Beautiful Torture:
The Predecessor
By: Mabus


Deep within the heart of downtown Red Deer, amongst the bustling corporate brothels of Ross street and Gaetz, lies a small, upstairs shop in which some of the most beautiful artwork one could never imagine seeing is done. The brushes are needles. The canvas is skin. The place is the Native Arts tattoo shop.

Opened in January of 2004, ironically on Marilyn Manson's birthday, by a man named Larry Wright. Native Arts originated in a run down office building upstairs from what has now become known as the Record Cavern. However, Larry himself comes from a place far bigger than Red Deer. And I was fortunate enough to get the skinny on just how this shop really got started.

Mabus: So, Larry, how long ago did you get started?
Larry: Oh, shit. I started out about 24 years ago.

Mabus: How long have you been in the biz?
Larry: About 27 years

Mabus: What was the first tattoo you received.
Larry: I have a cross on the middle finger of my right hand that I did with a sewing needle and some Indian ink.

Now, as a fan of tattoos, and as one who has a few, I felt it worth noting that both Larry and his apprentice, , have a SHITLOAD of tattoos. I asked Larry at one point how many tattoos he actually had. His response was that he only had one. They just weren't connected yet.

Mabus: What was the first tattoo you ever gave someone else?
Larry: My first was a dragon I did on a friend when I was 14.

Mabus: Where exactly did you get started?
Larry: Wyoming

I felt at this point it was also worth noting that Larry comes from America. Our abusive father to the south. Why he came to Canada, I suppose, will always remain a mystery. Probably, even to him.

Mabus: What, or who inspired you to do what you do?
Larry: Well, back then one had to inspire himself because not just tattooing but body modification in general was a very underground thing. And although tattooing has become more, shall we say "socially acceptable", other forms of body modification still remains underground. Now, though, I'd have to say the artwork of Bob Tyrell has become a big inspiration to keep going with what it is that we're doing.

Now, it's interesting the incredible figure that Larry cuts. He's tall, slender, painted and still sports the combination long beard/ longer pony tail that, it seems since the late 70's has become long since defunct. So it came as little but predictable that his favorite band would be the ever rocking, eternally rolling, Black Sabbath. I asked Larry if he'd heard of or listened to My personal favorite band, Tool. To which he said, "Only in 's office." I also inquired as to weather or not he liked My idol, Marilyn Manson. His response was anything BUT predictable. " I don't really like Manson but I will give him credit for doing what he wants". I found it odd that he would enjoy the shock-rock of his generation but not mine. I guess it comes with the age. You see, shock-rock has grossly changed since Larry was young. It's become more extreme because people, or, if you must call it as such, "society", has become less susceptible to shock.

Mabus: Larry, what advice would you offer the young and Naïve of my generation in regards to what you do?
Larry: Don't try this at home. Too many kids today will sit in their basement, put on an Ozzy record, and pierce or tattoo themselves. If you can't get it done professionally, don't get it done at all. Because chances are you'll only end up hurting yourself in the end.