Tattoo convention descends on Philadelphia

February 13, 2012
  • N.J. tattoo artist Jamie Schwartz receives a rose tattoo on her neck by fellow artist John Moscaritolo. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    N.J. tattoo artist Jamie Schwartz receives a rose tattoo on her neck by fellow artist John Moscaritolo. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Jim Weiss from Port Richmond in Phila., is almost completely covered in tattoos. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Jim Weiss from Port Richmond in Phila., is almost completely covered in tattoos. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Tattoo artist Tom Hazelton is preparing to get a tattoo of his fiance, Candy. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Tattoo artist Tom Hazelton is preparing to get a tattoo of his fiance, Candy. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Soon-to-be Mrs. Hazelton, Candy, has been tattooed mostly by future husband Tom. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Soon-to-be Mrs. Hazelton, Candy, has been tattooed mostly by future husband Tom. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Marc Zayaz is getting his 6th tattoo, an image of his pit bull, Maya, on his right calf. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Marc Zayaz is getting his 6th tattoo, an image of his pit bull, Maya, on his right calf. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Tattoo artist Matt Morren from Austin, Texas has just arrived at the convention and is waiting for his first customer. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Tattoo artist Matt Morren from Austin, Texas has just arrived at the convention and is waiting for his first customer. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Bear, who declined to give his last name, is getting a tattoo of his son. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Bear, who declined to give his last name, is getting a tattoo of his son. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Dave Schaefer who lives in the Tacony section of Phila. won third place in the Best Color Portrait category for his tattoo of Hedwig, from one of his favorite films. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Dave Schaefer who lives in the Tacony section of Phila. won third place in the Best Color Portrait category for his tattoo of Hedwig, from one of his favorite films. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Daniella D'Antonio recieves her first tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Daniella D'Antonio recieves her first tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Daniella D'Antonio celebrates turning 18 by getting her first tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Daniella D'Antonio celebrates turning 18 by getting her first tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Tina Marabito, a tattoo artist from Wilmington, Del. has been tattooing for five years. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Tina Marabito, a tattoo artist from Wilmington, Del. has been tattooing for five years. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Lindsay Hines from Belmar N.J. is getting a tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Lindsay Hines from Belmar N.J. is getting a tattoo. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Makeup artist Alyssa Nemeth from Levittown, Pa. has a tattooed sleeve of brushes and compacts. She says it matches her personality. Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Makeup artist Alyssa Nemeth from Levittown, Pa. has a tattooed sleeve of brushes and compacts. She says it matches her personality. Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Dan Kowalczyk from Edison, N.J., has known D.C. tattoo artist Cynthia Rudzis for almost as long as she's been tattooing. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Dan Kowalczyk from Edison, N.J., has known D.C. tattoo artist Cynthia Rudzis for almost as long as she's been tattooing. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Cynthia Rudzis from Washingon D.C. has been tattooing for ten years. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Cynthia Rudzis from Washingon D.C. has been tattooing for ten years. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Eternal Ink sales representative Dustin Bobel is at the convention to supply artists with the best ink in his opinion. Bobel and the Eternal Ink company are located in Brighton, Mich. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Eternal Ink sales representative Dustin Bobel is at the convention to supply artists with the best ink in his opinion. Bobel and the Eternal Ink company are located in Brighton, Mich. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

  • Steve Powell is getting his 9th tattoo, a sad clown by artist Talley. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

    Steve Powell is getting his 9th tattoo, a sad clown by artist Talley. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

  • Bethany Wolosky from New York City has always wanted to have a lot of tattoos and says that it's all about self expression. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

    Bethany Wolosky from New York City has always wanted to have a lot of tattoos and says that it's all about self expression. (Kimberly Paynter/For NewsWorks)

The Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention was last weekend at the Pa. Convention Center.  Tattoo artists from Amsterdam, Austin, Texas, New York City and many other places displayed their ink skills and gave visitors tattoos throughout the event.  Also held were seminars on tattoo safety, color realism and tattoo contests in categories like most unusual, best sleeve, and best in show.

For more information, please visit: VillianArts.com.

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