Great Lakes Tattoo Expo shares art through ink; live tattooing offered

The regular buzz of tattoo needles crammed a room of the Blue Water Conference Middle Friday afternoon.

A number of rows of cubicles have been arrange — lined with colourful store logos and examples of tattoo work. Some individuals meandered from desk to desk, flipping via books and photographs, whereas artists sat hunched over and inking prospects.

Larissa Surline, an artist at Sarenity Attire Tattoos and Piercings in Fort Gratiot, stated she had been ultimately yr’s Nice Lakes Tattoo Expo.

“There’s lots of publicity. I get to satisfy new individuals, and I get the prospect to do lots of cool initiatives and present them off whereas I’m doing it,” she stated, motioning to the arm of Marysville resident Cheyenne Northup, who laid behind Sarenity’s desk.

Surline was tattooing white element to the picture of a robin on the base of one other tattoo she had lately completed. That was a picture of the Blue Water Bridge proven via the define of the Michigan mitten.

“Like she’s bought this that lots of people are in love with once they stroll by,” Surline stated of the bridge tattoo — a likeness for the precise construction towering over the conference middle exterior. “And I get to be like, ‘It’s right here in particular person.’ Plus being proper right here, it really works out.”

Northup’s robin tattoo was new Friday and one thing she stated was protecting to a Michigan theme because it’s the state chicken.

“I simply actually just like the state of Michigan,” she stated.

Northup additionally had different work of Surline’s — an owl, cranium, rose and apple blossoms delicately organized farther up her arm.

“I nonetheless wish to get a leg piece accomplished. I haven’t determined what but,” she stated.

Surline responded, “She’s going to be like, ‘Larissa, do no matter you need!’” Northup laughed, including, “Yeah, I form of simply provide you with free rein.”

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The place artists weren’t engaged on tattoos, they have been answering questions Friday.

Chris Nagy, of Needlework Tattoo Co., had come into city for the expo from Shelby Township. Although new to this occasion, he stated he’s frequented loads of conventions and accompanied a buddy on Friday.

 “It looks like the gang’s beginning to pour in,” he stated. “Lots of people are asking me about tattoo historical past as a result of I do know so much about it, and (I’m) getting lots of questions on smaller tattoos with first-timers coming via. The standard — does it harm, what can I do with this design to make it a bit bit distinctive? Issues like that.”

A helper at Sarenity’s desk interacted extra with passers-by, although Surline stated Northup was the primary she’d stored busy tattooing Friday.

Each stated the expo had a cool environment.

“You form of simply get to see some completely different artwork and types,” Northup stated.

Surline added, “For me, I form of simply sit right here and tune into what I’m doing. After I do get an opportunity to stroll round, it’s actually, actually cool.”

The expo continues from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Along with dwell tattooing, there shall be a number of contests and seminars.

For extra info, go to www.greatlakestattooexpo.com. Admission for the entire weekend is $10, whereas one-day passes are $7.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or [email protected] Comply with her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.