So, another tattooer friend of mine has passed away. Why do I have to keep writing this same damn blog entry over and over this year? I've known Paul for 17 or 18 years, and have lived pretty much around the corner from him for the last 10. He also had a shop about a mile down the road from me. Paul was definitely what one would call 'cantankerous'- an old school, biker tattooer. On various occasions he told me, "I'm gonna out-gottdamn-live you, I'll be dancin' on your gottdamn grave." Paul was a cool old guy- there were a lot of people that didn't quite get along with Paul, but there were plenty that did. Paul had been tattooing for 40 or so years in the Atlanta area. There were periods where Paul quit tattooing for a couple of years, fed up with the business he'd say that he was done with tattooing, but he always ended up being dragged back in. When he closed 'Painless Paul's Skin and Ink Tattoos', he came into my shop with a 'Welcome' sign from his shop and gave it to me saying, "You want this gottdamn thing, ain't nobody fuckin' welcome in my shop no more." I still have that sign hanging in my shop, hell, it was painted by Paul. I also have a 'Pay in Advance' sign that Paul painted. Paul was definitely the 'Old Man' of Atlanta tattooing- even if you didn't have any tattoos, you had probably heard of Painless Paul Nelson. He was an old school tattooer in every way, and we would have long talks about our mutual hatred of the Gwinnett County Health Department (I guess from now on I'll have to give them enough shit for both Me and Paul). Rest in peace Paul.
I have a tattoo from each of you...I feel blessed. RIP Paul...Devina
ReplyDeleteI had no idea. I had driven by his shop today off Hwy 78 n seen it had been closed. He'd given me 3 tattoos and even found out he'd "dated" my bio mom for a brief period back in the day. Both she n I were tattooed by him and I never knew. He was an interesting individual. RIP Paul
ReplyDeleteHey Dave, don't know if you'll remember me, I was Diane's big sister Kay. We met a couple of times at Paul's house. How sad it is to have lost both Diane and Paul in such a short amount of time of one another. I think I might be correct in saying that Paul didn't believe in God; that's what Diane told me on many occassions. I really hate thinking about that, especially knowing he's gone. You are a special friend to him and wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the "RIP" to him.
ReplyDeleteTake care Dave.
Did he have a shop in Florida? Fort Walton Beach/Mayport area?
ReplyDeleteDid he do Tupac's cross on his back? I heard a story from Paul's nephew that he did. Can anyone confirm this?
ReplyDeletePaul told me he did when he gave me my first tattoo about 15 years ago.
DeleteDang! I am just finding this out. Paul gave me my first tattoo and he asked me if I would get another and I told him, "hell No!" He said, "yes you will because they are addictive" He was so right. through the years Ive just added to his work so now it looks like one big tat on my leg. RIP Paul!
ReplyDeleteBeen years but he was like brother , always called me Bubba from Texas, He was good people would do anything for me, still miss him, Rip
ReplyDeleteMiss him. Bubba from TeX jimpell123@ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBeen years but he was like brother , always called me Bubba from Texas, He was good people would do anything for me, still miss him, Rip
ReplyDeleteMet Paul in johnston city Tenn. And lived with him for the winter. Was one of the best educational winters I've had that was 1982. Worked with him at rallies over the years and had my full back piece done by him in 86.Gypsy jay
ReplyDeleteI knew Paul way back in the day. He had a friend David that I remember well. I only have one TAT and it is a Painless Paul. We all lived together at one time. They were crazy fun.
ReplyDeleteHave work on me today from painless paul in Avondale many memories great man great great man in the lady that he was with didn't know he passed but I met a person in my area as much work of his that I knew when I seen it on the wall it was Paul's one thing I said to my sister and my boyfriend I've seen these drawings I've seen this with painless Paul but after I seen it and I talked to the owner he showed me I mentioned painless Paul things went from there great conversation about painless paul
ReplyDeleteWow. He did a tattoo for me when I was 22. Never had one since. Looked him up just now to see if he was still in business to get another and found out he has been gone! Great gut, great artist! RIP PAUL🙏🏽😪
ReplyDeleteThe guy was "AWESOME", I described the most beautiful woman I "Never" met and he "Freehanded" an "Indian Maiden" on my left calf, that was in 1992! To tis day, the color is still in it and she is still as beautiful as she was 30 years ago. To this day, I still can't believe that I allowed someone to tatt me without even seeing what the end result was! He was on Ponce...
ReplyDeleteRIP Painless Paul!!