Body art: Meeting of the Marked tattoo convention inks three decades of skin design
A tattoo needle punctures the skin around 100 times per second, depositing the ink 1.5 millimeters to 2 millimeters below the surface. It bypasses the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.
Tool firmly in hand, the image that appears is more than ink injected into the skin — tattoos can tell a story, represent a moment in time and forever embed a feeling in flesh.
“We mark occasions on our body,” tattoo artist Tim Azinger said inside his shop, Pinnacle Tattoo in Dormont, on a recent Monday. “I can look at any of my tattoos and know who did it and during what part of my life it was done.”
Azinger of Bethel Park said the initial allure of tattoos came when he was 5 or 6 years old. He said he distinctly remembers being fascinated with an uncle who was a Navy veteran. “He had a mermaid on his forearm he could make dance when he wiggled his fingers,” said Azinger, 54, who got his first tattoo at 18.
At that time, not many people had tattoos.
Tattoo shops were dark and mysterious. People with tattoos were labeled as “different” and were characterized as a little rough and tumble, Azinger said.
“Tattooing was very fringe back then — like punk rock and skateboarding, which I was also into and also influenced my decision to get tattooed,” he said.
Azinger made it his focus to create a safe space for this profession, which he calls a craft, a blend of art and technical application.
Meeting of the Marked
Azinger founded the Meeting of the Marked, a three-day tattoo convention, 30 years ago. Over the years, it has grown from not being welcome in some venues to hosting artists from all over the U.S.
Azinger said he wanted to bring artists together where people could learn about the art form. He said tattooing is still very misunderstood. He wants to overcome the stigma of tattooing, which he said now is “too acceptable.”
“It’s become really watered down, almost common place,” Azinger said. “Many of us battle to keep it magical. I miss the days when it was rebellious and raw.”
According to a recent study by Pew Research Center, 32% of Americans have a tattoo, and 22% of Americans have more than one.
Tattooing has been around for thousands of years, he said.
The craft has ridden waves of popularity, often tied to major world and social events, Azinger said, such as times of war, the roaring ’20s, the late ’60s and the hippy and free love era.
The early days
Tattooing in the late 1800s to early 1900s was more folk art. Many of the images were chosen from pre-made designs that clients chose from.
Today, there are more custom tattoos, Azinger said. Most tattoos are drawn on paper or an iPad. A stencil is created and transferred to the skin. He said the inks are better and at one time the colors were limited, but not anymore.
Azinger’s wife Pegi said that tattoos used to be viewed as part of the “cool rock star life.” They’ve evolved, she said.
In Pennsylvania, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo or have parental consent. The tattoo industry in this state is a self-regulated business — the state board of health does not require a certification to apply tattoos.
There are a handful of cities that have their own requirements, including Philadelphia. Other than the age limit, Pittsburgh does not have any health department oversight, Azinger said.
Azinger estimates there are more than 200 shops in Western Pennsylvania alone.
Tattoos on site
People can get tattoos at the convention. That was one of the draws for Tony Bauza, of Waynesburg, Greene County, who works at Self Care Tattoo Co. in Uniontown, Fayette County. He first visited with his family on a trip from Chicago as a teenager. He said the convention means so much to the tattoo community — it’s about learning and making connections.
“Tim has stuck with it all these years, and he does it for us,” Bauza said. “He has poured his heart and soul into this convention. A tattoo is something no one can take from you.”
Judi Rosato, of Belvidere, N.J., concurs. She first attended the convention in its early years when she was 17. She and her late mother Carol Evans made the trip to Pittsburgh often. Her mom got her first tattoo at Meeting of the Marked.
“I have always loved tattoos,” Rosato said. “I don’t think it’s as judged as it used to be. So many people have them now. I see tattoos in memory of family members and a person’s heritage, and of their life in the military. I wanted to be a tattoo artist, but you need a steady hand for that. I like to design tattoos. It’s a form of artistic expression I carry with me.”
“Tim has made Meeting of the Marked like a family reunion,” she said.
“I am proud of this convention,” Azinger said. “When I look back and think of all the talented tattoo artists who have been a part of this, it brings tears to my eyes. I’ve met generations of families. The artists who have come before me have passed down that knowledge.”
Passing on knowledge
Learning from an experienced tattoo artist is how Fuz Brand, an artist at True Image Tattoo Studio in New Kensington, learned.
He attended the first Meeting of the Marked.
“I was intrigued and in awe of what was happening,” Brand said. “To see that big of a show, and to see people tattooing right there, it inspired me to do this.”
Brand said everyone he knows has at least one tattoo.
“Meeting of the Marked is about history and learning the craft,” Brand said. “You meet a lot of cool people and you have a lot of good conversations.”
One of the longest-working tattoo artists in Western Pennsylvania is Duke Miller of The Old Skool Tattooing Co. in Greensburg. He’s self taught and has been tattooing since 1976.
He began as an artist with traveling carnivals. He said the tattoos today are beautiful. Being a tattoo artist takes patience, he said.
“I love doing tattoos because we give a person something they will have for the rest of their lives,” Miller said.
Miller said Azinger’s dedication to keep the convention going is to be commended. He said when he sees a tattoo he likes he will ask the person about the image.
“Tim has continued to preserve the history of tattooing in Pittsburgh,” Miller said. “I have put my life into this profession and to be at this convention surrounded by all the tattoo artists you can feel the energy, feel the love of tattooing.”
There is certainly a connection between the artist and client.
“There is a level of trust people relinquish to you to permanently mark their body,” Azinger said inside his shop next to one of the treatment tables. “We will never take that trust for granted.”
The 30th anniversary of Meeting of the Marked is Sept. 8-10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh in Green Tree. Hours are 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $20.Children under 14 are free. The anniversary special is $30 for a three-day VIP pass.
Details: tattoopgh.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people and a weekly column about things to do in Pittsburgh. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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