The Convention

On Saturday I attended Chicago Illinos 2012 Tattoo Arts Convention at The Crowne Plaza Hotel. The convention was scheduled all weekend long, and I was lucky to be able to attend for the day. We headed out early and set out for Chicago.

The trip there was great. There wasn't to much construction, we didn't get lost, and we didn't have cash to pay the tolls... so I'll just expect something in the mail! Parking was insane. Everywhere we looked, vehicles were being rerouted to new areas. We managed to find parking about two blocks away in a different hotels parking garage. We followed the crowds of people and headed into the convention.

The valet area was overtaken by a mixture of smokers. As I glanced the area I noticed stereotypical subcultures, you know, those with torn, and thrashed jeans, Mohawks, fishnets and boots. I noticed Moms and Dads that threw on their, "Harley Gear" and headed out to the convention with their kids for the day. Pin-up style models and other tattooed models roamed the isles advertising shops. I saw teens and many in their early twenties, getting their bodies started on, "new ink."

We payed twenty dollars and entered the convention. My eyes were up down and all around eventually crossing all together. There were so many forms of art to take in all at once. It was not my first convention, but it easy to not the differences from city to city. Hundreds of people walked the hotel displaying art on their personal bodies. Artists had booths dedicated to their work. Sketch books layed on tables in front of booths, along with t-shirts, stickers and business cards.

As we walked along, I noticed that many of these artists had traveled many miles to attend this convention. Many artists were eager to talk, hear ideas and listen to feedback. Many shared personal stories and even stories of the craziest tattoos they have given. We heard many stories about the previous night after parties and promises of even crazier hours to come. Over the loud speaker, the announcer Called for, " ONLY SINGLE CURVY PIN UP MODELS TO BE USED AS MODELS FOR ARTIST!" We all laughed, continued on.

We had finally ran into, Jason Angst' booth. He was in the process of doing a piece on a mans leg along with another artist that was helping him. Time is so valuable at conventions, many go in hopes of getting dream tattoos by artists they do not have the ability to see often. Many request pieces that require much time from artist and money from the customer as well as energy to sit through long hours.

We came back a little while after while Jason finished up his patient customer who sat six hours for his leg piece. To finish up a half sleeve with specific detail we sat four hours. Many different artists have their own rates. Jason was a friend, and a well-known artist who is generous to those who support his work.

While Justin sat, I talked with Jasons wife, who has piercings anywhere there was skin, and her skin, was an almost full canvas her husband had taken advantage of. All of her pieces were carefully, mastered with many hours of work to support it.

Walking through the booths, I was able to see many tattoo artists in action. Amy Nicoletto from LA Ink was tattooing at the show along with Megan Massacre, and Chris Torres, from New York Ink.

I left super excited, and filled with many ideas to finish up my sleeve. I was very impressed with the work that Jason Angst had done on Justin and am looking forward for him to start on mine.

I most definitely recommend that you people get up, and get influenced by some creative work at conventions. Don't get a tattoo, that's not what m saying, but to experience many different forms of live art is worth the while.