Updates :: Texas Inked Magazine/New Newsletter Intro
Texas Inked Magazine Updates
New Newsletter Announcement
By this time, most of our followers have noticed our magazines are missing from the shelves. We have been through so many emotions on this journey, and we think it’s time to allow you in on our story. Let us start by saying, we are not giving up! We will keep doing this until we have nothing left to give.
We announced June 18th that we are a black-owned company. That day, our website got more hits than any other day in the history of Texas Inked. We like to think it’s because our followers are badass and want to show their support. And for that, we thank you!
A little background…
Texas Inked is based out of Houston in the great state of TEXAS! We are owned by a photographer that has a passion for photographing tattooed models, starting way back in 2000 something. When he started there really wasn’t much of an outlet for the tattooed community. Sure, photos could be put on IG (starting in 2010), and who wasn’t proud of the hundreds of likes you could possibly get? But, as an artist, you crave more. You want everyone to understand the thought and feeling behind your artwork. I’m sharing this bit of info, as our owner prefers to stay nameless. Some know him from conventions, but most haven’t really connected the dots. That's how we prefer it. This business is not to make us rich and famous; we are reaching for bigger things that money can’t always buy. So from here on out, he will just be known as “R”. If you see us out at a convention, please feel free to stop by and meet him. He makes it a point to be at every show we have booths at!
Back to our humble beginnings.
In 2014, “R” was given the opportunity to shoot the cover for Tip Out Magazine. R was sent out on a couple of assignments, and started really seeing what the tattooed community was all about. He met artists, models, and shop owners, who all had a similar story. The tattoo industry craved an unbiased outlet, something more than just a picture book full of tattoos. Artists and collectors wanted to show how much talent there was in tattooing. The tattooing times were shifting. R’s art form was finally being seen for its true beauty. He thought of doing a coffee table book and just letting it go at that. But who has the opportunity to profit from that? Only him… and he wasn’t going to allow that to happen to the people he had grown with. Handing out money to everyone wasn’t an option. He still worked a 9-5. He y.o.l.o.ed the shit out of life and went full on into photography. The extra time he had was focused on supporting his “homies”. He was determined to support Texas artists. Every medium, every race, nationality, size, shape… He wanted artists in Texas to finally get the recognition they deserved. The defunding of art programs in school systems is creating a huge regression in the art community, and kids are being taught that art isn’t a viable living. But on the other hand, R had tattoo artist friends who were living the life… if they were located in any other state. Someone needed to bridge that gap. Y'all deserve better!
So Texas Inked Magazine was created. R went full force into this project, even got down to the paper quality the magazine was printed on. Determined to create a professional printed product that rivaled the likes of Maxim and Complex, he spent hours researching and making sure the end product was something Texas would be proud of. Finally, in January 2015, our first issue was released. Our tagline “Art* Culture* Chaos”, said it all. R was proud, but knew he needed to fine-tune a few things. He started to work on the details that came along with owning a magazine. Who needed to do what, how, and when. Soon after, we started appearing in Barnes & Noble across Texas. Many conventions, many heart aches, many parties later, and here we are. We have worked with countless amazing people. We have extended our family by thousands. Amazing relationships have come, and some have gone, but we understand. We love this industry!
Now that you know a little more about our history, let's talk about the crazy that is currently life!
Our last printed issue tried to kill us! You may think, “What could possibly be so bad in making a magazine?” Well, let’s just say if it could, it did. From content delays to position shifts in the company, from incorrect paper to the literal burning of pallets of our magazine. It all happened. We were under contracts that tied our hands and the reprint pretty much broke us. It was so close to the end. But, we stood up. We continued on with our heads held as high as we could humanly hold them. With a strong stance we smiled; we worked conventions and kept making the connections we could. We have been working hard to create content and build our following to show support for our amazing Texas artists we strived to in the beginning. The hits rolled in for the past couple years, you know... things like hurricanes, a suicide in our immediate family, and pandemics! Just shit we couldn’t control. The first of every year we had issues planned to print, and something else would strike. We always knew we would make it through, we just kept climbing over the shit piles!
The partners that now lead Texas Inked got together and decided we don’t want to give up the fight.
Moving forward.
We are trying our hardest to keep up with the ever changing thing we call life. We are working hard behind the scenes to make sure one day we can print again! Our first step is keeping in touch. We have started a weekly newsletter that's going to serve as a little whistle-wetter while we build back up to printing. Our next step will be our new digital series! We hope with the love and support of our followers and partners we will be back to our normal selves soon. We appreciate you all and hope we inspire you to keep creating, not only for yourself, but for those that are inspired by you. We are updating our tagline.
*CREATED TO INSPIRE, INSPIRED TO CREATE*
Texas Inked hasn’t changed all that much, we aren’t giving up and hope you all never give up on us!
What’s next, how can you help?
Keep following us on IG, use #texasinked or @texasinkedmagazine in your posts and stories, share us if you get a chance! We are looking out for awesomeness to include in our newsletter every week! We have some cool advertising opportunities! If you ever have questions or need more info you can reach us easily online at www.texasinked.com/contact. We also have products for sale on the website, every dollar helps!
Thank you for being so patient with us, thank you for the support, and thank you for being our inspiration!
