Over two hundred tattoo artists gathered in the Portland Metropolitan Expo Center last weekend to showcase their array of goods and services, from supplies for the practicing tattoo artist to shirts and artwork for the casual visitor.
Over two hundred tattoo artists gathered in the Portland Metropolitan Expo Center last weekend to showcase their array of goods and services, from supplies for the practicing tattoo artist to shirts and artwork for the casual visitor.
Several events were also scheduled, including an assortment of tattoo contests, tattoo and art seminars and even a belly-dancing show performed by a local troupe.
The third annual Tattoo Expo provided a forum for tattoo artists to network and compare art, and for people from the city and surrounding areas to connect with artists from abroad.
Tattoo conventions have a long tradition, according to Seth Ciferri, owner-operator of Portland tattoo supplier Rose City Steel. And the tradition continued in full swing as people showed up in large numbers to get tattooed or just hang out.
“The whole point of the tattoo convention is that it’s a place for tattooers to see each others’ work, and for people to come see amazing work they’ve never seen before,” Ciferri said.
Artists traveled from all parts of the country and beyond: Pennsylvania, Idaho, Oklahoma and even China. Still, booth space remained dominated by artists from California and the Pacific Northwest.
Contests held throughout the day judged attendees’ collected tattoo art. On Saturday, contestants were judged on their small, large and back-piece gray-scale and color tattoos in separate events. Each night ended with a final contest, “Tattoo of the Day,” featuring the best artwork produced that day. Sunday closed with a “Best of Show” contest, the prize for which was the Dringenberg award: “A one-off, diamond-encrusted tattoo machine,” according to the Expo website.
Tattoo conventions are new to Oregon and have been made possible due to recent changes in legal policies, as set forth by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency. Previous laws prohibited out-of-state tattoo
artists from working in Oregon.
Brandon Ingram, convention sponsor and publisher of Eugene-based Ink Junkie Magazine, played a significant role in getting the laws changed to allow out-of-state artists to apply for temporary licenses.
“I pushed and pushed for a year,” Ingram said. “I explained how good it would be for the economy. I pushed hard and got the law changed to allow out-of-state artists to come in.”
The leverage of Ingram’s magazine aided the efforts of local tattoo artists to get the changes enacted.
The main entertainment event of the weekend was the performance of the Above the Pearl Bellydance Review, comprised of Valerie Valenza, Melissa Chinn and tattoo artist Tanya Magdalena of Portland’s Above the Pearl Tattoo. Their show fused traditional dance with modern music and folk music.
Despite the talent on display, turnout wasn’t as strong as in previous years, which many blamed on the recession.
“I think it really comes and goes,” Expo disc jockey Bill Daniels said. “I think the economy is really hurting everybody.”
Ingram also noted that the “hype” of Portland’s first tattoo conventions contributed to higher turnout in previous years.
“We’re getting the hardcore tattoo enthusiasts. Now they’re realizing they can get tattooed by this guy from China or New York or wherever,” Ingram said. “The artists are making more money.”
Tattoo artists took the lower turnout in stride.
“Today was just enough,” said David Togtman of Tainted Skin Tattoos located in Crown Point, Ind. He described turnout in previous years as “awesome.”
The Expo has a sister convention in Eugene each spring. Both events are sponsored by Oregon businesses Ink Junkie Magazine and Rose City Steel. Portland’s own convention returns in Oct. 2012. Details are available at the Ink Junkie website, InkJunkieMagazine.com.
