By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Needle therapy is how some describe getting a tattoo. It helps if the tattoo artist is a conversationalist. Mike Whetham said that's one of the appeals of his new business, Convicted INK Tattoos, in Great Bend. No artwork is off limits in the shop located at 3715 10th Street just west of the stoplight at Grant Street.
"I like doing all tattoos," Whetham said. "I really like realism but I want to be experienced in all tattoos. In smaller towns, you can't be a specialist like you could in a big city."
Whetham was born in Great Bend and has more than nine years of experience in the tattoo business. He most recently owned a studio in Colby. Upon moving back to Great Bend, he gave his girlfriend naming duties for his new shop.
"I had a really cool name when I was out in Colby - Skin Revolution Tattoos - but the guy I apprenticed there, I let him keep the name," Whetman said. "When I came back to Great Bend and decided I was going to open up a shop here, I just let her pick it out."
Convicted INK will be open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. though those hours will likely change during the summer. Clients can bring in their own flash or images to be tattooed, or Whetham can work up something custom. Convicted INK will soon offer piercings.
Follow Convicted INK Tattoos on Facebook HERE.