SEAN
HEIRIGS
Venice Boardwalk, perhaps one of
the most well known beach side
boardwalks along the West Coast.
People from all walks of life are seen
along Venice Beach, and if you have
been there, you know exactly what we
mean.
I
n the midst of all the street artists, curious
tourists, and eccentric locals sits a very
unique tattoo shop. The bright red cement
walls stand out with paintings that resemble
the old school "Sailor Jerrys" laying over top of
them. Along the side of the building sits a big
red leather couch - perfect for a photo shoot
back drop. A big garage style door welcomes
you into the shop. The huge sign "House of
Ink Tattoos and Piercing" plastered on the wall
outside is impossible to miss.
Inside, the tattoo shop is decorated just like
any other. Artists portfolios are displayed in
books, glass cases filled with body piercings,
hundreds of tattoo examples on posters, black
leather reclining chairs, and not to mention
a glass case in the lobby with a giant cobra
snake hissing inside of it! But nothing out of the
ordinary for Venice Beach.
of
HOUSE OF INK
Twenty years ago, House of Ink was built from
the ground up. Sean Heirigs, proud owner and
tattoo artist came to Los Angeles to continue his
passion for tattooing. He figured Venice Beach
was the perfect location to open up a shop, and
he knew there would be huge potential here.
Sean did his formal apprenticeship in Honolulu,
Hawaii. It's been a little over twenty years since
he first started tattooing, so experience is
definitely something Sean does not lack!
Ever since its grand opening, House Of Ink has
made quite a reputation for itself. In fact, Sean
has a very impressive list of celebrity clients
that have been tattooed in his shop. Shaquille
O'Neal, Robert Downey Jr., Katt Williams,
players from the LA Kings, LA Lakers and even
a gold medal Olympic swimmer - to mention
a few. The shop has also been featured in
many different television shows, such as MTV,
Lifetime, and VH1.
"There's never a dull moment!” says Sean. “You
never know what's going to come through the
door. Every walk of life comes down to Venice
Beach and I love it!"
ARTISTS
Photo by: Julia Loglisci
Summer is the busiest time of year for all shop
owners along Venice Beach. Around 200,000
people walk along the Venice Beach boardwalk
every day between the months of June through
August!
"Every day is different,” Sean says.
“I've been here for over 14 years and
there's never a day that's the same."
There are 11 tattoo shops along the 8km Venice
Beach boardwalk. House of Ink is the only
Artist-owned tattoo shop. Sean's perspective
on business is very hands on and he feels that
its important as an owner to be 100% involved
in all aspects of the business.
Not only does Sean own this shop, but he owns
two more as well. One also along the boardwalk
just minutes away from House of Ink, and the
other closer to town called Ink Monkey.
Watch Sean at the House of Ink in Tattoos
After Dark, premiering in January on Oxygen
Network.
ISSUE 3 | 25