Cover Tattoo - from "Stoney Knows How"

buy DVD at http://www.docfilm.com - "Stoney Knows How" is a visit with a master of the Oldest Art In The World - Tattooing. Disabled by arthritis since the age of four, confined to a wheelchair, his growth stunted, Stoney St. Clair joined the circus at 15 as a sword-swallower. A year later, he took up tattooing, and traveled with circuses and carnivals for 50 years. As we watch him at work, we see the determination which led Stoney to use his crippled hands in an art where mistakes are permanent, and we realize Stoney has overcome his handicap to heal himself and others with the magic of symbols. The film ends with a visit by New Age tattoo master Don Ed Hardy to Stoney, who gives him a souvenir tattoo.

Stoney Knows How is an extended interview with 'Stoney' St. Clair, an ebullient little man with the gift of gab of a circus tout and a fund of bizarre stories about tattooing and other matters. One of these is the tale of a Florida snake handler and tattoo artist who was squeezed to death by his own python. His widow made a fortune touring the South with the guilty snake. "After all," says Stoney, "how often do you get a chance to see a snake that's squeezed a man to death?" Not often, nor does one often have the opportunity to meet a man like Stoney. The film makers treat him with respect, fondness and appreciation, and he responds in kind.

—Vincent Canby, The New York Times

Ethnoscope Film & Video

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Tags:

• tattoo
• tattooing
• Stoney
• Ed Hardy

[therealdjessence]

Only $ 18 too wish they was still thatcheap

[gringo102rican]

Tattoos are really cool, this man shows the wonders of what a person can do even with limitations!

[MyMindIsEverything]

yea his voice is like those mobs in the 30's :)))eiii eiiii eee:)))))whats a matter eeee?:))))))but with his handicap is a great artist,and i dont think a lot of the artists today would make a free hand tattoo just like Ed

[Shibito85]

Jesus he's fast.

[SEMAJHCIR]

whoa! no gloves?...back in the day somethings was just all good.

[ravenchildxxx]

Serious old school cool !

[daniellexxE]

He has the most annoying voice of anyone I've heard, but he is just amazing. He seems like one of those people who keeps talking to you, and he's done before you realize it. It's pretty cool

[soul0luos]

what a great man. stoney is a true legend. i could have listened to his stories for ages. i want to express my gratitude to this man and all the other american tattoo pioneers.

[MoanaLindsey]

18 bucks for a tattoo? My kind'a deal. lol

[jackdebook]

damn his fast w/ it and no stencils??? i asked a tat artist if he would do freehand and ended up getting stenciled.

[Ciba76]

Most likely a 4 or 6 flat, seeing as not too many folks were using piggybacks(mags) when this was filmed.

Gotta love Stoney though, he just really had the skills that make for a great tattooer. Mainly the gift of gab. :D