The tattoo industry is gradually bouncing back after the world’s recession due to the adverse effects of the global covid pandemic. Reports from the United States show that more and more Americans are looking for tattoo studios for tattoo therapy after a season of lockdowns and losses. Many tattoo artists disclosed that they had recorded increased bookings, and the trend is expected to rise in the coming years.
Ben Shaw is a renowned tattoo artist and an industry advocate for safe tattooing. Ben is on a mission to help tattoo artists carry out their crafts more professionally and follow industry standards. Ben fronted the state-approved Board of Body Art Practitioners through Senate Bill 275. He also sat on the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists as the only tattoo artist and recognized the immense need for proper regulations specific to the tattoo industry. As a result of his immense lobbying, the Board of Body Art Practitioners was founded.
Ben is also an inspirational speaker on YouTube, championing the benefits of tattooing and teaching people how they can heal from getting tattoo wounds. As a vocal tattoo artist, Ben has a passion for proper industry regulation to help as many people as possible enjoy the benefits of the industry. Unfortunately, Ben observes that many individuals within the tattoo industry have no interest in learning or participating in regulations and law-making, which has paved the way for outside entities and regulators to take advantage of and misregulated body art.
Today, Ben has risen to become a tattoo industry advocate and is currently active with the Tattoo Smart platform, Launchpad. He assists tattoo artists around his country and the world in navigating regulations while promoting safe tattooing.
Ben, an ardent tattoo advocate and therapist, has received several commendations due to his unrelenting efforts in supporting the tattoo industry. These include being declared the winner of Best Tattoo Artist in Best of City contest, Albuquerque Magazine in 2019; top 5 Tattoo Artist in Best of City contest in 2020 & 2021, respectively, and the Best Tattoo Shop for three consecutive years.
In addition, Ben owns a tattoo studio, Archetype Tattoo, and sits on the Board of Body Art Practitioners, a board that monitors licensing of tattoo artists, guiding expectations of cleanliness and professionalism within the Tattoo industry.
“When it comes to the tattoo industry I would love for my peers to learn from the old saying- a rising tide raises all ships. In other words when we work for each other and with each other we all benefit. And times are changing and we need to change with them if we want to prosper,” asserts Ben.
Ben shares that there is an inspirational philosophy about tattooing that enlightens people about life. “First, you have to commit to a tattoo for the rest of your life. Just like to obtain anything great you must commit to it and see it all the way through. Second, tattoos strengthen your tolerance for pain and at the end of a painful session you get rewarded with beautifully tattooed skin.”
In his concluding remarks, Ben shared his future aspirations for his career. “I see myself, and my brand on the TEDx stage, speaking at prestigious tattoo conferences, and becoming a regulation consultant for the tattoo industry and governmental regulatory bodies. I do have aspirations to lobby bills again as well.”
