Shop owner Nick Lawrence uses a book on the cosmos as a reference while adding to junior Dan Carrick’s tattoo at the Tat-Fu tattoo and body piercing shop on April 15. - Matt Beaty/ The Lumberjack

Though the luxury industries of the country are struggling in the tough economic climate, the art business is surviving, even thriving, in Flagstaff — with skin as its most successful medium. Though there is endless speculation within the blue-collar population, secure with recession-proof jobs and not so invested in the unstable stock markets, the tattoo industry is alive and thriving.

“As far as the recession goes, poor people are still able to afford it, or they’re finding a way to afford it, so we aren’t being affected by this, really,” said Sam Cody, a receptionist for local tattoo parlor Tat-Fu. “I’ve seen all kinds of people, not just one demographic — business people working on sleeves or college freshmen coming up for their first semester wanting to get one.”

Flagstaff in particular is feeling no pain in the tattoo and piercing industry. With a number of college kids and an emphasis on personal expression, parlors are still just as successful as they have been in the past.

“We have a huge demographic of clientele from doctors, lawyers, cops — everyone who can appreciate good work,” said Richard from Divinity Tattoo and Body Piercing. “Sometimes people getting larger pieces will wait a little longer between appointments, but we still have a steady amount of walk-ins.”

Nick Lawrence of Tat-Fu tattoo and body piercing adds a black hole to junior Dan Carrick's tattoo that has been in-progess for 1.5 years. - Matt Beaty/ The Lumberjack

Artists speculate that the recession is causing people to simply invest more in themselves. For many people, tattoos are the most personal investment they can make.

“You’re just paying for art to be put on your body,” said Vi Luong, a freshman hotel and restaurant management major. “If you get one for your parents or something meaningful, you will not regret it. Living means you express yourself, and using your body as a canvas is the ultimate form of expression.”

Luong has an array of vividly colored tattoos around his shoulders and back, all examples of wisdom and strength he wants to carry with him throughout his life. The tattoo on his right shoulder represents “his mother’s struggle,” with a quote saying, “For nine months I carried an angel, and for eighteen years I raised a man.” He also has two dragons on his back, symbolizing his parents’ influence. So far his tattoos have cost about $500.

“Mine are for my Hawaiian culture,” said Cody Hanalei, a freshman mechanical engineering major. “This one represents King Kamehameha and these are warrior triangles,” he said, pointing to the geometric patterns on his right calf. “I didn’t want them on my arm in case of a job, but more and more people are getting them, and it’s actually becoming more acceptable. I’m getting more over the summer, regardless of the recession.”

Hanalei plans to replicate the tattoos his mother and brother have, and said the tattoos he currently has on his leg cost him a grand total of $260. Hanalei’s tattoos are in black ink, which he said was the most expensive. 

“We have guys who do major, large pieces booked for months,” Richard said. “As far as being booked, we’re doing well.”