From Japanese lettering to tribal patterns to roses, acquiring a permanent body design is a creative way to express personality. Eugene houses a number of tattoo parlors and artists with a variety of talents, making it simple to shop around for the perfect place to get artwork on your flesh.
While tattooing has been a common practice in American culture for years, certain trends in designs and body placements are on the rise. Several tattoo artists, including The Parlour’s Demian Thompson, named tribal bands around the bicep as most popular among males.
“The neo-tribal armband drives tattoo artists crazy,” Thompson said. “After you tattoo about a million of them, you know every frat guy is going to be walking around with their armbands during spring break.”
The lower-back tattoo that peeks out from under the shirt or pants is popular for women. Tribal patterns, flowers and Japanese characters are the most sought-after images, Thompson said. Tattoo By Design artist Diane Gruver said her parlor does spiritual tattoos frequently.
Tattoo By Design, at 671 Lincoln St., has been around for 20 years and is the oldest parlor in Eugene. Four licensed artists work at the shop and each has a knack for a different tattoo type or technique, such as nature designs, stark graphics and color blending. The Parlour, at 1097 Willamette St., features tattoos from Dr. Julien, rated the best tattoo artist in Eugene by the
Eugene Weekly in 2003. Another option is Primal Piercing and Tattoo, where two licensed artists specialize in traditional designs and “weird, off-the-wall art.” Tattoo prices vary at all parlors, but customers can expect to pay between $70 and $250 depending on tattoo size and time spent under the needle.
A tattoo can either represent a deep belief or meaning in one’s life, or it can just be a fun fashion statement. Eugene resident Rick Woodke recently got the name of his cousin, who passed away, tattooed on his inner forearm with a design of a cross and stars.
“It’s something to move my cousin on,” he said.
Gruver said her parlor discourages people from getting just any old tattoo. She said even simple designs can hold personal meaning for the customer.
“Even with common ideas, like a rose, that could have been his or
her grandma’s favorite flower,”
Gruver said.
Primal Piercing and Tattoo artist Reed Gaechter said he talks people out of getting “flash” designs (the generic pictures displayed on the walls of a tattoo parlor), but he added that people tend to get cool and cute designs over serious ones.
“I have done the ‘in memory of’ thing, and that’s definitely meaningful,” he said. “But that will remind you of that meaning, like a loved one, for the rest of your life whether you want to remember it or not. A fun design doesn’t bring you down.”
Pain and possible complications are other factors to consider if you’re getting a tattoo. Gruver said the tattoo needle feels a lot like getting scratched by a cat, and bony and fatty areas of the body are the most uncomfortable. She said most tattoos will scab over lightly, and infections can occur if they are not kept clean. Gaechter said it’s important to always wear an SPF 45 sunscreen over color tattoos in the sun in order to avoid fading.
If you’re serious about getting tattooed, probably the most important consideration is what it will look like and where it will go, because once it’s done, there’s no turning back.
“Make sure it’s what you want,” Woodke said. “It’ll be there for the rest of your life.”

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