Tattoo

When you think of tattoos, you normally don’t think of its history or of it as an art form. You normally think of it as permanent images on your skin or as self expression, but on a zoom call last Friday with Rich Stremme I was introduced to tattooing as more than images on skin; he spoke about its history as an art form and as self expression.

I enjoyed how excited he seemed to be to teach us about tattooing. From sailors to prostitutes, to anyone 18 and above, he told the history of who used to get tattoos and what they used to represent.

I was shocked when he said Tattooing in Nyc was illegal from 1961-1997 because of how common it is to see a tattoo. 

I liked how he spoke of his connection to tattooing. He enjoyed the older tools of the craft and appreciated the meaning of his craft, while also advising us on tattoos that we SHOULD NOT get.

I think what he said and his life were great examples of doing what you love no matter when you start.