Danny Zelsman : Tattoo Artist - Marlowe Ink

Danny Zelsman - The artist doing the holding

Danny Zelsman started his career in the tattoo industry as a body piercer at 18 years old. He began his tattoo apprenticeship in 2007, and has been working as a full time artist for 3 years. After having worked for a few other shops, Danny has made his home at Marlowe Ink in Fairfax, Va where he has been for the last 6 years.

While he may not have a decade of tattooing under his belt, he has been working in shops for more than that, and has seen some trends that come and go. When asked about the popularity of tattoos among todays clientele, Danny comments that the media coverage might mislead people a bit.

"There is only about 30% of the U.S. population that is tattooed. It's still a part of the counter culture." When asked about the types of tattoos that are popular, he said that designs celebrities get, or what winds up on Pinterest, tend to influence a lot of people's decision for the designs they choose for themselves.

Danny knows it's not his choice what people get on them, and passes no judgement, but urges people to take heed when an artist says that a specific design may not be a good for a tattoo, or if they aren't the best person for the job. "Someone who does Traditional style tattoos may not be able to do realistic portraits. So, if they tell you they can't, or won't, do something, it's best to listen"

I asked Danny what style of tattoos he likes to do and he said that he "wants to be as well versed as possible. But, I have a particular appreciation for American Traditional." With bold lines, simple color schemes, and the use of black shading, Danny says "it's going to look good in 20 years" which is why he has taken such an interest in that particular genre.

When he was young boy, Danny knew that he wanted to be tattooed. He remembers telling his grandfather this at age 10, and being scolded "Tattoos are permanent reminders of temporary feelings!" Although his grandfather intended to discourage young Danny from getting any ink, they had sort of an opposite affect.

"That's an awesome phrase, and it's true. I remember exactly where I was in the world, what I was feeling, and everything else in my life at the moment of getting each tattoo. Sometimes you don't want to forget."

It's a theme that motivates Danny to keep getting more work.

If you look around his work station, you will see a collection of drawings he has made for client requests, gifts brought from clients as a special way to say "thank you", and and artwork from friends, including Marlowe Ink's manager Kim O'Keefe.

Having tattooed people from all walks of life, and for every reason under the sun, he leaves us with this advice-

"Don't put so much pressure on yourself, or the tattoo. If you fall off of your bike, get cut, and it leaves a scar, it will be with you for the rest of your life. You didn't choose that scar, what it looks like, or where it goes. But you can with tattoos. It doesn't necessarily have to mean anything, as long as it makes you smile. That's the important part"