Iron Brush

Comparing the two tattoo parlors visited, there is a clear difference between the two.  Sacred Heart had more of a welcoming feel, where as the Iron Brush felt more clean cut, and to the point, which was kind of like the tattoo artists as well.  When just browsing around and asking questions, the tattoo artists were more to the point and rushed at the Iron Brush.  At one point I was trying to ask the question "where is the most painful part of the body to get a tattoo?" before I could even finish, he interrupted bluntly with "ribs."  I guess with the atmosphere of different tattoo parlors comes the differences in attitudes and customer services.  Personally, I was very taken back by his forwardness, but that's just how some people are.

Tattoos: History

Body art is a modern trend that has risen in popularity. The amount of ink that people have on their skin is tremendous compared to recent years, especially since its increase in fashionable development beginning in the early 90's. Although this trend seems to have suddenly come out of nowhere, the practice of body art has been used from ancient civilizations from 2000-4000 BC. Moreover, according to a Smithsonian article, the oldest known example comes from subject "Iceman" that has been carbon dated to be at least 5,200 years old. Egyptians were also known to posses a grand amount of skin ink. Smithsonian again referenced how evidence of this was shown through women figurines possessing tattoos on their bodies and limbs. Even these examples are roughly from 3500 BC. How did these ancient cultures practice this art? What Methods were used. Upon further research, historians have concluded that they simply applied sharp points on wooden handles and pieced together that tying many of these utensils together would "provide repeated patterns of multiple dots."

"Iceman" 3500-4000 BC Ötzal, Austria

Tarim Basin, China. 1000-6000 BC

The artwork itself was nothing short of peculiar. The image to the right shows dashed markings on the Iceman that are clearly from sharp, inked utensils. There are apparently over 50 markings like these that surround his body showing the strong application of this technique. The image to the left also shows an early adaptation of Egyptian tribal tattoos. With a little more detail shown, and a clear appreciation for tasteful art, we can see the advancement of tattoo popularity rise over a good couple hundred years. With these examples being thousands of years old, we are not completely sure if they had religious significance, tribal identification, or were made purely for the sake of art, but they nonetheless provide us with astonishing evidence that tattoos have been around for a very long time

So what happened to this trend? When did the decline begin, and why is it suddenly so popular? I think the best way to answer this is by explaining how it never really went out of style. Just about every civilization from Greece to Egypt, Celtics to Japan, New Zealand to Vikings and countless others have shown some visual representation of tattoo art (tattootemple). That being said, it is safe to assume that each society was driven to individualize themselves through their inked skin and show the world where their allegiance lies. The practice of tattooing has been around almost as long as human beings have and to this day we still cover our bodies in this nostalgic artwork. 

http://tattootemple.hk/history-of-tattooing

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/tattoos-144038580/?page=3

http://www.archaeology.org/issues/109-1311/features/tattoos/1405-china-tarim-basin-mummy

Combing the Iron Brush

Today marks our second trip into this new world of ours that we barely even know about, tattoos. However, we had with us another tag along to come enjoy this adventure with us and hopefully get herself a tattoo as well. Upon entering this establishment, I felt a much stranger vibe than our previous tattoo adventure. Where Sacred Heart felt prestigious, quiet, and secluded, Iron Brush had an open, public, and obscure feeling to it. What differed between these places were subtle differences like location, decoration, aroma, and staff demeanor. For example, all examples of artwork covered the walls like so.


Furthermore, the many staff members wore black and performed their inking techniques on their clients in a non secluded area. You had a front row seat to witnessing people getting tattoos in a completely open view. Unfortunately, our friend lacked sufficient funds to buy a new tattoo, even one as small as a quarter. The minimum prices were set at $80-$100 and went up from there!

What made this establishment so out and open was the fact that it literally was a shop out in the open for the public, so therefore, had multiple customers coming in every 10 minutes. Since Sacred Heart was secluded underneath buildings in the Haymarket, the customer activity was very limited. We had also had the pleasure of meeting with the store owner, Tyson, as well. He had a remarkable set of knowledge and experience to share with us and lowered our ignorance levels of this community even more. We owe a great deal to him as to increasing our understanding of this workforce. I think it's safe to say that we are no longer strangers to this type of association!

No Ragrets

Almost all of us have seen We're the Millers that came out August 7th this past year, and it's easy to make fun of Scottie P's tattoo that reads "no ragrets." I'm sure most of us have also seen the countless pictures of people's mistakes on tattoos, getting tattoos of a boyfriend/girlfriend (and of course the relationship doesn't last), infections happening, and just completely awful tattoos. The truth in these happenings is that sure, a lot of tattoos can turn out absolutely awful; but a lot can turn into something truly as amazing as the art itself is.

When we spoke with Tony at Sacred Heart tattoos, I asked him about the stereotype that tattoos often get because of certain people that just happen to have tattoos. When I asked him what he thought about tattoos in the workplace, we got into a pretty fired up conversation.  I told him that when I was in Journalism 101, we had a speaker that told people it would be best to cover tattoos up in the workplace. This enraged Tony: "Get the fuck out. I don't judge you based on your skin color or say I hate your freckles. It's ignorant." The conversation went on with Tony's annoyed comments at people who have little to no understanding of the tattoo community and that are small minded people. He also went on to say, "If everybody had tattoos it wouldn't be as special. I connect with other minorities because of them -- I'm colored - a minority." I thought this to be a very interesting perspective, because it is definitely true. Tony even spoke about "every time I walk into a gas station... every time I walk into a gas station... every time I walk into a gas station," he gets bad vibes from people because of his tattoos. Many people do look at people with tattoo's differently, but just because they are a minority doesn't mean they aren't people. Tony's advice to people is to "be cultured and understand that people are worth getting to know, and for the people who judge based on stereotype and misconceptions...those people aren't worth your time."

I think that if we learn from other people and make sure to get someone's perspective before we judge them, everyone would be happier. Not all people with tattoos are bad people, just like not all people without tattoos are good people.

Squires, Tony. Tattoos Jenna Brende. Lincoln, 23 April 2014.

"Hey you made me ink"

So yesterday some friends and I waltzed up to the nearby tattoo parlor in the Haymarket called Sacred Heart. I didn't know what I was in store for considering my experience with tattoos and it's parlor locations are close to none. Aside from a few of my friends getting them, I have never had the personal experience of this type of community...until now. The amount of belief I had on the uncleanliness, raunchy, and somewhat demonic nature of their symbolism only enhanced my anticipation to getting ready for what was in store. If I haven't made myself clear yet, this sums up my interpretation of a standard shop...

I firmly believed we were in for a lot danger, but the location we went to proved us wrong. Contrary to popular belief, these hot shops are much nicer, cleaner, and better established than one of ignorance would have thought. I felt a presence of peace from the aroma surrounding, the artwork on the walls, and most of all the demeanor of the shopkeeper was beyond my expectations. I don't think I've met a nicer guy who had most of his body covered with ink. The story of his career and humble beginnings in this operation was one for the books, and has forever altered my views on this inked up enterprise.

When talking to Tony, one of the tattoo artists at Sacred Heart, he had a lot of comments regarding how he became a tattoo artist.  Basically what he did was he got an apprenticeship with a tattoo parlor.  Where he basically did all the dirty work for about a year and a half.  He would set up and take down the tattoo sets, he would clean and sterilize, and basically did whatever the tattoo artists needed him to do.  But, in the process of doing all this work, he also was learning how to become a tattoo artist.  There is a huge difference between being able to draw a tattoo on a piece of paper and draw a tattoo on someone's skin.  As Tony said, "Doing a tattoo on a skin is similar to trying to draw on a t-shirt.  You have to pull and stretch it to make sure its nice and firm."  I think most people don't realize how much more difficult doing tattoos is from drawing them.  Tattoo artists' artwork changes though out their careers.  They each have their own style and preference in the types of tattoos they are willing to do but they also need to be versatile in what they can do in order to keep their revenue coming in.  It really comes down to the customer.  There is a fine line of pleasing the customer, and being comfortable with the work you're about to do.  Tattoo artists do have the ability to decline working on a customer because they don't feel comfortable with their name being associated with that tattoo.  For example, Tony will not do any sort of hand or knuckle tattoos on minors because he doesn't feel comfortable with his name being attached to those tattoos.  Its all a preference thing.  Tattoo artists have to be able to have the humility to admit what they can or cannot do, because after all the work that they do lasts a lifetime and it is all apart of their reputation.  One of Tony's favorite parts of his job is that he is leaving his work on somebody else; and come 5-10 years down the line and you see the same tattoo on that person it becomes like a weird Time Machine.  Although the person themselves has changed, the tattoo is still there in the same condition.  "The thought is actually really cool to think about.  Like you're work has been apart of them for several years and will continue to be there for the rest of their lifetime."  We later brought up the subject of tattoos in the work place, and this really hit a nerve with Tony.  " The difference between people with tattoos and people who don't is we don't care that you don't have one."  He feels as if judging someone based off of their tattoos is a personal judgment, and that it shows that people with tattoos are more understanding and have more of a sense of culture.

Walking into Sacred Heart Tattoo Parlor gave a completely different feel than most tattoo parlors.  The stereotypical tattoo parlor is a little rough around the edges, a lot of interesting artwork, not the cleanest places, the smell of smoke.  Sacred Heart is completely different.  The furniture they had in their waiting area were nice leather couches, brown shaggy rugs, and a few pieces of artwork on the wall.  There was a very relaxing aroma to the room, and classic rock music was playing.  Walking in was not a scary experience rather a relaxing one.