Tattoo artists fight stereotypes

Tattoo artists fight stereotypes
November 19, 2010
by Derek Quizon
azcentral.com

Mark Walters' idea of opening a tattoo shop in Tempe 17 years ago was met, as many tattoo shops are, with resistance from the neighbors.

Steve Tseffos, who lives behind the original site of Walters' business, was most resistant to the idea. He was worried about the kind of people the shop would attract to the neighborhood and the prospect that a tattoo shop would increase crime and blight.

He appealed to the city to intervene to no avail - Living Canvas Tattoos opened in 1993.

Now, Tseffos is the shop's landlord, and he calls Living Canvas, under the leadership of Walters, one of his best tenants.

"There's not one person in the neighborhood who would complain about Mark," Tseffos said.

That is the kind of turnaround Living Canvas and Tempe were hoping to inspire at Wednesday afternoon's Diversity Committee lunch, where Walters and his employees spoke to community members about stereotypes associated with the tattoo industry.

Walters, whose shop is located at 930 S. Mill Ave., said tattoos are becoming more acceptable, particularly among young people, but for many people the stigma attached to tattoos still remains.

A recurring theme in the meeting was the difference between safe, reputable tattoo shops and unsafe, low-budget shops - or "scratchers."

Walters said he'd like to see more regulation of tattoo shops, which could not only get rid of unsafe practices but clean up the industry's reputation.

"In Arizona, you need to have a license to cut hair, but you don't need to have a license to give a tattoo," he told the audience of about 20 people.

Jane Adler, an artist at the shop, said tattoos should cost a minimum of $60. Anything lower is a sign that the artist is cutting corners in safety measures, she said.