in the beginning...RJ at front counter 1983
Street view Valhalla Tattoos 1983
RJ astride one very quick Harley
Business card circa 1983
RJ and Paul Jeffries 1983
Paul flew from Calgary to Valhalla, and tattooed 10 hrs
on RJ and friend Darwin Foster. Helping to break
in the new shop and showing support...Thanks Paul
Halloween '84
Tattoo flash by Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, Paul Jeffries
and Greg Irons to mention a few.
1989 moved to 215 Victoria Ave. East.
1st place race car 1989 and 90.
Owner/Driver Vern Kosar.
Friend and tattoo fan Tim Pederson and Claude Pouton
tattooist, teacher of fine arts, world traveller.
Spending a month, sharing his karma and wisdom with RJ.
Teaching RJ the art of Zen and celebration of life.
RJ tattooing his good friend and riding partner Doug Lett 1990.
Total shop space, 10' x 30'
Shop mouse, Caroline, helping and learning.
Later to go on to become a tattooist, operating her
own shop in Nanaimo, BC.
Carla - Body piercer from Seattle, 1992
15 years in business, 7 years as employee of Gauntlet.
She gave a one week, in house, piercing seminar.
Teaching proper, professional techniques, opening the door
for body piercing at Valhalla.
Sean, Carla and RJ. Sean Trebel spent his
first 3 years with Valhalla, then travelling and
working with other leading artists. Recently opening
his own shop where he carries on tattooing for
the betterment of the business.
In the early 90s, RJ worked along side a plastic
surgeon, performing his tattooing skills in the operating
room at the Regina General Hospital.
In 1993 Valhalla moved 2 doors down to a new,
larger location. 219 Victoria Ave. East where we
remain to this day.
The shop in the 90's carried an indoor/outdoor theme.
Cedar cottage interior located on the #1...Trans Canada Highway.
The Ink Pit. Over 2 billion served.
Tattooing on the road good friend "Bunt"
Created Exposed Soul body piercing 1999.
Owned and operated "souly" by RJ and Melanie.
RJ and Crazy Eddie Funk at Richmond convention.
RJ has dealt with Eddie since the early 80's.
Eddie and Penny own United Tattoo Supplies in Philidelphia.
Lyle Tuttle, the Grand Daddy of tattooists with RJ
at Toronto's tattoo expo. RJ attended Lyle's machine
building seminars at the Richmond convention. Lyle
continues to celebrate the art by bringing the world
Tattoos.com
Tom Brown and RJ..."take 256",
while shooting CTV Tattoo commercial.
Valhalla has always provided the media with
high energy support and interesting commentary.
Melanie, Ryan and RJ.
Fresh new paint job 2001. Front counter
tribute to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (April 4, 2001)
Shop crew summer 2001.
Flame van has always been a part
of Valhalla's 20 year history.
Business card circa 2001.