Tattoo artists create designer skin

YAKIMA, Wash. -- There are a million reasons why people get tattoos — to honor family and friends and pets, to celebrate accomplishments, to show membership and highlight military service, to inspire themselves and others.

All those reasons are how Jim Rosal has made a living since he opened his first tattoo shop at age 17 in Sunnyside — and he appreciates that. At age 52, he’s as passionate about his artistry as ever.

But Rosal also will tell you that you don’t need a reason to get a tattoo. Not a single one.

“It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s all about fun, about collecting and vanity,” said Rosal, co-owner of Jim & Jenni’s Quality Tattoo on Yakima Avenue.

Longtime tattoo artists like Rosal and Tim Stillwaugh at Cyclops Tattoo Parlor on Fruitvale Boulevard, among several area tattoo businesses, were creating designer skin long before the continuing explosion of tattoo reality shows.

Viewers can’t seem to get enough of a peek into the places and people behind a tradition that has existed through much of human history but still carries a whiff of the taboo for some.

Added to the mix this spring was Viceland’s “Needles & Pins,” a series that “explores the world of tattoo art as it grows from subculture to global phenomenon.” Host Grace Neutral explores “the cultural journey of tattoo art and meets the people around the world who use needles and ink to express themselves,” according to a show summary announcing its debut.

That’s old news for guys like Rosal, who have seen tattoos and tattoo artists become more mainstream than ever after decades of association with potential health dangers and motley characters on the fringes of society.

“We’re the real deal,” Rosal said. “We were doing this before it was popular.”

Do your research

Originally from the San Francisco area, Rosal got his first tattoo when he was 13, a hand-poked version on his upper right hand.

“My mom took one look and said, ‘Oh, man, you did it!’” he recalled.

She was upset because she wanted her son to have a good tattoo. She told him if he’d raise $100 over the summer, she would match it and would take him to Seattle. He did, and she did, and Rosal got his first professional ink at Tattoo Emporium: a black rose on his upper right arm.

Rosal also got a peek at the bundle of cash the tattoo artist had in his wallet.

“I was just so, ‘I’m doing this!’” he said. “I have my cool tattoo; I’m hooked.”

He left high school and opened the first tattoo parlor in Sunnyside — and the first in the Yakima Valley. That was 1983. Rosal met his future wife and business partner a few years later when the Spokane native was in Sunnyside visiting her sister.

The Rosals have been together for 30 years and have four children, the youngest 3 years old. They moved to Yakima in 1994.

“She has literally pulled her weight over 25 years,” Rosal said. “Every kid, she worked all through her pregnancy to, ‘Sorry guys, I’ve gotta go.’”

You won’t see Jenni in the shop these days; she’s a stay-at-home mom now and doesn’t need to work, anyway, but does do special requests.

Rosal charges $125 an hour.

“We’re seasoned and veteran tattoo artists,” Rosal said. “That seems like a lot, but we’re quick. ... We’re pretty comparable to the cutthroats.”

At Cyclops Tattoo Parlor on Fruitvale, it’s $100 an hour, with a $50 minimum. A $50 deposit is required when booking an appointment or requesting a drawing, and deposits are nonrefundable if you decide to cancel your appointment.

“These days, that’s pretty cheap,” said Stillwaugh, 50, who’s been tattooing for the general public for about seven years. He’s had his equipment for around 15 years.

He and fellow artists Richard Rangel and Juan Carrillo rent chairs from Pablo Casillas, another highly regarded tattoo artist who has owned Cyclops since early 2011.

“Sometimes we’re tattooing only a couple hours a day,” said Stillwaugh, who’s tattooed almost every area of the human body. “But it’s a decent living.”

They’re pretty busy these days, booked out about a month. Demand for tattoos always rises during tax season, when people come in flush with tax-refund cash. It dips in the summer, then rises again around Christmas.

The guys at Cyclops sometimes quote particular pieces because of the size, intricacy of artwork or other issues. But it’s always good to talk with the artist no matter what the customer has in mind, said Casillas, who is 27 and began tattooing at age 16.

“Nowadays, people get a lot of inspiration from social media. For an artist, it’s a little bit frustrating,” Casillas said. “We like when they give us a general idea and are open to interpretation. That makes it fun for us. That’s the ideal way.”

Then there’s the opposite end of the spectrum, when customers come in with a vague idea and an earnest, “I trust you guys.” Of course the ideal tattoo should be a unique creation that pleases the artist and the customer.

“You should come in with an open mind and a general idea of what you want,” Casillas said.

There’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to tattoos, and local artists are happy to help.

“We stay busy. Part of it is we really like to treat people well,” Casillas said. “It’s just a great team. They’re all experienced. We get inspiration from one another.”

Another reason it’s important to talk with artists beforehand: money. While tattoo artists welcome walk-ins, any prep time necessary for walk-ins goes toward the final bill — including sketching the design. That’s not the case if customers come in for an initial consultation, Rosal said.

“I did 12 hours of work before I even zapped him with a needle,” he said of one customer’s elaborate design. They talked, the customer gave him ideas, then Rosal sat down and drew his vision for what the customer wanted over that time.

“If I do it on the spot, you pay for that. If you’re smart, you’ll want to talk about it,” Rosal said. “Then you won’t pay for prep.”

What you want

Stillwaugh grinned when asked about the quirkiest tattoo request he’s received.

“That’s a hard question. People come up with everything you can imagine. That’s what makes it fun.”

And it includes pets — a lot of pets.

“I’ve got one in the books right now for a wiener dog,” he said.

 He’s created tattoos you’d expect for this area, such as anything related to the Seahawks. That kept tattoo artists really busy when Seattle played in back-to-back Super Bowls.

Sports tattoos in general are popular, but as with any design, “It’s gotta fit your body,” Rosal said. “Everybody’s a different shape.”

It’s kind of like going to a tailor, customer Jack Baugher said: “He’ll actually sit here and measure you.”

“You’re making designer skin,” Rosal added.

Back to Jim & Jenni’s recently for more color and shading on a tattoo on his left upper arm, Baugher talked about his experience.

“I shopped around and looked at different designs. ... With both of these, I gave him the ideas and he drew these up,” said Baugher, whose elaborate tattoos are on his upper arms.

Baugher will end up paying a little over $1,000 for the tattoo on his upper right arm and shoulder.

“But again, it’s for something you’re going to have for the rest of your life,” he said.

That means every tattoo — heavy meaning or not — should be exactly what the customer wants.

“Most people aren’t listening to their own brain and heart,” Rosal said. “I ain’t no preacher, but I actually tell people, ‘You need to really think for yourself. Who cares what your friend thinks?’”