree City before now returning to Psycho Tattoo Marietta once the opportunity arose. Flat credits all the guys at Psycho as influences, especially Miami Burgess, saying that working with him for four years “opened my eyes up to so much” and “I would not be the artist I am today if I hadn’t had that experience.” Through obstacles of being forced to summon the drive and focus to rehabilitate from such grave injuries and to adapt and overcome logistically and creatively,

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Rob Flat’s mindset and attitude are aimed at positivity. His body of work has also evolved to be stronger and even more evident of the artist he has become. As far as future tattoo projects, he says that he’s been eager to work on more portraits. Based on his work thus far I’d say that clients seeking such will surely be proud to have him as their artist. For more information on Rob Flat and to book an appt, visit: http://www.psychotats.com/ H

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Jon Covered

ATL Mural Artist & 13 Roses Renaissance Man

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by Harrison Knolle

hen he’s not hanging at the front desk of 13 Roses Tattoo Parlour in East Atlanta Jon Hinkemeyer is creating art to please your eyeballs. For the past ten years Jon’s been honing his craft as a painter and artiste but according to him “It just seems like a long time but I still learn a lot every year.” You can see some of his work gloriously mounted like a ten point buck on some of the walls and business in East ATL. Q: So where do you get your inspiration for your work? A: Honestly started working at tattoo shops when I was like 15-16 years old. Just things that I saw around there and definitely being out in California a lot and seeing a lot of the influences up there. I love doing traditional Mexican Day of the Dead artwork. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of lettering and typography for people, which is a lot of fun. I’m trying to get really into that. Pin striping and old school lettering, always seems kinda cool too. Q: When did you start getting into painting murals?

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Jon’s murals in The Basment (under Graveyard Tavern)

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Hinkemeyer continues

A: I definitely started doing more murals when I got to Atlanta. I actually kind of bullshitted my way to my first mural that I ever did. Totally learned a lot of lessons that first time. I told ‘em ‘Yeah I could paint it real big’ then you get up there, you get real close and then step back and realize you’ve got the f*cking whole wall left. So I definitely learned how to pull all the lines really big and it was difficult trying to get comfortable painting on a ladder.That was hell. Q: Have you ever considered a transition into being a tattoo artist? A: I’ve been in the industry so long that if I’m not doing it by now then I’m not meant to do it. I’d rather just be a painter and try to go that route.The canvas doesn’t talk back to you. But I did start two apprenticeships actually. I was offered an apprenticeship by Watson Atkinson a few years ago back when 13 Roses first opened and sat under him for a little while. I’m still at the shop I just don’t.There are too many good tattooers already out there, there aren’t enough good painters. In addition to being a killer artist, Hinkemeyer is a journeyman when it comes to collecting tattoos. His collection consists of over 20 artists across the country including his buddies at 13 Roses Tim McGrath and Mikey Slater and other local ATL talent like Bill Conner, Phil Colvin, Danielle Distefano, and Russ Abbot to name a few. You can catch his artwork in places like Graveyard Tavern, both El Matadors and Holy Taco. He’ll also be showcasing at the Ink 4 Pink breast cancer fundraiser on September 8th at The Basment under Graveyard, as well as auctioning off some work for the cause.

El Matador murals by Hinkemeyer

Check out Jon Hinkemeyer on Facebook for some custom artwork! H

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Miss Ink Atl August

Haley Hellian by j.j. Diablo Photos by christopher s. kennedy

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s the last month of summer is upon us, one can’t help but long for the nostalgia of the old days when school was out and we rushed to cram in as much all American fun as we could before returning to the classroom, only to dream of the next time the pool would be open again. Let’s face it, some of us still do this . . . often. Nothing says more about summer in the South than the wholesome farm gal from next door you always wanted to ask out once you got your first car. Well what if I told you she was all grown up, tattooed and in the following pages of this very magazine? I thought you’d be pleased. Laura Harrell aka Haley Hellian is “a Georgia girl through and through, born and raised in the South!” When you first see or meet Miss Hellian you would never guess what she does for a living. “I own a horse farm. My everyday job is working outside taking care of other people's horses along with my two. I ride horses all the time.” Besides horses, she also loves football and traveling making this gal as ‘Merican as apple pie. Haley Hellian is also an avid dog lover. “I have four: two Chihuahua's and two Pitbulls so complete opposite in size.” One can only imagine the calamity at that house. Haley Hellian got her first tattoo like many others, at 18 years old. “It was just a small band logo on the back of my neck. I got a few more smaller ones after that. I never wanted anything that I couldn't cover up. Well look at me now! I fell in love with Japanese artwork and that's when I started getting more and more.” Haley says modeling “was the last thing” she ever thought she’d get into. “About two years ago now, a good friend of mine suggested I do a photo shoot with my dogs. I gave it a try, and I loved it. My photo got published, and it's all taken off since then.” One of the most notable shoots she’s done to date would be an elaborate Star Wars production with Macon’s most accomplished photographer, Robin Cook.

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Haley Hellian continues ...

“My recent Star Wars shoot with Robin Cook was a blast! It was such a great group of people to work with! I wanted to be a part of it from when I first heard she was doing the shoot. Then I got the awesome role as slave Leia. Be on the look out for more awesome star projects in the future!” Add to that being on the cover of this month’s Skin & Ink Magazine with Atlanta tattoo artist Rachel Anne of Liberty Tattoo and it’s quite clear the girl next door has blossomed into a stunning tattooed woman destined for even bigger things than the farm. Our young magazine was so impressed with Haley Hellian that we even asked to use her image to help promote the project before our first pages were ever printed. Miss Hellian graciously obliged and we are eternally grateful for her support. She added, “I'm so glad to be a part of Ink Atlanta! Hope y’all can see more of me in the future!”

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For updates and more on Laura Harrell aka Haley Hellian, visit: http://www.modelmayhem.com/llauralou http://twitter.com/#!/HaleyHellian or check out her Facebook fan page under, “Haley Hellian”. H INK ATLANTA MAGAZINE

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Inksomnia The New Brand Studio Spotlight

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by J.J. Diablo

lpharetta boasts some of the highest property values, income brackets and prestige in the state. One trip to premiere shopping hub, North Point Mall, and its neighboring shops can yield sightings of Usher, Lil Jon, Braves’ players, the list goes on. However, Louis Vuitton and Chanel aren’t the only brands accessorizing the manicured streets of Alpharetta these days. Another brand quickly aligning with the area’s concepts of high-end luxury accommodation and service is Mike Cummings’ Inksomnia Tattoo. With 14 years of tattoo experience under his belt, Mike Cummings and his fellow Inksomnia artists, Shane Sudduth, Jeff Harp, Daniel Whalen and Dave Putman as well as piercer, Jason King, have set the bar higher for what the above average tattoo client can expect of their experience.Word spread quickly through the city that a clean, friendly and professional shop had emerged, proving that as Mike puts it, “the days of tattoo shops in trailers or slummy areas of town are gone.”

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Above:Tattoo by Mike Cummings

Above & Below: Tattoos by Jeff Harp

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Top rated on Kudzu.com anywhere north of the airport for two years running and voted “Best Shop of ‘08” on Citysearch.com means that the clients of Inksomnia have spoken. Mike says that their clientele now consists of the likes of “doctors, lawyers and CEOs of prominent businesses.” A further credit to their success, Inksomnia has involved itself in the local community, hosting an annual Halloween party for its friends, families and clients proving yet again that “a tattoo shop is not where all the lowlifes hang out” and can be a valuable business and social commodity to the local economy. Whatever they are doing,Wall Street take note.The market is booming at Inksmonia Tattoo: the best tattoo shop in Alpharetta! For more information on upcoming events and to book an appointment, visit: http://inksomniatattoos.com/ H

Above: Tattoos by Mike Cummings

Above: Tattoos by Shane Sudduth. Below: Dermals by Jason King

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Get In Gear

Steadfast Brand vs. Jason Kelly: “Follow No One”

SteadfsBrnv.JoKly:“FwNO”

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ne of Atlanta’s most notable tattoo artists, Jason Kelly, is no stranger to blazing his own path.Traveling and tattooing all over the country, Kelly has followed his own personal and professional journey from coast to shining coast. Now back in ATL full time, while tattooing at Memorial Tattoo he has immersed himself in all things art, yet again burning his own road, including a partnership with Steadfast Brand on their new “Follow No One” campaign. Chris Collins of Steadfast Brand explains, “the idea for the shirt came out of the new line up of Steadfast Brand designs.We were looking for a traditional wolf reference to tie into the ‘Follow No One’ message. We kept coming back to Jason Kelly’s artwork for the ‘White Lines and Black Dogs’ art project.We figured if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, so as fans of his work we called him up and asked if he would like to let us collaborate with his design.The final product is a perfect mix of our message and his art and is now one of our all time favorite projects!” With fresh designs just in, visit: http://steadfastbrand.com/ to order yours today! H 28

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Well Read Pin-Ups on Two Wheels Produced by HairBraine

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n the Georgia sea of “pinup” Facebook and Model Mayhem images it seems many have forgotten the origins of pinup style photography and its purpose. Not only has John Switzer aka HairBraine, graphic designer, photographer and tattooer of Tattoo Asylum in Loganville, recaptured this purpose, he has breathed new life into it adding contemporary two-wheeled machines and a fresh sex appeal to last another century still. Best described as “a book combining beautiful girls, bikes and scenery, splashed with graphics and poems written by himself and his friends” (Walton Tribune), John Switzer has created quality multi-media entertainment within the realms of one cover containing 144 pages of the best models and cycles a true collector could want, all published by ArtKulture. Featuring Georgia favorites such as Dirty Shirty and Roswell Tilted Kilt girl,Traci Mize, PRICK cover girl alumni and Gravity Pub staple, Jessica Henry, and the book’s cover model, Sarah West, photographed in Atlanta’s own Slim’s Garage, Pin-Ups on Two Wheels delves deep into all things woman and all things motorcycle in a win-win combination you’d be hard pressed to do without. For more information and purchase, visit: http://www.hairbraine.com/ Just remember, like the first true pinups, this book is for adult eyes only.

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