Bowling Green, Ohio, has sharks. That may come as a bit of a surprise in a landlocked state, but there are plenty more surprises when you pay a visit to On The Edge Tattoo and Piercing. Located on N. Main Street, the spectacular twin level studio owned and operated by husband and wife Tobe and Cameran Drew has established itself as a showcase for the skin arts. And those sharks we mentioned are part of the facility's interior décor. You'll find them swimming in a 150-gallon salt water aquarium and fed only by Cameran. Speaking of decor, the 3,000-square-foot shop features an all-glass and white brick exterior, diamond plate counters and a soaring 18-foot ceiling not to mention a huge H.R. Giger skull mural covering one massive interior wall. There's even a "tattoo library" on the second level complete with leather couches and tattoo books for customers to peruse. When you're On The Edge, you are inking in style.
This skinarts emporium takes its name from owner Tobe's nickname, "Edge" and he's definitely got it when it comes to displaying his wide spectrum of tattooing talents. While noted for his all-round, "jack-of-all-trades" skills, he does have an ink-lination toward Celtic and portrait work. The staff of On The Edge also includes Dennis Foust who handles straight up black and gray as well as a bomb full color and is known for his "stickers" tattoos. Roy Branham's got a rep for his hot rod and rockabilly imagery while Chad Bennett's considered to be totally "off the wall" with his flash work. The newest addition at One the Edge, Jamie Tadsen, brings an art background in oil painting and a new perspective to the mix. Each artist occupies their own private room as do piercers Whitey and Tony whose motto is "you name it, we'll stick it!" The shop piercings are hard to beat... 90% cost no more that $10. In addition, both Tobe and Dennis handle a ton of crazy body modifications and scarifications.
As for their customers, Cameran says, "It's anybody and everybody.. from Bowling Green State University students to doctors and lawyers and even members of the local health department. Just now it's Fireman's Week so we have a lot of firefighters coming in to have their station number tattooed." The shop also takes part in the annual Ink Fest Tattoo Show held in April. Speaking of shows, Cameran competed in the Columbus Easyriders Bike and Tattoo Show final showdown and brought back yet another trophy for the crowded awards shelf, this one for Best Overall female. Her prize winning collection was created by her husband Tobe who's currently involved in a number of major backpieces with Celtic themes created using his own tattoo machines.
Situated smack dab in the middle of Bowling Green and open seven days a week, the multi-faceted shop has it all.., no wonder people call it "The Tattoo Mahal." You can see lots more On The Edge and its talented artists by logging onto www.ontheedgetattoo.com.
-Paul Garson