Many people are under the impression that tattooing is not a form of art. Some think that all it requires is a good stencil and a person who can trace it.
This couldn't be any farther from the truth, according to Vanessa Kresge of Freehanman Tattoos on Route 611 in Bartsonville, Pa., who says, "I honestly think it's the hardest form of artwork you could possibly do. You're tattooing a living, breathing, moving canvas."
Kresge said, "It's not just knowing how to draw because some people that can draw can't necessarily grasp the concept of tattooing. There is a huge difference between a tattooist and a tattoo artist. And most people are ignorant to that and don't necessarily go out looking for the best artist…just for whatever's the cheapest, and they don't try to look at the artist's portfolio to see what's best for them. I consider myself a tattoo artist and take a lot of pride in what I do."
A few years ago, the 24-year-old tattoo artist opened Freehanman Tattoos with her father, Chatz, and her younger brother, Kurtis.
There is no doubt that Kresge's father played a prominent role in her artistic abilities and desire to become a tattoo artist.
Kresge said, "My dad taught me to draw since I could write, and I watched everything he did and loved drawing. I thought tattooing was awesome, and I always wanted one, but I wasn't sure that I actually wanted to tattoo until I was probably about thirteen years old."
Kresge did her first tattoo of a broken bone on her father's leg when she was 16.
Kresge said, "It started off slow before I started tattooing. I just learned a lot about machines, would sit down and look at magazines and look up other tattoo artists, different kinds of styles, learned how to properly clean everything, use an autoclave and stuff like that. Then one day, my dad sat me down and was like 'Okay, you're gonna tattoo me today.'"
Like many other tattoo artists, Kresge becomes aggravated with shows such as "Miami Ink."
Kresge said, "One thing that's kinda cool is now more of a range of people accept tattoos or want to get them now. Other than that, I get really annoyed. I try not to watch them because it's not reality. They purposely throw in drama to try and get in ratings. Things are very staged, and it drives me nuts that no one sees it."
She said that, unfortunately, some of the best tattoo artists go unrecognized on these shows because they are not dramatic.
Kresge also said that a problem that has resulted from these shows is that a lot of kids are now buying equipment to perform tattoos that will later need to be fixed by tattoo artists. They also do not understand that tattooing is not safe and can lead to contamination unless a professional does it.
The artists at Freehanman Tattoos try to encourage their clients to choose original work.
Kresge said, "We have tattoo flash on our walls in the front, but we try to advise everyone to change those if they want them so they are more original. We do a lot of freehand work and original drawings for people. I don't really even remember the last time I did a flash."
As for those who are on the fence about getting tattoos?
Kresge said, "I like people to think things through so they don't get anything they regret. It's my job to do their tattoo, but it's also my job to find what's perfect for them, and if they aren't sure, they shouldn't rush into it."
Kresge said that at Freehanman Tattoos, the artists talk to clients about how the location of tattoos can affect their jobs. "Most people get annoyed, but don't realize it's in their best interest. Yeah, it's my job, but I can't honestly put money in my pocket knowing they can't get a job because they want something on their hands or neck. In the long run, that's less money in their pockets," she said.
e-mail Jody at: jlm5653@esu.edu
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