Michael Gardner is a Seattle Tattoo Expo mainstay.
A professional tattooist since 1995, Gardner has been one of the event’s featured tattoo artists since the inaugural expo in 2002. This year’s event is Friday through Sunday at the Seattle Center.
Now in its 17th year, the expo is a showcase of tattoo culture, history and talent. It’s a network of more than 200 of the United States’ leading tattoo artists, including several from Snohomish County.
Gardner, 47, opened his own studio, Tattoo Garden, in Everett in 2008. The business is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Here, the Snohomish resident talks about the expo, what he likes about tattooing and his art as a whole.
Tell me about the Seattle Tattoo Expo.
The Seattle Tattoo Expo is a very fun, vibrant environment that is a great way to experience the culture of tattooing with like-minded collectors and artists. It’s generally family friendly, but buzzing with artistic energy. Anyone who likes or is interested in getting tattooed should attend the expo for the simple fact that immersion is the fastest way to learn. It’s a lot of work to find the right artist for your tattoo project, and the expo is a very easy way to look at the work of hundreds of available artists over the course of a single weekend. It’s also a good chance to party with a whole bunch of literally colorful people.
What do you like about tattoos?
Tattoos are a great way to express yourself to the world. They can be windows into the soul or armor to shield against the world. I have noticed that in recent years they have been a very powerful way for people — especially people who have struggled with their experience of the world — to reclaim ownership over their bodies. I am always especially honored when I am asked to be involved with someone’s personal healing journey.
How did you get into the business?
I was always encouraged to be artistic, and going to art school was a natural progression after high school. But I found I wasn’t really learning in a self-motivated way. After dropping out of college and moving out of Ohio, I eventually stumbled into an opportunity to learn in a busy street shop as an apprentice. I opened Tattoo Garden in 2008 in order to gain control over my schedule. That means, this year, I am celebrating my 10th anniversary, which is pretty exciting.
What’s it like giving someone a tattoo?
Tattooing is the most technically challenging things I’ve learned how to do, and that’s just the physical part of putting pigment in skin. When you factor in the fact that the skin is attached to a person — with priorities and concerns of their own — then it becomes a challenge on a whole other level. The first few tattoos I did were on my own legs, which was exciting, but fairly easy. The first time I tattooed another person was one of the most nerve-racking, but thrilling experiences I’ve had. Luckily, I’m a pretty laid-back person, so I was able to keep myself from freaking out my first few clients.
What kinds of people come in to your studio?
Most of my clientele are regular folks who like tattoos. I have a few diehard tattoo enthusiasts I enjoy working with, but I also do a lot of first tattoos. After 10 years, I’m really starting to see the families coming through the shop. I’m starting to tattoo the kids of clients as they reach maturity, and that’s pretty cool.
Do you have any funny tattooing stories?
I have forgotten more funny stories than I can remember. Most of the fun times I’ve had tattooing come from putting things where the person can’t see what I’m doing. My favorite example is putting someone’s last name on their back. I did “Anderson” on one guy’s back and, right as I’m finishing, I said, “There you go, Mr. Andrews, check out your new tattoo.” I thought he was going to have an aneurysm.
What kind of tattooing do you specialize in?
I do a lot of intricate abstract work like Celtic knot work, geometric patterns and especially mandala work. I like nature and fantasy-based work, as well. But I think the artistry comes from the client. They are the artists — I’m just helping them with the technical parts. I do pursue my own art and, if people are interested, I’m always happy to be as creative as they will let me be. My personal artwork, which is always hard to find time for, also tends to be abstract. I draw a lot of mandalas and I enjoy carving stone.
How many tattoos do you have?
I have a hard time actually counting my tattoos, but I reckon I have about 50 percent of my body tattooed. I have both arms, the top half of my back, my chest and one rib panel filled. I have several large and a few small tattoos on my legs. One of my feet is tattooed.
Which tattoo is your favorite?
I’m not sure, but I think my wife would say that my rib piece is her favorite. It’s a reproduction of a Renaissance painting titled “Flaming June” by Sir Frederic Leighton, which I got shortly before I proposed to her. The woman in that piece is a redhead, just like my wife.
Is your family also into tattoos?
My wife doesn’t have a single tattoo, which most people find funny. I like to tell her she is perfect just the way she is, but the truth is she has a terrible time making decisions — especially permanent ones. My kids have talked on and off about tattoos for years. My oldest is getting ready to turn 18, so we will see how that goes. I have warned them that if they get bad tattoos from anyone else, then I will not be shy about making fun of them.
Evan Thompson: 360-544-2999, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @evanthompson_1.
If you go
What: Seattle Tattoo Expo
Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St., Seattle
When: 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: Weekend pass $50; day pass $20; free for children 11 and younger
More: 206-447-7725 or www.seattletattooexpo.com
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