A tattoo is a very personal thing. Most people get tattoos to represent a time in their life, a loved one or an event. Dave Richmond, who owns Gem Tattoo in Kirkland, does not take that responsibility lightly.

“It can be pretty overwhelming to do a piece that you know that person will wear for the rest of their life,” said Richmond. “We like to keep it low key and personable. But it is a part of our American folk history.”

As the personal nature of tattooing has become more mainstream, Richmond sees more and more Kirklanders coming into his shop to get tattoos below the short-sleeve cuff line.

“It is starting to loosen up in the corporate areas,” said Richmond, who also builds tattooing machines. “We get everyone from business people, to people from Microsoft, to motorcycle builders.”

Richmond does a lot of corrections for his customers who have received less than stellar work at other shops.

“It can be a challenge,” said Richmond. “You really have to do your homework cause they have usually faded.”

Even with the existing stereotypes that tattoo artists are not college educated, Richmond graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

“I started out in tattooing with a traditional apprenticeship,” said Richmond, who added that more and more tattoo artists are getting traditional art degrees.

Richmond’s passion for art goes beyond the skin of local Kirklanders, as his other artistic endeavors have begun getting him some attention locally. Richmond’s oil paintings have been featured at Kirkland’s Cafe Ladro. He is set to have another show at the Cafe Ladro in Bothell. Richmond said that it is difficult to put together multiple shows at one time.

“A lot of my work involves the most simplistic energy between nature and man in its on-going struggle,” said Richmond, who likes to fish in his free time.

Most of Richmond’s paintings are in the modern art or abstract styles. Richmond said he has a type of painting that he likes more than others, as he joked, “The one that sells.”

Richmond has also illustrated kids books, done large mural art and created band logos. One style that he enjoys creating is 50s style pin-up art.

“I enjoy doing custom designs as long as they are a challenge,” said Richmond, who credits his father, a photographer, for getting him and his brothers interested in art as they grew up in Columbus, Ohio.

Richmond’s first tattoo was of a cross that he did himself in junior high school. The next time he tattooed himself it was as a learning experience. “I had to tattoo myself to finish my apprenticeship to relate to what I was doing to other people.”

Richmond, who’s first professional tattoo was of a dragon, moved to Washington in 1991 and opened a tattoo shop in Tacoma. Gem Tattoo opened six years ago.

“My wife works in Bellevue and it was just closer,” said Richmond. “I hated the commute.”

Richmond plans to get even more involved in the Kirkland community next year as he enters his 90-pound dog Brodey in the 100 Hounds of Kirkland competition: “He is pretty famous around Kirkland.”

As is his owner.

More information

Gem Tattoo is located at 605 Market Street. Contact 206-683-3835 or visit their Web site.