Nearly $1.6 billion is spent on tattoos in the U.S. annually. For those who choose to ink up, tattoos are a form of art, expression and identity.
According to Market Research Blog, there are about 52,000 tattoo artists in the U.S., and Charlie Kasnowski, of Milledgeville, is one of them.
Kasnowski is a tattoo artist at Pair-O-Dice, located at 2601 Suite 1 N Columbia St. On April 1, Kasnowski and the rest of the tattoo industry will celebrate International Tatting Day.
Recently, this reporter interviewed Kasnowski, 56, about the tattoo industry.
Q: Why and when did you become a tattoo artist?
A: It was in 1997. I’d always been interested in art, and it was a natural transition for me.
Q: What are the requirements to become a tattoo artist in Georgia?
A: You have to work in a qualified shop, take an apprenticeship and licensing exam. It all goes through the health department. I can’t remember it that well now because it has been such a long time, but they require a certain number of apprenticeship hours.
Q: What was your first tattoo? When did you get your first tattoo? What prompted it?
A: I was in the U.S.
Army, so I got my first tattoo in 1986 with my military class at the time. It is of the military logo.
Q: What is your favorite tattoo? Why?
A: I have done so many of them, I don’t think I have a single favorite tattoo. I like to work in the black and gray style because it is typically more realistic.
Q: What is the most expensive tattoo you have?
A: I can’t really say that because as an artist I trade out with other artists.
Other artists will tattoo me and I’ll tattoo them, so we trade out with each other. It is different than it is with my clients. As artists, we collaborate with other artists. It is not really about trading money because if an artist wants such and such and I want such and such then I’ll tattoo them and they’ll tattoo me.
Q: What is the craziest thing someone has asked you to tat on them?
A: I’ve tattooed everything with skin on it, with no exceptions, and sometimes people want to get tattoos in intimate places.
Q: April 1 is International Tatting Day, what do you think about that? A: Really, over the course of my career, tattooing has become so much more popular. It is not looked down upon as it once was. I am just happy that more people are accepting of tattoos.
I am happy there is a holiday where people can be expressive and show off the work they have without being stereotyped or judged because of being tattooed.
Q: Which tattoo would you give someone who says they don’t want a tattoo but secretly wants one?
A: That’s a hard question because people get tattoos for different reasons whether it’s motivational, inspirational or remembrance. I would have to talk to them more but if they secretly want one, I might suggest getting it in a hidden spot on the body with a lighter color so it’s not as much in your face. As far as picking a design for a person, I can’t do that because I don’t know the person well enough and can’t pick what is right for people.
We can make things subtle for a person but that is about it really.
Q: What advice do you have for someone getting a tattoo?
A: Don’t skimp out. If you really want something, you know, buy the best product you can buy. Don’t shop by price alone. It is a one-time purchase. You wouldn’t look for a deal on heart surgery.
Q: If you could tattoo one piece of advice or life mantra that everyone should follow, what would it be?
A: Be true to yourself.
You have to be true to yourself because there is enough fakeness out there already. You gotta be yourself.