Ben Shaw talks the history, popularity and safety around this favorite art form.
As tattoos become more commonplace, so do the scary and dangerous homemade “artists”. That rockin’ pegasus you’ve always dreamed of, can easily look like a deformed My Little Pony. Just because that shop has a sweet logo and a fancy sign, doesn’t mean they know two cents about what it takes to pull a line or shade that eagle. Ben Shaw is a rare one who knew what he wanted to do professionally early on. His life’s work has him tattooing people from all walks of life, ages and careers. He’s learned a few things along the way of why your shitty tattoo looks the way it does. Surprisingly it has a lot to do with ethics and safety.