Wanna get inked up?

Whether it’s a butterfly on your shoulder or your frat’s Greek letters below your waist, a tattoo tells people something about who you are as an individual. Maybe you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, or maybe you’re just intrigued by this art form.

The Bloomington area offers plenty of tattoo parlors, including Skinquake, Big Red Genuine Tattoo Parlor and Kutting Edge.

“My reasons for tattooing are mostly aesthetic,” said Big Red Tattoo artist and IU senior Rachael Davies.
She explained that the owner offered her an apprenticeship at Big Red because of her status as a frequent customer.

“One time, I walked in almost the same time that an artist was leaving and the owner turned to me and asked if I wanted a job,” said Davies, now in her third year at Big Red.

But tattoos aren’t an art form limited to Generation Y.

“I just like artwork,” said Bob Martin, who has been a tattoo artist at Kutting Edge for 21 years. Martin emphasized that people thinking about getting tattooed should make sure it’s something they really want and not just part of “a phase.”

Over at Skinquake, Bloomington native Dave Herr, a tattoo artist of 11 years, explained that he wanted to pursue body art because he loved art, but he knew how hard it was to make a living in most traditional art mediums.

Besides his personal infatuation with tattoos, Herr also discussed why others might want to get involved with giving or getting tattoos.

“Everyone gets a tattoo for a different reason. Most of the time the reasons are personal ones, such as remembrance of a loved one, heritage or just an aspect of their life that defines them,” Herr said.

Freshman Crystal Velez has a tattoo of a treble clef and bass clef put together to form a heart. She said she got the tattoo because of the joy she finds in music and her lifelong participation in musical activities.

“I love music, and I have been singing since I was three,” Velez said. “I got the tattoo as a permanent reminder of my passion.”

Alberto Tobar, a Colombian student in one of IU’s English as a Second Language programs, said that while he does consider tattoos art, he’s not interested in getting one.

“Skin is like paper of the body, but it shouldn’t be decorated,” Tobar said, explaining that he personally couldn’t imagine inking his body.

Tattoos aren’t for everyone, and for those who may be on the fence, other aspects of their life can influence whether or not they decide to get inked up.

Some fear it will affect their options professionally.

“I don’t really want one, but a job is definitely a part of the reason. Also, I’m not much for pain; I hate getting a shot so I can’t imagine what a tattoo would feel like,” said freshman Chris Noone.

Noone elaborated that he wants to be a business major – an area where clearly visible tattoos carry a stigma.

“Tattoos can be frowned upon in some situations,” said Mark Brostoff, Kelley School of Business Associate Director for Undergraduate Student Services.

Brostoff added, however, that tattoos are fine if they are appropriate for the job or if the person works in a field where tattoos are more common.

“A number of things can influence whether or not a tattoo is appropriate; of the most common are the size, content and how well it is concealed,” said Brostoff.

Brostoff encouraged people to think long and hard before getting a tattoo, saying two potential employees could apply for a job and, if they were totally equal in terms of skill level and experience, the person with an obvious tattoo might be deemed less suitable.

Martin said new technology for tattoo removal is great for people who “get messed up” via accidents of any kind or just for tattoos that become a nuisance for the bearer. Usually, a person can visit a dermatologist to discuss tattoo removal.

But even though some people come to regret their tattoos later, it remains an art form many appreciate both wearing and designing.