Tattoo Art & Culture — 2026-09-21
This week's issue covers the Golden State Tattoo Expo's return to Pasadena, a growing tattoo-removal boom as regret rates climb alongside tattoo popularity, a fresco of history with NPR's story of pioneering female tattoo artist Maud Wagner, and a look at the hyperrealistic 3D tattoo movement.
Tattoo Art & Culture — 2026-09-21
Trends & Styles
3D hyperrealism on the rise. A piece exploring contemporary hyperrealism — where realism meets Y2K and neotraditional styles — highlights artists like Anya Tsyna and Pony Lawson, who create bold, metallic-toned "dynamic, otherworldly" designs that make tattoos read as three-dimensional.
Regret and removal. As tattoos grow more popular, demand for laser removal is rising too: optimal results typically require two to 15 treatments, with several weeks of healing between sessions — a practical consideration for anyone committing to fine-line micro work.
Artist Spotlight
Maud Stevens Wagner — a century-old pioneer, retold. NPR revisits the story of one of the country's first known female tattoo artists, a Kansas farm girl who ran off to join the circus and became a tattoo legend — a reminder of how far women have shaped the craft.
Events
Golden State Tattoo Expo, Pasadena. The exhibition just wrapped: tattoo artists from 27-plus countries filled the Pasadena Convention Center over three days for contests, live tattooing, and showcases.
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