Some of the world’s biggest names in tattooing, and body art enthusiasts of all ages and from all places, gathered recently at The Hilton Hotel for Northern Ink Xposure, to partake in some buzzzzz from the needle. Fact: If you show visible signs of pain while you’re getting a tattoo you’ll probably get laughed from behind a curtain. Also fact: I’ve heard getting a neck/face tattoo referred to as joining the “no job club”. Chances are you’re most likely not working in a bank after that, but you could, by all means, open your own tattoo studio, which happens to be a profession full of some of the most talented, creative, hardworking and dandy people out there.

Notable Toronto studios like Archive Tattoo, Adrenaline and FY Ink were in attendance, as were artists all the way from Australia, Europe and all over North America. In addition to getting new work from your favourite artist, you could buy limited edition artwork to display at home, magazines, comics & colouring books, t-shirts, and various other tattoo-inspired garb. In its 14th year, Northern Ink brings together the best in the biz under one roof for a solid 4 days.

If you’re a tattoo artist, this is prime time to take a workshop from industry professionals, exchanging the latest advances in the science and art of tattooing, like advanced portrait techniques, and courses in cross-contamination and blood-borne pathogens. A good tattoo studio knows how to keep it clean.

Check out all the fine ladies and gents taking the pain! And all the perfect details—This ain’t your basic body art!

~ Becca Lemire

Photos by Becca Lemire (Click to Enlarge)