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As I entered the Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo, I was immediately struck by buzzing of tattoo guns and the unusual sight of many people lying passively on tables, receiving their latest ink.

I enjoyed my visit to the sixth annual tattoo expo held in the Blue Lake Casino’s Sapphire Palace on Feb. 8, partly because it makes me feel closer to our daughter Hillary, a tattoo artist living in Brooklyn. She’s the product of Arcata High School and an expensive art school education.



But mostly I enjoy the social scene at this event because I get a chance to talk to the tattoo artists — who come from all over the country to attend — as well as to meet those present who choose to get inked. The attendees are a visual overload of wide ranging body types, displaying a mix of standard “flash” to original tattoo designs located on a variety of body parts.


The Expo also includes vendors with mix of products, including ink to original art, t-shirts and other mementos from the tattoo shops.

It always surprises me to see how far some tattoo artists travel to participate in this Expo. Reese Hilburn, who works at Lucky’s Tattoo Parlor in San Diego, has traveled this year from Miami to Amarillo to Blue Lake. Her next tour date is in Argentina.

Seth Hayes, a former trainer at HealthSPORT in Arcata now living in Miami, introduces me to tattoo artists from Miami who he convinced to participate in the Expo. I meet other artists based in Texas; clearly, tattoo artists need to travel to make a living.

The Expo wrapped up late Sunday afternoon with awards for a mix of competitions. And full disclosure — I do not have a tattoo. My mom won’t let me get one.