HVT changes their skin on summer (I)

High Voltage has new mural!

Does Belin own an anual contract?

Let's go back in time. August 2008.

The city of Los Angeles welcomes Belin, a Spanish well- known graffiter with a large career whose mission is to paint the back wall of High Voltage Tattoo.

Born in 1979, his recognizable for his mixture of real, caricature and surreal portraits. One of his challenges is to travel to make his art more known around the world.

I am super curious and intrigued to know how everything started. HVT contacted him or Belin send them his portfolio?

Back in the day, we could watch an episode where the mural was a matter of controversy, but thanks to the speech of Naheed, office manager then, the jury allowed HVT to keep it.

There has been an artistic evolution.

Every mural represents an era of HVT, and summer is always a good time to transform. I remember we always painted the walls on summer because they dryed faster. :) I'm joking.

Back to the mural in 2008, a black background with small red ornaments showed us the realistic and shiny faces of a buch of beautiful inktresses accompanied by Corey and, it couldn't miss, Ludwig, the hairless cat.

A mural that represented the power and triumph of women in a male dominated world.

2009 had many changes in general. Hannah and Kim were in the shop no more, Kat was blonde and Karoline and Mickey  bros' work became indispensable at the shop.

Summer brought back Belin and this time, we could watch how he and the sisters talked about the last details on LA ink with Karoline being a professional translator.

The result was: from black to a mural based on red and grey. Corey is still there and the only one who has a smile. Next to blondie Kat, her bros and one member of the crew, one of the best tattooers and friends, Dan Smith.

I ignore if this year there has been any recording for LA ink, anyway, it's his third time in HVT and as he announced through his MySpace, he has been there from 12th to 26th June.

¿What does make Belin stick so long in California?

Last year Kat suggested to paint the whole crew in the walls. After a year, her dream came true.

The three walls are almost done.

2010 is the first year that the serious characters  are replaced by the ones who reflect themselves. A couple of similing bros can be seen on the few pictures posted on Twitter. A well built team and a crazy redhead Kat with a yellow-moutarde background.

I guess after all the time that Belin worked with Kat contribute to create this painting so colourful and full of "good vibes".

Congrats Belin!

I must admit the first one is still my fave. I don't know if it's because it was the 1st, because of Hannah and Kim, the black backgroudn... I think it was really elegant and femenine. Although I have to say that the last one is easy going and I think it represents them well.

And what about you? Which one do you like more?

Kat and Belin, ag 2009

Take a look at Part II for more