By Robbie Pangilinan
A Filipino tattoo artist made waves at the Van Isle Tattoo Expo held at Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC, bagging three major awards on three different categories: Black Work/Geometric Tattoo Category, Japanese/Asian Style Tattoo Category, and Large Colour Tattoo Category.
Two years ago, Mayo Landicho also won Best in Large Black and Gray category at the Westrock Tattoo Convention also in Victoria.
Mayo has lived in Vancouver for over 13 years, and he established his Birthmark Tattoos Studio here. His client base was mostly from Vancouver and adjacent cities, but now he gets clients coming from all over the world – Seattle, San Francisco, Texas, New York, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, France, Wales, England, New Zealand, Czech Republic, and others.
Birthmark Tattoos, located at 194 East King Edward Ave., Vancouver, is known for doing custom tattoos based on their client’s story, personality, status in life, achievements, likes, and others. Mayo also does tattoo cover-ups and enhancements.
“We do custom tattoos, not just something you downloaded on the Internet. My clients are people looking for more meaningful tattoos, something about their personal life experiences, stories, cultural background, spiritual, emotional, social experiences. Things that really matter to them and made them who they are,” shares Mayo, who was interviewed by local Check News TV after his victory.
Mayo started drawing and painting at a very young age. It was his way of expressing himself as he admits he used to be shy and he had skin problems then, so he just stayed at home and drew, which was what he loved most during that time. His artworks were usually placed at the top of his school bulletin board.
Growing up, he met some artists and was inspired by their work. He read books about tattoo and design, he copied the works of his idols, he also did commercial arts like banners, streamers, logo designs, t-shirt printing – all by hand. He tried different mediums like acrylic, oil, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, mixed media, and others. Mayo worked as an airbrush artist/sculptor in a company who makes kids’ theme parks in Canada, and did some commissioned paintings and murals for coffee shops, bars, lounges, and restaurants.
“Then Leo Cunanan introduced me to the Dimasalang Group, and getting in really helped me to step up my game. That experience was a game changer. Sym Mendoza and the rest of the group is amazing,” says Mayo, whose inspirations include John The Dutchman, Jeff Tam, and Panky.
Mayo has worked with many local celebrities, especially local bands, artists, dancers, rappers, starlets, athletes, and reality TV show stars. He has also designed tattoos for chefs, doctors, and people from all walks of life. His clients include Emmalyn Estrada, Boombox Saints, Zade, Sam Caviglia, rockstars from the Philippines like Dong Abay, JR Guererro, and Benedict Esguerra to name a few.
What he is most proud of is having celebrated tattoo artists and some pioneers in the industry like Michael from Ancient Arts Tattoo shop in Washington and Steve M from Toronto getting some hand-tapping tattoo from him during conventions and when he does guest spots.
Mayo is all smiles as he talks about the boom in the tattoo industry.
“Tattoos were considered taboo and was even prohibited in some other countries. But as people learned more about the cultural heritage, the social and spiritual aspects of it, getting a tattoo has become more accepted by the mainstream society. Before, everyone sees it like a sign of being a member of a gang, or that you’ve been in prison, is an ex-convict, etcetera, all those negative connotations. Now, it’s simply becoming the norm,” he says.
Mayo adds that people have become more knowledgeable about this form of art because of the media, reality TV shows, the Internet, tattoo conventions, celebrities, artists, rock stars, among others.
In the future, Mayo wants to expand his craft, train a couple of good artists in Canada and back home, put up a branch somewhere, do more conventions around the world, reach out to different cultures and people, play more music, travel and explore.
“I want to continue to preserve and promote this amazing art form which is a vital part of our cultural, social, and spiritual heritage. It leaves a permanent mark on the skin, it tells who they are, so I will continue doing this,” ends Mayo.
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