Boston Tattoo Convention
September 12-14
Boston Center for The Arts, 539 Tremont Street
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The Boston Tattoo Convention is fast approaching, so dust off your tattoo demands and take your design ideas to the BCA this weekend. More than 60 up-and-coming and established artists will be on hand for tattooing (though many are fully booked already) and piercing. In addition to artist booths, the convention features several exciting events, ranging from a Boston Baby Dolls performance to a Lizardman "freak show" to tattoo contests run by size and color (or lack thereof).

Bostonist will be talking to convention artists all week to provide a show preview. First up is Elize Casarjian of The Painted Bird Tattoo in Somerville.

How did you get started tattooing?
i apprenticed for two years under jason zube at the painted bird tattoo. it's what i decided to do instead of art school (tuition was so expensive!)

What is your favorite style of tattooing?
i am partial to traditional american style tattooing, and large full colour pieces... i especially appreciate large-scale japanese tattooing. it's very classy looking!

What's your favorite tattoo that you have / have done / have seen? The strangest tattoo? The best Boston tattoo (if any)?
i've done a lot of boston tattoos living here! the strangest tattoo i've ever done is the character beldar from the snl skit/movie "coneheads"... i offer on my myspace to do conehead tattoos for free and one girl has taken me up on it! it was a lot of fun!

What's the main thing people should know about tattoos, either getting them or in general?
look at the big picture. i think people feel like getting a small plain tattoo is somehow less of a commitment when they are scared to get one, and then wish they had gotten the larger, more detailed and beautiful piece in hindsight. i think people need to step back and think how their body will look like from a distance with their tattoo, and ask their artist to design a tattoo that will compliment their body. that is what the tattoo artist is an expert at, you need to trust them and give them some artistic license with it. also, get a tattoo because the artwork speaks to you, not because you just want a tattoo.

What's the most annoying question / the question you get the most about tattoos?
"can you make it smaller?"
"can i get the same tattoo nicole richie / lindsay lohan / rihanna has?"

More with Elize--plus a picture of that Conehead tattoo (trust us, it's awesome) after the jump!

What do you think of Miami Ink / L.A. Ink and similar shows' effect on the industry?
i think the tattoo industry is lucky to have them! like any "reality" tv show, the actual "reality" is a bit skewed, but i think it gives people who have never stepped into a tattoo parlour the knowledge and confidence to research shops, come talk to an artist and get the custom tattoo they really want. it takes the mystery out of how you go about breaking the ice at a tattoo shop, which can be a bit intimidating for some people. i don't think tattooing would be as popular or socially acceptable without them as it is now.

What's the first or best thing that someone who wants to be a tattoo artist can do?
work on improving your drawings always. take drawing classes, build a portfolio, and ask a tattooist you admire to apprentice you. i feel like apprenticing is the only correct way to learn.

Do you have any openings for tattooing during the convention?
yes! stop by the painted bird's table and say hi! you can see more of my tattoos and artwork at myspace.com/elizenazelie. [Also check out Elize's MySpace tattoo FAQ! -Ed.]

Tattoo images from Elize's DeviantArt page.