For three of Scott Hull Associates main artists, Grant Gilliland, Rob Schwager, and Von Glitschka, seeing their illustrations on a fan’s body in ink isn’t something that comes as a surprise anymore.

The latest trend in artsy-expression is a tattoo culture that spans all genres and styles. You can get song lyrics, portraits of loved ones, replica’s of famous paintings, your favorite cartoon character, the solar system– basically anything your creative mind can think of visually, it’s getting produced via tattoo artists and their customers.

In this subculture, no longer restricted to biker boys and gang members, a new wave is catching on quickly in the varying forms of tattoo style. Illustration and branding is being used like crazy. Rob Schwager says his reaction to its prevalence is usually, “Holy cow! Wow! Thank you.” He continues by saying, “I feel a sense of real responsibility after I see a person getting my artwork tattooed on themselves. It’s a huge honor. But, it also kicks me into overdrive to make sure I don’t get complacent and start churning out schlock.  I see too many other artists getting lazy and re-hashing stuff they’ve done a million times before. I don’t want to fall into that trap. People digging my art enough to make a lifelong commitment to having it added to their bodies, keeps me in check.” Using this experience as a personal motivation for excellence and innovation is a common thread among our artists and Rob is no exception.

Of course there is a flip side to everything and this trend is no different. Von Glitschka says, “For those who commission me it’s a great gig. But for those who don’t, it’s a flattering copyright infringement when they use my art without paying for it. So ask permission before you become a walking portfolio of mine.” Von even took to his own blog to expose and create a discussion about the consumers he had found to be abusing his art.

But overall, I think for anyone who has seen their own artwork imprinted on someone else forever, the feeling is pretty swell.