Tattoos: Cosmetic vanity for the masses

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Tattoos: Cosmetic vanity for the masses
July 4, 2010
BY PAUL CHAPMAN
THE PROVINCE

I clearly remember the reaction from my dear, departed mother when I first got an earring when I was 17: idiot.

I can only imagine her reaction now at the age of 44 when I got a tattoo. Another tattoo that is. From July 9-11th the Westcoast Tattoo show goes off at the Langley Events Centre, and the top artists and studios from B.C. and many artists from around the world, will be appearing and showing off their skills.

My mother may not have approved of such foolish trendyness back in the day, but it’s quite likely if she was around today she might be headed to the show to pick some ink out for herself.

It’s not that tattoos are more “mainstream” now, it’s more that they’re that much more socially acceptable. The fallacy that getting permanent ink was always the domain of bikers, sailors and criminals still exists in people’s minds.

Talk to Clint Danroth, one of the top artists in the country, and he explains that it’s always been “ordinary people” who get tattoos. There are now just a lot more of them.

“It’s always been a great form of expression for people,” Danroth said. “ It’s a cosmetic form of vanity. ... There used to be just a handful of tattoo shops around, now there are hundreds and the demand hasn’t suffered.”

And when you see Danroth’s work, you understand why. His spectacular studio, Craftsman’s Tattoos, on Marine Drive in the old stretch of beach front is an art gallery within the frame of tattoo culture.

The idea that tattoos are the realm of rebels disappeared long ago. People from all walks of life were always drawn to the idea of body art, but now they’re drawn to them in much bigger numbers.

Before it was common to put a tattoo somewhere that it could be hidden if need be, on the upper arm, or ankle, or, god forbid, the small of the back.

Danforth says particularly with younger people, they want tattoos where people can see them, they’re proud of them and want to show them off.

“It used to be that only the most devoted would get tattoos on their neck or hands, once they’d run out of other places to put them,” he said. “But now a lot of young people are starting there, the neck, the hands, they want them to be seen.”

Danroth and the other artists from Craftsman will be at the show in Langley. It’s now part of the business, that you not only show off your wares at home, but share thoughts and concepts with artists from around the world. Danroth travels the many shows around the planet showcasing his work in MIlan, Amsterdam and Paris.

I was pretty clear on what I wanted, a form of Liverbird, the mythical bird that comprises not only the logo of Liverpool F.C., the soccer team I support, but something that stands atop the city hall of Liverpool, the place where I was born.

It’s a personal thing for me, a sense of pride and heritage and I didn’t hesitate to get it done, especially when I saw how talented an artist Danroth was.

For many, they like the idea of getting a tattoo, but aren’t sure what they want, something around their kids, family, friends, hobby, passion, but don’t know how to express that in a tattoo. That’s where the consult comes in.

“It’s pretty common that people will have a vague idea of what they want but aren’t sure how they want it represented,” Danforth said. “We’ll take in what you like and come up with a concept and hopefully it’s something you want.”

Once you have the art concept decided, you book an appointment and then it’s game on. The idea of jamming a hot needle into your body repeatedly scares some people off, but it’s really overblown. The pain is minimal, not even really pain, more of an annoyance, and when you consider the end product it’s hardly a deterrent at all.

If you’ve been thinking about leaping into the world of tattoos, the Westcoast Tattoo show is a wonderful place to start as most of the top artists from the region will be there and you can talk and kick around some ideas of what you’d like. There’s even the opportunity to book an appointment that weekend and get some work done.

If you don’t get to the show you really should visit Danforth’s shop in White Rock, not only for body art, but he sells canvas prints and other tattoo culture artifacts as well.