The "A Hero With Ink & Needle" Story

Tattoo artist Eric Catalano

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story in "Reader's Digest" telling about a tattoo artist by the name of Eric Catalano who helps injured and scarred patients gain confidence and pride once again.  What caught my eye was the set of photographs that showed the left hand of a fellow who had lost parts of two fingers and had the tips of those fingers tattooed with fingernails that were so realistic that most people thought they were really his fingernails.  

Fingers before (left) and right with tattoos.

Most people, including Eric's co-workers who had heard he was going to try and tattoo fingernails on a person who had his fingertips cut off by the fan belt of an automobile, made everyone in his studio laugh...until they saw the final result.  Eric worked in the automobile financing business until he decided to begin tattooing for a profession and began working at his External Tattoo Studio in Hecker, Illinois.  After more people saw the results of his fingernail tattoos, Eric decided to enter the field of paramedical tattooing.  He now is getting people from all over the world seek out his tattooing expertise so they can try and return to a normal life after having a life altering accident.  One woman had been bitten by a puppy in 2014 and had undergone several surgeries to correct a scar on her lip.  Nothing helped until Eric did his wizardry and camouflaged the scar on her lip with a tattoo.  

My son's tattooed arm showing his grandfather
with his initials and date of birth and death
done by tattoo artist Steve Lowry.

A few years ago I went with my youngest son to visit Trancending Flesh Tattoo Studio in center-city Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Tad wanted to have his Grandmother's initials tattooed on his leg inside a wreath of flowers.  The owner of the studio, Steve Lowry, who was a student of mine in my graphic arts course.  I could tell he was a talented graphic artist and he put that artistry to good use at his tattoo shop.  Steve has done several tattoos on Tad as well as a tattoo on my daughter's wrist which reads XXIII for the date she was married and the dates both her children were born.  He also has completed a tattoo on my oldest granddaughter that reads: "I am greater than my highs and lows" which relates to her Diabetes readings.  

Steve working on my daughter's arm.

He too is using his skill to help his customers share their life with others.  One of the most common tattoos that Eric now does for his customers is tattooing nipples on women who have had breast surgery.  Each Wednesday in his shop is known as Wellness Wednesday where he does medical tattoos for customers, who come from miles around, for no charge.  He doesn't make any money off these customers, but after seeing the emotions of these customers after he has done his artistry, he is well paid.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Steve and Tad outside Steve's Studio

My daughter's tattoo reading: "23"

My granddaughter's tattoo reading: I am Greater than my Ups and Downs.