Tattoo Super Genius Damon Conklin is having a buzzing big party

August 8, 10:39 AMSeattle People ExaminerLaura Vecsey

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 Seattle Center has its share of niche festivals over the course of the year, like festivals featuring  kids, dogs, cats, Asians, Norwegians, quilters and unicyclists. But we bet anyone to come up with a Seattle Center weekend bonanza that will get as much ink as the Seattle Tattoo Expo. Or, rather, a festival that will sink as much ink -- in the arms, pecs, foreheads and rear ends of tattoo enthusiasts from all over Seattle and beyond.

The Seattle Tattoo Expo is the product of Seattle tattoo artist extraordinaire Damon Conklin, owner of Super Genius Tattoo on E. Pike St.

Conklin was named as one of Skin Magazine's top 20 most influential tattooists and you can read about Conklin's ideas and insights about what people come to him seeking for their body art in this Smithsonian.com interview.

The World Tattoo Authority offers up this compelling blurb about Conklin:

"Raised a poor black child under the iron fist of an angry Jehovah’s Witness grandfather, Damon was able to find a niche in playing the sax at an early age. His teenage years, filled with crime and a serious drinking problem, lead him to a short career in the army. It wasn’t till March of 1992 that he sobered up and finished an Associate of Arts Degree in June of 1993. With a degree, Damon was able to enter the world of 3D animation. When he got his first tattoo his life took another direction. He was able to get an internship at Slave to the Needle after randomly meeting a young Aaron Bell. After several years he was working at conventions and selling flash. Now Damon throws the Seattle Tattoo Expo, which has become well accepted by the Seattle community and media."

The Seattle Expo is one of dozens of tattoo conventions that takes place all over the globe and has drawn 7,000 people to gawk and shop for some needling body art. The show organizers do things up right and offer everyone in the city a chance to see new tattoo talent, including this long list of tattoo artists slated to be at the Seattle Expo.

Tattoo You, dudes and dudettes. And if you find Damon, ask him about his tattoo portfolio  -- and see if he can squeeze you in. Ha!