Annual Tattoo Convention is all about the ink

It was all about the ink this past weekend as tattoo artists and enthusiasts from around the world descended on the Salt Palace Convention Center for the sixth annual Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention.

The convention, which ended Sunday, is a gathering of people of all ages and backgrounds with one thing in common — their love of tattoos.

"To me it's art, just like you'd have on the wall, but it's on me," said Cam Colcord, who came to the convention to add to his "art collection."

The tattoo artists come from around the world to be a part of the Salt Lake show, which was expected to draw more than 5,000 visitors this year.

"It has turned out to be one of the best shows in America right now," said Nate Drew, convention co-founder and tattoo artist. "Each year it grows immensely."

This year, with 85 booths and hundreds of tattoo artists on hand, it would seem that anyone who wanted ink could get it, but that's not always the case.

"I've actually received e-mails in past years from people who wanted a tattoo but couldn't get one because everyone was booked," Drew said. "By the end of this convention, some of the artists will already be booked for next year."

It seems strange because most people would not consider Salt Lake City a tattoo mecca, but the tattoo artists who come to the convention love it, according to Drew.

"I was surprised at how really into tattoos people are here," said Phillip Colvin, a tattoo artist from Atlanta. "I was surprised by both the number of tattoos and the quality of the tattoos."

The number of tattoos and their placement is something Rex Barnes likes to keep in mind when he's getting ink.

"I'm keeping my career options open, so I'm trying to keep them hidden," said Barnes. "Here in Utah, people look down on it."

Although Barnes has two tattoos already and was at the convention to add a third to his collection, he is carefully placing them so they can be covered when necessary.

Ease of coverage is not, however, a concern shared by everyone.

"I like to say I have just one (tattoo)," Colcord said of his tattoo collection, which runs the length of both arms and across his chest.

Colcord says people are always asking him what he's going to do when he gets old.

His answer to that question, "There's no attractive old people anyway."

E-mail: kkuhn@desnews.com