The Tattoo Industry: Affected by the economy? 1/3

Joshua Thiverge had accumulated over 20 tattoos on his body in the past four years in addition to multiple piercings and has absolutely no intention to stop.
"I plan on being heavily tattooed, my goal is to have my whole body covered excluding my face," Thiverge said.
In the past year alone he has gotten around 12 tattoos, but for all of the art on his body he has only had to pay $1000. Thiverge is lucky to have developed friendships with his artists, because they have discounted all of his work and sometimes done work for free.
"I've been getting tattoos at the same tattoo shop for four years...they gave me great discounts and sometimes even free work...I've spent around $1000, but the artwork I've accumulated is worth triple," Thiverge said.
He works an arduous job as a Warehouse Worker for a roofing company. Unfortunately, like many other people, Thiverge says that the economy has reduced his ability to freely acquire tattoos as much as he used to. Most people walk out of shops with designs in hand and are forced to wait until they have enough money.
"Rising prices in everyday needs limited my ability to get tattooed as frequently as I used to...numerous people ask how I can afford to get tattoos, this art has a price as much as any other art piece would," Thiverge said.
Due to a deteriorated economy, many shops locally have closed because they had not made enough money to pay rent because people just can't afford the steep price of tattoos. Thiverge also mentioned he has seen shops that have thrived at the same time due to the increasing popularity of tattooing.
"Some shops are definitely feeling the fall of the economy, reason being they may not have the best location or talent," Thiverge said. "Yet some shops are thriving with the rising interest and desire for tattoos."
Although he lacks enough funds, Thiverge has not been deterred in his quest to completely modify his body. Along with many tattoo enthusiasts, he sees his body as his own canvas and will stop at nothing until he has fully satisfied his appetite for artwork.
"I get tattoos simply because I love the art behind it," Thiverge said. "I see them as a challenge along with my other body modifications to strive to never be outcasted and categorized for the things I choose to do with my body."