Getting Inked Isn't Just for Rebels Anymore

Years ago, tattoo artists were thought to reserve their services for bikers you didn’t want to mess with.

Today doctors, lawyers, priests, teachers, soccer moms, and grandparents walk through the doors of in Wayne to get inked up.

Owner Gar Walsh admitted that there is still a stigma that exists against people who have tattoos, but the stigma isn’t anywhere near what it used to be. Generally speaking, tattoos are far more accepted now than ever before.

“This idea of this rough sailor tattooing derelicts just doesn’t exist anymore,” Walsh said. “The interest is only growing. We’ve been affected by the economy like any other business, but surprisingly, tattoos are not the last thing people would spend their money on, and we’ve grown as a business these past few years.”

Shotsie’s has tattooed the likes of Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, one of the Allman Brothers, and athletes from the New York Giants and the New Jersey Devils and Nets.

But beyond the famous names are the regular middle class families he’s serviced.

“I have grandparents and parents coming in with their kids and grandkids who want a tattoo,” Walsh said with a smile. “It’s unbelievable to know that families have been coming here for years.”

Walsh has several tattoos, some of which, like one of the U.S.S. Hurst, a ship his father served on in the military, are personal.

“Every tattoo doesn’t have to mean something,” he said. “It may, but people should get tattoos because the image is fun or they just like it. It doesn’t have to be something life changing.”

Walsh went from being an executive at Macy’s and wearing a suit every day to being a carpenter. He became a tattoo artist after he got one of his tattoos at Shotsie’s.

“This has become a much bigger thing than I had ever imagined when I first became owner,” Walsh said. “This is what I do; it’s a passion that’s so much more than sitting at a desk or adding up numbers.”

The shop has been in Wayne for the past 17 years; Walsh has worked there for 16 years. He purchased the shop from the original owner in 2006.

“I’m grateful for everything Shotsie taught me,” Walsh said. “He’s a legend to the older artists, which is why I kept the name of the shop the same.”

Walsh said that a lot of tattoo artists have huge egos and focus more on the artistic aspect of the profession for their own gratification and not their customers. Making customers happy is Walsh’s priority.

“If they’re all pumped up about it, I’m happy,” he said.

Scotty Lowe, another artist in the shop, agreed.

“The most rewarding part is being able to take a person’s idea and make it a reality,” Lowe said.

Azarja Van Der Veen has worked at Shotsie’s for eight years. She said her personality is what makes her a good fit for the job.

“I’ve always been a people-person,” she said. “I love hearing people’s stories. This is definitely what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Although Walsh wants to continue to grow the business, he said he might switch careers yet again at some point.

“I can see myself helping people towards the end of my career, in Haiti, or another country that could really use some help,” he said.