by peter e. bortner
More people from all walks of life are sporting tattoos as a way to tell people about themselves and important events in their lives, according to local artists.
"It's a way for people to express themselves artistically and mark different times in their lives," said Shawn Gauvreau, owner of Needleplay Tattoo, Pottsville.
Eddie Glasner, owner of Chapel Rose Tattoo, Minersville, agreed that a person's tattoos tell a lot about them.
"Symbolism is very powerful," he said.
Popular since ancient times in many cultures, tattoos are becoming increasingly common in the United States and other Western nations.
Artists said the 21st century has seen steady growth in their business.
"The increase in popularity started about 12 years ago, and it's been maintained at a pretty consistent pace," Glasner said.
He said there is no one thing driving the growth.
"People will get tattoos for various reasons," Glasner said. "Some people get them for closure, celebration."
Gauvreau said tattoos have been gaining popularity in the last 15 years, and he agreed that major events, such as births and deaths, are a big reasons for people to get them.
"It's like a time marker," he said.
Glasner said athletes and musicians, but not necessarily other celebrities, help increase the popularity of tattoos.
"Sports figures ... are sporting them, and people are affected by what they see," he said. "You still see some of your music figures are heavily tattooed."
Stephanie Pellish, Forestville, got one of her four tattoos to honor her twin sister, Stefania A. Schafer, who died on Oct. 17, 2009.
"The one on my neck is for Stef," and it features a peace sign and a butterfly, Pellish said.
Although some people have images of skulls and other grim symbols when they think of tattoos, the most popular ones are anything but those, Gauvreau said.
"Religious tattoos are popular, as are memorial tattoos," he said. In fact, those two tend to be combined, according to Gauvreau.
Glasner, who has been in the business for 33 years, said popular designs often change from year to year, but some things are consistent.
"People are going for more colorful types," and old designs from World War II are regaining popularity, he said.
Schuylkill County has an average, not an extraordinary, percentage of tattooed people, Glasner said.
"I've worked in tourist areas like Myrtle Beach, (S.C.), and we did way more tattooing," he said. "We have enough to establish a business."
Furthermore, he said, he gets customers from Hershey, Williamsport and other places as far as two hours away.
"The Internet ... puts all your pictures out there," Glasner said.
Gauvreau agreed that people in Schuylkill County are no more likely to get tattoos than people elsewhere.
Glasner and Gauvreau agreed that one change in the business in recent years is the increasing popularity of tattoos among women.
"More women get them than men now. I really don't know why," although it could be in order to beautify their bodies, Gauvreau said.
Glasner also said that while people of all ages from 18 to 80 get tattoos, women now comprise an increasing percentage of his clientele.
"It leans more toward females now," he said.
Pellish is one of those.
"Most people say they like them," she said. "Even if they don't know me, they come up to me and say, 'I like your tattoo.' "