Way back in 1990, when I first opened American Art, the tattoo world was very different. In some ways worse, in others better. Back then tattooing and piercing were still thought of as “Red light district” activities. You know, bikers, drunken sailors, etc. getting inked. After all, no "respectable" person got tattooed, right? Back then there were only 6 or 7 shops in all of Delaware. As of this writing, (Oct. 04’) there are over 51 registered shops and countless others "underground". Why so many shops in recent years? First off, many who can draw (even a little) think they can open a shop and make a living? Hate to break it to you; they can’t! Delaware has some of the laxest, non-health related, laws in the country when it comes to opening a tattoo shop. With proper zoning, a few specifics here and there, and Walla! You get a license and you’re a "pro" right? NOT! Just as it takes years for an artist to develop the skills and technique to create real art, it takes training and experience to become a skilled tattoo and piercing practitioner. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying body art isn’t safer than before. It is safer and better regulated now. Division of Public Health requirements assure that. All I’m saying is, it’s too easy to open a shop, and now Delaware is saturated.

In my early days, people would drive as far as 50 miles or more to get work done by me. Why? Because they knew that a bootleg tattoo could mean infection, and it would most likely look terrible; and, based on referrals from friends, they knew American Art would do the job right. Today, with many more shops and with more people getting tattoos and piercings without access to friends who have prior experience, more people are making their decisions primarily on convenience (e.g., the location of the shop) or the glitz of a shop sign or the salesmanship of the shop operator. American Art recommends that you rely on the advice of a friend with prior experience or the advice of someone who has a tattoo or piercing and is recommended by a friend as a person you can trust. Remember, a tattoo or piercing is something you will have at least for a very long time, it is very difficult and often impossible to correct a poor result. Take the time to be confident you have gotten the information you need to make the right decision for you.