ratas ratones rateros

Word has it that photogenic tattoo model and enthusiast Sabina Kelly will host a new, upcoming tattoo television show. Good for her. Sabina has been involved in the tattoo machines community, posing for pretty pictures even before we put her on the cover of our October 2005 issue, back when I edited Skin&Ink magazine. Sabina was always up for taking pictures and was very enjoyable and professional to work with. Now, let’s hope her TV show doesn’t turn into another soap opera with ink but, frankly, I don’t hold out much hope for that. With a concept based on having a weekly “tattoo contest,” if the producers have anything to do with it (and they will), it’s probably going to be American Idol or X Factor with tattoos, rather than, as we wish it would be, an intelligent discussion of tattoo quality and graphic excellence. If Madame Lazonga or Hanky Panky or Lyle Tuttle or _______ (you fill in the blank with any number of experienced artists over the age of thirty-five) were hosting, it might be something worth watching. Not to diminish dear Sabina, but when you sign the dotted line, my love, the producers and the sponsors make the calls, not the cast members. Hopefully, the general public who watch the show will at least learn something about the difference between good and bad tattoo art. Hopefully. -Bob Baxter

P.S. My wife, Mary, just reminded me that the photo of Sabina was taken by me and that, in the photo, Sabina is wearing Mary’s bra.