The history of Bear's tattoo lineage begins way before Bear and shouldn't be missed. Pat Martyniuk, a self taught pioneer in the Tattoo industry in North America started a shop called Pat's Tattoos in Edmonton Alberta Canada (the most northern tattoo shop in the world at the time). In the late 60's, Pat started producing flash design sheets and while working with Lyle Tuttle at Lyle Tuttle tattoos in SanFrancisco he began to market his designs around the world.

Pat soon established Picture Machine tattoos and furthered his own tattooing in Edmonton, California and around the world.Pat was instrumental in the growth of the tattoo scene in North America won many awards for his style and quality and his son still operates the shop in California.

Randy Weklych (son-in-law to Pat) began his tattoo career in 1971 studying under Lyle Tuttle and Pat Martyniuk.Randy moved up to Edmonton in 1974 and worked at Pat's Tattoo on Jasper Avenue, until 1978, when he opened his own shop called Pegasus Tattoos.

Bear started his introduction to the tattoo industry in the 70's by acquiring his first bit of skin art from Randy. Bear and Randy became good friends and over the years Bear finally convinced Randy to take him on as an apprentice. When Randy closed down Pegasus Tattoos Bear decided to carry on the tattoo tradition and a few years later, established Bear's Skin Art Tattoo Studio.(coincidentally only a few blocks from Pat's first shop in Edmonton).

Bear's Skin Art Tattoo Studio was opened for business in January of 1991 when Bear decided to go back to his tattoo interests after a few years sabbatical furthering his martial arts training and other career directions. Bear hooked up with a partner in 1993 and opened Joeyy & Bear's Tattoo Studio and soon developed a very strong reputation in Edmonton as the tattoo guy to go to for good tattoo work. Bear dissolved that partnership after deciding he needed to further his skills and his own personal expression independently and without any hindrances. Setting up a new studio provided Bear with the opportunity to revitalize and broaden his tattoo expressions by exploring other artistic mediums.

Bear had his time in a smaller, slower studio for a year but the demand for his experience and expertise was profound. Unhindered by negative influences, Bear constantly improves his tattoo techniques and states how important it is to improve every day.

Bear's personal influences include Randy Weklych (Pegasus Tattoos) who gave him a strong foundation to work from and Paul Jeffries (Smilin Buddha Tattoo) & Dave Shore (Dragon Tattoo) who are mentors that represent a quality and standard that Bear aspires to. Their constant input and advice are the cornerstone to Bear's standard of excellence in tattooing that is unprecedented and often unexpected. There are many talented tattoo artists that Bear has spent time with that have played an influential role in his tattoo work.

Bear has had the good fortune to meet many people in the tattoo community who have been very supportive and instrumental in Bear's continued improvement and constantly renewed interest in dermagraphic art. Most importantly, his clients are the ones that he thanks the most for being there over the years, and giving him the opportunity to learn and grow artistically with their blessing and support. Thank you all.

Since Bear's childhood, he has had an acute fascination with the haunting sounds of the Highland bag pipes. Having been lucky enough to meet Bill Prichard,local piper extraordinaire who encouraged Bear by saying "you should pursue this interest even though you might already be too old to learn how to play the pipes", Bear decided to take up this challenge and took his introductory lesson in December of 1999. Under the tutelage and constant supervision of John Reid, one of the most highly respected Bag pipe teachers in Canada, Bear was able to acquire an excellent skill level in a very short time. It is said, "it takes seven years to make a piper".

In less than one year of piping Bear was accepted into the ranks of the world renowned Big Rock Pipe Band, and was able to be part of the competing grade 4 band in the summer of 2000. The highlight of the competition year was winning third place at the World's Pipe Band Competition in Glasgow, Scotland and a number of solo pipe competition awards. With diligence, personal drive, and hard work, Bear has certainly surpassed the expected, and continues to do so in all that he pursues.

Since the age of 13, Bear has been involved in traditional and non traditional styles of martial arts. He has integrated his street experience, ring fights, competitions, and forms into a personal combat style which has evolved over the years. Bear continues his martial arts training, and in the last few years has been integrating the Philipino lines of modern arnis Escrima, and the modern combat system taught by Datu Kelly Worden, Tony Blauer and other martial arts experts into his own personal style. Bear has been fortunate enough to have participated in seminars taught by Datu Kelly Worden and has attained instructor level under the tutelage of Datu Worden. Kelly Worden is by far one of the worlds most highly respected martial artists. He has the profound ability to teach at each participants level of understanding, and provide them with a substantial amount of information and training in a short time period.

Utilizing the instruction from Datu Kelly Worden, and other sources, and leaning heavily on his passed training and experience in different forms of Kung Fu, and internal martial arts, Bear's martial arts training continues to play a prominent part in his life of constant growth. Bear continues to maintain his marksmanship ability and regularly trains with American military and police department personnel at the GunSite academy  Blackwater, and other specialized training facilities. Bear is also a certified firearms instructor and provides training to LE, private security companies and private classes.

Bear trains, practices the pipes and expands his artist expression on a daily basis. It is certain that he will be able to help you develop your artist expression through body art.

Bear's Skin Art Tattoo & Piercing Studio offers a clean friendly and professional environment for its diverse and ever expanding clientele. Stop by and visit Bear, Chris, Morgan, Devin,John and Holand. They would be happy to chat with you about your tattoo and piercing needs.

For those of you who have heard or started the many rumors about Bear, He never was an accountant, his real name is not Kevin, never did time in prison, never had his hand cut off, is not going blind and did not die in a motorcycle accident 4 years ago.  Yes he did some professional fighting, Yes he can be a bit aggressive at time, Yes he has had a few apprentices under him and individuals who have worked for him. They have gone their way, and are left to their own demise. Too bad...He is in no way liable for their conduct, personal abilities or god forbid if anything should happen to them. Quoted once by Paul Jefferies, owner of Smilin Buddha Tattoo, "the better you get the more creative the rumors to discredit you".

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.

Contact Bear tattoobear(at)shaw.ca