Summer's End Studios: The Art of Ink on Skin

In the past, tattoos were seen as something unique to the domain of sailers and bikers. The works lacked color and were often crudely drawn. Recently, that image has undergone a tremendous transformation as artists have used their talents to highlight a dazzling array of styles, creating amazing pieces. Benjamin and Lynn Jennes at Summer's End Studios, located at 12 Jenkins Court, are great examples of this trend.

When you walk into the store, the first thing you'll notice is their drawings. Surrounding their work area, they have a gallery of custom stencils from their projects. It gives you insight into their style and gives you confidence that they produce incredible work.

Benjamin attended Montserrat College of Art and majored in graphic design and fine

arts. After designing books and a stint at advertising and marketing upscale housing, he reached a turning point during the financial crisis. He decided to reinvent himself and began a tattoo apprenticeship. The year-long process involved learning how to transfer his skill of drawing on a flat surface to working on the three-dimensional surfaces of the body. Initially, training occurs on pieces of fruit and finally moves on to skin. Over time, he has developed a graphic-rich dot work styling and creates remarkable Mandala designs.