Renegade Rip

Issue date: 10/25/06 Section: Features

Media Credit: Alexander Gay Justin Foss from Sacred Gypsy draws a tattoo at the Bakersfield Tattoo Expo

A common art brought together different ages, races, and gender at the Bakersfield Tattoo Expo over the weekend at Rabobank Arena. "It's a good set up this year," said Sara Miller, a patron of the tattoo arts.
Many vendors from Kansas, New York, Texas, Idaho, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, California, and even Japan gathered to show off their artistic talents.
Not only did vendors sell framed art and miscellaneous merchandise, they also offered tattoos. "I was hoping there would be a few more equipment vendors," said solo artist Scott Currier. "There were a lot of artists.
A lot of work being put out."The local tattoo shops that attended the event included Mad Dog Tattoo, Nasty Jack's Tattoo, Sacred Gypsy Tattoo, A.R.T. Studio and Permanent Make Up, Healing Art Foundation, and Pain is Beauty. "I like it," said booth owner Goin.
"I've just been looking around to see what it's like." People had to pass through Blue Light Special and Karma, two of approximately seven muscle cars that decorated the front of the stage, before viewing the booths.
In the center of it all, a smaller stage was set up to hold bands and a host who periodically spoke of the contests to be held. "It was an all-age event," said Currier. "Almost every table had put out some candy for the young ones." "Kid friendly," agreed Currier's wife, Holly Currier.
Even though older ladies were seen sitting by the stage's speakers, and children were seen running rambunctiously throughout the section, adults came to view and show off their tattoos.
"I don't get like crazy heavy with my tattoos," explained Miller. "A lot of them do have meaning."
"I like tattoos that I can put on somebody, and there's actually a meaning behind it," said Currier. "Freedom of expression." "That's why they choose to get a tattoo, self-expression," said Currier's wife.
Holly Currier has a total of 13 tattoos plus a lot of little stars, and Scott Currier sports a total of eight tattoos.
"I've done four tattoos on myself," said Currier. Although the pain is the same as if someone else did the tattooing, according to Currier, artists who do themselves should remain sober to remain focused.According to Currier, he has been an active artist since he was a kid. He has dabbled in almost everything from industrial blue printing to airbrushing.
However, Currier believes "[that] the only true art is the art you put into your skin."

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