Inked in Montana
How Montana’s Tattoo Shops are Strengthening
Communities and Creating Permanent Art
Written by: Taylor Stradiotto
Art has been portrayed through multiple mediums throughout history, one of the oldest and most fondly recognized mediums is tattooing. This intimate, self-expressive form of art has en- chanted people from all walks of life and has grown increasingly popular throughout Montana. Tattoo artists and their shops are a vital component to the communities across Montana. Blue Rider Tattoo Company in Livingston, Montana and War Horse Tattoo in Bozeman, Montana, hold fundraisers in support of other local businesses or causes that are affecting individuals in the community. 1881 Tattoo in Belgrade, Montana has been a constant source of quality artwork while offering a safe place for all people without discrimination, for over decade. In a state that is becoming vastly more expanded on, populated, and gen- trified —what does the future of these local tattoo shops and tattooing look like in different communities across Montana? What does it mean for our local artists as they adapt to this new phase of Montana.
The Intricacies of the Craft
Lee Wilkinsons, owner of 1881 Tattoos in Belgrade, has been tattooing for 24 years, but he stumbled into this craft unexpectedly while he was a massage therapist, working for a chiropractor, when a friend of his introduced Wilkinsons to his tattoo artist — the interaction sparked a sense of intrigue.
Wilkinsons said that this tattoo artist got him to consider taking on a tattoo apprenticeship — and the rest is history. Wilkin- sons and his wife, Robin, run 1881 Tattoo, together, which has become a staple of the Belgrade community. The shop invites you in with an immediate sense of safety, initiated by the warm greetings from Wilkinsons and the other artists. The openness of the seating area greets you instantly. To your left and above you, the walls are embellished with tattoo designs and sketches — both new and old. The walls of the shop are predominately showcasing the artists’ work, from traditional tattoos to fine line tattoos, and geometric tattoos.
Hanging on the walls to your left are multiple clothing and merch items from the brand Sullen, which is a tattoo lifestyle and apparel clothing brand. The feeling of a classic tattoo shop intertwined with a Modern Family feel, makes 1881 Tattoo a dynamic and warm place to get some art done. The creative and artistic value of tattooing lies in the delicate balance of artistic design, technical precision, client collaboration, deep personal meaning, and the unique challenge of working on a living canvas. Translating complex ideas into a permanent design on skin while simultaneously considering the body’s contours and the client’s individual story they are exhuming out of their own mind takes skill and care.
Tattoo equipment is a science and the technology it takes to produce such intricate art has changed for the better. In 2006 in Montana, tattoo shops and body piercing establishments were required to be licensed, but earlier than that the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) began enforcing sanitation standards for tattoo shops in 1997.
“Me personally, I use a rotary machine, opposed to a coil machine, where they’re a third of the weight,” said Wilkinsons he explained that holding a piece of machinery for six to eight hours for a tattoo is no small feat. Wilkinsons expressed how machines have changed and have become much lighter than they used to be.
Kingpin Tattoo Supply furnishes his shop with top-of-the-line reputable products. These newer machines are referred to as “pens” and they use cartridge sets of disposable needles instead of a long bar like older machines. These evolutions in technology ensure precision, sterilization, and accuracy.
At another tattoo shop located in Livingston, the owner of Blue Rider Tattoo Company — Tanya Saueressig has been tattooing for 16 years and moved to Livingston in 2018, which is when she opened Blue Rider Tattoo company. Despite all of the advances in tattoo technology, the pain is still a reasonable concern for some. Saueressig has found a thoughtful and unique way to soothe her clients, “We provide distractions as well — putting on a movie or TV show on our TVs, playing music they like, podcasts, etcetera,” said Saueressig. “I have found this to be the biggest help in distracting clients from pain.”
Beyond creating a welcoming atmosphere inside her shop, Saueressig also embraces the community she works in. “Livingston still feels like what Bozeman used to feel like, and this is why I want to be here in Livingston,” she says. “It feels like home in your soul here.” As Bozeman continues to grow and evolve, the home of Blue Rider Tattoo Company encapsulates a nostalgic feeling that is unique to Livingston, Saueressig explained. Saueressig wanted to respect the rich history of Livingston and to assimilate respectfully.
Tattoos for a Cause
In 2022, Blue Rider Tattoo Company hosted a tattoo event where they raised $2,200 for Stafford Animal Shelter after the flood that affected the `community and the local businesses in Livingston.
The pride and generosity Saueressig has for her Livingston community manifests through her fundraising and using her art to support causes that matter in a local and important way. Providing for the community in multiple ways is something that Blue Rider Tattoo Company continues to ensure for the Livingston community.
“A lot of our clients are from Livingston, and they really appreciate that we are there instead of having to go to Bozeman or somewhere else,” says Saueressig. Proving that the desire to not rely on a difficult commute to Bozeman for everything they need is a unique strength that this shop serves its local patrons.
Richards spoke about an annual event that they have been a part of and are planning to be a part of again this year. The Ultra 200 takes place in July. The event entails people running 200 miles through mountain trails. After the event, they get a tattoo to commemorate the accomplishment and celebrate the memory.
Richards tattooed 20 participants of the Ultra 200 last July and talks about how the experience, “Not only did I overcome this crazy obstacle in the 200-mile event mountain range race, but then I got a tattoo to commemorate it and have a good time with my friends and family,” he says, “There’s so much love and power there.”
War Horse Tattoos has donated to nonprofits and hosted tattoo events to raise money for children whose parents have cancer. Richards speaks on these experiences and expresses what an honor it is to help others and help individuals flourish in the community during times of struggle or hardship.
“If you can sell that person an experience in a tattoo and use their money to help somebody else in need, it’s like you’re winning twice,” says Richards.
Healing the Community
With his art, Wilkinsons has helped many individuals in the Belgrade community and from around the country process and heal from grief.
“You want it to be the best thing you put out especially with memorial tattoos. “It’s hard for them, you know, they’re commemorating, memorializing someone who’s passed away, and then when they look at it, people start crying in the middle of tattoos,” said Wilkinsons.
There’s a rigid dichotomy between clients and someone providing them a service in most areas of society, but the intimate relationship between a client and artist is built on trust and empathy. Wilkinsons spoke about how he sympathizes with his clients and supports them through hardships such as loss.
“We’ve tattooed people who, their husbands have burnt them. Their husbands have scared them physically and mentally and for us to cover that or to give them something new that they can see,” says Wilkinsons, “That means a lot to us, you know. So, those are the memorable ones.”
Richards, talked about the feeling of seeing a client’s face light up when they get to look in the mirror at a memorial tattoo for the first time. “They feel attached to their loved one again for just another ten to twenty seconds, and the fact that I could provide that for them makes me feel awesome, because I’m giving them a sense of love and closure that they didn’t get with that person.”
Experiencing grief together through the practice of getting a tattoo with a client while reminiscing on memories of the person who passed is one of the most fulfilling moments that a client and an artist can experience simultaneously together.
According to these artists, the bond between a client and artist is not a surface level type of bond. It’s a deeper bond because this isn’t a surface-level type of job with the level of seriousness and care that goes into the service they are providing. The business cultivates a close alliance between client and artist. “You’re not just buying a coffee; you’re getting a permanent mark,” says Richards.
What These Local Artists Want You to Know…
Tattoo studios and the artists that inhabit them are a central point for connection by fostering a sense of belonging through their art. They have created safe spaces for self-expression and sometimes serve as advocates for important causes in their communities.
“I wanted to build a space for anyone to walk in, not just heavily tattooed people, Megadeth playing and death metal playing and skeletons,” she says. “I want people to feel comfortable and be welcomed and I want to fit the history of Montana and Livingston.”
Walking into Blue Rider Tattoo Company, you are met with the soft glow of natural light, paintings of Montana and Livingston, as well as art made by Saueressig’s dad who was an artist by trade. There are antiques everywhere, and a diverse array of music genres filtering throughout the day. The restroom is filled with photos of classic and noir film movie stars as well as advertisements from the 1920’s through the 1950’s. My favorite part of the shop is the antique couch placed next to the coffee table that supports artists look-books, dishes filled with water bottles, granola bars, and gummy snacks for their customers’ comfort and needs.
“People come in all the time and think it’s an art gallery. That’s what I love about it, and I love that it is different,” said Saueressig.
Aside from cultivating a nuanced space that is a far cry from the traditional tattoo shop aesthetic, Saueressig talks about the health and safety standards she must follow in renting or owning a building you will be tattooing in.
“I rent the building, but I would love to own it. I wouldn’t change anything. I would want to preserve it,” Saueressig says, “I want to put people at ease because people are intimidated and nervous because they come in with preconceived notions.” Respecting the historical integrity of her unique building while showcasing its history throughout the shop, has helped create a safe place for anyone to come into looking to get some ink.
Back in Bozeman, Dana Richards, owner of War Horse Tattoo has been tattooing for 11 years but has always wanted to pursue this medium.
“It’s different when you draw for money and you’re not just like, ‘Oh, I can draw, I can tattoo.’ Like, that’s not a thing. But I’ve drawn most of my life, you know, since I was a child, and I’ve had various jobs up until tattooing,” said Richards.
Richards explains that back then, you had to get an apprenticeship because there was no traditional school route, such as college, that one could take to pursue being a tattoo artist.
“When I was about 20, when I had to take a reflection of my life and look at it and decide, am I happy with what I want? Do I have my dream job? Do I have my dream life? And the answer was no,” says Richards, “then I wrote it down, and was like, ‘What is my dream job?’ Okay, I would love to tattoo people for a living and get to a point where I could support myself financially.”
Dismantling Stereotypes and Disproving the Stigma
There is stigma surrounding tattoos that often associates them with negativity, deviance, criminality, and a lack of professionalism.
“Art is not a symbol of rebellion anymore but a symbol of self-expression,” said Saueressig. “They don’t look like they have tattoos, then you see inside what is in their personality and who they are being expressed on their skin. It goes deeper than what is seen on the surface,” she added as she spoke about some of her clients.
For some people, tattoos are a way to proudly represent your heritage, honor an accomplishment, or show off your fandom, passion or interest. Paying homage to the things, places, or people you love has become the purpose of getting this permanent art for many people.
Wilkinsons spoke about the fact that despite contrary belief, a large amount of the clientele ranges from students to soccer moms to professionals.
“It’s a good variety but we do listen to metal every once in a while, but we keep it a mix of country and diverse metal and all this,” says Wilkin- sons, “because that way, if you’ve got a mom who brought her child in and then you’ve got screaming metal or music with profanity they might get a good tattoo, but they might not want to come back around again, so we try to keep it more of a family environment.”
The respect and welcoming energy radiating from this shop is one of many reasons 1881 Tattoos has a strong and long-lasting positive reputation in this community. Wilkinsons described his shop as a family.
One of the misconceptions about tattoos is the potential devourer that having tattoos will keep people denied from certain jobs and career fields, but according to these artists, rapid progress has been made to dismantle this scrutiny and prejudice from career fields.
“Even in Montana, some people will be rude and say, ‘Oh, Montana’s not progressive enough. Montana is behind,’ but at the end of the day, fire, police, Sheriff, military, EMT, paramedics, the whole squad, all have visible tattoos, and they don’t get denied from those jobs, and they’re out here saving lives and doing awesome things for the community and all of us every day,” says Richards.
There’s a blurred line between the acceptance of tattoos and disdain for tattoos, but we’re at a turning point in America, where with most careers, it’s about who is qualified for the job, and less about physical appearance. There are still stipulations, but the progress that has been made towards the acceptance of tattoos in high profile jobs has surpassed the judgment of past decades.
Wilkinsons expresses what he wants Montanans to know about the industry and the people within it: “We are family people, business owners, mothers and fathers, we are not convicts or criminals and bad people,” says Wilkinsons. “Tattoo studios are here to stay; the state has embraced us, the people around us have embraced us.”
Societal acceptance has progressed so much that if you don’t have tattoos, you’re the minority now. “It’s not scary, it’s just art. It takes the fear and the stigma out of it. As of the last 15 years, it is not just the fringes of society like biker gangs and military vets,” said Saueressig.
“You can’t assume that you walk in it’s druggies, or drunk people or bikers or gang members,” says Wilkinsons. “We make a living doing art. We are not in the 1970s and 1980s anymore. Tattoo culture has changed and so have the artists.”
Coming into a creative space, such as a tattoo studio, will open your mind to beauty in diversity and inclusion. Dedicating some of your time and money to get the permanent piece of art of your dreams is a unique, creative experience.
Possibilities in Progress: Looking to The Future
As the social and cultural climate of Montana changes and evolves at a rapid rate, and with an increasing population density and people from all different walks of life enter our communities, the tattoo shops of Montana are putting down roots and are here to stay.
Wilkinsons has always had a vision of longevity for his shop. “My wife and I built this up, and we’ve had artists in here as well that helped us build this. But at first, it was me and her,” he says. “And we take great pride in this place, and we just wanted to continue doing what it’s doing. Buildup. Make everybody some money.”
The artists contribute to the community continuously and are welcoming to all. This is a space that celebrates diversity, mainstream individuals, the alternative subculture, and everyone in between. That is why Richards always uses the slogan “all tats welcome” on his social media posts.
“If you have an idea, we will make it come to life for you.” says Richards. Richards also encourages everyone in the community not to settle, get exactly what you want and not be afraid to walk into a shop.
Saueressig wants Montana residents to know that maintaining the individual’s ideas, vision, and personality is a priority to her and her shop, “You and your ideas are unique because you are, and I will make it as personal to you because of who you are. It’s about a personal experience shown visually.”
Whether it is your first time getting a tattoo, you are just contemplating one, or you are finishing up a sleeve — the experience you will have at any tattoo studio will stick with you for life.