NEWS

Art's always been a family affair in Austins life. Painters, quilt makers, bakers – you name it, they've done it. It's no surprise Austin inherited the creative bug. With his parents cheering him on, his childhood was a constant exploration – from lost-in-the-zone drawing sessions to (believe it or not) winning model car design competitions against adults at age 12! This lifelong love affair with creation has taken him on a journey through everything from graffiti back in the 90s to crafting furniture and even leaving his artistic mark on some of the Strip's most iconic hotels.
But Austin's passion goes beyond the canvas. Building a sense of community has always been important to him. He's a firm believer in the "rising tide lifts all boats" mentality. It's this spirit, combined with his love for tattooing, that led him to create Studio 21 – a space where creativity and community can connect. Safe to say, it's been a decision he hasn't regretted for a second.

Hey, Tattoo Squad!

Summer is here and were ready to slay the sun-kissed game! But, let's not forget about our precious tattoos! To keep them looking vibrant and brand new, follow these summer tattoo care tips and tricks: 

1.  Sunscreen, DUH!
Protect your ink from those harsh UV rays with a broad- spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30). Reapply every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

2.  Cover up
When spending extended periods outdoors, cover your tattoos with clothing or a tattoo sleeve to prevent direct sun exposure. 

3.  Avoid direct sunlight
Try to limit your tattoo's exposure to direct sunlight, especially during peak hours (10am-4pm). Use a towel or clothing to cover it up when you're outside.

4.  Hydrate, Baby!
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and plump. This will help your tattoo stay vibrant and healthy-looking.

5.  Avoid chlorine and saltwater
Chlorine and saltwater can cause irritation and fading, so try to limit your time in pools and oceans. If you can't resist, make sure to rinse your tattoos thoroughly afterward and apply a moisturizer.

6.  Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Keep your tattoos well-moisturized to prevent dryness and irritation. Use a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic lotion or cream that's specifically designed for tattoos.

By following these simple tips, you'll be able to enjoy the summer sun while keeping your tattoos safe, healthy, and living their best!

Remember, your tattoos are a part of you, so take care of them!

So, you wanna get a portrait tattoo, huh? Like, a permanent picture of your significant other, your favorite celeb, or maybe even your cat (no judgment, btw)? Well, before you go inking up, let's get real for a sec. Portrait tattoos can be super dope, but they can also be super duper disappointing if you don't do your research.

The Struggle is Real: Finding the Perfect Pic

First off, you need a sick photo to work with. Don't even think about using a blurry selfie or a screenshot from Instagram (unless you want a tattoo of a pixelated mess). You need a high-quality image with good lighting, clear features, and a flattering angle. Think of it like online dating – you want to present your best self, or in this case, your best portrait.

Size Matters (Reference, That Is)

Now, let's talk size. Don't be that person who gets a tiny portrait tattoo on their ankle and expects it to look like a masterpiece. Newsflash: it won't. Make sure you have a good understanding of the size and placement of your tattoo before you commit. You don't want to end up with a wonky, distorted face on your body (unless you're going for a Picasso vibe, in that case, go for it).

The Dos and Don'ts of Portrait Tattoos

DO:

· Research, research, research! Find a tattoo artist who specializes in portraits and has a style you dig. (Hint: we have talented artists at our shop who rock at portrait tattoos!) 
· Take your time finding the perfect photo. It's worth it, trust me.
· Be open-minded about size and placement. Your tattoo artist knows what's up.

DON'T:

· Get a portrait tattoo of your ex (unless you want a permanent reminder of your past mistakes).
· Expect a perfect replica of the photo. Tattoos are art, folks, not photocopies.
· Forget to tip your tattoo artist (they're the real MVPs).

The Verdict

Portrait tattoos can be a beautiful way to express yourself and show off your love for someone (or something). Just remember to do your homework, find a sick photo, and don't be afraid to ask for help. And, if you're looking for a talented artist to bring your portrait tattoo dreams to life, come visit us at Studio 21 Tattoo! Our artists are ready to create a stunning piece of art that you'll cherish forever. Happy inking, friends!

Haylie Berg

We are still in the first half of 2024, but we are already seeing some crazy tattoo trends this year.  And I am not talking about all those trendy micro mini hearts and updated tribal 90s tattoos we have been seeing on repeat.  I am talking about the crazy trends we have been seeing all over Social Media like Magic Ink, Semi Permanent Ink, Tattoo Sedation, and Automatic Tattooing.  Don't know what they are… no problem.  I am here to give you a quick run down on the insanity that has taken over the industry!

Magic Ink has been around for a few years, but thanks to a few viral videos, 2024 seems to be the year we have all learned about this trend!  Magic Ink claims to be activating and deactivating ink.  Essentially it is UV reactive ink, so when you want it to appear just wave your UV wand and “poof” you have a tattoo.  And when you want it to disappear just wave your UV wand with a different wavelength and say goodbye to your ink.  So this sounds great for those areas you want a tattoo, but don't want those conservative family members or employers to see.  Or what a great way to get crazy creative with your tattoo designs.  Think a dragon that you always see, then wave your magic UV wand and red fire shoots out of the dragon's mouth.  So this idea is kinda growing on me now!  There are a few cons - as of right now the Magic Ink is only available in red ink.  And their website claims you can activate and deactivate it 1000s of times, but how long does it really last?  The ink is also pricey and tattoo artists that offer it are limited.

Next up, Semi Permanent Ink… also known as Ephemeral Tattoos.  These vegan semi permanent tattoos claim our bodies naturally remove ephemeral tattoo ink over time.  The ink contains medical grade bio-absorbable ingredients that shrink over time and eventually fade away.  This can take 1-3 years.   SOOOOO  originally they claimed their tattoos only lasted 9-15 months and I guess 3 years later some of those tattoos are a little more semi permanent than expected.  Also when these fade, they don't have a nice even fade like the website digital example shows.  Most ephemeral tattoos I googled have an uneven fade.  But if you have commitment issues, this sounds like the perfect tattoo for you!

Tattoo Sedation, yup you heard that right, skip all the pain and get tattooed under anesthesia.  Show up to your tattoo appointment with a clean slate and in just a few hours and with the help of a few tattoo artists, an anesthesiologist, a medical team and $$$ you can be heavily tattooed!  What happened to the days of sitting for hours on end and feeling the pain for the reward of your new ink? And what about building your tattoo collection over many years?   Well considering estimates for Tattoo Sedation start at around $40,000+  I think the old fashion way of getting tattooed is gonna be around for a while.   

Automatic tattooing is our final crazy tattoo trend.  You might be asking yourself, what is automatic tattooing…basically you are getting tattooed from a machine.  This highly precise robot first analyzes your skin type, then based on that data determines the puncture and puncture depth to create a precise and personalized tattoo.  At the moment, it seems these robots can only do fine-line minimalism, dot work, and realism tattoos.  So if you are in the Austin, TX area and are looking for a futuristic way to get tattooed, this might be your thing.  

So what are your thoughts on these tattoo trends?  Leave a comment on which is a Ya or Nay for you.

~Staysi