Sign of the times
Lansing tattoo artist Donny Wetmore, center, cleans after doing the second phase of client Mark Killgrove’s leg tattoo while his partner and piercer Paul Sowers takes a photo in the basement of Creating Hope in Lansing Lives (CHILL), 603 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing. Wetmore currently is working out of CHILL under the name Underground Tatt2. Although he officially does not have his own shop, he said he is 90 percent of the way there, and only needs about $1,100 to finalize the purchase.
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Lansing entrepreneur Donny Wetmore is trying to ease economic troubles for himself and the community by stabbing people — with his tattoo machine.
Wetmore is a tattoo artist trying to open his first official tattoo shop in Lansing under the principal that everyone should be able to afford tattoos.
“I feel like I’m a tattoo artist people can come to on an average day without having to put three paychecks up to be able to afford a single, little tattoo,” Wetmore said.
Wetmore said he started tattooing out of his bedroom when he was 15.
“I started first tattooing on myself, then friends that I could con into it,” Wetmore said. “(Tattoos) are as addicting to do as they are to get.”
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Wetmore is working out of the basement of Creating Hope in Lansing Lives, 603 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, which is a community art and work cooperative. He operates under the name Underground Tatt2, and is trying to raise enough money to open his own tattoo shop with his friend and business partner, Paul Sowers.
Wetmore’s current minimum price is $30 and he contends that his prices are about half that of competitors.
“People are thinking, ‘I want a new tattoo, but I can’t afford it,’” he said. “Yes you can. That’s what I’m telling them. Yes you can afford it.”
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Krista
(10/06/09 8:56am)Report
I am appalled the State News would feature a story like this. This man is what is known as a “scratcher” in the tattoo industry. How can he ensure the safety of the people he is tattooing in a basement? Where are the autoclaves to sanitize the equipment? Has he taken any Blood Borne Pathogen courses like licensed artists have? There is a reason tattoos are expensive. Respected tattoo artists took the time to apprentice under others, take the proper health courses, and pay for the proper supplies and equipment to meet all the necessary health codes.
As someone who has one tattoo and plans on getting more, I would never go to an “artist” like this man. Tattoos are permanent. So, it is worth the the time and investment it takes to find and pay a talented artist in a respectable shop.