This decorative Indian elephant done by Steve was a girl’s first tattoo. Pretty bold! She was sent here by her mom, who has also had work done by Steve. Want to know more about the tradition of decorating these giant creatures? This article is quite interesting!

We’ve been showing off bits and pieces of Molly’s recent flash, and now here is a whole sheet. Good stuff.

If you’re coming to Salem this weekend or next, please be advised that traffic and parking is.. well, let’s just say “not so fun,” so be sure to give yourself a little bit of extra time. If you’re taking the train, the MBTA has added a few extra trains to their schedule to accommodate those visiting for the Halloween festivities. You can see the schedules here. Enjoy!

Before we jump to the art, we wanted to remind you of Molly’s new schedule. She will be splitting her time between two shops – ours, and our sister shop Lightwave. Depending on what day you want to set up an appointment/consult, please use the following contact info:

Sunday & Monday
Witch City Ink
978.744.9393

Friday & Saturday
Lightwave Tattoos
781.233.1780

She won’t know it until reading this blog post, but the Antarctica painting below is this blog-nerd’s new favorite of hers. Ship, filigree, and a rough looking bearded man? Yes please.

Fact: Molly enjoys drawing with ballpoint pens. It may or may not be where her heart lies. The medium is harder to perfect than one might imagine, but she does it well. The next two drawings are fine examples.

Lastly, is this simple but pretty nurse. It would be a good tattoo, don’t you think? Hint-hint.

Our favorite lady of the shop has been working hard since returning from vacation. We’ve only managed to snag a few pics from her lately, but we remain excited about everything she’s done and is doing.

For example, while this octopus coverup is only an outline thus far, we have no doubt that it is going to be something amazing.

Molly has also been creating some flash sheets when she’s not tattooing. Check out this dapper couple.

There’s also an important change in Molly’s schedule that we need to spread the word about. She will now be working at our sister shop Lightwave on Fridays and Saturdays, but will still be here at Witch City Ink on Sundays and Mondays. So to book an appointment or consult with Molly:

Sunday & Monday
Witch City Ink
978.744.9393

Friday & Saturday
Lightwave Tattoos
781.233.1780

Questions? Concerns? Give one of the shops a call and we’ll help you out!

Ahh, little is known about our resident tattooer, PJ. He specializes in traditional tattoos. He makes a pretty awesome ice cream cake. He maintains a constant demeanor that is equal parts sweet and surly. But other than that, there’s a reason we refer to him as an international man of mystery.

We recently sent a brave young explorer to PJ’s lair in an attempt to gather information based on observations of the surroundings. His things were not to be touched of course, as we know that PJ is a southerner and we don’t know what sort of Louisiana voodoo he may have put in place for intruders. Our explorer was able to snap these pictures of artifacts hanging from the walls.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for Part Two of our PJ investigation in the coming days. That is, unless he finds us out and puts a halt to the operation. In the meantime, you can help us distract him by booking consult and tattooing time with him. Give us a call at 978.744.9393, or stop on by. He is in the shop Thursday-Monday. You can also view his portfolio right here, but oh, there is much more to see.

In between tattoos and even on their days off, the Witch City artists have been cranking out art. They certainly love what they do, and we love that they do it.

Lately, Molly has been inspired by the black plague.
Just kidding. Sort of.

PJ’s preferred drawing surface these days are simple paper bags. This is a very visually pleasing way to recycle!

Steve is becoming more and more ambitious with his painting these days. The below piece is in its very beginning stages, but it’s something like 22×28″.

Vulrures eating elephant painting

When I’m not tattooing I like to paint and draw. Here is the rough drawing of vultures eating an elephant done on 18 by 24 inch masonite. The Idea came from a love of nature, life and death all grouped into one.

Vultures eating Elephant painting

This is the second phase of the painting where the basic colors are put down to start defining the objects. I like using acrylic paint because it allows me to work quick.

Vultures eating Elephant painting

Here is the finished piece. I add the brightest colors as the last phase of the painting. I’ve always been a fan of impressionism over hyper realism because it captures a mood and feel of a piece, and leaves the process open to the viewer.

This painting is Darth Vader with a Mexican sugar skull twist. If you like this type of painting or you have an idea for a painting, please contact Witch City Ink. Steve can customize your idea into a painting. All artwork he posts is for sale. If you would like to purchase a painting, call the shop at (978)744-9393 or email tattoos@witchcityink.com.

darth vader sugar skull by Steve Gillespie

This is a water color painting by Steve Gillespie. A traditional shark in Japanese inspired water. If you like this type of painting or you have an idea for a painting, please contact Witch City Ink. Steve can customize your idea into a painting. All artwork he posts is for sale. If you would like to purchase a painting, call the shop at (978)744-9393 or email tattoos@witchcityink.com.

Snow Patrol, markers on bristol

I drew this one day at work during a snow storm. One of my favorite themes to get ideas from is post apocalyptic setting. I’m just as happy drawing or tattooing less grim subjects, animals, flowers, “girly stuff”, what not. I just find “The end of days” feeds more into my love and interest in the action movies, 2D animation, and comics I loved growing up that really made me want to pursue my art further. I used markers on heavy stock paper for this piece. Both work well with the layering and experimenting with color I enjoy doing.

Zombie by Matt Maguire

When I’m not tattooing I’m staying busy on side projects. This is an acrylic on Masonite painting of some Zombies I did for my friend Tim over at War Games Factory. www.wargamesfactory.com 

pack of zombies

Here’s the finished Bag of 24 mini plastic Zombies with extra heads. The Zombie Horde is part of Liberty and Union, a popular gaming league in England. Over all I think the design and packaging came out great. Got to hand it to the folks over at War Games Factory, they turned this around in a couple weeks. 

Zombie madness

Me holding the Zombie Horde in front of Witch City. It’s a nice sunny day, think I might melt a few Zombies with a magnifying glass.

Artist- Matt Maguire