Tattooing Since 1928 by a Teacher of the Art

December 5, 2009 12:00 PM

Stoney Knows How is a half-hour film by Alan Govenar and Bruce “Pacho” Lane that portrays Leonard "Stoney" St. Clair, tattoo artist and former sideshow performer. Affected with rheumatoid arthritis when he was four, and with stunted growth, Stoney left Appalachia at fifteen to join the circus as a sword swallower and learned to tattoo soon after. The film is about as safe for work as a 1970s tattoo parlor, which is to say, not very.
posted by hydrophonic (12 comments total)

A lot of people around here (Columbus, OH) knew him, because his last tattoo shop was here. Very cool guy.

"Located just north of Goodale on N. High St. (close to the old train depot and next to Mellman's Bar) in Columbus, Ohio, Leonard L. "Stoney" St. Clair (Nov. 9, 1912-Dec. 3, 1980) held court and built his legend. A sign out front read 'Stoney Knows How, Tattooing, By the Teacher of the Art, Since 1928'"
posted by HopperFan at 12:09 PM on December 5, 2009

Oh, that was lovely. Thank you.
posted by jokeefe at 12:42 PM on December 5, 2009

Just for further information about the site it's on, a previous post about folkstreams.net.
posted by palliser at 12:45 PM on December 5, 2009

Misting up...
posted by chronkite at 12:52 PM on December 5, 2009

awesome.
posted by frankbooth at 1:19 PM on December 5, 2009

Great bit of documentary, thanks.
posted by Abiezer at 1:19 PM on December 5, 2009

Wow, that was badass. Great find hydrophonic.
posted by nola at 1:36 PM on December 5, 2009

As someone who just recently has delved into the art (and the acquirement) of tattooing, this is great to watch.

The artistry, the character, and the ethos of this man are just incredible. A great document of Stoney.

quite a find!
posted by gcbv at 1:43 PM on December 5, 2009

thank you!
posted by shockingbluamp at 1:55 PM on December 5, 2009

If you liked this, you also need to watch Hori Smoku, Sailor Jerry about Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.
posted by mrbill at 6:42 PM on December 5, 2009 [1 favorite]

A gem. Thanks for posting!
posted by zerobyproxy at 5:47 AM on December 6, 2009

There aren't any words for how much I love this.
posted by Bageena at 7:39 PM on December 6, 2009