Great Canadian Tattoo Company

Tattoo artist Dave Naughton, whose pen name is “Psycho Dave,” is hard to pin down. With his tall, brawny frame, prominent steel earrings, and black skulls tattooed on both arms, he’s not someone you’d want to mess with. Yet when he talks of his trade, his face breaks into a crooked grin and he laughs gently at the absurdities of life.

In Dave’s office, a glass cabinet bursts with bones — human, gibbon and fox skulls remind him that “life is short, live well.” More upbeat drawings of beautiful women, roses and fruit adorn the walls.

The Ace and Sword Tattoo Parlour services clients from all walks of life, from hard-core bikers to soccer moms. “A person who is cutesy gets ladybugs and dragonflies, and people who are edgy get skulls and weird things,” he says.

Dave treats everyone “like they matter.” He offers a free consultation to discuss the details of a potential new tattoo such as colour and location. “It should flow with the shape of your body,” he says. Dave is also meticulous about cleanliness. He wears gloves, disposes of needles after every use, and disinfects after each procedure.

When he starts piercing, he switches to the role of psychiatrist. “They’re terrified — you have to talk them off the ledge.”