Queer Artists in a Pandemic

Lee D’Angelo pivots from tattoos to illustrations during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Lito Howse • June 11, 2020 5:39 pm EDT

Lee D’Angelo, known as @rat666tat, is a Toronto-based tattoo artist who co-owns a trans- and queer-friendly tattoo shop called Tapestry Tattoo Collective. This year they also launched an eco-friendly tattoo supply company that focuses on plant-based, biodegradable products.

Lee D'Angelo

Credit: Lito Howse

In the first episode of our video series, Queer Artists in a Pandemic, D’Angelo discusses what it’s like being an artist during a global pandemic and how COVID-19 has forced them to adapt. Meanwhile, their tattoo supply company has become a source for regular folks to purchase eco-friendly personal protective gear.

More From This Contributor

Lito Howse (they/them) is a queer and trans/non-binary identified videographer, editor and producer based in Toronto. They previously worked for the CBC where they wrote TV stories, edited and control room produced for News Network. They also produced videos for CBC Radio and wrote web articles for shows like The Current and As It Happens, among other roles. They speak English.

Read More About:
Video, Queer Artists in a Pandemic, Arts

Keep Reading

Girlguiding patches
Justice

Trans girls banned from U.K. Girl Guides following Supreme Court ruling

The U.K. Women’s Institute also announced it will ban trans women from membership
TV & Film

Why is everyone obsessed with this gay Canadian hockey TV show?

“Heated Rivalry” has been a breakout hit. What’s the special sauce that’s making everyone so excited?
Stills from Somebody Somewhere, Clean Slate, and Mid-Century Modern - shows with queer characters that were cancelled or ended.
TV & Film

Nearly half of all queer characters on TV will disappear next year

An uptick in series endings and cancellations is bad news for queer and trans representation
On the left, a black and white still from Flaming Creatures featuring a person sniffing a bouquet of flowers. On the right, an illustrated poster for the film.
Censorship

‘Flaming Creatures’ and the censorship of queer art

Jack Smith’s 1963 film “Flaming Creatures” was deemed legally obscene by the U.S. Supreme Court