deVita Unauthorized, by Nick Bubash

deVita Unauthorized ,

a book by Nick Bubash

deVita Unauthorized chronicles and benefits a man who was at the root of a massive art and tattoo movement that began on NYC stoops in the 60's.  Lovingly authored by student and long time friend Pittsburgh artist Nick Bubash, deVita Unauthorized is a replication of an original Loose-leaf portfolio made by Nick Bubash between the fall of 2001 and spring of 2003. The original 30 copies were painstakingly assembled by Bubash and  was housed in a wooden box measuring 17' x 22' x 11/2'. It cover was held on by 2 wing nuts and a clivis pin and it was painted and collaged inside and out by deVita and embellished with various wooden and metal objects.

Ed Hardy and Hardy Marks publishing have reproduced the book  and the collection available to the public.  It includes the original pages of deVita collages, lithographs, essays, and contributions from Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, Scott Harrison, Teddy Varndel, JohnWyatt, Nick Bubash and of course, Thom deVita --heavy-hitting artists who were touched by the "art bomb" and magic that shaped and evolved tattooing as an art... waves that are still felt today as tattooing rapidly advances..

It can be ordered from Hardy Marks Publications here http://www.hardymarks.com/books/devita-unauthorized/), Last Gasp Publications and Distributing Art Publishers the price is $30.

 

Very few lucky folks can order the book signed with original art by contacting deVita himself at 23 overlook Place, City of Newbergh, NY 12550, or on ebay under "belle 10-1" at http://www.ebay.com/itm/deVita-Unathorized-Special-edition-12-20-signed-w-original-art-by-Thom-deVita-/120975891080?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item1c2ab99a88&nma=true&si=qVJajIRhtYG%2F3lq4NW26gYncVo0%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

for $300.

Nick Bubash: Hand to Gods

I met artist Nick Bubash in his Pittsburgh home earlier this year, and I was shaking in my boots nervous.  The man is the real deal, he performs and executes artistic endeavors with a passion that is intimidating to stand next to. Yet the opportunity presented itself, and I leapt at the opportunity.

How much do you know about his story? It's really rather interesting. He's been tattooing since the 70's (via Thom deVita on 4th St, then McKee's Rocks in Pittsburgh); he overcame some difficulties, and now works prolifically producing piece after piece of awe-inspiring art.

Bubash has the most amazingly diverse portfolio of sculpture, tattoo, and print-- and kicks ass in general. The book he made with deVita, Hardy and others "deVita Unauthorized" is being mass produced as we speak by Hardy Marks (it will be out in May, mass distributed early 2013) and he has a Warhol Museum show coming up... but even without the new stuff, dude's work is in LOU fucking Reed's private collection--and a million other places around the globe.  His resume goes back to before the tattoo-art changing Ed Hardy show  Eye Tattooed America in '93, and has been inspiring tattooers as artists all along the way.

Thom deVita said he was in the first school of tattooers from art school:

"Him and Ed Hardy. They influenced a whole generation of tattooers who can draw and he's never been mentioned in the magazines." said deVita on a 'inter-visit' I had with him one morning. 

And, the dude is animated, he talks with his hands, tells the worst jokes, and the best stories.

"What do you call an Italian with one arm?" he asks at the beginning of our interview.  "A speech impediment."

After completing a two hour interview (8,000 +  words, phew!)  I came to see a more well-rounded, funny, and sensitive man and gained a candid insight into his intimidating genius as an artist.  I loved his work, and now I love him as a friend.

The Skin&Ink feature I wrote on him will be out next month. Viva la Bubash!

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