Tattoo You

by Grant Moser
photos by Joel Dietz

The art of tattooing is ancient; it was practiced in Egypt as far back as 2000 BC. The word tattoo is Polynesian in origin, and was introduced into the English language by European sailors during the exploration age. For much of modern history, tattooing was an underground art, not highly accepted in society. In fact, tattoos were outlawed in New York after several underage youths contracted hepatitis and one died in the early 1960s. For three decades the ban held. But it did not kill the art. Tattooing just went into hiding.

"In the 1980's, tattoos were big among punk rockers, like the ones I hung with at CBGB's," said Elio Espana, owner of Fly Rite Studios in Williamsburg. "Because of the laws however, parlors were secret. You needed to know where to go, you needed passwords to get in, and you needed to know someone. It wasn't until the 1990's that people began getting bolder, and actually put signs in their windows advertising that they did tattoos."

In 1996, tattoo parlors were ruled legal again, and shops could open if licensed by the New York City Board of Health. Fly Rite had "opened" the year before, and overnight became legal, licensed, and ready for business. Things have changed in society even since then, and now tattooing "has become more socially acceptable," said Espana. "I have all types of people coming in for tattoos now - from middle class adults to young people to older citizens. The taboo of having one is fading."

Espana has been practicing the art for over 20 years, and Fly Rite is celebrating its 7th anniversary this year. Experience and dedication is very important to Espana. "We tattoo here. We're artists." The "we" in that statement refers to his staff, which is specially trained in how to safely tattoo customers and accomplish great work.

Safety is a very important factor in tattooing and people considering a tattoo should be aware of the procedures. Each new tattoo requires an entirely new set-up - sterilized needle, clean working area, new pigments, the works. Espana says a tattoo parlor should use an autoclave for sterilization. The parlor should be clean, the staff should have a good attitude and have artistic ability (can they draw?), and they provide photographs of past work to demonstrate their ability with the needle. All in all, says Espana, if you're not comfortable with the parlor or staff, you shouldn't get a tattoo from them.

The tattoo itself is simply colored substances (black ink or colored pigments) placed under the skin. The needle (which makes about 2000 jabs a minute) places the colors about 3 or 4 skin layers deep. ("Does it hurt?" I asked Espana. "Yes," he said, "but it all depends on where you're getting the tattoo and how sensitive you are to pain. It's different for everyone.") The color is trapped in the skin by scar tissue the body forms around the ink. This is what keeps it permanent.

The upkeep of the tattoo is very important in the immediate days and weeks following the work. Gauze covers the area for the first few hours to soak up the "blood sweat." After you take off the bandage, you wash it with soap and water to remove any dirt, white blood cells, or excess ink. For the first 3 or 4 days, you need to apply antibacterial ointment twice a day. For the first month, hand lotion should be applied to help with flaking and to reduce itchiness. And that's it. It's forever.

"Tattoos have a mystique because they're permanent," Espana says. "That's it. You've got a tattoo. It's a major commitment." That's why Fly Rite won't tattoo anyone that is drunk, and by law, anyone under 18 as well.

After that the sky is the limit. Fly Rite will design custom tattoos based on customer ideas or on reference material and they have a large catalog of pre-designed tattoos on display in the waiting room. "I'm here to give them what they want, not what I want. But I will give advice to a customer; smart realistic decisions of what can or cannot be done tattoo-wise and the consequences of getting it in certain areas like the face or hands," Espana explained.

Upon browsing through the pre-designed art, it seemed to me most of the tattoos averaged about $80 or $100. However, the price depends on the time and complexity required to complete it.

I'm already saving for one of my own.

Fly Rite Studios is located at 500A Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg. They are open Monday through Sunday 2-9 ('til 10 when the weather gets warm). They accept credit cards, and require ID. They can be reached at 718.599.9443 or at http://www.flyritetattoo.com. The studio will have a booth at the New York City Tattoo Convention, May 18-20, at the Roseland Ballroom.