Get Inked

Tattooing is more than just coloring inside the lines. A tattooer is first and foremost an artist, charged with creating a permanent design on a living, and often opinionated, canvas.

"First, an artist needs to understand the fundamentals of design and have a will to always push themselves to be better -- drawing, painting, practice and more practice," says Devin Glueck, 34-year-old owner and tattoo artist at The Rusty Needle Tattoo near downtown Conway. "Tattooing is a craft that consumes your life and never quite leaves your mind once it sinks its claws in."

The University of Central Arkansas graduate didn't really plan to start a career in tattoo. He had earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art with an emphasis in painting and had begun teaching high school art in the Cotter Public Schools. It was the love of a daughter lost and a chance encounter that would change his career path.

"I got my first tattoo at the age of 26 in honor of my daughter (Daycie) who passed away when she was 2 months old," he remembers. "The tattoo is of her footprints. She is visibly with me on my arm every day. [The tattoo artist] offered to teach me how to tattoo, and for two years I taught high school and tattooed in the evenings. I have been interested in art all my life, and tattooing became a natural extension for me."

The state of Arkansas requires tattoo artists to apprentice for at least two years with a licensed school, which are primarily tattoo studios, he says. After two years, Glueck left his apprenticeship and teaching job and opened the Rusty Needle.

Now, the business is booming.

"Our shop has been fortunate to be open for four years, and we continue to grow our clientele base," he says. "People of all ages and walks of life come in for tattoos. Now that tattooing is enjoying more positive publicity, the general public has lost some of the misconceptions about the industry. There are many professional and talented artists to choose from."

"Opening a business in Eureka Springs is a risk to anyone," says Stella Ipswitch, co-owner and artist at Abyss Tattoo in the tourist community. "It's fickle; the winter is hard, and rent is a killer. It really takes dedication and talent and local support."

Ipswitch, who owns the studio with her husband JD, has been tattooing in Northwest Arkansas for six years. After both apprenticing in the same shop and becoming licensed, the pair opened the custom-only studio in their hometown. Devoted to their craft, Ipswitch says that both she and JD have been creating art their entire lives, but both adhere to the same mantra that has kept other tattoo artists in business.

"Becoming a tattooer takes drawing every day, learning from every artist you meet," she says. "I've never imagined devoting my life to anything other than art. My family may not have liked my chosen career, but they know I have always been a drawer."

Both Ipswitch and Glueck will be featured at this year's Arkansas' Best Tattoo Expo and Hot Rod Music Show, happening this weekend in Fort Smith. The show, billed as a family friendly affair, features artists from across the region who will be showing off their talents both on and off the skin.

"Most tattoo artists also paint, so there will be other artwork for sale," Glueck says. "You could visit with people that you wouldn't normally have a chance to visit with. For some people, it's a chance to stretch their comfort zone." Glueck, official artist for this year's Riverfest, will have his own work for sale, as well as tattooing on site.

"I will be tattooing at the expo this year," he says. "If you want to check out the portfolios of multiple artists, ask questions, get a tattoo, a convention is an excellent place to do some face-to-face research. I have not attended this expo before. I am excited to participate. I have traveled to many other conventions,, and I am happy to see my home state of Arkansas offering an opportunity to attend a convention right here at home."