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Art Meets Rock 'n' Roll at Carey Hart's New Tattoo Shop

From Affliction T-shirts to Ed Hardy vodka to Christian Audigier The Nightclub, vintage tattoo artwork has become a coveted style throughout numerous facets of consumerism. While some of us may shun these bedazzled accouterments and seemingly ostentatious brands, it's undeniable that this style of artwork, once reserved for pirates and bikers, has made its way from the grungy alleyways into a well-respected position in mainstream society. Carey Hart, freestyle motocross legend and owner of the newly-opened Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, attributes this leap in popularity to the media coverage the tattoo industry received during the reality TV shows Inked and Miami Ink, which made body art seem more accessible and less intimidating. "As of lately, a lot of people are coming in and they're starting to get away from the little bikini line on the little small of the back and they're actually going out there for bigger, more art-driven pieces," Hart says. Last month, Hart moved his shop from Palms Casino Resort into a new space at Hard Rock Hotel, bringing the art of ink to the art of rock ‘n' roll. "I think people, moreso at Hard Rock than any other casino in Las Vegas, really come here to party," he says. "It's always been about rock ‘n' roll, the party atmosphere." As summertime arrived, it became apparent by the pool-bound guests wandering through the casino in bikinis and board shorts, bodies covered in sprawling designs, that this new location is the perfect spot for the tattoo venue. Though Hart has enjoyed a long-time passion with ink work, you won't catch him with a tattoo gun in hand. "I can barely write my name, let alone draw," he laughs. "The next best thing was for me to own a tattoo shop where I can come and hang out with my friends, watch amazing tattoo work going down and once and awhile get a piece for myself." H&H Tattoo promises talent from the likes of Mike Roche, a renowned artist also a part of the American punk band True Sounds of Liberty; Clark North, who was brought over from the original location at The Palms; and Jime Litwalk, as well as guest appearances from highly soughtafter names in the tattoo world. Hart is known for his extensive indulgence in tattoos, a trend that started from humble beginnings. "My first tattoo was this horrendous skull and flames and my old race number 111. I got it the day of my 18th birthday in my buddy's kitchen from his dad," Hart says. "I think the moral of the story is you get what you pay for." Fortunately, H&H Tattoo also offers tattoo removal - the only tattoo parlor in Las Vegas with this amenity. Sabina Kelley, laser tattoo removal specialist, can fade or completely remove tattoos between approximately one to 12 treatments priced at $220 per session. Kelley says many of her clients aren't necessarily people looking to remove a poorly-chosen graphic or name of an exboyfriend, but rather people looking to change up their artwork entirely. "A lot of the people I have been lasering are getting entire sleeves taken off and getting new sleeves," Kelley says. "A lot of them are tattoo artists that are heavily tattooed. You get to start over."
702.216.5360 | www.hartandhuntingtontattoo.com