other fields of art also . Honestly , I write down ideas constantly for drawings , paintings and tattoo ideas .”
PERSONAL MEANING “ The fact that I ’ m granted the ability to put permanent artwork on the human body forever is the most rewarding part of being a tattoo artist ,” Storch says . “ I believe [ tattoos are ] a permanent statement of something meaningful to a person and their representation .”
One of Storch ’ s repeat customers , Anne Petronave , got her first ( of now 11 ) tattoos at age 15 when she was on vacation in Florida . She says she and her friend chose the same design — two hearts linked together — and got them tattooed on their ankles at the same time . Storch has done five of her tattoos and also did her daughter ’ s first tattoo shortly after she turned 18 .
“ I like to get tattoos that represent relationships or loved ones ,” says Petronave , who lived in Laguna for 30 years before moving to Northern California recently , although she ’ s often back in town to see clients for work . “ Two of my tattoos are in memory of each of my parents , one of them represents my dear corgi , Roxy , and the others represent friendships and heritage — a Norwegian flag that my daughter and I both have ,” Petronave says . “ I also have one to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe .”
Tattoos are a representation of art and memory , she says . “ When I look at each of my tattoos , I am reminded of the person or situation I was in when I got it ,” Petronave explains . “ Kalani is very talented and a joy to hang out with while getting tattooed . [ He ] most recently tattooed a bee on my bicep and captured the exact vision I had .”
While people often get tattoos to express themselves , remind themselves of past times or loved ones , or to just look cool , Leibowitz says it ’ s the aesthetic that creates repeat customers .
“ I think [ the reason ] people keeping coming back for more or getting more is seeing how beautiful tattoos look on their skin ,” Leibowitz says , “ and being able to express themselves artistically .” g
Zane Leibowitz ( above ) working on clients ( top and middle right ) at Bare Bones Tattoo shop . Leibowitz , who grew up going to his brother ’ s tattoo shop , began apprenticing to become a tattoo artist himself after high school .
ERIC LAMPE
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 47