In your own skin

Jake Hufnagle, 34, of Baltimore sits for a tattoo by John “Johnny Fitswell” Sanchez of San Antonio, Texas. ()

Alexandra Fische tattoos the forearm of Barbara Palacios, 26, of Woodstock. Fische began painting at age 12 and considers tattooing a form of painting. ()

Carlos Macias tattoos Keith Eby of Harrisburg, Pa., at the Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention. Macias, 33, has been tattooing since he was 12. He says, “I didn't know it would take me across the world.” He was invited to Amsterdam for tattooing, and has been to Germany, Switzerland, Puerto Rico and Brazil for his art. ()

Jesus “Rebel Kolors” Lopez tattoos Paul Samaniego. The quote: “I see now that the circumstances of ones birth are irrelevant. It's what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.” ()

Nicky Hennerez of Canton makes a template for a tattoo. He works as a tattoo artist in Crofton.

Joshua “Two Bears” Carlton expresses his Native American ethnicity in his name and his tattoos. ()

Every tattoo tells a story, a story of honor or identity or religion or love or cars ... The list goes on and on. The ritual of making indelible pictures on the body by inserting permanent pigments in the top layers of skin is very old. Archaeologists have discovered designs on ancient mummies dating to at least 2000 B.C.

At the Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention recently held at the Baltimore Convention center, thousands of people converged to have tattoos imprinted on their bodies. Many of the tattoos they chose reflect more than just an appreciation of a beautiful flower, geometric pattern or movie character.

The tattoos reflect something intangible, something meaningful from their lives which is then translated into a physical design by the tattoo artist. Through the collaboration of artist and subject, their stories are revealed. And just like their clients, the artists have their own unique stories.