The Rocket

Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Tattoo U, located on Main Street, does about 10 to 12 tattoos a week, tattoo artist Jeremy Brannigan said. [Click to enlarge]

Is your body a blank canvas?

Years ago, many people could say yes to this question, but in recent years, more and more people are beginning to express themselves through the art of tattooing.

So how exactly is it done?

According to the Mayo Clinic Web site, the procedure involves "a needle that's connected to a small machine with tubes containing dye (that) pierces the skin repeatedly-an action that resembles that of a sewing machine.

"With every puncture, the needle inserts tiny ink droplets. The process, which may last up to several hours for a large tattoo, causes a small amount of bleeding and minor to potentially significant pain."

So then why are more people getting tattoos, especially if they are permanent and the process can be painful?

Jeremy Brannigan, the main tattoo artist at Tattoo U Body Art on Main Street in Slippery Rock, said he thinks the main reason is because they are becoming more socially acceptable and for some, can be extremely addictive.

Working in the only tattoo shop within walking distance of the SRU campus, Brannigan said the shop normally does about 10 to 12 tattoos each week.

Though he's only been at Tattoo U since last April, Brannigan explained that he loves doing tattoos and has been a tattoo artist for about eight years.

Brannigan said that while the tattoos may be becoming more socially acceptable, the reasons for getting the tattoos still vary from person to person.

A tattoo can represent something through a picture, words, or a symbol.

While some tattoos are spur-of-the-moment decisions, TV shows like "Miami Ink" are also showing that many people get tattoos to represent something of personal significance to them, such as a tribute to a loved one who has died or a representation of an accomplishment.

And the number of people choosing to represent themselves through tattoo art is growing.

According to a recent study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, "the results suggest that 24 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed."

Devin Johnson, a freshman exploratory major, is one such American.

"I get tattoos as a expression of myself in a form of artwork," Johnson said.

Johnson, who has eight stars tattooed on her torso, said she got them because they are something we all can relate to.

She said her tattoos are motivation for her while she gets though college to reach for the stars and chase her dreams.

Other tattoos are done for comedic purposes.

The day freshman Boje Boback turned 18, he got one tattoo and before the end of the month, he added four more tattoos.

He believes his tattoos are very funny because they are so permanent. Boje's six tattoos may be funny at first sight, but he said they all have a story behind them.

His tattoos include his mother's name in a fancy cursive font, a heart-shaped tattoo with his best friend's nickname in the middle, a stick figure holding a thumbs up and another heart with a rainbow background and two stick figures holding hands, and a tattoo that simply says, "Prom?" that he said he got in order to ask his girlfriend to the prom in a different and unique way.

Though not as serious or sentimental as others' tattoos, Boje said all of his tattoos are a way of expressing himself, family, thoughts and friends.

While tattoos are a way to help define a person and express their individuality, it is important to remember that they are permanent and can be very expensive to remove if they are unwanted years down the road, so think before you get inked.

Jessica Rupell contributed to this story.

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