Under the chandeliers in the Sheraton City Center hotel’s largest ballrooms, another trade show is in town. And they brought their needles.
The second annual Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention drew tattoo shops and artists from more than 20 states and as far away as Italy and Japan for a three-day celebration of ink.
“It draws a lot of people who are curious, who have the opportunity to get work done by professionals from around the county,” said Troy Timpel, a Philadelphia-based artist who organized the convention in three cities this year.
The show drew more than 5,000 people last year, Timpel said, a mix of hard-core enthusiasts covered in art and those just looking.
“It’s a lot of different artists, different people, just trying to come together, share their knowledge and share their art, said Bob Manning, an artist with Gemini Tattoo Boutique of Odenton.
While some attendees just want to check out local shops and view their art, there’s no shortage of those ready to get some work done. And artists said the tattoos they want are, not surprisingly, as individual as the people themselves.
“That’s the thing with the tattoo business,” said Scott Clayton, an artist with Baltimore’s own Tattoo Charlie’s and 11-year veteran of the industry. “You never know what’s going to walk through the door, and the same is true here.”
Tattoo Charlie’s, located on the row of downtown bars and strip clubs known as the Block, holds a special distinction: It’s the second oldest tattoo shop in the United States, and the oldest in Baltimore.
Owner Gale Watkins agreed with her fellow artists’ take on the mix of attendees. “You get all different kinds of people here,” she said.
But for the average person, one question surfaces while walking among the rows of artists practicing their craft.
Does it hurt?
“It hurts,” said Chris Clayton, Scott’s wife. “It’s like a thousand bee stings at once. It hurts, but then people walk away really happy and glowing.”
The Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention is open through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel at 101 W. Fayette St. in Baltimore.
