Inked-up and sleeved-out were de rigueur at Tattoo Hollywood, the first annual tattoo convention held in the heart of LA, at Hollywood’s Renaissance Hotel on August 21st-23rd. Freaks hadn’t gathered in this capacity since the Inkslingers Ball in 2006; where tattoos have no stigma, carry no stereotypes, nor make you different from the rest of the crowd. It was a meeting of artists and patrons, both equally passionate about artistic expressions and individuality.
Over 200 booths were set up, with tattoo artists representing New York, Missouri, Ohio, Florida and most of California, to name a few. Most had their portfolios displayed, showcasing photographs of their best projects. Many artists were at work, setting needle to skin at make-shift benches for eager clients. According to Chris from Daddyo’s Electric Tattooing in Centralia, IL, artists come to conventions not only to market their shop, but to hold court, some having celebrity status among ink-seekers. Clients will go to a convention to acquire a tattoo from a notable artist they might not have been able to come in contact with otherwise.
