Picture Machine Tattoo

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Picture Machine Tattoo

5124 Geary Blvd,
San Francisco, CA 94118
View Website
(415) 668-7377

Picture Machine History:
Picture Machine tattoo was founded in 1976 by Pat Martynuik, who had moved to San Francisco from Canada in 1970. Pat began tattooing as a hobby, picking up tips from Doc Forbes and his friend, Huck Spaulding, and went on to own and operate his own shops in Edmonton, and later, Calgary. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Pat began working at Lyle Tuttle, Sr.’s shop on 7th street next to the bus station, just south of Market St. During this period Pat taught the trade to his own son and Lyle Junior. He also earned his nickname, “ The Picture Machine” for the long hours he worked and his constant productivity -Pat was at the shop 7 days a week, and at any given moment he was either tattooing or drawing flash. In 1976 he decided to part ways with Lyle Sr., and opened his own tattoo shop at 3940 Geary between 3rd and 4th avenues, where he resumed the habits that earned him his nickname.
In 1989 Pat died in the shop, basically while in the middle of a tattoo. The Picture Machine became the property of his son, Guy, who by this time also owned his own shop, body Graphics, in Reno, Nevada. Guy maintained operation of the Picture Machine and his Reno shop for years, and taught his own son Jesse, who now owns body Graphics, to tattoo as well.

In 2005 Guy Martynuik sold the shop to his former coworker Lyle Tuttle Jr. Lyle Jr had been born and raised around tattooing. He had done his first tattoo at the age of 12, and started working under the supervision of Pat Martynuik at his father’s shop, while Lyle Sr. was globetrotting to promote tattooing (and himself). He lived at the tattoo shop, and essentially worked 16 hour days, 7 days a week, preparing the shop in the morning, cleaning up at night and doing anything else that was required after hours. He worked at the 7th street location for 2 years, after which he moved to Hollywood to open another Lyle Tuttle tattoo shop on Sunset blvd. 1 1⁄2 years later his father sold the Hollywood shop to Cliff Raven, and Lyle Jr. returned to San Francisco, did a short stint back at 7th street, and then moved to Vallejo across the bay, to open yet another Lyle Tuttle tattoo shop. Lyle Jr. purchased this shop from his father shortly thereafter. He worked and ran the Vallejo shop for 10 to 12 years, until the local naval base was closed and business dropped off, at which time Lyle Jr. sold the shop to “Fuzzy”, who maintained it for a short time (less than a year), before it finally closed. Lyle Jr., for all intents and purposes retired from tattooing at this point and went on to work in construction, as well as a number of other shady enterprises.

In 2005 Lyle Jr. stopped by the old Picture Machine location to say hello, and a month or so later realized that he had somehow managed to buy it. by this time the Picture Machine building, the building that had at one time housed the tattoo shop, the suicide prevention center upstairs and a Korean video store, was sold by the owners, and Picture Machine Tattoo moved down Geary to 5124 Geary at 15th avenue, where it is today.
During its years of operation, the Picture Machine’s reputation as a no nonsense street shop producing high quality tattoos in an unpretentious environment attracted some of the best young up and coming artists to seek employment there. The list of artists who have worked at the Picture Machine includes many, if not most of the names of tattooers who during the nineties became household names for tattoo fans, and who today are considered to be responsible for breathing new life into the world of tattooing. Today Picture Machine Tattoo maintains its reputation for quality tattoos applied in a bustling street shop environment, long hours of availability to customers, as well as high end custom work made to order for discriminating tattoo collectors.

Pat Martynuik: (1937 - 1989)
Pat Martynuik received his nickname (Picture Machine) because of the speed at which he worked and the long hours that he put in. The first letter of the words also matches his inititals.
Pat was a native of Vancouver, Canada. He started tattooing as a hobby, picking up pointers from the resident Vancouver tattooist Doc Forbes and friend of many years Huck Spaulding. In the 1960's Pat was working further north than any known tattooist in North America. He set up in the inland town of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and turned his hobby into a booming business. The flash sheet seen in this display is from that era. This shop was a big success so he opened a branch in Calgary. In 1970 Pat emigrated to San Francisco and worked at the famous #7th Street studio of Lyle Tuttle. He brought new life to that location and built up a loyal clientele In the bicentennial year of 1976 he opened the Picture Machine shop at the 3940 Geary blvd., where he worked until his untimely death.
Pat Martynuik was member #209 of the Tattoo Club of America; in their October 1964 newsletter they had this to say about Pat:
"Pat Martynuik (sic) TCA 206, 10027-83rd Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta Canada, opened his new tattoo studio. The City's board of Health has officially issued its only license in the whole of Province of Alberta. Pat also received an affidavit from the local Army Medical Officer stating that his studio is sanitary and safe for the Army boys. The formalities costs Pat close to $200.00. Pat became interested in tattooing as a newspaper boy in Vancouver, b.C. Doc Forbes was his teacher. Doc tattooed a large spread eagle on Pat's chest and designs on his right arm. Pat Tattoed his left arm and legs himself. We see from his photograph that he does good work and a great many chest jobs. Pat informs us that tattooed nudes are outlawed in Alberta, If one is caught with one, The summons is $35.00 and one must get it dressed!"


Marco Casado
I was born in Oakland in 1963 and have lived in the bay area my whole life. Currently I live in San Francisco. I have been a professional tattooist for fourteen years and have worked out of various shops in the bay area. I moved over to Picture Machine in September of 2006 to work under Lyle Tuttle Jr. Since then I have worked with many talented artists in which I have learned a lot from.

Salem
My friends call me Salem. I was born in beautiful San Francisco, California. For most of my childhood, I was surrounded by music, skateboarding and the colorful underground world of graffiti. I couldn't help, nor control, the urge to get tattooed…and at the age of 15, I had my first one done (which was hidden from my father for a good six months).

My family was part of the travel industry when I was a kid, so I was blessed with the chance to see other parts of the world. To this day, the passion to travel and get tattooed has settled in my skin.
At the age of 21 (with at least 8 tattoos that I had collected so far)

I finally found the courage to start tattooing. Armed with as much equipment as I could afford, and my determination, I began to practice on my friends. After 2 years of stumbling, fumbling and passing a few of life’s lessons, my work and the proper attitude got me into my first shop.

After a few years I felt the urge to take my skills on the road. While traveling I met artists who invited me to tattoo at their shops. Before I knew it I was working around the states, and traveling to tattoo in places like Australia, India and Peru. I also published 2 traveling stories in Skin and Ink Magazine.

Taking the opportunity to work with so many different tattoo artists over the last 15 years has shaped the way I approach the importance of every tattoo. One of my favorite parts of this job are the people I get to connect with. I know how important it is to have a comfortable feeling of trust with your artist. I enjoy translating any clients’ idea into a tattoo that not only fits the body naturally, but holds it's details for life.

Megan Wilson
I grew up around the bay area in a family of artists. I always felt a draw towards art, especially illustration, but never knew what my place in the art world was. At age 15 I got my first tattoo. After that, the rest of my teenage years were spent collecting tattoos, hoarding tattoo magazines, researching books on tattoo history and drawing; lot's of drawing. I was enamored with the lifestyle, the art, and the beauty that could be created in the skin. I knew I wanted to tattoo and would have to find a way to make it happen. It wasn't until I was 20 years old that I finagled my way into an apprenticeship under Henry Goldfield at Goldfield's Tattoo Studio here in San Francisco. Under Henry's watchful eye I learned about sterilization, making needles, and paying my dues. Henry gave me my work ethic and a real understanding of the importance of tattooing in the art world.

I am now lucky enough to tattoo at Picture Machine in beautiful San Francisco. I enjoy the challenge that tattooing brings everyday. I work for my clients first and foremost, and look to give them each a custom and quality experience. I strive to bring their visions, ideas, and stories to life. I tattoo because it allows me to make connections with people and give them something they will enjoy the rest of their lives. I hope throughout my career to help breakdown the stereotypes that tattooers and tattoo enthusiasts encounter. Tattooing is a real art, with a rich history that I feel proud to be a part of.

In the future I look forward to tattooing at Picture Machine with my friends, and traveling all over the word to sow my tattoo oats. I would like to start new larger-scale pieces for my clients and continue creating for years to come.