Creating Change in the Tattooed Universe

Tattoos have been seen as sinister and uncivilized.  Today, many more adults are catching the tattoo fever and permanently transforming themselves with creations of art.  To tattoo artists, their job is as important as any other.  Their art is being flaunted by the human body.  When the words "tattoo artist" is said, many people get a visual  of a huge intimidating male, but females are stepping up.  There are many female tattooists appearing in the tattoo scene.  A woman named Constance Eller was introduced to tattooing in 1978. Her career has lasted 23 years.  Of course, it was a bumpy road for her with all the competition, but Eller proved herself through all her dedication, confidence and amazing talent.  She runs her own shop in Florida.  Her two daughters grew up around tattoos and now her youngest is a second-generation tattooist.  Every January Eller hosts a tattoo expo that is an all-female tattoo artist event.  Males are welcome and women from all over the U.S., Europe and Japan share their experiences.  This is very exciting to me, as an artist myself, I feel the constant competition with other artists and with my own identity.  Tattoo artists like Eller truly inspire me.  Women like her have really broken down the walls of what society sees as traditional female work.  This is changing the world of tattoos for men and women.  Watch out men, the female competition is in the ring.  Women taking a stand for what they believe and feel passionate about, is opening new doors for all women.  Sexism towards the female tattoo artist has decreased.  This goes out to all women who never give up their passion whether it is music, education, athletics or marking a stranger with your art, keep crossing those boundaries! - Stephanie