Old School Tattoo Parlor making its mark

The Old School Tattoo Parlor has been in Colfax for two and a half years, and according to co-owner "Crayzman" Alexander, "It's a magical place where people can come in and get a tattoo or get our help. We watch out for each other and we're a family here." It's primarily a word-of-mouth business, with customers often returning for more work. Jeff "3-Paws" Schneider was at the parlor for his first visit Friday, but not for his first tattoo. "I got a tattoo of my son on his BMX Rider," he said. "He's going to be really excited to see it. My tattoo looks great and I'll be definitely coming back for another one." The tattoo artist at the Colfax business is 26-year-old Tanner Richardson. "His artwork is way past anything I can do," Alexander said about Richardson. "We do one-of-a-kind tattoos and Tanner is a specialist at fantasy art." With a passion for art since childhood, Richardson creates oil paintings, pastels and sculptures, while continuing to learn new tattooing techniques at conventions. "I would really like my artwork to be known, so people will come in for my work," he said. "It's not easy to make a living as an artist, and this is the best-paying artist job there is." The tattoo parlor won a third-place award in 2003 at the Lady Luck Convention at Circus Circus hotel/casino in Reno. The tattoo was an original done by Richardson on Alexander and required 48 hours of work and approximately six to seven sittings. Old School Tattoo Parlor co-owner Rick Martin hired Tanner. "Some people are naturals, and that's Tanner," Martin said. "It's one thing to be able to draw, another to have imagination, and still another to know how to use both with the ink." Martin has been tattooing for nine years, and didn't get his own tattoo until he was 40 years old. Richardson apprenticed under Martin, and did his trials and errors on Alexander. Martin also owns a dental lab and is a dental lab technician. He specializes in custom tooth tattoos, ranging up to $3,000 in cost. Besides managing the tattoo parlor, Alexander coordinates several community fund-raisers through the Grand Fathers Northern California Motorcycle Club. Alexander is also a certified sexual assault and domestic violence victim counselor in Grass Valley. "I might not be able to help you, but if I can't, I sure know somebody that can," said Alexander, who is also a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children and is involved in the National Youth Project Using Mini Bikes in Sacramento. Alexander said he uses all his "salty experiences" in life to try and convey the right message to youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and "traveling down the wrong road." The Old School Tattoo Parlor has been in Colfax for two and a half years, and according to co-owner "Crayzman" Alexander, "It's a magical place where people can come in and get a tattoo or get our help.At a glanceWho: Owners "Crayzman" Alexander and Rick Martin What: Old School Tattoo ParlorWhere: 233 South Auburn St., Suite 160 Open: 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through SaturdayCall: 346-8783 We watch out for each other and we're a family here." It's primarily a word-of-mouth business, with customers often returning for more work. Jeff "3-Paws" Schneider was at the parlor for his first visit Friday, but not for his first tattoo. "I got a tattoo of my son on his BMX Rider," he said. "He's going to be really excited to see it. My tattoo looks great and I'll be definitely coming back for another one." The tattoo artist at the Colfax business is 26-year-old Tanner Richardson. "His artwork is way past anything I can do," Alexander said about Richardson. "We do one-of-a-kind tattoos and Tanner is a specialist at fantasy art." With a passion for art since childhood, Richardson creates oil paintings, pastels and sculptures, while continuing to learn new tattooing techniques at conventions. "I would really like my artwork to be known, so people will come in for my work," he said. "It's not easy to make a living as an artist, and this is the best-paying artist job there is." The tattoo parlor won a third-place award in 2003 at the Lady Luck Convention at Circus Circus hotel/casino in Reno. The tattoo was an original done by Richardson on Alexander and required 48 hours of work and approximately six to seven sittings. Old School Tattoo Parlor co-owner Rick Martin hired Tanner. "Some people are naturals, and that's Tanner," Martin said. "It's one thing to be able to draw, another to have imagination, and still another to know how to use both with the ink." Martin has been tattooing for nine years, and didn't get his own tattoo until he was 40 years old. Richardson apprenticed under Martin, and did his trials and errors on Alexander. Martin also owns a dental lab and is a dental lab technician. He specializes in custom tooth tattoos, ranging up to $3,000 in cost. Besides managing the tattoo parlor, Alexander coordinates several community fund-raisers through the Grand Fathers Northern California Motorcycle Club. Alexander is also a certified sexual assault and domestic violence victim counselor in Grass Valley. "I might not be able to help you, but if I can't, I sure know somebody that can," said Alexander, who is also a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children and is involved in the National Youth Project Using Mini Bikes in Sacramento. Alexander said he uses all his "salty experiences" in life to try and convey the right message to youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and "traveling down the wrong road."