Tattoo artists from across the country gather in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tattoo artists from all over the U.S. took part in the Lexington Tattoo Expo July 6. 

Justin Hadlock set up shop at the expo and tattooed clients who had booked ahead of the event. He has been a tattoo artist for more than 20 years.

Tattoo artist Justin Hadlock stayed busy throughout the expo, tattooing clients who had booked a session with him. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas)

“I got my first tattoo, and I remember they pulled the first line on it and I was like, ‘This is what I want to do with my life,’” Hadlock said. “I just knew it from there that this is the coolest thing I ever really saw.”

Hadlock opened his tattoo shop, The Murder Art Collective, in Lexington about four years ago. He specializes in large-scale tattoos, black-and-white realism and color realism. He said it’s important for him to get to know his clients.

“I like to get intimate with my clients by finding out their story, what’s important to them, what’s the powerful meaning behind their tattoo so not only do we make something that looks cool, we make something that’s just spiritually connected to them in a really powerful way,” Hadlock said.

Attendees had the opportunity to check out different tattoo artists and see what styles they prefer.

For the artists, expos like this give them a networking opportunity.

“You’re going to learn a lot more being around other artists,” Hadlock said. “The important part about that is if you stagnate in this career, you’ll get left behind quickly, but when you’re around a lot of people that are really killing it and working hard, you’re a lot more likely to grow at a speed that’s much faster.”

The tattoo expo began Thursday, July 4 and ends Sunday, July 7 at 9 p.m.