Terraka Garner
Life Editor
You hear the buzz of the tattoo gun, smell the clean of the green soap, and see the cups of ink gathered in an alluring pattern, ready for an everlasting design, poking and prodding at your skin; pleasure and pain in conjunction to forever represent something you’ve chosen; your idea spotlighted, coming to life. It’s time to get a tattoo.
Tattoos have become normality in the modern day and age, especially among young adults. Tattoos or body modification are allegedly seen as ways of self-expression.
“Modification when it comes to tattoos I feel can be seen negatively,” said Kayla Avery, a student in the automotive technology and small business program at ISU. “It should be seen more positive now because it can be very empowering.”
At 23 years old, Avery currently has 33 tattoos and plans to get more.
Avery said that artists at nearly every shop in Pocatello, including Salty’s, Solo’s, Ponzook, Dragon Lab and Integrity Body Arts have tattooed her. Avery stated she hates the judgment people can pass on people with tattoos, whether it is in the workforce, or out in society.
“Firstly, tattoos do not equate delinquency. I, myself, have many tattoos and have never been in trouble with the law aside from a couple traffic citations that were taken care of in a timely fashion. I also despise those who believe tattoos are a judge of my character. Coming back to just because I have tattoos does not mean I’ve been in jail or prison ever,” said Avery. “I don’t like anyone who sees me as less because I’m a tattooed mom. My children love me and I’m a wonderful mother even with my tattoos. If anything, they just make me a cooler mom. My children love my tattoos and all their meanings.”
Though Avery appreciates her tattoos, she, along with other ISU students, dislike that body modification artists; tattooists and piercers, are not mandated to follow certain regulations and to achieve certifications such as the blood borne pathogens certification.
“I do think it’s a little bit ridiculous that in the state of Idaho, there are no regulations regarding tattoo artists or tattoo shops,” said Brooke Jenkins, a double major in Exercise Science and Physical Education at ISU. “It makes finding good artists and a clean shop extremely hard.”
The aura of a tattoo shop reportedly makes for a good or a bad experience right off the bat when looking to get a tattoo. According to Jenkins and Avery, tattoo shops should be uncluttered and decorated with tattoo designs or artistic representations for each artist, and someone with competency who is able to answer questions quickly.
“I’ve had a bad experience in almost every tattoo shop I’ve gone in to for a consult. Either they were so busy that I wasn’t helped for a long period of time, or I just got a very uneducated, unprofessional person to consult with,” said Jenkins. “As a juxtaposition, when I walked in to my appointment at Gypsy tattoo, Les was waiting for me and said ‘Brooke, I’ve been expecting you,’ and he had already researched my concept for hours before I arrived. That’s how it should be done every time.”
Though some view tattoos to be appeasing to the eye, other ISU students mentioned tattoos to be a bad idea because they are a lifelong obligation.
“The main reason I don’t approve of tattoos is because a lot of people regret getting them when they get older and they don’t look as good over time because they fade and they don’t look the same,” said Lena Gaunt, a student in the ISU workforce training program.
Others believe having visible tattoos may cause a person problems in getting a job.
“I think tattoos can potentially inhibit people from taking you seriously and can cause you to be stereotyped quickly,” said Jenkins. “I know that in the healthcare profession, tattoos are frowned upon.”
Tattoos, according to both Avery and Jenkins should have solid line work, detailed shading and should be thought out carefully. Avery stated the person getting the tattoo should take a look at the artist’s portfolio before getting a tattoo from the artist. She added that a tattoo artist’s portfolio should have pictures of the fresh and the healed tattoo.
“You should be able to see the arts intent. A good tattoo can take many forms but has one constant and that’s it’s meaning can be seen with little explanation,” said Avery. “All tattoos should have background and once explained you should be able to easily see it. A good tattoo is also subjective.”
