Left and Middle: Courtesy of Greg Piper. Right courtesy of Cynthia Rudzis, artist and owner of Cirque du Rouge
Left and Middle: Courtesy of Greg Piper. Right courtesy of Cynthia Rudzis, artist and owner of Cirque du Rouge
Showcases Body Art’s Past, Present and Future Legacy
Once an inherently personal piece of counter-cultural iconography, tattoos are now an accepted sign of mainstream cool. Body art’s pop culture rise hits the DC area when the second annual DC Tattoo Expo comes to Arlington, VA’s Crystal Gateway Marriott from January 12-15th. Highlighted by the attendance of 100 national artisans including Amy Nicoletto from TLC program L.A. Ink, Expo organizer and owner of Manassas, VA’s Exposed Temptations Tattoo, Greg Piper is as direct and to the point as the needles he uses in his craft about the event. “We want the Expo to match the reputation of top shows elsewhere. It’s invite-only and well-marketed. We want this to continue to grow and represent the DC area with quality work.”
Maintaining an insistence on quality in the face of body art’s pop culture boom is a difficult task. Tattoo Expo-showcased artist Matt Jessup, owner of Dupont Circle’s Fatty’s Custom Tattoos says, “The boom in tattooing has caused less respect for artists, art and discerning as far as quality work. Those who were artists and were tattooed were once an exclusive group. Once it’s not so exclusive anymore, you see people lose some of the respect and reverence for it.” Piper shares the view, saying, “[Tattoos]were once an expression of individuality. Now one-third of Americans have them. It’s not like you see on reality shows where people want something distinctive that has meaning. Many of the people I see just want something (expletive) cool.”
Though facing a public that in some cases does not share such high-minded preservation of classic ideals, the relation between tattoo artists and the craft itself remains both noble and organic. Cynthia Rudzis, of DC’s Atlas District-located Cirque du Rouge, follows a family tradition. “All of the guys in my family had World War II-era tattoos. My grandpa was covered in them!” A graphic designer and illustrator for 20 years before becoming an artist in 2003, she saw getting into the industry as a “natural progression.” Greg Piper also shares a military background with tattoos. He’s an Army veteran who served in Somalia , and whose step-father was in a motorcycle club, so he “grew up with them.” Serving an apprenticeship at Great Southern Tattoo in 1989 with owner Charley Pagans, his desire to preserve that legacy comes from an absolutely sincere place.
The expansion of the field into everyday life is intriguing. Though Piper, Jessup and Rudzis’ all advise customers “not to rush,” the expansion of the number of shops in the DC area from “two to about 40” as Fatty’s owner Jessup states, shows that many new owners have hurried onto the scene to create indelible memories on the skins of a waiting population. Jessup continues, “the popularity of tattooing is great as people are aware and interested, which is good and creates a larger pocket of those who want body art.” Rudzis is a fan of the growth of the field as well, claiming that “You can’t pinpoint the tattooed person anymore. Anyone can have one now, and people see them as decoration.” Piper adds that “(tattoos) have no shock value. Lawyers, doctors and more educated people are getting them a lot more often than before.”
However, with all growth, there are negatives. “I wouldn’t go to a basement to get my teeth fixed,” says Cirque du Rouge’s owner Rudzis about the abundance of less experienced and possibly unqualified professionals now in the industry. Greg Piper adds, “tattoos are a one-time deal. I get people (in my shop) all the time who want to be my apprentice, and a lot of them are not very good artists. They see a reality show, and think that’s what this is. I want phenomenal artists only, people who are prepared to do hard work.” Matt Jessup continues, “I got started in 1991, and a lot of us weren’t qualified (back then), but even though I was self-taught, I eventually learned the right way. I gathered a portfolio, had a respect for the industry and got hired.”
Artist Liia Walter at work, courtesy of Cirque du Rouge.
Cynthia Rudzis’ description of her staff of four at Cirque du Rouge is an apt description of DC’s tattoo artist community. “We’re goal-driven and kinda boring. Around here we’re always drawing, comparing different styles, always trying to do good work.” Clearly an event as motivated by preserving old school values as it is towards influencing the future, the DC Tattoo Expo aims to add value to the trend of body art becoming a staple of everyday life. “It’s a good convention, showcasing good artists and art. It’s one of the nicer ones,” says Matt Jessup. Straight to the point, DC Tattoo Expo organizer Greg Piper makes quite the bottom line sell. “10,000 people came last year. We have 100 booths this year, and nobody dropped off who showcased in 2010. Amy Nicoletto from (TLC program) L.A. Ink is coming. We have 2013 and 2014 already booked, too, and we’ll announce where they’re going to be (at the Expo). It’s going to be awesome.”
Crystal Gateway Marriott: 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Arlington, VA; 703-920-3230; www.dctattooexpo.com.
Top Left and Middle: Courtesy of Greg Piper. Top right: Cynthia Rudzis, artist and owner of Cirque Du Rouge; Above: Artist Liia Walter at work, courtesy of Cirque du Rouge.
Event Schedule
Thu. Jan. 12:
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.: VIP Welcome Party. The first two beers free. Anyone who has pre-registered as an artist, a vendor, or is a guest who has purchased a 3-day pass, may attend. Free food from Hooters with a raffle, entertainment and door prizes.
Fri. Jan. 13:
Noon – 10 p.m.: Main Hall and Vendor Hall doors open to public, DJ and live entertainment.6 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Live bands.
9 p.m.: Tattoo-of-the-day contest.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.: Friday the 13th Horror Party. Live entertainment, horror tattoo contest, best horror costume award. Dream Scream: the hottest DC babe with the most terrifying scream wins. Drink specials and vendor giveaways and DC’s worst tattoo contest.
Sat. Jan. 14:
Noon – 10 p.m.: Main Hall and Vendor Hall open to public, DJ and Live entertainment.Noon – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Live bands.
2 p.m. – 6 p. m. : Live tattoo contest.7 p.m.: 2012 DC pin-up contest.
8 p.m.: Awards presentations for all judged categories.
9 p.m.: Tattoo-of-the-day contest.
9:30 p.m.: 2nd annual funkster 500 tricycle race. 10 p.m. – 2 a. m.: Party in the hotel bar, special prices, vendor raffles.
Sun. Jan. 15:
Noon-8 p.m.: Main Hall and Vendor Hall open to public.2 p.m.: Kids contests and awards. Best temporary tattoo and kids art contest, Jr. DC pin-up contest.
Noon - 7 p.m : DJ and Live entertainment.7 p.m.: Tattoo-of-the-day contest.7 p.m.: Best booth award and best of show award.
Left to Right: A Woman and Flowers; A finished tattoo by Cynthia; Fish in the Water, all courtesy of Cirque du Rouge. Far Right: Tattoo by Fatty, courtesy of Fatty’s Custom Tattooz.
