Female artists are becoming more prevalent in the tattoo community and are even breaking into the business end by opening their own tattoo shops. Some of these shops are populated with all female artists. Tattooing has been a predominately male oriented field until the last ten years or so. The tattoo culture has made some big changes since tattoos have become so popular and mainstream. Besides the emphasis should be on the quality of the work not on the sexual orientation of the artist. In some rare cases, female tattoo artist are preferred by female clients.
Some female clients are uncomfortable with a male artist working on certain parts of their anatomy and for that reason, may feel less shy and uncomfortable with someone of the same sex. Even though a woman may be getting a tattoo on the small of her back, or say in the breast area, they may feel it is only an area that they want their significant other to view.
A private piece of art for only the eyes of their husband or boyfriend. Not everyone wants to show off their new artwork for the world to see. Female tattoo artists are growing in such large numbers, that there is an annual convention which features only female tattoo artists from all over the country.A more public testament to this change in the tattoo industry, is the popularity and talent of Kat Von D. Seeing a young female artist like Kat on a popular show like Miami Vice holding her own and even being a strong enough artist to get her own shop and show, helps the public awareness and acceptance of the female in the tattoo business world. ( By Susan Trudeau )