Tattoo History Interview with an Expert
We’re super excited to bring to you our first official interview here on the OCD blog. In efforts to think outside of the box, we landed on tattoo savant Michelle Myles. Not only is Myles a tattoo shop / tattoo museum owner, she was also tattooing in NYC while it was illegal! We were eager to hear about her career.
1) A lot of people (including ourselves) weren't aware that it was illegal to tattoo in NYC from 1961-1997. You were a part of the underground tattoo scene for several years. How did you persevere?
The tattoo ban was never enforced, in fact I used to tattoo cops all the time. Early 1990’s New York City tattooing wasn’t a big priority for law enforcement and also it wasn’t a criminal offense it was a health code violation so if anything you could get a summons for tattooing as opposed to tattooing minors which would have been considered a criminal offense.
2) What were the pros of underground tattooing?
The best part of tattooing underground was that it kept the competition out of New York City, and it was a pretty small community of artists working in the city. We knew that once it was legalized shops would be everywhere which is exactly what happened.
3) Your tattoo shop, Daredevil Tattoo, preserves tattoo designs that are over 100 years old and is home to some of the first tattooing mechanisms. Is there a design or antique item you're most drawn to?
We’re probably most proud to have the Sundancer on display by Bert Grimm. It’s probably the most famous piece of traditional tattoo flash there is so we’re very lucky to be able to have that to share with visitors. Also, the Thomas Edison perforating pen is a very significant piece that inspired the first electric tattoo machine patent. It’s was also the first patent for a motorized device in the United States.
4) You host a very popular tattoo history tour in NYC's Lower East Side. What is your favorite fact from the tour?
I like showing not just tattoo history but also Lower East Side history and there’s an original row house on my tour that not only had a tattooer that worked there, but also was the headquarters of the Bowery Boys and was where the infamous gang war depicted in Gangs of New York started.
5) What is your favorite area of the body to tattoo?
Arms.
6) What is your most recent tattoo?
I think it was the tattoo Diego, who works for me at Daredevil, did on my chest. It’s some deco Egyptian revival style lotus flowers.
7) OCD The Judge's Pick offers a full range of tattoo skincare products including a balm, aftercare ointment, nighttime enhancing lotion, brightening cleanser and SPF lotion. What part of tattoo skincare do you think is most important?
The most important thing you can do to take care of your skin, and your tattoos is to avoid sun exposure. There nothing else that ages your skin (and your tattoos) as much.
Thank you, Michelle Myles for taking time out of your wildly busy and successful schedule to chat with us.
If you find yourself in New York City, be sure to book the highly sought-after tour with Michelle Myles through Airbnb – click here!
xx,
The OCDivas
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