Tattoo artist Les Bowen reflects on 61 years inking bodies and change from underground to art form – ABC News

A few sewing needles tied to a cork, a bottle of Indian ink and plenty of ego gave Les Bowen his start as a tattoo artist.
Key points:

• As a teenager Les Bowen first dabbled in tattooing using sewing needles and ink
• Bowen has tattooed scores of famous bodies including Cindy Ray and Tom Waits
• After six decades of fine muscle control, Bowen said his hand is still rock steady at age 78

It was 1959 and the then 17-year-old was practising tattooing skulls and letters on his friends.
“You go around and…

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