Meet Brad Andrus; a really talented young tattoo artist who is first and foremost a loving family man with a wife and three adorable children. Brad has been drawn to art since he was a very young boy. Brad has been a tattoo artist for nearly a decade, but has drawn sketches all his life. "I was coloring and drawing before I could walk, as a child I would amaze my mother because I wouldn't just color in your typical childs coloring book, I would want to draw my own, complete with shading and all," says Brad. His art background helped him immensely, but the hardest part for him was the stigma of tattoo shops. He says people are nervous when they walk into tattoo shops due to the way films and television shows portray them as sketchy businesses. However, Brad says he tries to make his customers feel comfortable. "If you make them comfortable, they are more likely to change their view on what it's like in a tattoo shop," he says. Visit The Ink Shop and you will find it to be full of artist's energy and nothing but professional in every way. As the manager and head artist Brad says, "We are all meticulous about cleanliness in this studio and want to protect our clients as well as ourselves from any possibility of an infection or any other problem, all the equipment is thoroughly cleaned, sanitized and sterilized to insure 100% safety for all parties. You can always count on The Ink Shop to use a new tattoo needle with each client and discard it after each tattoo. Even the actual tattoo machine is covered to insure maximum cleanliness, we will shave the area to be tattooed if necessary and apply a drawn stencil of the desired tattoo directly on the skin this is sort of a template that we will follow." Even though Brad is not a fan of tattoo reality television shows, he says some of them have actually helped bring acceptance to the industry and highlight industry standards.

Brad says he was always interested in traditional and custom pieces, which he feels are his strengths as a tattoo artist. Finding the best artist from whom to get a tattoo is as important as choosing a tattoo studio that meets standards of cleanliness and excellence of work. Many tattoo artists specialize in a particular style. Whether it's traditional, full-color, or gray-scale, getting work done in the style the artist specializes in makes for a better experience for both you and the artist, as they will be working in the style they most enjoy. Brad has been working in the tattoo industry for many years and has completed countless works of art on a variety of people and their body parts. Brad likes to do full body pieces like an entire back or full sleeves as they call them when an entire arm from shoulder to wrist is covered. This type of work can take as many as fifteen to twenty four hours depending on the amount of colors and intricacy. Only the top artists with plenty of experience and skill will attempt to do this kind of work. Brad is so talented that he can create tattoos that almost seem to come to life right before your eyes. He is the kind of in-demand tattoo artist tattoo fans line up for to have them create tattoos on their bodies that stand out from the rest. Brad says, "I believe that how far the depth of a tattoo can go is entirely in the eyes of the one who creates it." Brad specializes in custom design work where he and his client will work together to imagine, design and eventually draw up the one of a kind piece.

Tattooing is not just where pigment is inserted into the skin of people in order to create a decoration or a message of some sort, it's quickly becoming more accepted and now has the recognition as a fine arts medium. And well deserved after all it's one thing to draw on paper, but it takes real skill to master the art of skin.

There are many cultures where this is totally an acceptable practice including on the face. Other cultures although it is present in the society it is not really typical in the business community. In some cultures it has specific meaning or connotations such as in Japan where tattoos are associated with traditional organized crime groups. In other cultures they may have other meanings such as spiritual, religious, love, bravery, protection against evil, etc. There are people from all walks of life that have tattoos, doctors and other professionals, actors, artists, athletes and even religious leaders, you would be surprised at how many people like tattoos, and they are even making reality shows about tattoo artists. Bikers, convicts and drunken sailors are not the only people sporting ink these days.

More people have tattoos than one might think. They have come in and out of popularity and in and out of the culture. Thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo.

Make no mistake about it, the tattoo industry is on fire. There are an estimated 20,000+ parlors operating in the United States, according to a U.S. News & World Report article, which said, on the average, an establishment is being added in the country every day. The article ranked tattooing as the sixth fastest growing retail venture of the year 2010, right behind Internet, computer and cellular phone service.

They can be dated back as far as the Neolithic times. Many tribes across the globe participated in the art of tattoos. The reasons varied from group to group but most of them were based upon religious beliefs or rites of passage.

Even today tattoos still carry a stigma. Many people often associate these designs with criminal activity and loose morals. These stereotypes are just not true. Lots of people who have them do not have criminal records and are upstanding members of society. It is true that some gangs do utilize tattoos to signify membership or criminal acts. These include facial designs such as the infamous tear by the eye depictions. Tears by the eye are said to represent people murdered. Some will say this is a tribute to friends that have been killed, some- on the other hand- say it represents the number of individuals that person has murdered themselves. The reality is that the meaning truly varies from person to person.

If one has a tattoo- especially a highly visible piece- they should expect a certain amount of curiosity about it. Unfortunately prejudice and judgment also come with the territory. However, these options are becoming more culturally accepted and are showing up in mainstream society more and more. Popular television shows and musicians have shown that people with artwork are just people like everyone else. With tattoos emerging in everyday culture certain etiquette should be followed to respect the privacy of others.

People with tattoo's are not criminals and will not mug the next person they see on the street. It's ok to be curious but limit the number of questions asked. Don't ask them if it's real, it is. A fake tattoo is unlikely unless they are twelve or it is Halloween. Don't ask them if it hurt, of course it did. Tattoos are generally mildly painful but it's not like cutting off a limb. Also refrain from touching without asking first. Unless it is healing it will feel just like normal skin, if it is healing touching it is not a good idea because their tattoo can become infected easily.

Each individual has their own motivations behind getting a tattoo and unless they are willing to divulge information, don't get too personal. Asking what the meaning of the tattoo can sometimes be too personal of a question- this may be because it represents a passed loved one or a dark time in their life. Also some tattoos don't have meaning and asking about it can embarrass some. Every now and then a person will take it upon themselves to tell the tattooed individual how they could never do such a thing. Its ok a have an opinion about tattoos but nobody wants a lecture.

Today's society is starting to accept tattoos but there is still a long road ahead. Keeping in mind that stereotypes are often just that, think before a judgment is made about an inked person. They are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and often live a completely normal life. It's unfair to assume that because one loves art and self-expression that they are criminals and drug addicts. Any way the point here is that tattooing carries with it the same prejudices and negative connotations as does many other legacies of ignorance.

If you’re thinking of getting inked go see Brad you can trust that he will educate you all about tattoos and if you’re ready to get a "TAT" there is no one better to do that one of a kind piece, that will soon be the envy of all your friends.

To schedule a private session call Brad at The Ink Shop!
www.safevoyagetattoos.com