Ink enthusiasts gather for second annual tattoo convention

From his head all the way down his body, Yallzee Quinones is covered in tattoos.

But he has no plans of slowing down the ink. He’s even touched up and redone several of his tattoos.

“For me, it’s a lifestyle,” said the 43-year-old native of Puerto Rico, who’s in town for the All American Tattoo Convention. “I don’t regret anything. For me, they’re still part of the collection.”

The second annual All American Tattoo Convention kicked off Friday and runs through Sunday in the Crown Expo Center. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit the convention.

Quinones was one of the first people in the convention on Saturday. He comfortably laid back while Shaine Smith, an artist from Houston, reworked a design on his leg.

Quinones has been collecting ink for more than 20 years. He seeks out certain artists and it’s common for him to attend conventions just for a shot to get an appointment with that person.

He avoids trendy tattoos, and instead picks tattoos that fit his personality and character. Most are gray and black, but a few have a pop of color.

“Tattoos are like a tailored suit,” he said.

The convention is put on by Ryan Harrell and his wife, Nicole, who own American Tattoo Society on Yadkin Road. This year, Robert “Chop” Francis joined to sponsor the event.

On Friday, the show opened with a Missing Man Table, courtesy of the North Carolina chapter of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group. On Saturday, the All Veteran Parachute Team jumped into the show and a “Miss All American Pin-Up Contest” was held in the afternoon.

Tattoo sessions were available all day. Doors open at noon Sunday.

About 370 tattoo artists are expected at the convention, which is up from last year. The artists have come in from all over the country – including three script specialists from California, Nicole Harrell said.

Fayetteville’s tattoo industry has always been strong, she said.

Part of that is because of Fort Bragg’s presence. Almost 90 percent of infantry soldiers have at least one tattoo, and it’s likely their spouses do as well, Harrell said.

Regardless of which artist they choose, Harrell said she hopes people leave the convention with memorable experiences and beautiful art.

“I want them to leave with amazing tattoos,” she said.

Artist Teresa Andrews had just finished her first tattoo of the day around 12:30. It’s her second time attending the convention from her shop in Sanford, Maine.

“It’s going to be a wild day,” she said.

Andrews opened her shop in Maine after leaving California, where she said she was turned down for an apprenticeship because that shop didn’t want female artists. After her cross-country move, she earned an apprenticeship and has been designing tattoos for four years.

She’s still in awe that people come to her for pieces that will be displayed on their bodies for years.

“I’ll draw something for 10 minutes and it’ll be on them forever – it’s a phenomenal feeling,” she said.

Josie Perault, 22, was lying back while artist Robert Ebert worked on a collage with Indian themes that stretched down her right arm.

Perault, from Rockingham, proudly said she’s half Cherokee and half Lumbee. The collage is her latest dedication to her heritage; she also has an Indian chief on her right leg.

“I feel like tattoos are a way to express yourself,” she said.

She already has 10 tattoos but is constantly thinking about the next addition. It was her first time at a tattoo convention, and she said she was thrilled to be surrounded by so many people with similar passions.

“This is awesome,” she said. “The energy here is awesome.”

Staff writer Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at adolasinski@fayobserver.com or 486-3528.