Gone are the days of tattoos being anything but living works of art, according to tattoo artist, Tim Phelps, of  Age of Reason Tattoo.

He recently attended the Immersed in Ink Tattoo and Arts Festival in Louisville, Ky.  There artists from around the country gathered to show their work and compete against each other.

There were contests everyday and lots of god natured ribbing to go around.  There is one category that is coveted above all others at a gathering of this sort,  it is Tattoo of the Day.  This is where each artist must start and complete a tattoo that day.  Needless to say it is hard to win.  Every artist brings their best ideas and starts early each day and often times works right until the contest is started.  This can be as much as 10 to 12 hours total. 

This is where Tim comes to compete on the national scale.  He is joined by his canvas this weekend,  Daniel Bartley.  Together they come up with what they feel is the perfect tattoo – a 1920’s era pin up.  They take 3rd place Tattoo of the Day on Saturday.  It is not 1st but they will try again tomorrow.  Sunday comes and with it the decision to have fun.  The tattoo today is a 1950’s picture of a kid playing spaceship.  They hurry to complete it before the early judging, it being Sunday and everyone goes home early.  They take 3rd place Tattoo of the Day again.

The convention confirmed what many in Bowling Green already knew, if you want a tattoo that’s an award winning work of art come to Tim Phelps at Age of Reason Tattoo.  

Tim Phelps is the sole artist at Age of Reason Tattoo and can be found there Wednesday thru Sunday 2pm to 10pm.  Unless he is at a convention improving his talent and competing against the country’s best.  To see his work stop by the shop or check out his website at timphelps.net.