His own tattoos are numerous and his favorite is a large self-portrait on his stomach where he appears to be bursting through the skin on a Harley.
#TATTOO EXPO LA CONVENTION PROFESSIONAL#
(Joe Rosenheim/Bay City News)Īlexander, now 62, never became a professional tattooist but does “pimp” other artists within his far-reaching network of tattooers and tattooees. Richard “CrayZ” Alexander, 62, shows off his favorite tattoo, one that depicts him riding a Harley and appearing to burst out of his own stomach, at the Body Art Expo at the Cow Palace on Friday.
He was 10 years old, he said, when he tattooed a tiny cross on his finger using a bottle of ink he’d stolen and his mom’s sewing kit. They’re not doing apprenticeships, and they start offering cheap tattoo work, even though they’re not ready.”Īlexander acknowledged that his own first tattoo came from unpoliced mischief. “They’re buying (tattoo) machines off the internet and learning at home. “The new youngsters are in a whole different world,” said Richard “CrayZ” Alexander, the convention’s bearded and leather-clad master of ceremonies. Cindy Salans Rosenheim drew this illustration of a tattoo artist at work at the Body Art Expo at the Cow Palace in Daly City on Friday. Insiders say the resurgence of rogue artists is jeopardizing the reputation of an industry that has spent years cleaning up a shady image. For example, while the internet is giving tattooists new ways to learn about tattooing and promote their work, it is also causing many aspiring artists to skip the multiyear shop apprenticeships that have long been considered a requirement for turning professional. While technology is propelling innovation in tattooing, it is also giving rise to new dangers. “Then I can take the shape of your arm and fix (the design) to that.” “I like to do free-hand,” he said, describing a style of tattooing that forgoes the aid of a stenciled print. People would say, ‘Oh you’re cute you draw on paper.’ But then I started using the iPad, and it’s been life-changing.”įern said he nonetheless goes back to old-school methods.
For hella long, wanted me to use an iPad, and I wouldn’t. “I like to say that I’m an advanced human specimen because I can tame a tattoo needle,” said the 48-year-old owner of Tattoo 925 in Martinez, who began tattooing when he was 18 and goes by the name Fern “El Famoso.” “But then I learn that I’m such an old man, I’ve been stuck in my ways. Insiders say that graphic design programs, vast social media exhibitions, improvements in tattooing technology, easier access to good equipment and increased demand for tattoos have driven tattoo artistry to new heights. Meleham said he came to the event specifically to get tattooed by Drone. Jonathan Meleham of San Jose reveals the first stage of the bear tattoo that artist George Drone started for him on Friday, which would be finished by Saturday, at the Body Art Expo.
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