“This is an area with deep-rooted tattooing history. We aim to honor those roots while modernizing and improving artistic and technical abilities.”
Steve and Annette moved here from Philly and New Orleans.
Annette worked for JD Crowe, and when he offered the pair a chance to take over the famous Ancient Art Tattoo Shop in Chesapeake, they made it happen. The business was handed over and after minor renovation was re-opened as Electric Magnetic Tattoo in October 2016.
Annette was born in Washington D.C. She grew up in SW Miami and learned to tattoo in Daytona Beach from Ms. Cindy Lael and started working with her in 1989. Annette had a traditional apprenticeship that lasted approximately 18 months.
She then was invited to work with the infamous Lou Scabaris in Miami at Tattoos by Lous. It was there that she met Troy Lane and Mikey Badda-Bing. She emulated the style they were doing in Miami at the time.
In 2000 Annette was offered the chance to buy a shop in the downtown area of New Orleans and jumped at the chance to get it. She changed the name to Electric Ladyland 2 and started kickin ass! The shop grew very fast and was Voted #1 12 years in a row, starting with the first year it was opened!
“We started putting out solid work with strong lines and bright colors. Being a street shop, with plenty of veterans, we made it easy to draw in folks who wanted that style of tattoo. Our attitude is ‘let’s do it now, and its not a problem’. We were ready for anything that was thrown at us.”
