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From the Columbus DIspatch article:
ataskala native Anthony DuBois never thought he'd end up getting a tattoo -- let alone dozens.
"I always thought tattoo shops were a little creepy," said the son of a pilot and a nurse.
But as a 23-year-old college student studying psychology, DuBois had a girlfriend who wanted to be inked, so he tagged along. She chickened out, but he decided to go for it.
"Five minutes into the first one, I knew I could tattoo," he said. "I knew it's what I would do (for a living)."
More than two years ago, he bought Stained Skin, a tattoo-and-body-piercing studio in the Short North.
His body bears 24 tattoos, and he aims to eventually cover much of himself in a bodysuit of artistic ink. "I plan on leaving some skin," the 34-year-old said. "But who knows?"
BODY ART
On why he describes the tattoo on his right shoulder as "piece-of-crap tribal": "Usually, everybody's first tattoo is their worst. (They choose poorly) until they get educated about what's good art, or body art."
On his first tattoo client: "I did a mermaid on a woman's hip. . . . She was nice and didn't tell me she thought it sucked."
On why the Dad/Mom tattoo that wraps around his neck (depicting a wing for his father's profession and a bandaged hand for his mother's) is his favorite: "That's one of the cool things about tattoos -- the best ones kind of represent yourself and your loved ones, through imagery rather than words. In my mind, those are the best tattoos."
On tattooing Mom and Dad: "I've tattooed both my parents. They would never have gotten tattoos if I wasn't the one doing it." (Mom got a heart with a stethoscope; Dad got a pinup girl on a bomb.)
BY THE NUMBERS
Tattoos he has: 24
Tattoos he has inked: 10,000 to 12,000
Tattoos he has inked on his wife: 3 (including two half sleeves -- shoulder to elbow)
Tattoos he has inked on himself: 2 (Frankenstein and a shark)
Time it took to get the Dad/Mom tattoo: 6 hours (in two sessions)
Time it took to have entire arm inked: 30 hours (in multiple sessions)
Cost for a bodysuit of ink: $50,000 to $60,000 (several years)
STYLE FILE
Define your style: "I keep it pretty simple for the most part. I like graphic T-shirts. I usually wear bluejeans and a peacoat. And usually boots."
Do you try making a statement with your clothes? "I just kind of look like your average joe artist. I'm not trying to make any big statement; I like to do that with my art rather than the way I dress. I like to look comfortable with myself."
Favorite store: "Buckle."
Sleepwear: "Don't really have any."
QUICK HITS
Boxers or briefs? "Boxers."
Stubble or clean-shaven? "Stubble."
Morning or night? "Night."
Bare feet or socks? "Socks."
Eyes or legs? "Legs. See, that's a tough one, though. I like both."
LIFESTYLE
Can't-miss show: "Ultimate Fighter."
Magazine subscriptions: "Rolling Stone, Stuff."
What you ride: "Kawasaki Z1000 in orange."
Passion: "Tattooing."
Inspiration: "I've got a ton of inspiration. Durb Morrison (who once owned Stained Skin). Horiyoshi III (a famous Japanese tattoo artist). Many, many other great tattoo artists."
Last movie you watched: "Balls of Fury (laughs). Hey, you asked!"
On your iPod: "Audio books, usually. Ayn Rand right now."
In your tummy: "I love salami sandwiches. And sushi."
Annoyance: "People who want tribal tattoos."
Dream: "Never to do a tribal tattoo again."
P
ive added a little to it but the figure is the same.
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