Body art and piercing have been around for hundreds of years, but they have evolved into examples of stylish, sexy symbols that show the world your personal ideals and beliefs.
Body art and piercing originated with ancient cultures to portray privilege or royalty, but today, they have grown from previously negative images of rebellion to examples of individualized expression.
 
This isn’t just a trend for men, either, since women are getting piercings and intricate works of art on their bodies, too. The people that have tattoos are the same ones who are taking your deposits at the bank or helping you at the local department store.
 
Rex Wiltshire, owner of Graffiti Ink has three locations in the area specializing in tattooing, body piercing and permanent makeup with artists from as far away as Illinois and California.
 
“I love to tattoo. I was lucky to get into the business because I started so late,” Wiltshire said when asked about his business.  “However, once I saw artists that were licensed and skilled at what they do not getting treated right I opened multiple locations to put them to work in what I consider a great and fair environment.”
 
Tattoos are unique because, unlike personal possessions that can be lost or stolen, people can keep them until death.  Still, Wiltshire himself provided a few guidelines to consider before you get a tattoo.   
 
  • Don’t let someone else pick your tattoo.
  • Don’t limit yourself.
  • Don’t let your artist choose your tattoo for you.
  • Don’t get a tattoo just to please someone else.
  • Don’t put a person’s name on your body, unless it is a family member or someone who has passed away that had great significance in your life.
  • People can reject certain ink colors and not others.  Also, sunlight will fade your tattoo.
  • As you age, your skin recedes, but with the proper maintenance, a tattoo can be kept looking great throughout your lifetime.
 
“At Graffiti Ink, our customer service makes us different,” Wiltshire said. “We’re going to make you feel at home in a safe and sterile environment, and we stand behind our artists who I would personally put up against any competition out there within their experience level.”
 
“We have integrity. If it’s not going to look right, we’ll tell you before you put a little tattoo on a large arm.”            

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