Devil City Press

My words to Stuart Mears

Written by Michelle

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Stuart sent me a request to remove my post regarding his upcoming convention and asked for an opportunity to present his side. I'm not interested in "his side" I am interested in the convention he has scheduled in London. My feelings about the fact that he is organizing a second tattoo convention in London are as follows.....

Stuart,
I equate your organizing another show in London with opening up a tattoo shop across the street from my tattoo shop. Can my neighborhood absorb another shop? Of course. Are you free to do such a thing? Of course. Do I have to quietly accept such an action that has a direct impact on my business? NO of course not.

Miki's London convention ranks as one of the best shows in the world. There are so many tattoo conventions but so few that are as well put together as his are. You are seeing this show of support not just because you are competing with Miki you are also competing with every vendor in attendance. Also Miki is getting this support because he has earned respect and established so much loyalty based on his rapport with those he does business with.

There are other places you could have picked for your show but you have picked a location that conflicts with another. This conflict will dilute the attendance of Miki's show and your own. Everyone is affected by your choice in this matter. You cannot blame the people involved for protesting the choice you have made.

I hope it is clear to you that we as artists will not "happily absorb two events". Your decision to host another convention in London affects us directly. I for one have no intention of not speaking out about it.

Sincerely,
Michelle Myles

Daredevil Tattoo, NYC

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Charles Davenport said:

He is also now using his blogspot to attempt to slur ex-employees-this is a man who has extensively used solicitors to threaten libel action against tattooists, tattoo chatrooms,tattoo blogs and private individuals...

March 27, 2012

Charles Davenport said:

It is worth noting that Stuart Mears makes many extremely derogatory, libellous & deliberately provocative accusations in his blog.These calculated slurs on the organisers of rival tattoo shows in the UK,and private individuals who have chosen to bring to light his officially documented business practices, make it abundantly clear that he has absolutely no concern for the welfare, reputation or public image of anybody who is not actively making him money.Be aware that he relies on the attendance of famous U.S. artists to run his shows and provide him with an increasingly thin veneer of respectability.

December 21, 2011